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After the Scarred Reaper disappeared, a considerable amount of time passed.

The battle continued endlessly, and the New Reaper had grown into a formidable fighter, hardly able to be called a newcomer anymore.

Was it the power of the golden firewood?

In this place where everyone fought fiercely, only the New Reaper had reached a higher level.

“Senior, watch over me again today.”

The New Reaper, waking up, picked up the orb that had been placed inside the accommodation and attached it to the top of their hood.

Then, using a shiny metal object that had been moved inside the accommodation as a mirror, they glanced at their reflection, softly whispering their determination.

“If Mom sees me now, would she call me the Black Hooded Reaper?”

That determination held a tiny longing to see Mom.

The New Reaper—no, the Black Hooded Reaper silently gazed at their face, identical to their mother’s, calming their heart with thoughts of longing.

“I will definitely see you.”

“Mom never came late during important moments.”

As they slowly stepped outside, the Base of the Black Reaper was enveloped in a disturbing silence.

The sleeping city of the Black Reapers was filled with tranquility, and the light of the Black Reapers who had become stars illuminated the darkness.

Though the base looked the same as always, there were clear changes compared to before.

The starlight of the Black Reapers, which had only filled the sky, had now settled on the ground as well.

The light from the ceiling reflected off the smooth, glossy black liquid, creating the appearance of another night sky spread across the earth.

The starlight there was several times more beautiful than that of the ceiling.

“Senpai…”

The black liquid, melted from lacking firewood, filled the interior of the base gently.

Plop, plop.

The Black Hooded Reaper made waves across the serene surface of the liquid, slowly traversing the interior of the base.

As they crossed the base and approached the giant hearth, the hearth was chillingly cold.

All the firewood for the hearth had long since run out.

Thus, countless Black Reapers had used up all the firewood and had transformed into the black liquid.

Even with minor injuries or exhausting their strength, they found themselves in a situation where they turned into Scarred Reapers.

“I can no longer stop the External Being Butterflies.”

“Still, I must persevere.”

“Until Mom arrives.”

Though the situation was grim, the Black Hooded Reaper did not give up.

They would continue waiting for Mom until the last remaining Black Reaper collapsed.

Because all Black Reapers had been that way since they were born.

While deepening their resolve and staring blankly at the empty hearth, a white flash burst through the sky.

Not just one, but countless pillars of light filled the heavens.

“The butterflies have come.”

Considering that usually only one or two light pillars would arise, this was unprecedented.

It was a massive assault aimed at eliminating the Black Reapers, who could no longer hold back the Butterfly Legion.

As they stepped outside the base, they saw the giant External Being Butterfly slowly approaching.

“Is the cowardly butterfly not hiding today…?”

At that moment, the Black Reapers, who had remained in the base, began to crawl out slowly.

With dim firewood on the verge of extinguishing and injuries engraved all over their bodies, they were tattered old Black Reapers.

“Younger brother.”

“This is it.”

Did they sense the final battle coming?

The Black Reapers wore bitter smiles.

“?”

When the Black Hooded Reaper turned around, all the Black Reapers were in the shape of Mini Reapers.

These were the seniors who had continued to take on the appearance of the Old God, claiming they were unfit for battle.

As the Black Hooded Reaper met their puzzled gazes, the senior Black Reapers conveyed their will.

“This is as far as we go.”

“I’m sorry for not being able to fight until the end.”

“You will do better than us.”

Then, in unison, they pulled firewood from their hearts and left it for the Black Hooded Reaper.

The Black Reapers, having lost their firewood, melted away into the black liquid.

“….”

The Black Hooded Reaper stared blankly at the firewood for a long moment before picking up the glowing firewood and placing it into their body.

In an instant, a powerful light erupted from the Black Hooded Reaper’s body.

Now left alone, the Black Hooded Reaper stepped forward toward the swarm of butterflies.

The halo glimmering above their head grew increasingly intense.

“Mom, you mustn’t be late…”

The will of the Black Hooded Reaper resonated softly within the world of the Color Universe.

Before them were innumerable butterflies, and behind them was the legacy of their companions.

It was the final march toward the end.

*

Late at night, deep within Seoul Forest.

I was walking through the densely wooded area, expanding my senses widely.

Moonlight seeped between the leaves, casting shadows, while the boisterous wills of the Mini Reapers disrupted the gloomy atmosphere of Seoul Forest.

“Younger brother!”

“Where are you?”

“Let’s eat pudding together!”

Having released the Mini Reapers into Seoul Forest in search of the Black Reaper, the eerie nighttime woods had transformed into a raucous playground.

However, despite the Mini Reapers’ enthusiastic search efforts to avoid becoming lost, there was no sign of the Black Reaper anywhere.

Thud, thud.

As I walked through a forest clearing filled with soft earth, the Black Reaper’s head suddenly popped out from the ground.

“Ah!”

The Black Reaper, making eye contact with me, giggled and quickly burrowed back into the earth.

Hmm, the missing Black Reaper could not possibly be underground…

I exchanged glances with the Black Reaper mole and continued forward through the woods, relying solely on my instincts.

Rustle, rustle.

Then, I heard a small creature moving in the trees above.

It was a sound slightly different from the rustling of leaves swayed by the wind.

I stopped walking and looked up, and something golden fell from a high branch.

“Oof!”

The fallen golden reaper landed squarely in my palm.

“Mom!”

The golden reaper stretched out tiny hands and grinned at me.

Looking down at the golden reaper, I quietly muttered my determination.

“I’ll turn the golden reaper who’s goofing off instead of doing the search operation into a mole!”

“No way!”

Startled, the golden reaper dashed deeper into the forest.

Simultaneously, the nearby golden reapers, who peeked out while searching, were also startled and vanished.

“Working with the golden reaper isn’t as easy as it seems.”

They’re the kindest and most obedient, yet commands often don’t seem to pass through clearly.

As the golden reapers lurking around disappeared, the forest quieted a bit more.

I continued to expand my senses, searching for the traces of the Black Reaper.

Suddenly, a faint will reached my ears.

Unlike the ruckus of the Mini Reapers, it sounded like it was coming from very far away.

I halted my steps and sharpened my senses.

“Where are you, younger brother?!”

“Brother!”

“[Watch over me again today.]”

“Let’s eat pudding!”

Amidst the clamoring of the Mini Reapers, that faint will continued to resonate.

It felt distant and oddly surreal, as if it were coming from another dimension.

“Wait, be quiet!”

I sent a command for silence to all the Mini Reapers.

In an instant, the forest fell silent, and all the Mini Reapers turned their heads toward me.

“….”

The faint sound of wind and the feeling of an External Being.

The Mini Reapers looked at one another, tilting their heads in confusion.

“It seems the children can’t sense it.”

Following that faint will, I slowly began to walk.

The Mini Reapers silently trailed behind me.

I ventured deep into the woods, stepping ever further among the dark and dense trees.

I arrived at a horrible clearing where trees had been cut down by a spatial cut.

Countless gaps in space were mingling, appearing and disappearing like bubbles.

“[Mom, you mustn’t be late…]”

And there, I could firmly grasp the will flowing from the bubble-like gap in space.

“Found it.”

Though it was a fleeting moment, once I perceived it, it became simple.

I tore through the space and grinned.

“Wonderful!”

“Mom, you’re amazing!”

“Strong Mom!”

In front of me opened a large passage of space where the presence of the Black Reaper could be felt.

Hehe.

*

Under the sky of the Color Universe, the Black Hooded Reaper was fighting fiercely.

Their entire body was covered in wounds, as if they had been cut all over.

And beneath their feet lay piles of the corpses of giant butterflies.

All of them bore scars as if something had gnawed on them.

Looking at the slimy remnants of butterfly flesh caught in the sharp teeth attached to the brim of the hood, it was crystal clear what had caused this.

The butterflies had been ‘devoured’ by the Black Hooded Reaper.

Devouring enemies, siphoning their strength, and recovering their own wounds and power.

The abilities of the Black Hooded Reaper resembled those of their mother.

But the Black Hooded Reaper was nearing their limit.

Most of their firewood was nearly exhausted.

The dim golden flame seemed as if it could extinguish at any moment.

Clinging desperately to that faint flame, they stood precariously.

Perhaps sensing this state, the swarm of butterflies slowly retreated, and the External Being Butterfly approached with its massive body.

As if to showcase the height difference, the External Being Butterfly looked down upon the hooded reaper.

“You’ve come closer, coward!”

Upon witnessing that sight, the Black Hooded Reaper smiled invisibly.

Crack.

Countless fissures opened across the Black Hooded Reaper’s body, and golden light began to erupt.

It was the last technique taught to them by their seniors.

Just like the last moments of the scout Black Reapers.

The method of turning one’s body into a bomb.

“Mom. I think this is it for me.”

The External Being Butterfly, using its one remaining leg, tried to rush away, but it was impossible with its heavy body.

Just before it was about to burst, the Black Hooded Reaper looked up with a bright smile.

“Mom, I did my best.”

In the line of sight of the Black Hooded Reaper was the emotionless face of their mother.

She looked somewhat angry.

“I wish the last illusion had been with a smiling face…”

As the Black Hooded Reaper indulged in such irrelevant thoughts, they closed their eyes.