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In an unidentified deep cave.

The Mini Sprout Reaper stared at the silver-haired girl, raising both hands high as if begging to be seen and began to shake them wildly.

With tiny hands raised, it wiggled desperately.

“Human! Over here!”

The scene was so desperate, it looked like a castaway on a deserted island spotting a passing ship.

Unfortunately, the appearance of the Mini Sprout Reaper was invisible to those who had not eaten the fruit.

Even if the Mini Sprout Reaper’s appearance were visible to ordinary people, the chances of them noticing a sprout that was only the size of a finger were very slim.

“Oh!”

Perhaps the Mini Sprout Reaper’s pleas reached the heavens, as the silver-haired girl turned her head in the direction of the sprout.

She turned her head towards an empty lot near the city, staring intently as if there was something bothering her.

Feeling as if she might walk over at any moment, the sprout’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.

At that moment, a tall girl with brown hair from the village called out to the silver-haired girl.

“Come quickly! It’s almost time!”

“Okay.”

Then, the silver-haired girl turned her head towards the brown-haired girl and nodded.

“No… Don’t go…”

The Mini Sprout Reaper didn’t understand the conversation between the silver-haired girl and the brown-haired girl, but she could sense that there was a rush to leave somewhere.

The Mini Sprout Reaper sank to the ground with a look of despair as the girl she had marked as an Attached Human turned her head away.

“Mom… Help me…”

Was it a mistake to persuade the Cloud Fish to enter the hidden cave with its powerful camouflage and mental pollution?

Or was it a mistake to ignore the Sprout Sister’s warnings about danger and decide to embark on an adventure like the Golden Reaper?

Knock. Knock.

Tears trickled down from the Mini Sprout Reaper’s eyes, falling to the ground.

At that moment, a shadow loomed over the sprout’s head.

Before long, a silver human approached quickly and picked up the sprout’s fruit.

A small, round, navy orb-like fruit.

The silver-haired girl stared at the fruit before putting it in her pocket and lightly sprinting towards where the brown-haired girl was.

On the silver-haired girl’s shoulder sat the Mini Sprout Reaper, looking very relieved.

“I connected with the human!”

Though she hadn’t eaten yet, believing that she would eventually, the Sprout Reaper giggled.

*

Deep in the Mini Reaper Garden, the Marshmallow Plains.

The Discolored Reaper was spending time there with the Golden Reapers.

“Maah.”

Eating the pudding prepared by the Golden Reapers little by little, she watched as the Golden Reapers joyfully frolicked.

“Hang in there!”

“You can do it!”

The Golden Reapers sat in a circle, watching a martial arts match.

With tiny fists curled, they were engaged in a cute little fight, but their ferocity was quite impressive.

Dodging sharp hooks coming from the side with just a nod or swatting away punches while closing the distance showed they were truly serious about fighting.

“Ugh!”

During this, one Golden Reaper was knocked down by a spinning kick.

“I lost!”

The Golden Reaper sprawled on the ground while smiling happily as if enjoying the loss.

Such was the serious nature of the competition, yet the Golden Reapers seemed truly joyful, regardless of winning or losing.

“Maah.”

The Discolored Reaper felt a twinge of envy watching them.

She wanted to join the Golden Reapers and play joyfully too.

With that thought in mind, the Discolored Reaper stood alone in the empty Marshmallow Plains and started training.

Even just taking a step made her wobble, but she didn’t give up.

“Maah!”

But no matter how much she trained, nothing improved.

All she gained were the wounds from falling.

The other Golden Reapers grew worried for the training Discolored Reaper, while the Blue Reapers quietly healed her wounds with magic.

The Yellow Reaper offered a Golden Reaper Doll Outfit just for the Discolored Reaper, and the Orange Crowned Reaper simply watched silently before wandering off.

Everyone just worried about the Discolored Reaper getting hurt.

“Maah.”

The Discolored Reaper looked down at her hands with a gloomy expression.

Her body was cracking, much like old pottery.

Memories of her mom’s words when she first saw her came to mind.

“It’s empty.”

Just like her mom murmured, was her body truly nothing?

At that moment, a brilliant golden comet streaked across the sky.

When the Discolored Reaper, distracted by the brightness, looked up, there stood a Golden Armored Reaper, shining like the sun.

Unlike her, bursting with talent and radiating magnificence.

It was a being she could never reach, just like that.

“Maah…”

The Discolored Reaper shook her head in sadness.

She was thinking of giving up now.

Since she was empty, she couldn’t do anything.

Watching her with a gentle gaze, the Golden Armored Reaper sent her a warm smile and willpower.

“It’s okay. You can do it.”

And the Golden Armored Reaper slowly walked towards the Discolored Reaper.

“I, the weakest Golden Reaper, did it too.”

“I’m sure you can do it as well.”

“Perhaps you could be even more amazing than me.”

With each burst of will from the Golden Armored Reaper, her armor transformed into flames and gathered in her palms.

When she finally stood in front of the Discolored Reaper, all the armor turned into flame flickering beautifully in her hands.

“Here, take it.”

And with a grin, the Golden Armored Reaper extended it towards the Discolored Reaper.

“Like I, who was the weakest Golden Reaper, you can do it. For sure.”

As the Discolored Reaper hesitated, unable to reach out, the Golden Armored Reaper stepped closer, exuding her will.

“Don’t feel burdened; it’s just not needed anymore.”

Slowly, the Discolored Reaper extended her hand.

The moment her hand touched the flames, a warm energy enveloped her body.

It felt like her fragile body was starting to mend and regenerate.

“Maah!”

The Discolored Reaper burst into tears, pouring out willpower as if in disbelief.

Watching that, the Golden Cloaked Reaper smiled softly and soared into the sky.

*

Sehee Research Institute, Underground Lounge.

Splash. Splash.

Water sounds echoed in my slowly awakening consciousness.

What on earth was that sound?

As I fully awoke to the noise, I heard the Mini Reapers’ voices.

“Mom, I’m awake!”

“Mom!”

Opening my eyes, I found the isolation room where I had been sleeping was nowhere to be found, and instead, I saw tons of Mini Reapers swimming in a spacious pool.

“Oh, Reaper! You’ve woken up?”

And I heard Yerin’s voice behind me as she hugged me in her swimsuit.

Hmm, looking at the situation.

It seemed that Yerin had carried my sleeping form all the way to the underground lounge.

By the way, I had promised to play with Yerin today, but completely forgot about it.

Hehe.

With a touch of apology, I gently hugged Yerin.

“Mom! This is delicious!”

Then, while I was relaxing in the warm water, a Golden Reaper approached me with a bowl.

The Golden Reaper sat atop a bowl floating on the water, holding out a small piece of cake towards me.

As I nommed it, the other Mini Reapers widened their eyes and darted towards various bowls.

“Mom, this is delicious too!”

“Mom!”

“Mom!”

Numerous bowls approached me, beginning to offer me snacks.

The sight of finger food bowls lined up on the surface of the water felt somewhat like a dessert buffet or party atmosphere.

I thought about tipping over all the bowls the Mini Reapers were sitting in out of annoyance, but decided against it, thinking it would make Yerin sad, and quietly opened my mouth to start tasting one by one.

At that moment, strange news began to flow from the TV screen set up in the lounge.

[Shocking news: There has been a recent surge in missing persons cases across Europe.]

[What’s even more surprising is that this information has been concealed by the European Object Association for a considerable time.]

[In response, the American Object Association expressed strong regrets.]

[A spokesperson for the association stated, “Objects are a global threat, and no information related to them should be hidden.”]

Watching the news, it felt like it was related to the Mini Reapers, but I didn’t feel any danger from it.

“Are the Golden Reapers investigating that incident? If it’s Europe, could it be the Purple Reapers?”

I thought lightly as I shrugged it off.

Rather, the next piece of news pulled my senses sharply.

[Recently, a peculiar fog phenomenon has been observed near the Pacific coastline.]

[This fog shows different characteristics from normal weather phenomena, drawing the association’s attention.]

[What’s particularly concerning is the abnormal behavior exhibited by citizens who come into contact with this fog.]

[Witnesses have reported that people exposed to the fog temporarily fall into a confusing state.]

[Even more astonishing are the testimonies of those who recovered from this state. Many victims commonly experienced vivid hallucinations of a “submerged city” and “strange buildings.”]

[Since Korea isn’t too far from the Pacific, the Korean Object Association is actively on edge, dispatching research teams to the East Coast for investigation.]

[Citizens are advised to flee indoors immediately if they encounter the mysterious blue fog and report to the Object Association.]

It was strangely an ominous piece of news.

*

In a city filled with harmful objects, at the highest party room.

In stark contrast to the endlessly sprawling bluish caves outside the window and the luminescent objects clinging to it, the inside of the party room was bathed in soft golden light.

The crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling radiated a gentle glow, elegantly illuminating the room.

That light combined with the silver candlesticks placed on the long mahogany table created a more luxurious atmosphere.

At the center of the table, intricately carved silver bowls were lined up.

Each bowl was covered with a sparkling silver lid, making one wonder what delicacies lay hidden inside.

Additionally, the table was adorned with a delicate lace tablecloth, enhancing its elegance.

The attendees of the party were dressed in exquisite attire, seated at the table engaging in conversation.

The men wore perfectly tailored tuxedos, while the women sat elegantly in extravagant evening dresses.

They finished their meals with poise and grace.

As soon as the meal concluded, the man seated at the head of the table spoke.

“This dinner was splendid. What’s next on the menu?”

Then, the woman standing stiffly beside him handed a menu card to the man with a polite demeanor.

The man scanned the menu card with an indifferent glance and pointed to a picture with his finger.

“I think this child would be nice next.”

The menu card had a photo of a brown-haired girl smiling brightly.