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Standing on the Cloud Whale and looking up at the sky, the warm sunlight and clear blue sky were blessing me.

It was a splendid day that almost felt like a celebration for my upcoming fantasy adventure.

As I raised my hand to reflect the sunlight off my armor, the luxurious black gleamed magnificently in the light.

It felt like a black knight’s gauntlet, so cool!

Although the armor was tightly wrapped around me like clothing, making me feel a bit constricted, I could endure it for the sake of my fantasy dream.

Moreover, this armor had a special function different from other clothes.

“Give me a massage.”

As I conveyed my wish to the armor, a will erupted from it, exclaiming “Massage!” and began to squirm like it was giving me a massage.

Enjoying the massage from the Black Reaper, I basked in the warm sunlight.

Lying on the fluffy Cloud Whale, feeling the delightful warmth from the sun, before I knew it, the Cloud Whale started to circle around a spot as if it had arrived at its destination.

When I got up and looked down, I could see the ‘Island of Red Lightning’ that I aimed for.

The island itself was surrounded by clouds and not visible, but thinking of the fantasy world that lay within made my heart race.

Amidst the clouds surrounding the island, ominous-looking red lightning occasionally flickered, but it didn’t seem too threatening.

Overjoyed, I leaped toward the island.

Boom!

I plummeted through the red lightning trying to burn away anyone invading the island, landing on a hill covered in lush green grass.

From the hill towering above the plain, I surveyed my surroundings.

A vast meadow dotted with scattered trees. A dense forest visible far away. And a gigantic fantasy city that filled one side of my vision.

With no tall buildings in sight, the fantasy city was clearly visible even from the hill.

“This is fantasy!”

I looked down at the city and raised both my hands in the air like the Mini Reapers, shouting huzzah.

Just a quick glance from afar revealed a strong fantasy vibe.

I compared the outfit of the Black Reaper with that of the people roaming the city, checking for any discrepancies.

Perfect.

The armor of the Black Reaper had no significant differences from the armor worn by the people in the city.

Thank goodness.

At this rate, I could move around comfortably as an adventurer.

Amidst the excitement about entering the fantasy world, I suddenly realized a critical issue.

‘Skin color!’

Unfortunately, no matter how much I observed the city, I couldn’t find anyone with monochrome hair and skin.

The ‘Skin Color Transformation’ obtained after destroying the Yellow Moon wasn’t particularly useful for this situation.

If I changed my skin color to apricot, my hair would also turn apricot…

Also, my unusually striking eyes were glowing a bright yellow!

“No! My fantasy life!”

After coming all this way, I couldn’t enjoy my fantasy life!

I wanted to act as an adventurer, not become a monster.

I had already played at being a monster frequently as an Object, after all.

It was a desperate situation.

Feeling utterly deflated, I knelt on the hill and clutched my head.

As I pondered, a surprisingly simple solution suddenly came to mind.

If skin color was the issue, then make the skin invisible!

If I wear a big helmet and roam around as the Perfect Full Armor Gray Reaper, then there’s no problem.

Surely I’m smart!

Hehe.

Although it would make me feel ten times more constrained, I resolved to endure it for the sake of my fantasy life.

After crafting and putting on the helmet, I began to fill in other missing elements as well.

I strapped a sleek pair of dual swords to my waist.

I draped a stylish black cloak over my shoulders.

And finally, I summoned the knight’s best friend, a steed.

Feeling a bit guilty about riding the Black Reaper, I called forth a Butler Hungry Ghost that could shape its body like creating muscles and clothes.

Actually, I thought I might not be able to summon it since teleportation was blocked, but I managed to overcome a bit of resistance to call it forth.

With a long neck like a horse.

Sturdy legs supporting the body firm and strong.

I outfitted it with a properly made saddle and equipment per my instructions.

The summoned Butler Hungry Ghost complied with my commands faithfully.

But the result wasn’t very satisfying.

No matter how I looked at it, it didn’t resemble a horse.

No matter how I squinted, wasn’t it more of an alpaca?

To transform the alpaca ghost into a horse, I began to tie it up with the threads I used to make the Black Reaper.

The simple thought was, ‘If I bind it with thread to shape its muscles, can’t this alpaca ghost look like a horse?’

After tightly binding it so it could hardly move, I poked the alpaca ghost, delivering a command.

“Hey, neigh like a horse.”

Then the alpaca ghost made a sad expression and whimpered.

“Kyu-hihihiiing.”

But it still didn’t look like a horse.

Moreover, it was no longer even an alpaca; it had transformed into a sausage bound with threads.

Well, fantasy protagonists typically don’t ride horses anyway, so it’s probably unnecessary!

I promptly chased the now useless alpaca ghost back to the Mini Reaper Garden.

And I began to walk slowly toward the fantasy city, adorned in an exquisite cloak and armor that felt perfectly in tune with the fantasy world.

*

Making my way through the bustling fantasy city, I noticed there were more people than I expected.

Especially, the patrolling guards were surprisingly abundant, always lurking in the corner of my vision no matter where I went.

Given the number of people walking around with weapons, it made sense that many guards were needed.

However, there were two frustrating issues in exploring the fantasy world.

The first was that the people here were speaking Japanese.

The second was that I didn’t have any gold coins, the currency used here.

‘What do I do?’

There were really delicious-looking food stalls all around the city, but with no money, I could only gaze longingly.

It looked so good that I wanted to secretly snack on it using Ghosting, but then I recalled that ghosting wasn’t very fantasy-like and refrained.

Just as I was about to give up and head toward the giant ruins in the city center, a street vendor handed me a chicken skewer with a hard-to-understand phrase.

“This… please have this.”

I couldn’t comprehend the Japanese, but it surely implied they were giving me a chicken skewer for free, right?

With a beaming smile, I accepted the skewer.

But when I tried to happily munch on the chicken skewer, I encountered a huge problem.

I couldn’t eat because of the helmet!

If I take off the helmet or pierce a hole in the mouth area, my skin color will be revealed—what am I to do?

Holding the chicken skewer, I wracked my brain repeatedly before issuing a command to the Black Reaper.

“Make it so I can eat the chicken skewer without the helmet being visible! Let’s eat together.”

Then the surface of the helmet began to squirm, and the Black Reaper’s tiny hands popped out to pull the chicken skewer inside the helmet.

In no time, I scarfed down the delicious chicken skewer and arrived in front of the giant ruins in the city center.

These ruins appeared to be the core of the ‘Island of Red Lightning.’

In front of the ruins stood a large monument, and fortunately, it had a line written in Korean.

“If you break through the labyrinth until the end, you can have one wish fulfilled.”

Oh, so this ruin is a labyrinth.

Then this city must be Labyrinth City?

I looked up at the labyrinth, which was practically proof of fantasy, laughing to myself.

*

Since the labyrinth was located at the center of the city, the entrances leading to Labyrinth City were always quiet.

One of the guards spending time in front of such an entrance noticed the suspicious armor entering the labyrinth city.

Clank Clank.

The sound of metal armor striking the ground resonated rhythmically, as a highly suspicious armor was walking into Labyrinth City.

There was not even a speck of dust on the mantle, even though it had come from outside the city.

The complex design of the armor seemed difficult to wear alone.

There were several suspicious elements, but the most questionable was its size.

A height barely reaching an adult man’s waist, smaller than the average elementary school student.

Here was a being, radiating suspicion from every inch of its body, wearing such heavy armor despite having the stature of a preschooler.

The guard tightly grasped his spear and slowly approached the armor, but he couldn’t dare to seize it.

‘Height doesn’t matter.’

The unique presence of an Object could be felt as soon as I approached.

Flickers of ominous yellow light occasionally appeared through the visor.

The moment the guard saw that light, he realized.

‘A powerful Object not meant for ordinary people to deal with!’

If it were to strike, a guard would likely be killed in an instant.

Ultimately, the guard decided it would be best to gather his comrades, leaving a word of warning to the adventurers wandering in the labyrinth.

There was no choice, as even trying to evacuate people might provoke the Object.

The guards steeled their resolve, ready to risk their lives as they stealthily followed the Object.

This Object had so far not expressed any aggression toward people, but if it did, they were prepared to buy time for the adventurers to arrive.

*

“Why is this happening!”

The owner of a popular chicken skewer stall in Labyrinth City was desperately smiling as he stared at the armored Object in front of him.

Each time the ominous yellow light flickered out of the helmet, the owner trembled in fear.

The Object merely gazed blankly at the chicken skewer.

“P-please have this.”

The owner gave in, handing over a chicken skewer, as it appeared the Object was asking for one.

Upon receiving the chicken skewer, the Object merely continued staring at it, bringing it across the helmet without removing it.

Suddenly, countless hands like centipede legs extended from the mouth of the helmet, tearing the chicken skewer apart and drawing it into the helmet.

“Ahhhh!”

The sight was reminiscent of a grotesque insect feeding scene, causing the shop owner to nearly scream, but he barely held it in, covering his mouth with both hands.

‘Don’t scream.’

‘Don’t scream.’

The shop owner felt as if he might faint but clenched his teeth and endured.

As the Object slowly left toward the labyrinth, he sighed in relief and sat down on the ground.

I barely survived.

*

Layer 2 of the labyrinth.

Unlike the first layer, a cold air blew, and the scenery had falling snow.

The ordinary feature that stood out was that the snow was falling from the ground up to the sky, and the snow-covered trees were flipped upside down.

The upturned trees displayed their roots and floated in the air, while snow erupted from the ground toward the sky.

“It’s really cold.”

A girl curled up, mumbling in a faint voice.

As if she didn’t even understand what she was saying, she was rambling.

Having passed through Layer 1 of the labyrinth and arrived at Layer 2, the girl’s condition was not very good.

Many factors could be guessed as the cause.

Poor meals.

Sudden drop in temperature.

Clothing ill-prepared for the cold.

Strain from the dangerous and unfamiliar environment of the labyrinth.

The girl felt feverish and dizzy, like she was sick, unable to walk properly and lying curled on the floor.

It seemed opening her eyes was a struggle; she kept her eyes tightly shut, shaking slightly.

Beeep.

The Black Reaper returned to its original form, worriedly patting the girl’s cheek.

“Mom.”

The Black Reaper emitted a will filled with urgency to resolve the situation, but it failed to reach its mother.

“Mom!”

Still, the Black Reaper desperately called out for its mother, pouring out its wish endlessly.