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In the depths of the Mini Reaper Garden, the newly discovered Caramel Grand Canyon boasted a magnificent view that stretched endlessly beyond the Jelly Jungle.

This mystical space, where brown cliffs and valleys harmonized, was made of caramel yet evoked thoughts of a real canyon.

Having fallen once onto the ground, I cautiously extended my foot to press down on the caramel surface with the sole of my foot.

As I did so, I slowly gauged the firmness of the caramel.

Considering how I had been sucked in like a swamp, it was surprisingly firm, yet still wrapped around my foot as I pressed down lightly.

‘Not as soft as I expected. If I tread carefully or wear something like flat shoes, I should be able to move around without issue.’

Once I had a rough estimate, I slowly lifted my foot off the caramel ground.

At that moment, Mini Reapers flocked to my footprints, bouncing around joyfully.

‘Mommy’s footprints!’

‘Footprints are huge!’

Although my foot size was small, it must have seemed gigantic compared to the Mini Reapers.

Looking down at the Mini Reapers happily comparing the footprint sizes, I gathered my thoughts.

‘I guess I’ll need to create some caramel-special shoes using the Halo of the Labyrinth.’

Just then, a White Hungry Ghost casually passed right in front of me.

‘Ah!’

In that instant, a brilliant idea struck me.

I swiftly grabbed the White Hungry Ghost.

Then, using Space Manipulation, I stretched the ghost out to form a carpet shape.

Kyu-hing-hing.

The four little feet of the ghost were the magical carpet’s corners, completing my creation.

‘Perfect.’

I beamed with satisfaction as I gazed at my masterpiece.

Carefully climbing onto the ghost carpet, I commanded the White Hungry Ghost.

‘Let’s go, to the New Continent!’

As soon as I said that, the ghost’s feet began to move.

Flap-flap, its four tiny feet kicked off the caramel ground as we moved forward.

Surprisingly, we were picking up quite a speed.

‘This is fun; it’s like a sled!’

Truly, an automatic sled!

I couldn’t help but smile at the exhilarating speed as the wind whooshed by, gliding through the caramel canyon.

The scenery around us zipped past, and the sight of transparent butterflies dancing in the sky felt even more beautiful.

‘Oh!’

At that moment, I spotted Golden Reapers wandering at the mouth of the canyon.

As I zoomed by on the carpet, the Golden Reapers’ eyes widened in envy.

‘A ghost vehicle!’

‘A ghost!’

‘Looks like fun!’

Then they scattered all around, starting a hunt for the White Hungry Ghost.

Kyu-hing-hing…

As the Jelly Jungle became increasingly distant, I could almost hear the sorrowful cries of the ghosts in my ears.

As I rode the White Hungry Ghost carpet deeper into the canyon at high speed, the surrounding scenery began to transform gradually.

The Golden Reapers, who had previously filled the area, were becoming scarce.

The footprints left by the enthusiastic Golden Reapers also started to diminish.

Perhaps due to their curious nature, the Golden Reapers dispersed in different directions according to their interests, resulting in fewer of them reaching this point.

It was evident that there were plenty of places worth visiting in this canyon.

The endless caramel plains I was heading toward.

The deep canyon that seemed like it had no visible end below.

And the center of the canyon where transparent butterflies fluttered around.

Kids who loved exploration probably went down into the canyon, while those who loved snacks likely headed towards the flowers of the transparent butterflies.

So, it made sense that the wide caramel plains I was approaching seemed less popular.

While enjoying the speed of the White Hungry Ghost carpet, I noticed that only a single footprint remained behind.

A continuous line of footprints stretched endlessly across the caramel ground up to the horizon.

That sight felt oddly lonely yet dignified.

Even so, it was a bit strange that only one Golden Reaper had made it this far.

Perhaps because I found that thought irrelevant, it soon drifted away like clouds in the wind.

I sat diagonally on the carpet, enjoying the wind brushing against my face, continuing my journey across the caramel plains beside that solitary line of footprints.

As I ran for a while, I caught sight of a lone Golden Reaper popping up against the horizon.

It looked like a golden lighthouse that had suddenly risen in the empty caramel-colored plains.

Could that kid be the owner of those footprints?

Driven by curiosity, I urged the ghost carpet closer to the Golden Reaper.

And in that moment, the secret of the single remaining footprint was revealed.

The Golden Reaper was hopping along, matching its steps to the previously made footprints.

Just like a child playing a game of stepping in footprints on snowy ground, it was earnestly placing one foot after another.

‘Ah, so that’s the game they were playing.’

Looking at the depth of the footprints left, it was clear that they were not just made by one or two individuals.

It seemed that this fun game, started by someone, had attracted others to join in.

Gently, I approached the Golden Reaper that was having its footprint game.

As I did, it turned its head towards me and smiled cheerfully while still matching its feet to the footprints.

‘Mommy!’

Seeing that innocent smile, mischief suddenly welled up inside me.

At the moment the Golden Reaper lifted its foot to take the next step, I quickly grabbed its tiny foot.

‘?’

At first, the Golden Reaper looked puzzled, but soon realizing what I intended to do, it tried with all its might to pull its leg back.

‘No!’

But it couldn’t match my strength.

With a swift motion, I pressed its little foot down as if sealing it, leaving a fresh print on the ground.

‘Noooo!!’

As the sacred rules of the footprint game were broken, the Golden Reaper squatted down, looking as if its world had just crumbled.

I hastily flew away on the carpet before the Golden Reaper could get angry.

As I distanced myself, I turned back to see the Golden Reaper still sitting there.

Hehe.

*

Early in the morning, the James Tower piercing the sky in Songpa District of Seoul sparkled in the sunlight.

James boarded the elevator at a brisk pace, heading to the top floor.

On his shoulder, a Golden Reaper was eagerly munching on a jelly the size of its own body.

Om-nom-nom.

The cute sound of the Golden Reaper eating filled the quiet elevator.

James smiled at the Attached Reaper but his eyes shimmered ominously, contrasting with his smile.

Just moments ago, he received a report from the security team about a suspicious figure appearing and disappearing in his office.

As the elevator doors opened, James rushed directly to his office.

Walking down the corridor, he pondered various possibilities in his mind.

‘Could it be an intrusion using an object? Or something from an insider?’

Upon reaching the office door, security team employees and secretarial staff greeted him.

Given the serious situation of the security breach on the top floor of James Tower, the expressions of the employees were stiff and serious.

“So, have you identified the intruder and their intentions?”

James asked with a serious expression.

The secretary took out a tablet and replied.

“Yes, sir. We have identified the intruder after reviewing the CCTV footage.”

On the tablet’s screen was video footage of a man appearing in James’s office as if he had teleported.

James’s eyes widened at the sight.

“This man is…. ‘Yellow Detective’.”

James immediately recognized the figure.

The once-famous ‘Yellow Detective’ was closely associated with the Gray Reaper.

Especially, he was known to have strong connections with the Golden Horn Reaper who appeared during the crisis of the Mini Reapers.

The secretary continued explaining.

“Yes, that’s right. The Yellow Detective used two types of objects capable of spatial movement to infiltrate the office. And he left this behind before disappearing.”

The secretary presented a transparent container for object storage.

Inside it was a large envelope.

“This is what he left behind. What should we do with it? Should we dispose of it?”

James paused for thought.

Since the Yellow Detective was someone who assisted the Gray Reaper, he needed to approach this cautiously.

At that moment, the Golden Reaper on James’s shoulder jumped into the object storage container.

Using ghosting, which it rarely used, it entered the container.

‘I smell something familiar.’

Then it began fiddling with the envelope with curiosity sparkling in its eyes.

Seeing the Golden Reaper’s reaction, James made up his mind.

“Open the storage. We need to check the content of the letter.”

As the container was opened, James cautiously took out the letter and began to read.

His expression grew increasingly serious.

The contents of the letter were simple yet shocking.

It revealed the location of a special object that had been hidden within human society for a long time but remained undiscovered until now.

And at the end of the letter, there was a phrase emphasized in bold letters.

[This object must be dealt with by the Gray Reaper.]

[Once the letter is fully read, it must be immediately burned.]

[For the sake of a correct future.]

James hesitated for a moment, but ultimately decided to follow the instructions in the letter.

He took out a lighter from his pocket and set the letter on fire.

In an instant, the letter turned to ashes and fell to the ground.

“The letter indicated that a special object is hidden in southern Texas.”

James brushed the ashes off his hands, addressing the staff.

“Let’s dispatch a research team to verify the facts. Keep in mind, this object can control humans without mental pollution, so approach with caution.”

The employees exchanged startled glances.

James turned his gaze out the window.

The morning scenery of Seoul came into view, but his mind was already full of thoughts about Texas.

As the employees left the office, the Golden Reaper returned to James’s shoulder, settling comfortably.

James sighed deeply and muttered.

“I feel like something big is about to begin.”