---

A tree pulsating in a deep blue hue, and the majestic barrier stretching out before me.

Caught up in the mesmerizing sight of glass shards shimmering in mystical colors, I heard James’ voice.

“We should start heading back. It’s not too good to stay atop the barrier for too long.”

Feeling a tinge of disappointment, I cradled the Reaper in my arms and climbed onto the cart.

If I wanted to see it again, I could always come back later, right?

As we rode down the corridor in the cart, only the faint whir of the motors remained, and James, driving the cart, smiled slightly as he spoke.

“You’ll be surprised when you compare your wristwatch to your phone.”

I pulled out my phone to check, and just as he said, I was quite surprised.

I was sure I had synced my watch when I arrived at the airport, yet there was almost a 2-hour difference.

I adjusted the time on my wristwatch to match the phone clock and asked, “Could this phenomenon be related to the barrier we just climbed?”

“You caught on quite well. I don’t know if it’s the influence of that tree, or if the space around it is special, but time flows oddly atop the barrier.”

The Reaper seemed intrigued as well; it paused its pudding-eating to look up at James.

I wanted to go back and take a look, but the erratic passage of time made me feel uneasy.

“Still, it’s relatively okay on top of the barrier; time fluctuates about 50%. But once you go beyond the tree on the barrier, it gets much worse. Just spending a day inside the barrier leaves you with a massive time discrepancy.”

The Reaper’s antennas began to sway rapidly, evidently curious about what lay beyond the barrier.

I thought, surely even a Reaper wouldn’t sneak past the barrier?

The Reaper chewed on its antenna while contemplating.

*

Under the canopy sky of the Mini Reaper Garden, the Golden Reapers threw a party with joyous expressions.

The Golden Reapers gathered in plenty, radiating an energy full of vibrancy and affection.

And at the center of these Golden Reapers was a Blue Reaper wearing a large hat.

Bouncing around, spinning and walking in a funky manner, it looked a bit shy and cautiously surveyed its surroundings, pressing down its hat.

In front of the Blue Reaper, a campfire sized for mini Reapers blazed brightly.

The small breeze created by the hopping Golden Reaper made the campfire flicker, casting the shadows of the Mini Reapers’ party.

The campfire emitted a sweet, addictive aroma, a smell reminiscent of sugary sweetness.

In this scene where everyone looked happy, there was one contrasting element.

In the center of the flames, a transparent Sugar Flamingo, delicately crafted from sugar, slowly burnt away.

The Glass Flamingo, having been punished for injuring the youngest, was reborn as a Sugar Flamingo, now serving to illuminate the party site as it burned.

<Isn’t it okay to let me go now…?>

The Blue Reaper suggested to release it, but the Golden Reapers shook their heads cheerfully.

The Golden Reapers were resolute when it came to the “Object.”

*

After descending from the barrier, it somehow became evening.

I wasn’t hungry, but Yerin looked a bit peckish.

Perhaps because of that, we headed to the dining area located inside the research institute after finishing our tour for the day.

As James sat down with a plate in the buffet-style restaurant, he said, “Let’s wrap it up for today; starting tomorrow, I’ll guide you around the city. There’s a lot to do, and it’ll be nice for sightseeing, aside from being Object staff.”

The jelly-like fruit pudding looked delicious, so I piled my plate high with pudding and sat next to Yerin.

Perhaps it was because the Object was taking pudding by itself, but I felt the stares of the people in the dining area focusing on us.

Is it that fascinating?

They looked a bit like people who just spotted a parrot grabbing food at the buffet.

However, among the gazes directed at me, the most intense weren’t friendly.

Did Yerin notice someone giving that unfriendly glare, too? She whispered to James with a small voice.

“That person is glaring intensely. What’s going on?”

“Hmm? Ah, it’s the Vice Mayor. He holds an opposite stance to mine regarding Objects.”

James remarked while cutting his steak with a knife.

“In James City, many research institutes are established for competition and development, and they can be broadly divided into two categories.”

James continued nonchalantly.

“One side believes that humanity must coexist with Objects, while the other argues that if we coexist, we’ll ultimately be consumed and perished, thus advocating the active exclusion of Objects.”

“So, James is on the coexistence side while that Vice Mayor is on the exclusion side.”

“Exactly. He’s all about exclusion. He strongly opposed bringing in Objects that are hard to control, like the Gray Reaper.”

Can humans truly exclude Objects teeming with physical immunities?

It feels impossible!

But since it didn’t concern me, I lost interest and continued munching on pudding and cake.

After finishing the meal, Yerin hugged me and rubbed my cheek while saying, “I want to see a chubby Reaper. A round belly would be so cute….”

And she patted my slightly flatter stomach as if feeling disappointed.

‘What?’

Yerin seemed to be getting weirder, lamenting over something odd.

Once our meal was over, James confidently led us on a slow walk towards the Isolation Room with a satisfied expression.

“Heh, this time’s isolation room is something special, huh? The Gray Reaper might want to stay here forever.”

“Hey, Sehee Research Institute has top-notch facilities! The cutting-edge facilities might be lacking, but the amenities for Reapers are all in place!”

In response to Yerin’s objection, James added quietly, “Is that really so?” as he opened the door to the Isolation Room.

When the door opened, an expansive space unfolded that was hard to believe as just an Isolation Room.

Even though it was merely a single isolation room, it boasted a scale incomparable to the entire Sehee Research Institute.

Inside was decorated like a water park.

A buffet filled with all sorts of foods from fresh fruits to pudding and cookies.

A water slide designed for Objects, albeit dangerous, certainly looked spectacular.

In the artificial sea at the center, huge waves danced while numerous attractions were arranged around the sea.

It seemed a bit childish for me to play with, but it looked fun.

I figured the Mini Reapers would love it.

I summoned the Mini Reapers from beneath my feet.

Unfortunately, the Blue Reaper, who didn’t like such active play, did not show up.

But on the flip side, the Golden Reapers began to spread out around the Isolation Room with excited expressions.

Bouncing along.

Considering James’ thoughtfulness, I decided to take a ‘little’ stroll to enjoy it.

*

The water slide was so fast that the Golden Reapers were bouncing on the surface like pebbles skipping across the water.

While creating splashes, the Golden Reapers wore expressions of pure joy.

Bang!

The sound of an erupting geyser roared, and the exuberant Golden Reapers soared into the air.

The attractions favored by the Golden Reapers were all things that humans would perish on if they tried riding.

While dangerous for humans, they seemed quite enjoyable for the Golden Reapers.

The Reaper was also gliding through the artificial waves on a tube, flying high up in the air.

The expressionless Reaper contrasted sharply with the joyful expressions of the Golden Reapers.

But I could see it.

It was clearly having a great time!

Though expressionless, its legs were happily flapping, and the antennas on its head bounced to a rhythmic beat.

“Don’t….”

A wave of anxiety swept over me.

Could it be that the Reaper was actually leaving for America?

If that’s the case, should I move to America too?

The Isolation Room James guided us to was so enormous that I felt I’d never get the chance to replicate it.

As despair engulfed me, a Golden Reaper climbed onto my shoulder and patted my cheek.

“Are you trying to comfort me? Thank you.”

I cradled the Golden Reaper in my hand and stroked it.

Unlike the Golden Reaper smiling at me, the Reaper appeared busy riding the waves in the air.

Though expressionless, it looked to be the most joyful one in this waterpark.

‘The Reaper looks so fun. I’m just watching without joining in…’

Feeling a bit melancholic, it seemed like a few Golden Reapers approached with concerned expressions.

While being patted by the Golden Reapers, I watched the joyous Reaper with a sad expression.

*

The Barrier Pressure Control Room, which could be called the heart of James City, was an essential place under the tightest security, and usually, calmness reigned there.

But today, it was a scene of urgent chaos.

Emergency warning messages flooded the control console, the air thick with tension, and the warning sounds from the machines emphasized the seriousness of the situation.

Standing in place of the absent James was the Vice Mayor of James City, calmly positioned next to the main control panel amidst the turmoil.

“Everyone out!”

His voice, firm and command-like, cut through the chaos like a lighthouse amidst a storm.

The Control Room employees hesitated, their faces painted with fear and concern.

One technician, looking worried, spoke to the Vice Mayor.

“We haven’t completed the calculations for the escape radius yet, and someone needs to stay behind to maintain the barrier.”

“I know that! I’ll handle it, so everyone evacuate!”

The Vice Mayor’s words were not mere commands but were the final, selfless orders of a man ready to sacrifice everything.

The moment the Control Room employees realized his intentions, they began to weep, starting their escape.

Once all the employees had fled, the Vice Mayor remained alone in the Control Room, looking around.

The influence from beyond the barrier began to permeate the Control Room, as space continuously shredded and rejoined.

Despite the chaos, the main console stubbornly continued its calculations, unharmed.

The Vice Mayor observed this, pulled out a cigarette, bit into it, and placed his hand on the panel to maintain the barrier.

He ceaselessly infused his will into the Object that upheld the barrier to maintain the current state.

Beep-.

As unpleasant sounds accompanied the calculation results, the Vice Mayor entered the outcome with slightly shaking hands from the weight of tension.

<Estimated damage radius: over 30 km. Abandon James City within 6 hours.>

The unemotional and resolute phrase input by the Vice Mayor spelled the end for James City.

Even in such a circumstance, the Vice Mayor held steadfast at his post, lighting his cigarette.

The smoke from the cigarette spiraled upward amidst the fragmented space, emphasizing the destruction around him.

Yet, even in this chaos, the Vice Mayor firmly retained his grip on the control panel, unwilling to lose hope.

As the last stronghold defending the city, he strove to maintain the barrier as much as possible.

Until his physical body shattered, and his consciousness faded away.

Continuing.

It was the final moment of the man who had always been at odds with James.