Chapter 70

Just as the smoke screen created by Watson began to fade, an unexpected event occurred.

The change started with Watson.

[“Eyes” have arrived.]

[“Eyes,” what’s wrong?]

[I hate “Eyes.” They’re scary.]

Watson muttered a few phrases before shutting down entirely.

Plop plop.

Faint footsteps could be heard.

Then golden eyes piercing through the darkness appeared.

Deep within the open lot, countless pairs of golden eyes shone from the shadows.

The Gray Reaper emerged, leading a horde of leaping Golden Reapers.

With an indifferent expression, the Gray Reaper surveyed the area.

It seemed uninterested in whatever was happening at the moment.

However, the Golden Reaper reacted quite differently.

Intense anger toward the director and researchers could be felt.

Seeing this, the director urgently issued commands.

“The researchers must buy time!”

Almost simultaneously, the Golden Reaper charged fiercely while the director gave orders.

After issuing commands, the director hastily ran toward the client’s younger brother.

In the director’s hurried escape, a familiar object caught my eye.

A cane!

It looked like the director planned to flee with the client’s younger brother using the cane I had given them.

I gestured to Junior No. 1 after seeing this.

“Hurry, stop them!”

Junior No. 1, upon seeing this, gripped their hammer tightly and sprinted off at high speed.

Chasing after the director with incredible velocity, Junior No. 1 still couldn’t close the gap in time.

“Hahaha!”

The director laughed heartily while being pursued by both the Golden Reaper and Junior No. 1.

Then, placing a hand on the younger brother and striking the cane against the ground with a smug grin…

***

We arrived at the deep part of the open lot where the Ghost Cat had been howling.

Present were the director, the researchers, the detectives, and the Ghost Cat.

The director looked completely different from the last time we saw them.

An overwhelming hatred for humans radiated from their presence alone.

Weren’t they researching objects meant for humanity?

The director’s usual calm demeanor had transformed into something neurotic.

Could this even be someone else who looks similar?

As the Golden Reaper lunged forward, the director began fleeing somewhere.

An object I recognized immediately caught my eye.

The detective’s cane.

Wasn’t that the object granting instant teleportation?

At the sight of the dangerous object escaping, I ghosted toward the director.

No way I’d let such a harmful object get away.

“Hahaha!”

And with a triumphant laugh, I severed the director’s right hand as they struck the cane against the floor.

“Aaaaaaah!”

Clutching their severed hand, the director retreated.

I confirmed the destruction condition.

[Grants wishes.]

Another overly complicated condition.

Still, this object was far too dangerous to ignore, given its potential harm to humans.

While I pondered, the Golden Reapers mercilessly pursued the panting director.

Riddled with holes like a bullet-ridden target, the director collapsed in a pool of blood.

“I… I did it for humanity!”

For humanity? That’s laughable when all they’ve shown is malice.

Surrounded by glaring Golden Reapers, the director lay dying.

Their gaze clearly said, “Even if you resurrect, I’ll kill you again!”

To the Golden Reapers who love humanity so much, the director must feel like their ultimate nemesis.

***

The director is dead.

They left behind two objects.

A strangely glowing orb and the cane I gave them.

There were other objects, but they weren’t here.

The Gray Reaper showed no interest in the items left by the director.

I attached the cane to my waist and examined the strange orb’s abilities with my monocle.

[Cures surrounding humans.]

Such a powerful object.

Its healing ability seems too beneficial for humans, almost worrying.

The battle between the researchers and the Golden Reapers was nearly over.

Hardly even a fight—more like one-sided devastation.

When the combat ended, most of the Golden Reapers that once filled the lot had disappeared.

Some of the remaining Golden Reapers clung tightly to the client’s younger brother.

They cried profusely, looking like they were seeing a living person for the first time.

Whatever the reason, they seemed immensely relieved.

Once again, we owe this outcome to the Gray Reaper.

Maybe they should be called the Gray Guardian instead.

At least for me, they’re undoubtedly a goddess of fortune.

My goddess stood there, scanning her surroundings indifferently.

Then Junior No. 1 rushed toward her.

“Wow, Reaper!”

Junior No. 1, upon confirming the director’s fall, tackled the Gray Reaper.

Hugging tightly, they rubbed cheeks in an affectionate manner.

“It’s been too long!”

Junior No. 1 expressed more enthusiasm than ever before toward the Gray Reaper.

Aren’t they scared?

Even though I logically see benefits, I’d still feel uneasy.

Seriously, what if the Gray Reaper suddenly gets annoyed and blows someone’s head off?

The client wanted to approach their younger brother but hesitated due to the Gray Reaper and the Golden Reapers.

Of course, fear is normal in this situation.

What about Junior No. 2?

“Wa, wa, wa! So squishy! Cuddly!”

Junior No. 2 happily held two Golden Reapers, one in each hand.

This side isn’t normal either.

I lit my pipe to ease my headache.

***

The harmful director and researchers became donut-shaped thanks to the Golden Reapers.

Though they haven’t met their destruction conditions yet, they’ll likely resurrect soon.

But judging by the current mood of the Golden Reapers, they’ll probably be killed again immediately.

“Wow, Reaper! Long time no see!”

The moment the director disappeared, Junior latched onto me.

“Thanks for saving me!”

Sticking to me like glue, Junior massaged my limbs, rubbed my cheeks, treating me like we hadn’t seen each other in ten years.

They didn’t act like this before. Did fighting the director stress them out that much?

Junior wouldn’t stop clinging to me, showing no signs of stopping.

When I slightly bit their hand trying to make them stop rubbing my cheek, they liked it even more.

“Eek, Reaper just bit me!”

Why do they like that?

Using ghosting, I shook off Junior and investigated the cause of our arrival here.

Meow.

The hoarse voice of the Ghost Cat approached me slowly.

How loudly did they scream to lose their voice like that? Kind of funny.

‘Was it fun? Wasn’t it dangerous?’

Cuddled in my arms, the cat began boasting.

‘What? Not dangerous at all? Just called me because I was bored?’

Typical braggadocio from the usual Ghost Cat.

The cat started recounting their adventures.

Ruins filled with hellfire rising from the depths, flame-spitting demon frogs, and their boss—a house-sized giant frog.

Despite knowing the story, the cat’s embellishments made it sound fresh and exciting.

‘That’s great, really.’

I petted the cat in my arms vigorously.

Feeling the cute cat being petted, Junior’s envious gaze burned into me.

So jealous, I guided Junior to sit down, took their hand, and placed it on my head.

If you’re that envious, just pet me already.

Relaxing against Junior’s soft body, I enjoyed the stroking.

Oddly, Junior’s breathing sounded heavy as they petted my head.

***

Late night, Sehee Research Institute.

In the lounge, I was organizing pictures of the Reaper.

[Reaper sleeping in the isolation room after the Central Research Institute incident.]

[Reaper captured on security cameras the day the Yellow Detective visited.]

[Golden Reaper enjoying cake.]

[Reaper grabbing one leg of the blue lizard playing piano, disrupting its performance.]

[Reaper joyfully riding a tricycle.]

[Reaper pressing their face against the isolation room glass, enthusiastically watching a skeletal spider.]

There were many other photos captured by security cameras.

Among these, the best picture is definitely this one.

The photo of the Reaper grabbing the leg of the blue lizard playing piano, disrupting its performance.

Sent by Unnie Sehee, this photo perfectly captured the cuteness of the Reaper.

Sigh.

Looking at various pictures of the Reaper made me miss seeing the real thing.

Although we have the Golden Reaper, I still yearn for the original.

“Late…night…”

But for some inexplicable reason, I have a hunch I’ll see the Reaper tomorrow.

Hopefully, it comes true.