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In the midst of the mountains under the blue sky, there was a valley where clear water flowed gently.

Along the shimmering waterway, clean pebbles were scattered, and each step produced a cheerful sound that echoed in my ears.

Into this beautiful valley, a man slowly took his steps.

Perched atop his head was a Black Reaper, gripping his hair tightly.

The man couldn’t help but marvel at the beauty of nature and, looking up at the Black Reaper, said, “The water is so clear. The pebbles sparkle, and the air is refreshing! It’s really nice here, isn’t it?”

Beep-!

In response, the Black Reaper let out a clear sound, as if answering him.

It seemed that the Black Reaper also liked this place, making the man smile with contentment.

He then set down his backpack and began to set up a tent in a suitable spot with the Black Reaper.

As the man lightly swung the Black Reaper, which had transformed into a hammer, it easily sank into the solid ground like a tent peg would in soft earth.

With each swing of his hand, the Black Reaper lifted its body in sync.

Even with a light swing, the Black Reaper hammer struck with just the right amount of force.

The Black Reaper firmly held onto the man’s hand, ensuring he wouldn’t lose grip.

Even if he accidentally swung in the wrong direction and hit his own hand, the Black Reaper would simply squish down, preventing any injuries.

The glowing golden eyes on the hammer’s head were also adorable.

Moreover, it could transform into numerous tools, including clothing like gloves, making it unnecessary to have any other gadgets.

Aside from the occasional tongue licking his palm when the Black Reaper got bored, it was truly perfect.

“Thank you.”

Feeling grateful, the man gently hugged the Black Reaper, which was sprawled on a small table, and began to pet it slowly.

In truth, the man was immensely thankful to the Black Reaper.

If it weren’t for the Black Reaper, he wouldn’t be doing what he was currently doing.

His job was to travel through scenic nature, camping, and capturing it on video.

Thirty years had passed since the objects appeared on a massive scale.

Camping, which inevitably required wandering to desolate spots, had become a completely dead hobby.

Encountering an object while enjoying camping was as dangerous as meeting a wild tiger.

The reason he could wander around without fear of the objects was all thanks to the Black Reaper.

Though the Black Reaper was only the size of a palm, it was powerful enough to defeat most objects in an instant.

Nom nom nom.

The Black Reaper was quietly nestled in the man’s arms, munching on snacks.

However, at that moment, the Black Reaper’s expression hardened as if it sensed something, and it jumped up onto the man’s palm.

The man’s puzzled look at the sudden change in behavior soon shifted as he realized the message the Reaper was trying to convey and began to scan the surroundings.

Grrr.

Looking up to follow the Black Reaper’s gaze, he began to see numerous tigers emerging from the dense shadows of the forest.

Oh no, another tiger pack.

Having recently encountered a tiger pack on Gwanak Mountain, he found himself facing one again.

A serious expression crossed the man’s face.

He had been feeling the odd phenomena occurring in the forest lately.

The forests were becoming overly dense, and animals that were seldom seen began to show up frequently.

From herbivores like deer to carnivores like tigers.

Some of these animals even displayed behaviors they usually wouldn’t, like the ‘tiger pack’ behavior.

Furthermore, not long ago, he had discovered a large, unidentified bird scattering light with its multicolored feathers.

‘It seems I should postpone camping until the forest returns to normal.’

The Black Reaper, who loved camping a lot, might look a bit gloomy, but it couldn’t be helped.

*

In the courtyard of Sehee Research Institute, a sorrowful wail of a hungry ghost echoed sweetly.

Kyu-hing-hing.

I sliced the white hungry ghost into spring potato shapes, slowly spinning it over the campfire, savoring its screams.

It was the voice of the white hungry ghost mocking me.

Strangely, I’ve been seeing an unusually large number of bloated white hungry ghosts lately, and each of them had their tummies ruptured for me to check their swollen livers.

Unfortunately, inside those hungry ghosts’ bellies, there was no liver, only marshmallows.

They say that ghost liver dishes are delicious, but I was a bit disappointed.

As I tormented the hungry ghost, the heads of the Mini Reapers in the courtyard began turning toward the courtyard entrance one by one.

I sensed someone approaching the courtyard.

Yerin, two humans, and one object.

“That Golden Triceratops statue is enormous.”

“I don’t quite understand what the Triceratops has to do with the Sehee Research Institute.”

It was the Orange Crowned Reaper and its Attached Human, along with the Purple Blindfolded Reaper and its Attached Human.

“Little brother!”

Since they hadn’t seen these peculiar little brothers in a while, the Golden Reapers rushed towards the Orange Crowned Reaper and the Purple Blindfolded Reaper with excitement.

Some of the Golden Reapers flocked around the human-shaped object.

Upon closer inspection, this object was the Roll Cake Human I had resurrected.

The Roll Cake Human held the gathered Golden Reapers in its arms and looked around, peeking.

And when no one was watching, it peeled off its finger and started feeding it to the Golden Reapers.

Nom nom nom.

Then, the Roll Cake Human asked, “Is it tasty?” and the Golden Reapers nodded in agreement.

It felt like an oddly unsettling scene.

Was the Roll Cake Human also afflicted with a desire to eat fingers like the Hungry Ghost Reaper?

Thinking of the Hungry Ghost Reaper made me shift my attention and walk over to Yerin.

Yerin was having a conversation with Cheong, the girl I had seen in the Free City Alliance.

“Why is that Triceratops Golden Statue displayed here when this isn’t even a dinosaur research institute?”

“I don’t really know the details either. Usually, such outrageously expensive items are secretly brought in by Director Sehee.”

Standing beside Yerin and looking up at Cheong, I couldn’t help but be amazed.

‘Not quite as much as Yerin, but that’s still a significant amount of firewood. It seems to have increased compared to before.’

As Yerin and Cheong stood together, a considerable amount of firewood flowed in, making me salivate.

It might be nice to have Cheong on the left and Yerin on the right.

Nom nom.

As I gazed at Cheong, salivating, the Orange Crowned Reaper came at me with a headbutt.

With its crown’s sharp edge, it poked my eyes!

“Ow, it’s the delinquent number two!”

I pointed at the Orange Crowned Reaper, which was doing its utmost to poke me, asking the Mini Reapers for help.

But none of the Mini Reapers came to assist.

Instead, they cheered on the Orange Crowned Reaper as if it were the most natural thing.

“Baddie mom!”

The Mini Reapers’ rebellion had begun.

*

In a clearing deep within the jungle, a helicopter slowly descended.

James exited the helicopter and moved into a tent under the guidance of the employees from James Research Institute.

Inside was a large cage that appeared to be about 3 meters tall, housing a mysterious bird that emitted a soft light.

“It truly deserves to be called a phoenix.”

Even viewed only through photographs, it looked like a legendary bird, but James insisted on confirming it in person.

‘With this, I could certainly justify removing the “Green Moon.”‘

James slowly reviewed the materials provided by his researchers.

< A pack of tigers spotted in South Korea; at least 300 or more. >
< A gigantic dragon hiding in the Himalayas. >
< A phoenix roaming across East Asia. >
< The resurrection of animals already extinct. >
< An abnormal proliferation of forests. >

All were anomalies that arose after the appearance of the Green Moon.

Now, only one problem remained for James.

How to send the Gray Reaper to James Space Station.

James opened his notebook and began jotting down viable methods.

< Broadcast that the space station has been occupied by objects. >

With current internal observations impossible and a high probability of no survivors, there were no elements to capture the Gray Reaper’s attention.

< Spread false information that the T-Rex Festival is being held at James Space Station. >

There was a possibility the Gray Reaper would hold a grudge. Too risky.

Though he thought of many methods, each had its own set of issues.

‘I don’t know.’

As James was wracking his brain, a Golden Reaper approached him, handing over a piece of paper.

It was the blueprint for the Golden-Mecha-Tyranno Armor.

*

Suspended alone in the void of space, James Space Station.

In the darkness and silence, a woman remained, clutching the communication console microphone as if it were her last hope.

“Anyone, please. Help me. Please….”

From within the darkness, ominous sounds were drawing ever nearer to her.

Srrr. Srrr.

It sounded almost like something was crawling closer.

Her heart began racing with fear.

Terrified, she held her breath, fervently wishing whatever it was would merely pass by.

But the sounds continued to grow closer.

Her mind raced with all sorts of terrible imaginings.

Objects that eat humans? Or was it an illusion caused by mental pollution?

In the darkness, she could hear nothing but the sound of her heartbeat and that eerie noise.

And now, it seemed that sound was right in front of her.

Frightened, she tightly shut her eyes, trembling as she fumbled around for something she could use as a weapon.

But there was nothing.

She stood frozen, breath held, left with no choice but to accept her fate.

Suddenly, the crawling sound stopped right in front of her.

An endless silence.

When she opened her eyes, it felt as if a giant monster would open its mouth and swallow her whole.

But no matter how long she waited with her eyes closed, nothing happened.

The woman slowly opened her eyes.

And then, it revealed itself…

“Meep!”

Before her was a small creature, the size of a human head, radiating a soft light from its eyes.