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The Deputy Director’s Office of Sehee Research Institute had a large window overlooking the courtyard.

In this familiar scene, there was one thing that felt distinctly out of place.

Right in the middle of the sunlit area warmed by the golden sunlight pouring in through the large window, a single flower pot had settled, nestled in the sun’s gentle embrace.

In the center of that pot, a soft-looking indigo sprout hung limply, sprouting weakly.

“It’s still lacking in energy.”

My mutter echoed through the quiet deputy director’s office.

With its plant-like tendrils, I wondered if basking in the sunlight would help it regain vitality, but the sprout remained feeble.

Even the Golden Reaper fetched a watering can made of water from somewhere and watered the drooping sprout’s head, but it was of no use.

In fact, this wasn’t the first time the sprout had its isolation location changed.

Initially, I had thought that maybe it could gain energy from people, so it was moved to the bustling lounge.

However, even in that busy lounge full of lively employees, it failed to regain its spirit.

The sprout looked as miserable as someone suffering from a cold.

As I observed the sprout, a considerable amount of time seemed to pass, and as the sun headed toward late afternoon, it shone with a gentle hue, filling the deputy director’s office with a warm amber glow.

In that sunlight, I leaned on my chin, gently stroking the lifeless leaves with my fingers.

As the warmth of the sunlight and the stillness of the deputy director’s office enveloped me, my eyelids grew heavier.

Eventually, I dozed off.

*

After the test for Artifact Number 0 concluded, I was feeling like I had taken the Golden Reaper for a ride to the museum.

Looking around the organized artifacts, many of the items classified as ‘Artifact Number 0’ appeared to be personal belongings like notebooks or fountain pens.

Holding the flapping little feet of the Golden Reaper, I took a full tour of the artifacts when James, who had finished the organizing, slowly approached us.

“With that, the scheduled reaction test for Artifact Number 0 is all done. Actually, from here on, we need to do an introduction to the research institute and a tour of James City, but that will be tough since there was a commotion.”

Oh, so does that mean we have to head back already?

That’s such a disappointment.

While it’s unfortunate that overseas trips are not easy, the biggest letdown was not getting to travel with the Reaper.

The chance to travel abroad with the Reaper?

Bringing along a special object like the Reaper meant starting with the approval from the Object Association, and I would also need permission from the country we were visiting.

No matter how I thought about it, if James hadn’t requested it, it would be nearly impossible – something that simply wouldn’t happen anytime soon.

Perhaps my thoughts were visible on my face because James then proposed something else.

“It seems disappointing, but have you ever thought about visiting the Rocky Mountains research institute? The natural environment is beautiful, and the massive spirit barrier there is quite impressive, making it just as good as James City.”

“Oh, is that really okay?”

“I’m the one who invited you, so it’s not a problem at all.”

As James gestured, a woman with neatly cut black hair approached.

“Unfortunately, I have too much to do in James City, so I can’t join you. But I’ll assign one secretary to you, so feel free to ask if you need anything.”

After receiving a few instructions from James, the secretary approached us and politely greeted us.

“Well then, I will guide you from now on. It is expected to take about two days for the entry permit to the spirit barrier research complex and to arrange for the aircraft, so please rest at this hotel, and I will contact you.”

So, does that mean we have to spend more time at the hotel?

With excitement about the extended trip with the Reaper, I looked for the hotel’s guide and started moving.

There were plenty of other facilities aside from the swimming pool, and it would surely be fun with the Reaper.

*

As the morning sunlight blinded my eyes, I opened them to find myself in the deputy director’s office, now already late in the morning.

I stretched my stiff body here and there, then rose from my seat.

It seemed I had been quite overwhelmed with paperwork lately.

To fall into such a deep sleep just from taking a bit of uncomfortable sunlight?

Strangely, I felt rather fine despite having fallen asleep on my desk for quite a long time.

Then, when my gaze fell, I noticed the Golden Reaper, dangling and propping its chin on the flower pot.

It wore an expression as if witnessing something incredible, one that resembled seeing a younger sibling.

Following the gaze of the Golden Reaper, I saw the sprout swaying gently, filled with vitality.

“It’s come back to life!”

Since the problem I had been concerned about was resolved, I inadvertently opened my mouth.

The leaves that had been moving so gently stopped in surprise as if startled by my words.

Feeling a bit apologetic, I slowly stroked the leaves, and they began to sway gently again under the sunlight.

By the way, why on earth did it regain its vitality?

Perhaps it was due to it being in an environment where it could bask in the sun or the moonlight, but I had a feeling it wasn’t that simple.

Surely, there must have been another variable….

Could it be that my sleeping nearby was the reason!?

Now that I think about it, the spot where it first appeared was also the sleeping room.

I would need to observe a bit longer to be sure, but it certainly seemed plausible.

In that case, reluctantly, I would need to make room in the sleeping room and create an isolation space for the sprout.

As I organized the tasks and plans ahead while looking out the window, I noticed something strange happening in the courtyard.

Golden Reapers were frantically fleeing from something in the courtyard.

*

Still early evening, as the night had yet to fall.

Yerin had apparently become tired from playing in the water and had fallen asleep while hugging me and watching TV.

Nom nom.

Even in her sleep, Yerin wore a blissful expression as she nibbled on my tendril.

After stealthily slipping out from Yerin’s embrace, I called over a mini Hungry Ghost that was similar in size to me and placed it in Yerin’s arms.

Yerin stirred in her sleep, sinking into a deep slumber as she replaced my tendril with the ghost’s tendril in her mouth.

Looking down at Yerin soundly asleep, I moved over toward the Sehee Research Institute.

I intended to relive a prank I used to do often but hadn’t been able to lately.

Stealing pudding!

Initially, the Golden Reapers had always lost their pudding to me, but recently, they had become far more agile and adept at moving, making it difficult to succeed at the prank.

But I was different now.

I could accelerate time!

As I moved to the courtyard of the Sehee Research Institute, I saw Golden Reapers with bright smiles, holding onto their puddings.

These Golden Reapers never ate the delicious pudding alone and often waited for someone to enjoy it with them.

Stealthily.

I concealed my presence and crept behind a Golden Reaper holding pudding.

As I reached for the pudding, the Golden Reaper nimbly dodged my hand.

Their graceful movements were clearly a result of training to evade my pranks.

Even though I was somewhat larger and faster, I simply couldn’t catch them.

But this time, something different happened.

Time began to stretch.

The Golden Reaper, holding the pudding as if executing an acrobatic routine, gradually seemed to move slower.

At last, while appearing completely frozen, I began to slowly pull the pudding from the Golden Reaper’s grasp.

It felt as easy as twisting a child’s wrist.

Hehe.

The expression on the face of the Golden Reaper watching my speed was one of surprise, and as the pudding slowly slipped away, it reached out its hand with a sad, fledgling-like expression towards the bowl.

Since the Golden Reapers are my replicas, they would surely eventually catch on to manipulating their tendrils like I did.

But until then, I reveled in the thought of playing this prank as much as I wanted, and my laughter wouldn’t stop.

At that moment, an unexpected turn of events occurred.

The Golden Reaper, moving after me with the pudding bowl, began to chase me.

And the Golden Reaper, with a triumphant look, snatched the pudding bowl back.

No way!!!

I could only watch in despair as the Golden Reapers scattered all around, utilizing my time acceleration.

*

Along the awe-inspiring Rocky Mountains, a massive spirit barrier loomed like a monumental guardian.

The recently constructed barrier to block ghost-type objects stretched endlessly, marking the boundary with areas inaccessible to humans.

The guard post managing and monitoring this barrier was situated atop a tall rock.

Inside that post, six soldiers were checking numerous spirit cameras.

The footage, though blurry, clearly revealed ghost-type objects wandering around beyond the barrier.

As two replacement personnel arrived, the two soldiers who had completed their duty stood up, feeling relieved yet fatigued.

As their military boots clattered against the stone steps, their voices exchanged light banter laced with concern for the future.

“The atmosphere lately doesn’t feel right.”

The soldier with a buzz cut spoke in a worried tone.

“That much is true. We hardly see those ‘Cerebral Predators’ anymore, and it’s only ‘Burning Pig Heads’ that appear these days.”

The recently discovered object ‘Burning Pig Head’ had rapidly multiplied, and now it was the only thing visible beyond the spirit barrier.

While the massive barrier cast a long shadow across the path, they continued down the staircase toward their lodging.

“I have no idea what’s happening inside. We can’t even investigate a place filled with ghost objects, and it’s quite a dilemma.”

“Surely the Object Association must provide some solution?”

Even though the soldier spoke with a forced cheerfulness, the soldier with the buzz cut shook his head in response.

“Is there really anything that can be done about ghost objects?”

From behind the descending soldiers came the loud howls of a giant pig.

The sound was loud enough to shake the earth, yet the soldiers continued their descent as if they had heard nothing.

*

The exciting two days at the hotel with the Reaper passed in the blink of an eye, and soon we arrived at the ‘Rocky Mountain Spirit Barrier’ airport.

This airport, situated within a massive research complex, had a unique atmosphere that blended both a sense of isolation and sophistication.

In the hallways where tourists were nowhere to be seen, only the footsteps of passing researchers echoed occasionally.

Perhaps due to its elevation, the air was crisp and refreshing, yet the Reaper’s expression remained far from pleasant.

In fact, the Reaper hadn’t looked very cheerful since yesterday.

It wore a sulky, pouting expression, which seemed to worsen when looking at the Golden Reaper – could it be there was some kind of trouble between them?

While observing the Reaper’s expression, the secretary approached us, carrying our luggage.

“Well then, I will take you to your prepared accommodations.”

Following behind the secretary assigned by James and looking around, I noticed there was a strangely reassuring atmosphere in the airport.

Could it be because the clean and sophisticated vibe resembled that of James City?

And throughout the airport, a scent slightly reminiscent of the Reaper wafted in the air.