In a newly constructed quarantine room tucked in the corner of Sehee Laboratory, an unexpected scene unfolded.

The room had transformed into a playground for the Mini Reapers.

Golden Reapers were bouncing on a soft, inflated blanket atop the bed, using it like a trampoline.

Across from the bed, a table overflowed with an assortment of snacks, where Black Reapers had gathered, nibbling at the treats with carefree expressions.

In the center of the room sat a lead doll, surrounded by a waiting line of Mini Reapers and White Maws.

On the lead doll’s lap, a small Golden Reaper hopped up and down, looking up at it eagerly.

"Pat me!"

The lead doll smiled warmly, as the Golden Reaper wished, and gently patted its head.

From outside the quarantine room, Seo-ah observed the scene as she reviewed a report.

The title read: Risk Assessment of the Lead Doll's Wishes.

Inside the report were results from tests assessing the types of wishes the lead doll responded to and the risks of realizing those wishes.

After reviewing the entire report, Seo-ah closed it and spoke.

"It doesn’t seem particularly dangerous."

"In that case!"

Yerin interrupted Seo-ah excitedly, but Seo-ah shook her head.

"Still, as Researcher Oh Yerin mentioned, we can’t place it outside the lab."

"Aww…"

Meanwhile, James and a tattooed alchemist engaged in a conversation nearby.

"So, does that doll’s message mean ‘that wish has been granted’? That so-called ‘Kingdom Language’ is exceedingly cryptic."

"That’s because this language is closer to something you grasp intuitively rather than learn. It’s surprising we’ve interpreted even a little."

James slowly walked over to the glass that allowed a view into the quarantine room, gazing thoughtfully at the scene within.

"It resembles the Gray Reaper in appearance, yet its behavior is entirely different. An object that kindly grants all requests…."

The tattooed woman joined James, murmuring wistfully.

"If only the Gray Reaper were such an object, so many things could be possible…. It’s a shame. Alchemy might even erase all objects from the world."

Since she had crafted a sword with energy from the Gray Reaper, the alchemist seemed deeply interested in research or experiments involving the Gray Reaper.

"Well…"

James listened to her, then murmured, stroking his chin slowly.

"Somehow, I don’t foresee a very bright future."

He then observed the lead doll with a serious expression as it playfully slapped the Golden Reaper at the White Maw’s request.

In the shallow part of the Mini Reaper Garden, connected to the inner courtyard and the Marshmallow Plains.

Lying there, I looked at a small TV, connected to the inner courtyard.

"The public concern is growing over the mysterious ‘cognitive loss’ incidents occurring recently, particularly around Seoul."

"According to police, there have been around 20 similar cases reported in the past three months."

"The victims reportedly lose cognitive function abruptly, becoming unaware of their surroundings."

"Especially shocking is that witnesses have noted the victims’ eyes appear lifeless, as if staring blankly into space."

"No commonalities such as age, gender, or occupation have been identified among the victims."

Although the news hadn’t yet confirmed if these incidents were object-related, my instinct told me there was a connection.

But I wasn’t entirely certain, so it might not be.

To check, I shared a wave of intent with the Golden Reaper clinging to my cheek.

"It's the work of a malicious object."

Yet, as the Golden Reaper wasn’t even looking at the TV, only watching my face, it tilted its head, not understanding.

Well, Golden Reapers had never been interested in TV before; they only gathered around me when I watched it….

Were they trying to steal my snacks?

When I explained the situation more clearly, the Golden Reaper clenched its small fists in anger.

"Bad object!"

Then, it dashed off somewhere.

I guess if I wait, the Golden Reapers will handle everything?

Hehe.

Watching the Golden Reaper head off with a giggle, a quiet determination echoed from somewhere.

"No! I will never give up!"

Looking over, I saw a performance that had become popular with the Mini Reapers, The Blue Reaper and the Tower of Ends.

The show was already well-liked but had recently received updates that were even more well-received by the Mini Reapers.

"Awesome!"

The Mini Reapers crowded around the stage, cheering as they watched.

The Blue Reapers sat clustered at one end, eyes shining as they watched.

"Brave!"

"Cool!"

Their enthusiasm was such that they occasionally displayed tiny phrases made of water.

Originally a one-man show by the Yellow Reaper, who controlled multiple costumes, the revised version now featured other Reapers as actors.

"My magic has touched…."

Glancing over, I noticed the Blue Idol Reaper, performing with a serious expression.

Unlike most other Blue Reapers, who likely wouldn’t dare, this one seemed to enjoy acting.

"Burn all bridges!"

As the Blue Idol Reaper incanted, the White Maw, its opponent, saw its limbs consumed by flames, vanishing entirely.

This particular White Maw had once fought the Blue Idol Reaper but had since returned.

It was a White Maw, dressed in a white tie, with a two-legged gait like a butler.

Every time they performed, it was set ablaze, torn, and frozen, but that was its fate, after all.

Watching the White Maw thrash in flames, I slowly munched on the popcorn scattered around the performance area.

Hehe.

Stepping out of the Mini Reaper Garden, the pink-haired girl entered Sehee Laboratory, glancing around dazedly, struggling to steady herself.

"So many people!"

She had never met anyone besides her grandfather, so Sehee Laboratory, bustling with people, was overwhelming.

She was in utter confusion!

Overwhelmed with nerves, her body stiffened, her eyes darting around constantly.

Despite the minimum number of personnel guiding her for security, it was still too much.

Seeing her like this, the Blue Idol Reaper patted her cheek, sharing an intention of reassurance.

"It’ll be okay. Don’t worry."

Touched by the Blue Idol Reaper’s intent, the pink-haired girl felt her heart calm slightly.

"Thank you."

She smiled softly, patting the Blue Idol Reaper’s head.

Click.

The room where she arrived was a small meeting room set up in a corner of Sehee Laboratory.

"Hello."

Inside, a tattooed woman with a somewhat fierce look grinned, waving her hand.

Familiar language.

Amid all the foreign sounds within Sehee Laboratory, the sudden “Kingdom Language” made her feel incredibly relieved.

Haa….

A sigh escaped the pink-haired girl’s lips, as if she’d been holding her breath.

The tattooed woman looked at her and said,

"Well then, I’ll start with the basics."

And so, the tattooed woman and the pink-haired girl exchanged stories.

What happened at the Tower of Ends and its conclusion.

And the events that followed.

The alchemist entered the room, placing a hefty report on the desk.

Hearing this, James looked up.

"Any unusual findings?"

"A few, actually."

The alchemist responded, taking a seat with a somewhat puzzled expression.

"Seems more time has passed than I expected. There could be a gap of centuries between the girl and me."

James merely made a small hum at that.

"You anticipated that?"

"I had a feeling. Ever since you mentioned you’d never seen the blue-haired girl. From studying the unearthed relics, it seems she was quite a famous figure."

The alchemist listened to James, then stood up.

"And her shadow isn’t a problem. It’s missing due to lost memories and experiences, but it’ll recover as she builds new memories."

"Books of magic that consume shadows are quite famous. Alchemists who left regrets often end up as such books."

The alchemist and James continued discussing the report until the alchemist finally left, saying it was time to return to her sister.

After she left, James began flipping through the report the alchemist had left behind.

"The black planet hanging in the sky has not disappeared and is slowly approaching."

"Although it lacks physical form, people around the world are feeling uneasy."

"In response, the Object Council…."

The quiet rustling of paper filled the room as the TV murmured in the background.

In the skies over South Korea, clouds drifted lazily.

A golden comet streaked through them.

Flying over all of South Korea, turning harmful objects to dust, was the Golden Armored Reaper.

"!"

Receiving some kind of message, the Golden Armored Reaper looked up at the sky, his expression serious.

Information about a harmful object had spread through the Golden Reaper Network.

"Harmful object!"

"Makes people dazed!"

Upon hearing this news, the Golden Armored Reaper began soaring in the direction of Seoul.