Chapter 86

As the colossal burning skeleton is enveloped by a pillar of light, the glow intensively amplifies.

And heading straight toward that pillar of light, a crimson moon gradually approaches.

The crimson moon being swallowed by the light column evokes an image akin to a total lunar eclipse.

Once the red moon fully enters the light column, something’s bound to happen, right?

Though I have no real basis for it, I somehow feel certain.

Surely, the countless people gathered around the skeleton, gazing upward, must also be thinking this while staring intently at the sky.

At the moment when the crimson moon is completely obscured by the reddish hue of the light column…

A hole opens up in the sky.

The dome that had been dividing the desert and Seoul collapses into countless fragments.

Within the transparent sky, which had never revealed the sun or moon of Earth, the ordinary moon now appears.

The once-clear dome disintegrates into myriad shards, cascading down and glittering under the moonlight, creating a magnificent spectacle.

A refreshing breeze ruffles one’s collar.

The cold moonlight bathes everything.

The crisp air feels invigorating.

The stifling, dry, and oppressive atmosphere of the desert has vanished entirely.

The ominous pillar of light disappears, as does the burning skeleton, reduced to powder and scattered away.

There’s no longer any trace of the crimson moon emitting its sinister glow.

It feels like everything that happened in the desert until now was just a dream.

“It’s over!”

“Finally, we’re saved!”

People who had maintained silence amidst the tension now exhale deeply, beginning to revel in their newfound freedom.

Finally… It’s finally over.

The golden Reaper hops joyfully on the palm of my hand before leaping toward where the skeleton once stood.

Chasing after the Golden Reaper through swirling dust, I arrive at the location.

Where the skeleton had lain, numerous Golden Reapers are gathered, happily dancing among themselves.

In the center of the Golden Reapers…

The Gray Reaper lies sprawled out, eyes open but looking far more exhausted than usual.

“Reaper!”

I rush forward and embrace the Reaper from behind.

Rather than returning the gesture, the Reaper seems too tired to move, slumping limply without resistance.

Even though it looks bothersome, that’s part of the Reaper’s charm!

“Now, we can finally return to Sehee Research Institute!”

Finally, this assignment at Crow Mountain is complete.

As a first mission, it certainly provided some significant lessons.

Two key takeaways from this assignment:

1. Sehee Research Institute is the safest place.

2. Next time I go on a mission, I’m definitely bringing the Gray Reaper along.

***

When the Black Agent opens his eyes, he sees the dark night sky and an ordinary moon.

No sign of the crimson moon.

“”

Far off in the distance, familiar modern buildings come into view.

Although it seemed like they had escaped the red desert, the vast expanse of red sand beneath him contradicted that notion.

“Ahjussi, you’re awake?”

A drenched blonde girl greets the Black Agent with a smile.

“Miss?”

The situation confuses the Agent.

“I was clearly dead… How is this possible?”

He remembers dying from a fatal wound to the abdomen!

The girl stares directly at him, her eyes locked onto his, and says,

“I saved you, Uncle. Though I’m not entirely sure how this works. I suddenly realized I could do it.”

Her irises glimmer with a deep red hue.

“Like the crimson moon…”

“Miss, your eyes?”

“Oh, these? They changed color after I died and came back to life. But hey, changing eye colors beats staying dead, right?”

Turning her gaze back to the Agent, she adds,

“Hurry up! With the crimson moon gone, sunlight will turn me to ashes. Find a safe place before that happens.”

“What? What exactly do you mean by that?”

“C’mon! Get up and let’s go. We need to find shelter before I turn to ash.”

The blonde girl urges the Agent on.

Though initially startled by her insistence, the Agent quickly becomes serious, pondering solutions.

“How about we head to the Association President’s residence?”

“Nope. Grandfather would likely lock me up in the research lab if he finds out I’m an Object.”

“The President may have tendencies like that, but surely he wouldn’t do that to his own granddaughter?”

“No way. He absolutely would. He might even dissect me himself.”

The girl chuckles eerily as she walks across the sand.

“Well then, there’s nothing else to do. Let’s go to my secret hideout. It should provide temporary refuge.”

With that decision made, the Agent strides ahead confidently.

The blonde girl quietly mutters to herself as she follows behind.

“Uncle, we’re together now.”

She smiles softly and slowly trails after the Agent.

***

From within the isolation room, cheerful singing echoes out.

Three lunatics are shaking me around like a marionette puppet.

Sehee, Yerin, and the newly insane Seoah.

The three of them dancing, joined by the Golden Reapers who seem delighted beyond measure.

On the TV, a video of me dancing endlessly loops.

Wait…

Why…

Why is that footage even recorded?

I thought the dome created by the crimson moon blocked visibility to the desert center!

Crimson Moon! You didn’t do your job properly, did you?

The awkward flailing of limbs captured in the video plays endlessly.

Even though my dancing skills are atrocious, news channels keep airing it for laughs.

Whenever I see that video, I feel an uncomfortable tingling sensation, so I’ve stopped watching the news altogether.

Recently, they started selling merchandise based on “my great dance performance” at Sehee Research Institute.

Though typically the Association would ban such products involving the Gray Reaper, this time the immense popularity made it impossible to stop.

I thought the craze would die down after a few days, but the interest and hype refuse to fade.

Seeing the Director, Deputy Director, and Researchers using my limbs as marionette controls makes me worry about the future of the institute.

If only this wasn’t how we gather firewood…

Amidst the seemingly endless dance session, I cease thinking.

I need to escape to the Golden Reaper Garden!

***

The sweet and cozy atmosphere of the Golden Reaper Garden.

After a long absence, the garden has undergone noticeable changes.

Most striking is the new red skull-shaped cushion placed throughout the garden.

It’s a large cushion resembling the skull we fought in the red desert.

Golden Reapers are gleefully dancing atop the massive cushion.

It appears to be a new addition commemorating the defeat of the red skull, though it doesn’t seem particularly practical—still, the Golden Reapers love it, so it works.

Additionally, the garden itself has expanded significantly.

It seems the size and richness of the garden grow proportionally to the number of Objects the Golden Reaper eliminates.

The variety of snacks has increased, and there’s more space for relaxation.

The field of beds has grown so vast that its end is nearly invisible, and the cocoa river flowing between them carries much greater volume.

Floating atop the river are the Golden Reaper’s favorite treats: pudding, marshmallows, and pastries!

Unidentified structures have also appeared.

Like the aforementioned giant skull cushion, these structures originate from defeated Objects.

The rotating red cube object has transformed into a marshmallow version, entertaining the Golden Reapers.

Elsewhere, chocolate soldiers are being devoured by the Golden Reapers, indicating they’ve destroyed many Objects I hadn’t seen.

Lying on a bed, I munch on crispy pastries while watching the Golden Reapers dance.

Perhaps due to excessive practice, their dancing skills have improved dramatically.

How strange—it’s the original who can’t dance, yet the copies are better at it.

***

Surrounded by towering walls and guarded by numerous bodyguards, a modern fortress-like mansion.

The residence of Association President Oh Muryong.

Currently, the estate is cloaked in deep sorrow and silence.

“I apologize, sir. We couldn’t find her.”

“…”

Oh Muryong remains silent, staring at the pond.

“Considering the destruction of the replacement doll provided by China and the bloodstains discovered, it seems unlikely that Miss survived…”

When Oh Muryong silently turns around, the man continues explaining.

“Evidence at the red desert altar confirms the blood belongs to Miss. The amount and spread suggest she suffered a fatal heart wound while still alive.”

“So…”

With a hoarse voice, Oh Muryong asks,

“If that’s the case, why haven’t we found the body?”

Prostrating himself on the ground, the middle-aged man replies,

“Yes, sir. Despite thoroughly searching the desert, we found nothing.”

“Hmm. That’s how it is, then. There’s nothing we can do. You may leave.”

Unlike his usual affection for his granddaughter, Oh Muryong’s reaction seems unusually detached.

However, the man shows no surprise, humbly responding with a “Yes,” before retreating backward and exiting.

Once everyone leaves, leaving the garden silent, Oh Muryong whispers to himself,

“She lasted long enough. Everything breaks eventually if used too long.”

Muttering to himself, Oh Muryong slowly walks back into the mansion.

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