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The warm sunlight descended from the clear, transparent blue sky onto the trees.

Looking at the sunlight scattering over the leaves creating shade, I could feel it was a blissful moment at noon.

On the branches basking in the sunlight, the Golden Reapers were dotting here and there, enjoying their sunbathing.

“How peaceful.”

It felt even more so since there hadn’t been any major incidents for the past few months.

However, the news was incessantly spreading ominous stories every single day.

<"Object hazard zone declared in the heart of Siberia, Russia!">

<"Copycat killer in Mapo District? Mapo is trembling in fear.">

Contrary to the peaceful daily life at Sehee Research Institute, the world reflected in the news still appeared chaotic.

Lying down in the backyard of Sehee Research Institute while listening to the news, a huge circle caught my eye in the sky.

Two enormous Light Rings were revealing their presence in the sky, drawing concentric circles.

The Light Ring that the Leader called ‘Eye’ had doubled in number after we dealt with the Hungry Ghost Reaper.

But somehow, every time I saw that ‘Eye,’ I felt uneasy…

It was a ridiculous ability called ‘Ability Nullification’ and ‘Attack Evasion,’ yet strangely, I didn’t feel like wanting to use it at all.

Thud!

The sound of trees clashing echoed in the sunny backyard.

And then, the sound of little feet bustling about, hopping around.

Turning my gaze to the open lot prepared in the backyard, I saw the Golden Reapers having sword fights with wooden swords they carved out of branches.

They had been practicing sword fighting a lot lately, but I didn’t know the reason behind it.

Normally, the Golden Reapers would quickly get bored and find other games to play, but this sword fighting was strangely lasting a long time.

Moreover, it felt like thousands of Golden Reapers were systematically holding a league competition instead of just playing.

Were they inspired by cool movies or dramas to do that?

With cheerful expressions, the Golden Reapers wielding small wooden swords didn’t look much different from children playing at sword fighting.

Happy faces enjoying their play.

But when looking at the overall movement, the impression changed a bit.

Quick steps measuring distance by sliding their feet back and forth.

Lightning-fast strikes aimed at openings.

When observing their movements rather than their expressions, it seemed less like children playing and more like a kendo match.

Just recently, it had seemed like the kids were swinging their swords haphazardly, but before I knew it, they had become skilled enough that I couldn’t even follow.

“Whoa!”

And while admiring those fighting Golden Reapers, many employees from Sehee Research Institute had gathered in the backyard.

However, unlike during the Colosseum, there was no sign of people casually betting lunch money.

And why would there be? Kim Jungrwi was standing in the corner of the backyard with a serious expression, arms crossed, stating he would eliminate gambling in the institute.

“Oh no!”

When a Golden Reaper took a hit above its head and lay on the ground as if defeated, a Sehee Research Institute researcher rushed over with a worried expression and lifted the Golden Reaper onto his palm.

Nom nom.

And the researcher, constantly speaking to ensure the Golden Reaper wouldn’t get discouraged, began feeding it pudding bit by bit.

The Golden Reaper, enjoying the pudding, quickly wiped away its gloomy expression and started to smile brightly.

The researcher caring for the Golden Reaper seemed to be well-prepared, gently wiping the Golden Reaper’s mouth with a small handkerchief.

The Golden Reaper, giggling slightly as if it were being tickled, hopped back down to participate in the match.

And just before the game started, it waved at its Attached Human researcher, smiling brightly.

“Good luck!”

The researcher responded loudly to the Golden Reaper’s greeting.

By the way, it’s fascinating.

Sometimes I struggle to distinguish the Golden Reapers, but the Sehee Research Institute scientists seem to identify them well.

It’s not like their observant abilities were better; after all, the Golden Reapers look pretty much the same except for the peculiar Horned Golden Reaper.

The atmosphere in the backyard where the sword fighting was taking place began to feel familiar, like something I had seen before.

Golden children working hard with their little limbs for victory.

And countless researchers cheering for them.

The backyard of Sehee Research Institute transformed into a scene reminiscent of an elementary school sports day.

The Golden Reapers, fueled by the courage from looking at their supporters and Attached Humans.

And after the match, they would sit down together for meals, adding to the atmosphere.

Sehee Research Institute, is this okay?

Every time something like this happens, I can’t help but wonder what the Seoul Research Institute I attended was like.

Well, if the Mini Reapers look happy, then it’s probably fine.

*

A chilling rumor was circulating, causing Mapo District to empty out.

It was supposed to be peak time for people to be out after work, but there were hardly any people in the streets.

It was due to the rumor that a copycat killer of the recently deceased murderer was on the loose.

It was already expected that ten people had likely been killed by the same copycat, and if there were unreported casualties, the actual number would probably be much higher.

However, despite the scale of the damage, the investigation and capture of the suspect were sluggish.

In this era where dangerous objects roamed, a lack of investigative personnel for human criminals was the biggest issue.

Amidst the empty evening shopping district streets, pairs of police officers were slowly patrolling.

“Do you think we can catch them like this?”

The junior officer sighed deeply while shining his flashlight around.

“Hey, patrol is the basic job. The basics. Those who don’t leave any traces or show up on CCTV have to be caught this way. Usually, clever ones are tricky to catch with straightforward methods. That’s the truth.”

After hearing that, the senior officer responded and gave a firm pat on the junior’s back to get his act together.

The current copycat was imitating the methods of a murderer apprehended long ago.

From what was made known to the public to what hadn’t been disclosed yet.

The maniac attacking people at night with a short folding knife.

A murderer possessing both brutality only targeting the heart and neck, and a meticulousness that left no evidence behind.

However, unlike previously captured murderers, this copycat had no intention of getting caught at all.

“I’ve heard this copycat is an Object.”

“What? Who’s saying that nonsense?”

At the junior’s absurd remark, the senior turned his head toward him.

“Since the murderer who was incarcerated suddenly died, and there’s not a shred of evidence, people are probably frustrated.”

“No. Are there really fools saying that? Just because it’s tough, they’re calling it an Object and spreading nonsense. Back in my day…”

While half-listening to the suddenly initiated senior’s paternalistic rant, the junior was carefully observing the surroundings.

The night was perfect except for the lack of people.

A large full moon glowing yellow and a quiet night street.

As the junior walked alone through the night, he felt a slight chill.

Alone?

“Senior? Where are you?”

Noticing something was off and looking around, he found no one.

Tap. Tap.

At that moment, a light footstep sound could be heard.

Turning his gaze forward, he saw high stairs reaching towards the sky, with the enormous full moon covering them.

A man was standing at the top of the stairs against the backdrop of the moon glowing yellow like a cat’s eyes.

“What a nice night.”

The man’s voice echoed softly, almost like it was coming from right behind him.

Thud.

A short blade pierced cleanly through his heart.

The man standing at the top of the stairs was already gone without a trace.

As he turned back, spitting blood, he saw the infamous murderer, long thought dead, gazing up at the sky.

“Ah, truly a killer of a moon.”

The murderer ignored the dying policeman and stared up at the full moon casting a large shadow over the stairs.

*

Floating gently.

Looking up at the sky from the isolation room, the Orange Reaper and the Sprout Reaper were floating around.

Those two, which seemed to have no connection at all, had started to stick together frequently from some moment on.

The unusual point when they were together was that the Sprout Reaper, who was always asleep, was now wandering around with its eyes open.

The Orange Reaper always wore a calm expression with closed eyes, so it was hard to tell if it was sleeping.

Lying on the bed, half sliding down to the floor, I was staring blankly at the ceiling when the isolation room door flung open, and Yerin rushed in, panting heavily.

Is she being chased by Seoah or Kim Jungrwi again?

“The underground facility is finally complete!”

But the news Yerin brought was something entirely different.

It was the news that a massive bathroom-like place where that Golden Statue was placed had finally been completed.

“Oh!”

As I got up from the bed in admiration, the Mini Reapers, who had been drooping alongside me, also perked up with sparkling eyes.

Honestly, I didn’t like bathhouses that much, but since it was said to be a facility made for me and the Mini Reapers, I was a bit excited.

I had heard the walls were decorated with murals and sculptures of the Mini Reapers, made to resemble the Golden Statue that impersonated me—what would it look like?

I had already seen the Golden Statue, but I hadn’t seen any of the sculptures or murals of the Mini Reapers engraved on the walls, so I would be able to check them out this time.

The Mini Reapers seemed to be enjoying themselves, hopping around happily.

It didn’t seem like they were enjoying it just for fun; there was also a hint of proud emotion mixed in.

I had heard that the Mini Reapers helped a lot with the construction, so that made sense.

“Let’s go!”

As all kinds of Mini Reapers gathered around, I followed Yerin, walking with a bounce.