After a long time, I finally revisited the Mini Reaper Garden, only to discover a new landscape had appeared within it.

Past the Marshmallow Fields and through the Forest of Cookie Sticks lay a vast expanse now known as the Black Sugar Desert.

In this new area, countless Mini Reapers had gathered, eagerly indulging in the new treats and adventures it offered.

As I wandered around the Black Sugar Desert, I came across a curious Golden Reaper. There it was, happily munching on black sugar that covered the ground like sand. The taste must have been better than expected because the Golden Reaper had a delighted expression, smearing sugar all over its face as it ate.

When the Golden Reaper noticed me, it rushed over and shoved a handful of black sugar towards me.

"Mom! This black sugar is so tasty!"

Although it looked like dirt, I declined politely. Crestfallen, the Golden Reaper sat back down and resumed eating, saying, “This black sugar is so good, I’d die for it...”

It felt strange; even knowing it was sugar, watching them devour it like dirt made me want to shout, "You shouldn’t eat dirt!"

And as expected, the number of Mini Reapers eating dirt seemed to multiply.

Anyone who wandered the Black Sugar Desert would inevitably come across Mini Reapers munching on what looked like dirt.

“?”

Then, those curious Mini Reapers would watch the others savoring the ‘dirt’ and, sooner or later, feel compelled to try it themselves.

I found myself briefly considering, How good could it be? Should I try a bite? But I managed to resist, maintaining my dignity as their caretaker.

Fortunately, not all Mini Reapers were eating dirt. Some wandered the desert, sampling other new snacks scattered about.

There were treats like transparent, jewel-like ice spiders, cold as frost, and purple candy dolls made of violet sweets.

These treats seemed to originate from the labyrinth. While most Mini Reapers nibbled at the ice spiders with satisfied expressions, the Red Reaper looked somewhat disappointed.

Curious, I extended my thoughts to ask, “What’s wrong?”

The Red Reaper, looking frustrated, held up the ice treat and breathed fire over it. Naturally, the ice melted instantly, leaving its hands sticky.

“It won’t cook!”

It seemed the Red Reaper had tried to roast the ice. Not sure how to console it, I simply patted its head.

After parting with the Red Reaper, I continued wandering through the sandy sugar, finding in a corner of the desert a creature that looked way too relaxed. It was Ogre, usually the favorite chew toy of the other Reapers, now lounging comfortably.

Strangely enough, seeing Ogre so content made me want to mess with it. I returned to the sulking Red Reaper and tipped it off about Ogre's location.

Heh-heh.

At Sehee Research Lab’s backyard, Gray Reaper lay on Yerin’s lap, basking in the warm sunlight.

With the Black Reapers gone after sticking around for more than a week, Gray Reaper seemed utterly at ease. Yerin looked down at him as he dozed peacefully and snapped a photo.

The image captured a perfect moment, with Gray Reaper sprawled out in the dappled shade beneath the gently swaying leaves.

“I should save this.”

As Yerin transferred the photo to her archive folder, she browsed through other saved photos, only to notice something strange.

Hmm?

When she compared today’s picture with the first one of Gray Reaper, the difference was clear.

Gray Reaper had put on a bit of weight!

His cheeks looked rounder, and there was a slightly softer charm to him now.

Though it wasn’t a drastic change, it was significant enough for Yerin to notice—especially since she secretly measured his chubbiness and paw prints every day while he slept.

How did I not see it sooner?

As she scrolled through the photos, the mini TV nearby played news about the worsening crisis in Siberia, where Russia had finally declared its withdrawal.

Just another peaceful day at Sehee Research Lab.

Dusk had begun to settle over the lab’s backyard.

Now that Yerin had left after making a fuss about measuring my weight, I stood in the quiet yard, gazing at the Halo.

This is going to hurt.

But it was necessary for my dreams and ambitions.

With determination, I placed the Halo from the labyrinth over my head, bracing for the familiar, excruciating pain.

My entire body felt like it was on fire, cracks spreading through me like shattered glass.

I only used this device when absolutely necessary, and only if I was sure I couldn’t win without it.

Grinding my teeth against the agony, I visualized the illusion I wanted to create.

The illusion started to devour reality, forcing its way into existence.

When what felt like an eternity finally ended, and the illusion solidified, I threw the Halo to the ground.

“Yes!”

I raised my arms in triumph, grinning as brightly as the Golden Reaper.

In the fading light of the sunset, my creation cast a massive shadow.

As darkness enveloped the landscape, my desired vision gradually took shape.

A massive object, glowing green in the night—a full-scale, eerily lifelike—

glow-in-the-dark Tyrannosaurus!

I climbed atop the glowing dinosaur and began to roam around the lab’s perimeter.

There might be headlines about the “Gray Reaper Riding a Glow-in-the-Dark Dinosaur!” but I ignored them.

After all, I had a fully automated, glow-in-the-dark T-Rex!

Heh-heh.

The thrill was well worth the pain.

In the illegal lab where Golden Reaper was being held captive, a woman was contemplating her plans when a loud banging started at the door, as if someone was about to break it down.

Reluctantly, she opened the door to let in her associates.

They strolled in, sneering as they eyed the Golden Reaper through his transparent, reinforced glass enclosure.

“You actually caught the Golden Reaper, huh?”

They sneered and slapped the woman’s shoulder, making Golden Reaper narrow his eyes.

‘Harmful humans?’

The Golden Reaper sensed no direct threat to his beloved human, but the men reeked of malice.

As he watched them, the Golden Reaper longed to comfort his human companion but remained still.

While weighing the men’s lives against his human’s well-being, he noticed one man leaning closer, whispering to the woman.

“Keep him confined, and we can start a proper lab. Golden Reapers are popular, after all.”

“Really?”

The woman’s pleased reaction made Golden Reaper uneasy. The man’s presence radiated a dark and toxic aura, tainted with hatred for humanity.

‘My beloved human is in danger!’

In an instant, the Golden Reaper became intangible and slipped out of his enclosure, silently trailing the men outside.

“Huh? Where did he go?”

Ignoring his human’s saddened voice, Golden Reaper forged ahead, determined to protect her from harm.