In the quiet of the Sehee Research Institute’s break room, the soft hum of the television could be heard broadcasting the latest news.

“Recent reports have identified the ‘Gray Reaper’ as the cause behind the ‘End of the Star’ incident in southern Italy. In response, the Korea Object Association has announced plans to conduct a thorough investigation at the Sehee Research Institute to ensure its management protocols meet U.S. safety standards.”

Though the news directly involved the institute, Helmet Researcher barely paid attention. He knew too well how ineffective the Association’s investigations could be.

“They won’t find anything worthwhile,” he thought dismissively as he focused on playing with the golden Reaper beside him.

“Open up,” the researcher said, holding a stick-shaped snack. The golden Reaper mimicked him, opening its tiny mouth, and eagerly accepted the snack, munching on it with clear delight.

“Its bite strength is surprisingly good,” the researcher mused, watching the Reaper happily devour the treat.

Curious, the researcher had an idea. “Open again,” he said, and when the Reaper obliged, he gently placed his finger in its mouth. “Bite down. Hard.”

The golden Reaper hesitated for a moment, then bit down, its round teeth pressing against his finger. Though the pressure was strong, it didn’t hurt much, just enough to lift the tiny Reaper off the ground when the researcher raised his hand.

“It’s got enough strength to lift itself,” he noted, amused by how the Reaper dangled like a fish on a hook. When he set it down, the golden Reaper worriedly licked his fingertip, looking up at him with concern.

“It’s like I’m made of glass to them,” he thought with a smile, understanding that to the Reapers, humans must seem fragile.

“Don’t worry. I’m fine,” the researcher reassured, patting the golden Reaper on the head.

Realizing how much time had passed, the researcher checked his watch. “Lunch break’s almost over.”

He tucked the Reaper back into his helmet and looked around the break room, which was filled with researchers playing with mini Reapers instead of working. There were even more people goofing off in the inner courtyard, making him wonder how the institute managed to function at all.

“Coming to Sehee Research Institute was the best decision I’ve ever made,” he thought with satisfaction. Unlike other places, the workload here was light, and he was considered one of the institute’s best simply for doing a fraction of the work.

In his view, the institute was simple: “A place where no one really works.”

The only ones who seemed to do any real work were Deputy Director Park Seo-ah and Senior Researcher Kim Jung-rye. Even the security personnel were often seen sharing snacks with the mini Reapers, while actual patrols were handled by the golden Reapers. Without them, Objects might have escaped the institute long ago.

Chuckling to himself, the researcher left the break room with a smile, the golden Reaper still nestled in his helmet.

Meanwhile, the “giant blue-gray Reaper” was racing around the Mini Reaper Garden at lightning speed, mini Reapers clinging to it like children on an amusement park ride.

“Fast!” they cried with glee, enjoying every second of the ride.

The mini Reapers were elated that their “Kind Mom” phase was still going strong. Though they were used to the Reaper eventually getting tired of them, this time, they were surprised at how long the fun had lasted.

“Maybe when they all let their guard down, I can pull a huge prank,” the Reaper thought mischievously. It was eyeing the giant snow city the golden Reapers were painstakingly building, imagining what would happen if it toppled it.

Heh, heh.

While controlling the massive blue-gray Reaper, the Reaper’s true body lay beside the sleeping “Blue Girl” in the snowy plains.

“Why can’t I bring her back?” it pondered, staring at the still figure.

Before playing with the mini Reapers, it had attempted to resurrect the Blue Girl, hoping to finally ask her all the questions it had about her ambiguous existence. But despite using all the power of the blue giant, the resurrection had failed.

The girl’s soul was simply gone.

“She must be an Object, right?” the Reaper thought, staring at the body. The physical signs were clear, but there was no trace of her spirit.

Unable to understand why, the Reaper ruminated until its thoughts were interrupted by a familiar figure emerging from the shadows—a rusted, battle-worn purple Reaper.

Was there always a purple Reaper like that? it wondered, noticing the Reaper’s injuries.

“Mom! Thanks so much for helping!” the purple Reaper cried, its voice full of gratitude as it nuzzled against the Reaper’s cheek, clearly emotional.

Even though the Reaper hadn’t led the charge itself, it pretended to bask in the praise, patting the purple Reaper with a sly smile. “Of course, I’m always thinking of you all,” it said in a dramatic tone.

The purple Reaper seemed suspicious for a moment but quickly shrugged it off, continuing to express its thanks. When the Reaper offered to help with its injuries, the purple Reaper declined, claiming it was fine, despite its tattered appearance.

Eventually, the purple Reaper made a heartfelt request, one that the Reaper, normally prone to mischief, decided to grant. “Maybe I’m being too nice lately,” it mused with a chuckle.

Deep within the Mini Reaper Garden, in the heart of the Hot Chocolate Sea, the blue Reapers gathered at their secret base, working tirelessly on a special project.

“Please shine like a star!”

They were trying to upgrade their creation—the “world’s strongest Mom Golem.”

Seeing the massive blue Reaper had filled the blue Reapers with happiness. Even the eternally cheerful golden Reapers had been envious, calling them “lucky siblings.”

Determined to capture that feeling, the blue Reapers were trying to improve their Golem, making it as large and radiant as the real thing. But with only ten of them, it was a daunting task. Creating something of that scale, and making it shine with that mysterious blue glow, was proving impossible.

Their collective frustration deepened as they continued their work.

Back in southern Italy, twenty years after the Star’s fall, the country was still recovering from the "Curse of the Star." With the sudden disappearance of the Selectors, who had been feared and reviled, Italy was left in ruins, struggling to rebuild amidst the chaos.

Among those returning to the south was a man who had once pretended to be a Selector to survive.

He had finished most of what he set out to do, and now only one task remained.

“They’re gone... It’s going to be lonely.”

The man looked around his empty hometown, unable to hide his sadness. The purple Reaper that had once followed him everywhere had vanished just as suddenly as it had appeared. He hadn’t needed to hear its thoughts to understand why. The Reaper had admired his life as a “fixer,” and now that part of his life was over, it had moved on.

Yesterday, he had buried the pistol he once used to protect himself at his sister’s grave, fulfilling the last of his goals. With the gun gone, the Reaper had no reason to stay by his side.

Still, he couldn’t help but wish the purple Reaper well, wherever it had gone.

“I hope you stay safe and healthy, wherever your journey takes you.”

He packed his bags, ready to embark on the journey his sister had always dreamed of—traveling the world. Though he knew he’d never return to Italy, he was determined to visit all the places she had wanted to see, starting with Paris.

“Let’s go.”

He murmured as if speaking to his sister, stepping out the door to begin his travels.

But instead of the quiet solitude he expected, he was met with a miracle.

Standing before him, as if brought back to life, was his sister.

“Brother, you’ve really gotten old,” she said with a tearful smile, her voice cracking as she ran toward him, throwing her arms around him and crying.

The man closed his eyes, holding her tightly without saying a word, afraid that if he spoke, this dream would shatter.

Hidden in the shadows, the rusted purple Reaper watched them with a smile, blessing the reunion of its beloved human.