Chapter 63

The cat, looking sleepy while sitting on a moss-covered wall, was blinking its heavy eyes.

After wandering around all day, the cat couldn’t stop yawning but still scanned the surroundings with its two eyes, searching for new adventures.

However, despite its infamous reputation, the Temporary Camp appeared eerily peaceful at first glance.

Dew clung to the grass, sparkling with droplets of water, and butterflies flitted about above it.

“Wow, a kitty!”

And there were fake children running around that dewy meadow.

Surrounded by enthusiastic kids, the cat wore an expression so familiar—it was clearly annoyed.

Well, being a ghost cat and a cute white one at that, it must’ve gotten this kind of attention plenty of times before.

But does it find being surrounded by these kids’ hands—armed with forks—annoying?

Even if they attacked with those forks, the ghost cat could just ghostify itself, so it wouldn’t get hurt. Still, I felt like it might be time to step in.

I stood atop the fence, cancelling the ghost effect, then picked up the cat.

Meeeeeow!

The cat jumped slightly, scolding me for showing up.

‘Seemed interesting, so I came.’

Meeooow.

The tired cat didn’t seem too interested, merely mewed before curling up and purring in my arms.

The cat’s calm reaction.

In contrast, the fake children reacted dramatically.

They quickly backed away, their faces filled with fear as they stared at me.

Slowly, cautiously retreating, they kept glancing at me nervously.

Once they decided I wasn’t paying much attention, they scattered in all directions, hiding in alleyways and disappearing.

Meeooow.

‘Hmm? Why did they suddenly run away like that?’

Holding the cat, I strolled leisurely around the camp.

A merchant loudly hawked goods stacked on a stall.

The butcher shop owner sat at the counter watching TV.

Groups of children skipped rope together.

Old men gathered around a Go board, giving advice.

A tranquil moment of daily life.

Though the cat hadn’t noticed, these fake humans here were pretending everything was normal while secretly fearing me quite a bit.

That’s strange. Why are they acting this way?

Meeooow.

Bored? Doesn’t look dangerous enough to be what they show on TV?

‘True, this place doesn’t feel like the chaotic and violent “people” zone they talk about on TV.’

Meeeooow.

Too much exaggeration on TV?

That’s how TV usually is, isn’t it?

Meeooow…

Seeming bored with the peacefulness of the camp, the cat closed its eyes, saying it would take a nap and started purring.

***

***

A basement surrounded by blood-soaked concrete walls.

In the dimly lit center of the basement stood a chair dyed crimson, stark against the darkness.

Tied down with rough ropes, the headless corpse seated in the chair bore countless wounds. Bruises covered the areas where the ropes had dug into the skin from struggling.

Underneath the chair, a pool of blood faintly reflected the light, casting an eerie glow.

Rusty saws, pliers, and hammers lay discarded within the pool of blood beneath the chair, remnants of the torture.

As the Director gazed at the crushed corpse on the chair, he spoke,

“Unfortunately, ‘Nameless’ has appeared.”

An Association member, after enduring endless torture, finally screamed the Director’s name to die peacefully and passed away.

“Hmm, come to think of it, even hearing names like this can’t be verified. Since ‘Nameless’ appears regardless of the name called, we can’t confirm if it was truly mine.”

Heaving a disturbing laugh, the Director left the isolation room containing the mutilated man’s body behind.

“At least we’ve confirmed it’s not some parasitic Object type.”

Left alone in the isolation room was the horribly dead man’s corpse.

***

***

On the large monitor inside the Deputy Director’s Office played CCTV footage filmed in the lounge.

Filling the screen was none other than The Golden Reaper.

It cradled a snack in its arms, slowly nibbling away.

“Ho, it’s kinda cute.”

Slightly flushed, Seoah flipped open her notebook and began furiously jotting down notes.

[Golden Reaper Analysis Report.]

[Characteristics of the Golden Reaper. – Lack of knowledge. Affection towards humanity. Primitive Reaper.]

[Comparative analysis of differences between Gray Reaper and Golden Reaper.]

This was a report she’d long intended to analyze.

The Golden Reaper always disappeared too quickly after appearing, making analysis difficult.

She’d given up on getting data until now, but finally, the data was in hand.

Footage of the Golden Reaper lasting over 48 hours!

One clear feature visible in the video: It absolutely refused to leave humans!

When eating, it stayed close to or clung onto a human.

When resting, it rolled around on top of a human’s palm.

When bored, it climbed up clothing to stick to someone’s face.

Though the Gray Reaper and Golden Reaper shared many similarities, their differences were also apparent.

First off, the Gray Reaper loved any form of visual media.

It often multitasked while news played, but disliked having anything else play during those moments.

Conversely, the Golden Reaper showed zero interest in visual media.

Even when people appeared on-screen, it paid no attention.

It acted as though only real humans held meaning.

Their attitudes toward humans also differed slightly.

Both liked humans equally.

But whereas the Gray Reaper pretended disinterest and preferred solitude, the Golden Reaper expressed its affection directly.

Still, their behavioral principles seemed similar.

At first glance, the Golden Reaper appeared dumber than the Gray Reaper, likely due to lack of experience.

Isn’t the Gray Reaper older than it seems?

Its unclear history before being quarantined at Sehee Research Institute suggested high probability.

Thus, the conclusion was simple.

[There’s no difference in behavioral principles between the Gray Reaper and Golden Reaper.]

[The Golden Reaper is closer to an inexperienced baby Gray Reaper.]

[Since analyzing the Golden Reaper will help us better understand the super-dangerous Object known as the Gray Reaper, don’t neglect the analysis of the Golden Reaper!]

***

Initially suspicious of our sudden appearance, the camp residents warmed up quickly once introduced as friends visiting under the client’s guidance.

The fake younger brother bombarded the client with questions, leaving them flustered.

The client claimed something was off but hasn’t yet clarified what exactly.

“Why did you suddenly leave yesterday, sis?”

“Well… uh…”

Apparently well-liked, passersby continuously joined the gathering at the open lot, warmly greeting the client.

More and more people gathered in front of the shabby building, but oddly, no one mentioned the client’s name.

Something’s weird… Should I ask?

“Have you known each other for a long time?”

Approaching the butcher shop owner who claimed to have known the client since childhood.

“Oh, yeah! We’re close. I’ve watched them grow up from when they were little! Even though our camp is small and cramped, we support each other, so it’s fine.”

Then, sharing stories about their past together, starting all the way back when the client was a baby.

“Yuri! Come here for a second. This uncle doesn’t believe my stories!”

Listening casually, I naturally caught the client’s name.

Wait… Yuri?

Didn’t I hear the client’s name as “Sua”?

The client, still looking unwell, approached upon being called by the butcher shop owner, only smiling awkwardly.

“Senior, wasn’t the client’s name Sua?”

“Yeah, it was Sua.”

“So what’s going on now?”

“It’s a headache-inducing situation involving Objects.”

Clearly something’s wrong, but I’m not sure what yet.

We haven’t been at the camp long, but already the sun was slowly descending toward the horizon.

They said they’d hold a simple welcome ceremony for the client, but preparations looked more like a grand festival.

At the center of the open lot, a campfire made of stacked logs blazed.

Around the fire, grills roasted seasoned meat skewers, vegetables, and sausages.

People surrounded the client, creating a joyful atmosphere.

“Senior, doesn’t something feel off?”

Junior No. 1 asked while holding eight chicken skewers, one in each finger.

“What feels off?”

“The client feels suspicious. As far as I can tell, there’s nothing wrong with the camp, right?”

“So?”

“If the camp is fine but the client claims it’s strange, maybe the client’s the problem? Maybe they requested us to find their perfectly sane sibling because they’re crazy?”

Chewing confidently on chicken skewers, Junior No. 1 declared his theory.

“How’s my deduction? Perfect this time, right?”

“Sounds plausible, but my gut says there’s something off about the camp.”

While fiddling with the revolver tucked in my coat, I lost myself in thought.