As I slowly walked into Gwanak-gu, the morning sun greeted me, rising over the horizon and casting a golden hue over the landscape.

The warm light bathed the ruins in a soft glow, illuminating the complex wreckage of crumbling buildings.

Shadows danced playfully between the debris, creating a mosaic of light and dark, adorning the desolate ruins.

Amidst this serene morning landscape, a sticky black slime made its presence known.

The "Evolution Fluid" rippled smoothly like well-maintained synthetic rubber, gleaming with its signature sheen.

It looked as if the ruins were coated in a smooth layer of rubber.

At first glance, the scene might have been beautiful, but the foul stench that lingered in the air sullied its beauty.

The odor, a mix of petroleum and malice, gnawed at my mind, an unbearable smell that no one could ever grow accustomed to.

Because of this liquid, harmful to both living beings and Objects, no signs of life could be found in the ruins.

Not even insects crawling on the ground or birds flying through the sky could be seen.

Based on the Third Research Director’s notes and the "Evolution Fluid" used in Odaesan, I expected more people in Gwanak-gu, but the ruins were quieter than anticipated.

There were a few camps set up by Trinity Research Lab and the Association’s research teams, but no researchers were actively working inside.

Even the security personnel patrolling the area were few and far between.

It seemed the task of removing the "Evolution Fluid" that had seeped into the ruins would be simpler than I thought.

I should have gotten rid of this disgusting slime earlier, but who knew there’d be so many people trying to recycle a liquid that wiped out an entire district?

Especially after reading the records from the First Research Lab, where even the Association was conducting research to use Object control techniques with it, I couldn’t just leave it alone.

Still, as I considered getting rid of it, I felt a pang of regret.

No more Mini Reaper tossing games.

So, who should I throw in one last time?

The Golden Reaper had been used too often and was getting boring, so I decided to pick one of the younger ones.

The weaker ones might not die from contact with the black slime, but they would definitely have a hard time.

That’s why the "Black Reaper," tough as the Golden Reaper but with a strong aversion to black slime, seemed like the most fun choice.

As I summoned the Black Reaper into my palm, it bared its teeth, glaring fiercely at the environment filled with black slime.

I gently picked it up, ready to lower it slowly into the slime.

But just as I was about to dip it in, the Black Reaper transformed into a slime itself and slipped out of my grasp.

Splat.

Before I knew it, the Black Reaper had climbed onto my shoulder, furiously punching me in the cheek with both fists.

Its expression seemed to say, "How could you do something so cruel?"

That made me even more determined.

The Golden Reaper might be tricky to toss in with its time acceleration, but surely the Black Reaper would be possible?

I even tried speeding up time, but every attempt ended in failure.

The Black Reaper, able to change its form at will, was much stronger and more agile than I was.

Sigh.

It seemed impossible to catch and throw it in.

Who would have thought the Black Reaper would be more nimble than the eldest Golden Reaper?

Why are my children better at physical activities than I am?

Just as I was about to give up, the Black Reaper sent me a message.

"Why do you keep playing these tricks, Mom?"

"Well… because it’s fun."

The Black Reaper nodded and began walking slowly toward the black slime.

"Watch closely, Mom!"

It trudged over to the slime and turned back to me, asking me to keep my eyes on it.

"?"

The Black Reaper seemed oddly solemn and scared.

"Wait, stop!"

I urgently sent a message, but the Black Reaper was already kneeling in front of the slime, trembling as it dipped its fingers into the goo.

Squelch.

The Black Reaper began to melt.

Starting from its fingertips, the black slime crept up, dissolving the Reaper’s body.

At the same time, it collapsed to the ground like a doll with its strings cut.

I was shocked and quickly scooped the Black Reaper into my arms.

'!'

Its eyes opened faintly as if it were dying, and it let out a small sound.

Beep.

Now that you see how dangerous it is, you shouldn’t play around with it, Mom.

The faint message echoed in my mind.

"I’m sorry! I won’t do it again!"

Panicking at the severity of the situation, I kept apologizing while pouring more and more kindling into the Black Reaper’s body.

While the Golden Reaper had been fine, I never imagined the black slime would be lethal to the Black Reaper!

I thought all my children were immune, but maybe it was just me and the Golden Reaper who were special?

I’m sorry! Please don’t die!

After what felt like forever, I had filled the Black Reaper’s body with hundreds of rounds of kindling, and slowly, its missing arm began to regenerate.

Thank goodness.

As I gently stroked the Black Reaper’s hair while it slept peacefully, I thought.

It must have been so painful….

This black slime definitely has to disappear from the world.

It was partly my fault, but it was also a problem that such harmful substances even existed on Earth.