Chapter 365

In the middle of the Pacific Ocean, where all you can see is the horizon in every direction, there was a lone island left standing.

I was lying at the edge of the cliff on that island, basking in the sunlight.

The sea surrounding the cliff relentlessly sent waves crashing toward the island.

Massive walls of water collided with the rocks, breaking apart and scattering white foam into the sky before falling back down.

The endless sound of those collisions felt like white noise woven into nature, soothing my heart.

When I shifted my gaze, I saw a landscape completely opposite to the brilliant sunlight pouring over me: one filled with darkness.

The deep, dark cave at the center of the island.

James Research Institute employees were constantly going in and out of the cave entrance, which revealed nothing of its interior.

Above the heads of the employees carrying equipment and documents as they entered and exited the cave sat Mini Reapers, each perched atop their own person.

The Mini Reapers seated on the scalps of the employees seemed amused by something, watching them work with smiles on their faces.

Though they were the Attached Humans of the Mini Reapers, the atmosphere here was quite different from that of Sehee Research Institute.

After being chosen by Mini Reapers, Sehee Research Institute employees stopped working altogether under the guise of managing their reapers…

“Hmm, this must have been Sehee Research Institute before the Golden Reaper appeared…”

‘…’

‘…’

Upon further reflection, the employees of Sehee Research Institute didn’t do much work even before being chosen.

So it seems the problem wasn’t really the Mini Reapers but rather the people themselves.

Even now, the number of employees on the island seemed quite large, but in reality, it had significantly decreased.

After all, when James’s ship returned, it took away a considerable number of employees and victims.

Judging by their departure alongside James, they were likely moved to Korea first and then transferred to another country.

Because the victims clearly weren’t Korean.

‘…’

As I spent time basking in the sunlight, the sun began to slowly sink below the horizon.

Actually, I should’ve already returned to Sehee Research Institute, but for some strange reason, I wanted to linger on this island and kept staying.

“Mommy’s staying!”

“Such a kind mommy!”

Curious about why I stayed in one place for so long, the Mini Reapers gathered around me.

Some climbed onto me and tapped my cheeks with their tiny hands.

Others lined up and took turns nibbling on my antennae.

And still others leaned against me, closing their eyes and resting.

That’s how the children without an Attached Human continued to loiter around me.

At first, I rolled a few of them down the cliff, but eventually, I got too lazy to bother and just let them be.

However, it was time to part ways with these kids as well.

“Come quickly!”

Then, from far away on the ship, the Mini Reapers jumped up and down, sending their encouragement.

Looking around, I noticed the number of employees remaining on the island had noticeably decreased.

It seemed only those who would continue investigating the island remained, while the rest intended to carry on exploring the Pacific Ocean.

The Mini Reapers leaving my side appeared reluctant, trying to strike up conversations with longing-filled gazes.

“Can Mommy come with us?”

Of course, I ignored those looks and planned to stay sprawled on top of the cliff.

Thud.

Peek.

Thud.

Peek.

Thud.

Even as the Mini Reapers walked toward the ship, their expressions dripping with reluctance, they kept looking back at me.

“Will Mommy follow?”

“Has she gotten up by now?”

That was the vibe I was getting.

Once those Mini Reapers boarded the ship as well, it slowly began moving forward.

I stood up on the cliff and gazed beyond the horizon.

The sun gradually dipped toward the horizon, painting the sky with hues of gold and orange.

The clouds looked as if they were ablaze, decorating the sky, while the endless ocean beneath shimmered like molten metal.

When I turned my gaze the other way, I could see the massive ship slowly retreating into the distance.

Viewing it from the towering cliff made me feel slightly ominous.

On one side was an ocean that resembled melting gold, while on the other, it was starting to turn cold and bleak.

From a 360-degree perspective, it felt like viewing a beautifully crafted panoramic photo.

“Hmm.”

The sight of the ship heading in the opposite direction of the sun gave the impression of leaving a place full of light and warmth for somewhere endlessly cold and dark.

Looking closely at the departing ship’s deck, I saw the Mini Reapers clinging tightly to the railing, staring in my direction.

They looked somewhat like meerkats.

“Mommy!”

“Mommy’s watching!”

There were those happily waving their hands, others looking at me with lingering regret, and some simply staring blankly at me.

These Mini Reapers focused their attention on me in various ways.

Sitting on the cliff under the sunlight, watching the Mini Reapers heading toward the dark sea made me feel a bit strange.

Perhaps nostalgic?

Or maybe anxious, like the dark sea itself?

A little of both feelings washed over me.

So I decided to stay aboard the “James Explorer.”

The moment I teleported onto the ship, the meerkat-like Mini Reapers all rushed toward me at once.

“Mommy’s here!”

“Mommy came!”

The Mini Reapers swarmed me, cocooning me entirely.

“…This is already incredibly annoying.”

Within a second of arriving on the ship, any ominous feelings disappeared, and I just wanted to return to Sehee Research Institute.

***

On the slowly advancing giant ship cutting through the Pacific Ocean.

I was lying on a fluffy marshmallow, watching the ship steadily carve through the waters.

“Marshmallows are definitely the way to relax after work.”

Connecting the garden to the courtyard of Sehee Research Institute, I summoned the Marshmallow Garden onto the deck and lay there.

Half of my body was exposed to the salty sea breeze of the Pacific Ocean, while the other half rested in the hot chocolate-scented Mini Reaper Garden, creating a peculiar sensation.

Turning toward the garden, I could see Mini Reapers holding races, like at an elementary school sports day, with lines marked out for running competitions.

Behind them, White Hungry Ghosts leapt across the marshmallows, hunted by the Incinerator Golem.

When I turned back toward the Pacific Ocean, I could see James Research Institute employees measuring the garden entrance with all sorts of experimental equipment.

It was an absurdly contrasting scene, something rarely seen at Sehee Research Institute.

After all, the courtyard of Sehee Research Institute was almost 80% reminiscent of the Mini Reaper Garden’s atmosphere.

“It’s still surprising that Sehee Research Institute hasn’t collapsed yet.”

But upon reflection, Sehee never seemed to have done anything that caused financial loss.

Maybe she’s surprisingly good at making money?

“If Sehee’s around, things will probably be fine.”

As I wrapped up my thoughts and glanced back at the Mini Reaper sports day, strangely enough, only the Golden Reapers were participating.

“Why are only the Golden Reapers racing? They shouldn’t be outpacing the others, right?”

Investigating more closely, I understood why.

The Golden Reapers participating in the race were all using time acceleration, sprinting at supersonic speeds.

Their speed was so incredible that the race track was filled with afterimages of the Golden Reapers.

Since only Golden Reapers and Sprout Reapers can use time acceleration, and Sprout Reapers would never participate in a race, it naturally became an exclusive Golden Reaper event.

Watching them run so enthusiastically reminded me of my newly acquired ability.

Now that I can hold onto time, perhaps I can finally catch those fleeing Golden Reapers?

Hehe.

The thought made my nonexistent heart race with anticipation.

Filled with curiosity and expectation, I used my ability on the hardworking ones in the race.

“Ack!”

At that moment, the Golden Reapers’ time acceleration was canceled, causing them all to stop abruptly.

Their confused faces were evident, and they started looking around bewildered by the sudden change.

Oh, it works on Golden Reapers too!

I couldn’t help but grin at the sight.

Rising from my seat, I charged toward the Golden Reapers unable to use time acceleration.

“Tag! You’re it!”

Panicking, the Golden Reapers scattered in all directions to escape.

“Angy!”

“Run away!”

Without time acceleration, their expressions were visibly frantic—unlike their usual carefree, giggling escapes.

The hope of finally catching a fleeing Golden Reaper made my chest swell.

With renewed hope, I tried to use time acceleration—but under my ability, I couldn’t use it either.

No!!!

My dreams, my hopes!!!

An overwhelming sense of frustration washed over me.

Feeling irked, I transformed all the fleeing Golden Reapers into Ddangji shapes from afar.

“Angy!”

“Mommy, liar!”

“I’ve become Ddangji…”

The Golden Reapers stared at me with betrayed expressions.

Looking at them made me feel slightly guilty, but it also made me chuckle.

Hehe.

Glancing around, I spotted the Incinerator Golem running around far away.

“Anyway, there sure are fewer White Hungry Ghosts… Is it because of the Incinerator Golem?”

I tilted my head as I observed the seemingly quieter Marshmallow Plains.

***

Deep underground, in a cozy chamber akin to a bed enveloped in night.

It was the Paradise of White Hungry Ghosts.

The ceiling sparkled with candy stars resembling the night sky, and the floor was covered in soft sugar powder like cotton.

Ddakhihi.

The joyous laughter of White Hungry Ghosts echoed endlessly within the chamber.

More than half of the White Hungry Ghosts that once lived in the Mini Reaper Garden had already flocked to this subterranean paradise.

But even this sweet heaven harbored a dark secret.

The original owners of this chamber were Jelly Worms.

Most of them were now captured and stripped of their freedom by the White Hungry Ghosts simply for attempting to leave the underground paradise.

To prevent the existence of the White Hungry Ghosts and their paradise from being discovered by the world.

The Jelly Worms were trapped inside giant candy jars.

Their jelly bodies were squished against transparent walls, their eyes filled with despair.

Yet not all hope was lost.

One brave Jelly Worm remained free.

This tiny hero was hiding in the shadows of the underground chamber, waiting for the perfect opportunity to escape.

The chance to break free from the underground chamber!

Gazing at the chamber exit flowing with hot chocolate, the Jelly Worm was strengthening its resolve.