“Haaaaa.”


    As I let out a deep sigh, Seoah who was sitting in front of me frowned.


    “Director Lee Sehee. Why are you suddenly here? If you don’t have any business with me, please go back quickly.”


    I sprawled across therge table in the deputy director’s office and answered with all the drama I could muster.


    “I’ve been so busytely. When is Yerining back?”


    “…”


    Seoah’s eyes sharpened at that. Well, I get it—she works three times as much as I do. But!


    <em>Seoah has always worked a lot. Meanwhile, I’m trying to work after not working for ages, so it’s infinitely harder for me…</em>


    <em>In other words, it’s mathematically harder for me!</em>


    I nced up at Seoah, hoping for some sympathy, but she’d already turned her gaze back to her work.Then, something on her desk caught my eye—a ss case with a fluffy cotton quilt and a blue fruit on top. It didn’t look like an ordinary decoration.


    “Seoah, what’s that on your desk?”


    I pointed at it with my finger, curious, and Seoah replied in a calm voice.


    “You remember the new Object I mentioned in the reportst time, the Navy Bud Reaper, right?”


    “O-of course I do.”


    To be honest, I had no idea what she was talking about. But judging from Seoah’s expression, it seemed like something I should know, so I pretended I did.


    “It’s a product of an Object. The Navy Bud Reaper gave it to me and told me to eat it. But I’m still debating what to do with it. I wrote down the details in the report I submittedst night.”


    “Ah… I see.”


    At first, I didn’t think much of it, but maybe since it was a Mini Reaper who gave it to her, the blue fruit suddenly looked… delicious.


    “If you’re that worried, should I try it instead?”


    “No.”


    Seoah just shot me down without any hesitation.


    <em>Tsk.</em>


    *********When I got to my hotel room, I stretched my arms high above my head, trying to shake off the tiredness clinging to me.


    As I did, the Golden Reapers that were swarming around on the table mimicked my movement, putting their tiny hands together and stretching up too. Then they looked at each other and burst into giggles.


    <em>So cute!</em>


    I couldn’t help but grin, thinking that maybe Reaper was doing it too. So I leaned in to check on it.


    <em>Om nom nom-!</em>


    But nope, Reaper was just sitting there with its usual nk face, focused entirely on munching on a pudding almost as big as it was.


    Even though Reaper had this cool, chic vibe, sometimes I really wished it would act more like the Golden Reapers. They were just so adorable!


    I nced at my watch and saw it was already past noon.


    It felt like we’d barely walked any distance, but somehow, so much time had passed by the time we got back to the hotel. I was also feeling mentally wiped out.


    Was it because I’d been staring at that massive Object all day?


    Even though I saw some beautifulndscapes too, instead of feeling refreshed, I just felt overwhelmed.


    It was like the secretary had predicted this because she didn’t schedule anything else for the day and told me to just rest.


    But she did mention that our tour around the research institute would start tomorrow.


    As I slowly walked over to the window, I noticed how the world outside seemed divided into two. On one side, there was a cluster of research institutes, all sleek and stylish, while beyond them, there was a group of old, shabby buildings.


    It wasn’t quite a slum, but the atmosphere was definitely different from the researchplex.


    Suddenly, I got an idea. I scooped up the sitting Reaper and lifted it to the window.


    “Reaper. Should we have lunch over there today?”


    Reaper’s antennae swayed left and right, clearly intrigued by the idea of exploring the area with all those restaurants.


    “Then, let’s go!”


    I grabbed Reaper’s hand and we left the hotel room.


    <em>Plop-! Plop-!</em>


    Reaper’s steps were brisk, matching my enthusiasm. It was probably just as eager as I was!


    But as soon as we reached the hotel entrance, someone threw cold water on our fun.


    “You must not leave the research instituteplex,” the secretary said, blocking our path.


    I thought it would be fine since no one passing by seemed surprised to see Reaper, but apparently, there was a reason for that.


    Turns out, the local research institute staff had already been thoroughly briefed about the Gray Reaper’s arrival…


    So, there was nothing we could do.


    “I apologize for the inconvenience. There are many convenience facilities such as shopping centers and restaurants within the research instituteplex, so please use those ces.”


    The secretary that James had assigned to us guided us to a restaurant with an apologetic expression.


    It was really disappointing, but what could we do?


    Even Reaper, who usually didn’t show much emotion, seemed a little grumpy. I hope it’s going to be okay…


    *********Late at night, back in the cozy hotel room after dinner, I finally managed to get Yerin to sleep. She’d been watching me like a hawk, as if expecting me to sneak out or something. Silly Yerin!


    But she looked so tired, poor thing, trying her best to stay awake. So, I used a tiny bit of the Golden Tree’s power to gently lull her to sleep and tucked her into bed all snug andfy.


    Normally, it would’ve been tricky moving her to the bed with my usual strength, but thanks to the nifty antennae power I picked up earlier, it was a breeze!


    “Reaper… don’t go anywhere…”


    Yerin mumbled drowsily, hugging her mini Hungry Ghost tight. I smiled at her sleepily slurred words and patted her head before turning to the window.


    The city outside was alive with lights, a shimmering yground that never seemed to sleep.


    It was the same street I wasn’t allowed to visit for lunch earlier. I hadn’t been too interested before, but now that I knew I couldn’t go, I couldn’t help but feel a bit curious.


    Hihihi, maybe just a little peek?


    With a mischievous grin, I slipped into my phantom form, bing all ghosty and invisible, and floated right out of the hotel window.


    As soon as I left the research instituteplex, the vibe of the city changed. It wasn’t as neat and polished, but it had this exotic charm that was so different from Korea. It was fun just to drift around, taking it all in.


    And oh, the food! There was this dish that looked especially tasty—thin slices of tender beef, piled high on crispy, freshly baked bread, all grilled to perfection.


    The beef was glistening with rich juices, giving off a savory aroma that made my mouth water. And the onions, cooked just right, mixed in with the beef, topped with gooey, melted cheese… yum!


    What was that called? I wondered.


    I was so tempted to snatch one up—just a tiny bite, surely no one would miss it! But then I remembered the Golden Reaper perched on my head.


    Sigh… if I stole it, they’d definitely get upset with me for making someone sad.


    Besides, it wouldn’t be good for the Kid Reapers’ <strong>‘education,’</strong> would it?


    Not that I’m sure if calling them kids is urate, but they do love copying my pranks, so I guess they’re easily influenced by me.


    Maybe I could ask Yerin to buy me er instead?


    <em>Plop-plop! Plop-plop!</em>


    I strolled through the streets filled with restaurants, my steps light and bouncy.


    The farther I wandered from the researchplex, the quieter the streets became, but the food got even more interesting and exotic.


    And then—oh! I spotted a dish from back home in Korea! That made me so happy for some reason. Was this the fun of traveling abroad?


    But as I kept exploring, a weird, unpleasant smell began to creep into the air.


    The Golden Reaper must’ve noticed it too because it suddenly spat out my squirming antennae and looked around, all alert.


    The smell was unmistakable—the delicious smell of charcoal and something more… Yes! The Burning Steel Pig Statue!


    Hmm, if I wanted to ask Yerin to treat meter, it’d probably be better if the area was safe first, right?


    I gently ced the Golden Reaper in my palm and shared my thoughts. It nodded in agreement, its little face all serious.


    <em>Plop-plop! Plop-plop!</em>


    Following the smell of charcoal through the maze-like streets, I felt a bubbling excitement in my chest.


    The Golden Reaper, bouncing along ahead of me, seemed just as eager at the thought of defeating an Object.


    The narrow alleyways twisted and turned, each one revealing a new, strange scene. Finally, we arrived at an old, worn-down church, the exterior crumbling and neglected.


    But despite the shabby appearance, there were lots of people going in and out—well, not exactly people.


    They were like the monster men I’d seen before in Seoul Forest—humans turned into Objects. So, there must be a Burning Pig Statue here too!


    The Golden Reaper sensed the ominous aura, its little face set in a serious expression as it scanned the area.


    I followed the smell into the church, passing by the old wooden chairs and the altar, all the way down to the basement.


    The basement was huge and much more spacious than the shabby exterior suggested. But then again, it made sense—this was a ce meant to hide an Object, after all.


    There were guards down there, lots of them, but they couldn’t see ghostly Objects like me. So, I just floated by, unnoticed!


    When we finally reached the Burning Pig Statue, the scene was eerily familiar—a giant iron pig, charred skeletons piled up beneath it, and the air filled with desperate, endless screams.


    The Golden Reaper kneeled by the skeletons, tears streaming down its little face as it gently touched each bone.


    It always amazed me how sad the Golden Reapers got when they saw dead humans, even though this world was so full of death.


    I checked the statue’s killing conditions—


    < indigestion="">


    And, phew, it was the same as the one in Seoul Forest. A tricky little riddle, but nothing I couldn’t handle.


    I slipped inside the Steel Pig Statue, feeling a strange, new sensation. The space inside seemed to connect to somewhere else.


    <em>This is new! Must be my new space-time powers kicking in.</em>


    The space was wet and squishy, like the inside of a giant intestine. Ew. It reminded me of the scene back in Seoul Forest, but something was different this time.


    The charred skeletons were just standing there, watching me from a distance.


    They were the same ones who’d attacked me before, pouring out their resentment. But now? They seemed… scared?


    I took a step forward, and they all backed away, startled. They didn’t have faces, but I could totally feel their shock.


    The closer I got, the more they retreated. It was like a game of tag, and somehow, that made it fun.


    After a bit of yful chasing, I decided it was time to get serious and started using my powers to catch the skeletons. As I did, the space around us began to distort.


    The <strong>< indigestion=""></strong> condition was met!


    The whole ce twisted with the roar of a giant pig, and suddenly, I felt a powerful force pulling me somewhere.


    Nooo, my game of tag!


    I fought against the force, but it eventually pushed me out of the narrow intestines and sent me flying into the sky.


    Below me, I saw a herd of pigs marching across the ground, which was covered in ck gooey stuff.


    The intestines of the pig I’d been in burst open, killing it in the process.


    The pig was a gigantic monster easily over ten meters long, but looked so tinypared to the rest of the herd.


    But the thousands of other pigs didn’t even notice. They just kept marching, paying no attention to their fallen kin.


    At the front of the herd was a pig straight out of a myth—a gigantic beast with steps that shook the earth and fiery breath that scorched the ck muck.


    A pigrger than a mountain was leading the charge toward a spiraling hole in the ground.