In the Depths of an Unknown Cave

The Mini Sprout Reaper watched the silver-haired girl, waving its tiny hands frantically, as if desperately hoping she’d notice.

With its small arms stretched high, it wriggled desperately.

"Human! Over here!"

The scene resembled a castaway signaling a passing ship, the urgency palpable.

But, unfortunately, the Mini Sprout Reaper was invisible to anyone who hadn’t consumed its special fruit.

And even if it could be seen, given its size—barely the length of a fingertip—it was unlikely to be noticed by an ordinary person.

"Ah!"

As if its desperation had reached the heavens, the silver-haired girl turned her head in its direction.

She looked intently towards the empty clearing near the city, her expression serious, as if something had caught her attention.

The Mini Sprout Reaper’s eyes sparkled with hope, feeling she might walk over any second.

But at that moment, a tall girl with brown hair called out to the silver-haired girl from the direction of the village.

"Hurry up. We’re running out of time!"

"Okay."

The silver-haired girl nodded and turned toward her friend.

"No… don’t go…"

Though the Mini Sprout Reaper couldn’t understand their conversation, it sensed an urgency in their parting.

As the girl it had chosen as its “cherished human” turned away, the Mini Sprout Reaper slumped down, looking as if its world had crumbled.

"Mom… help me…"

Was it a mistake to persuade the Cloud Meat to enter a hidden cave shrouded in camouflage and psychic interference?

Or maybe it was a mistake to ignore Sprout Sister’s warning about the danger, deciding to venture out like the Golden Reapers?

Drip. Drip.

Tears fell from the Mini Sprout Reaper’s eyes, landing in tiny droplets on the ground.

At that moment, a shadow loomed over its head.

The silver-haired human had swiftly approached and picked up the berry the Mini Sprout Reaper had dropped.

A small, round, navy-blue berry like a bead.

The girl examined it carefully, then slipped it into her pocket and ran back towards her brown-haired friend.

Perched on her shoulder, the Mini Sprout Reaper, filled with relief, smiled.

"I connected with the human!"

Though she hadn’t eaten it yet, the Mini Sprout Reaper believed she would eventually, and it chuckled happily.

Deep within the Mini Reaper Garden, Marshmallow Plains

The bleached reaper was living among the Golden Reapers, spending time with them.

"Maaa."

Nibbling at the pudding the Golden Reapers had prepared, it watched them playing with enthusiasm.

"Go, go!"

"You can do it!"

The Golden Reapers had gathered in a circle, watching a martial arts match.

With tiny fists clenched, they sparred with determined energy.

For what looked like a delicate fight among palm-sized Mini Reapers, their intensity was impressive.

They dodged sharp hooks with slight head tilts, deflected punches with simple swats, and closed in with focused movements—they seemed genuinely invested in combat.

"Oof!"

At one point, a Golden Reaper was floored by a spinning kick.

"Lost again!"

Sprawled out on the ground, the defeated Golden Reaper laughed joyfully, despite the loss.

While taking the competition seriously, they all seemed to genuinely enjoy it, win or lose.

"Maaa."

The bleached reaper watched, feeling a pang of envy.

It, too, wanted to join in the fun with the Golden Reapers.

Moreover, the Golden Reapers weren’t only about having fun.

"Help is needed!"

"A human is in danger!"

Though it didn’t happen often, the Golden Reapers sometimes banded together to go help humans somewhere.

There was no need to summon “Mom,” but if something happened beyond a Mini Reaper’s capacity, Golden Reapers would rush in from around the world.

"Maaa."

The bleached reaper, seeing a black windmill appear nearby, expressed its desire to help, but the Golden Reaper didn’t understand.

After a moment of tilting its head, the Golden Reaper finally understood and shook its head.

"Weak sibling. Too dangerous."

Watching this, the bleached reaper thought:

It wanted to join the Golden Reapers’ ranks and help humans too.

So, the bleached reaper began training alone in the empty Marshmallow Plains.

Though it wobbled with every step, it didn’t give up.

"Maaa!"

But no matter how much it trained, there was no improvement.

All it gained were the bruises from its falls.

The Golden Reapers worried as they watched the bleached reaper’s efforts, and the Blue Reapers silently healed its wounds with magic.

The Yellow Reaper brought a custom Golden Reaper doll suit for it, while the Orange-Crowned Reaper merely observed in silence before walking away.

They were all just worried that the bleached reaper would get hurt.

"Maaa."

The bleached reaper looked down at its own hands, crestfallen.

Its body was cracking like an old ceramic.

The intent its “Mom” had first expressed upon seeing it came to mind.

"It’s empty."

Just like its “Mom” had murmured, was its body truly empty?

At that moment, a dazzling golden comet streaked down from the sky.

The bleached reaper looked up, shielding its eyes from the intense light, and saw a Golden Armored Reaper, shining like the sun.

Unlike itself, this Golden Reaper was filled with talent and brilliance, a being it could never reach, no matter how hard it tried.

"Maaa…"

The bleached reaper shook its head sadly.

It was ready to give up.

Empty inside, it would never be able to accomplish anything.

The Golden Armored Reaper, watching its forlorn expression, sent it a warm smile and intent.

"It’s all right. You can do it."

Then, the Golden Armored Reaper stepped forward, reaching out to the bleached reaper.

"Even the weakest Golden Reaper like me did it."

"I’m sure you’ll be able to do it too."

"You might even become more amazing than I am."

With each expression of intent, the armor turned into flames, collecting onto its palm.

Finally, standing before the bleached reaper, the Golden Armored Reaper’s armor shimmered on its hand like a radiant flame.

"Take it."

The Golden Armored Reaper grinned, holding it out to the bleached reaper.

"Just like I, the weakest Golden Reaper, managed, you can too. I’m sure of it."

As the bleached reaper hesitated, unable to reach out, the Golden Armored Reaper took a step closer, its intent flowing over.

"Don’t be burdened. I no longer need it, that’s all."

With great reluctance, the bleached reaper slowly, very slowly extended its hand.

The moment its hand touched the flame, warmth enveloped its body.

Its fragile frame, on the verge of crumbling, began to fuse and regenerate.

"Maaa!"

In disbelief, the bleached reaper expressed its intent, tears streaming down.

The Golden Armored Reaper chuckled and ascended skyward.

Sehee Lab, Underground Break Room

Plip. Plop.

A faint awareness returned as the sound of water filled my ears.

What was that noise?

Fully waking up, I heard the Mini Reapers’ cries.

"Mom, you’re awake!"

"Mom!"

Opening my eyes, I realized my isolation room was gone, replaced by a vast pool with Mini Reapers swimming around.

"Ah, Reaper! You’re awake?"

Behind me, Yerin’s voice reached me as she hugged me in her swimsuit.

Judging by the situation, it seemed she’d carried me here to the underground break room while I slept.

Come to think of it, I’d promised to play with Yerin today. Guess I’d completely forgotten.

Heh.

Feeling a bit guilty, I returned Yerin’s hug.

"Mom! Try this, it’s tasty!"

As I relaxed in the warm water, a Golden Reaper floated towards me with a small cake on a dish.

Perched on the dish floating atop the water, it took a piece of cake and offered it to me.

As I took a bite, the other Mini Reapers widened their eyes, then scattered to find dishes of their own.

"Mom, this is delicious too!"

"Mom!"

"Mom!"

Soon, numerous dishes floated over, each offering treats.

The scene looked like a dessert buffet or a party spread over the water.

I briefly considered flipping the dishes over in one go, but seeing how that would sadden Yerin, I decided to open my mouth and try each treat they brought.

Just then, an ominous news report started playing on one of the TV screens set up in the break room.

[Recent reports reveal a surge in disappearances across Europe.]

[The most shocking aspect is that this information has been hidden by the European Object Association for a significant period.]

[The American Object Association has expressed strong disapproval.]

[A spokesperson from the association stated, “Objects are a global threat, and information related to them should never be concealed.”]

Though the news felt faintly connected to the Mini Reapers, it didn’t seem alarming.

"Are the Golden Reapers investigating that incident? In Europe, maybe the Purple Reaper?"

I thought lightly as the news continued.

But the next report immediately caught my full attention.

[A strange fog has recently been observed near the Pacific Ocean.]

[This fog has unique characteristics unlike any typical weather phenomena, catching the attention of the association.]

[What’s particularly concerning are the unusual behaviors exhibited by those who came into contact with this fog.]

[Witnesses report that people exposed to the fog experience temporary disorientation.]

[Even more shocking are the testimonies from those who recovered from this state. Many victims commonly report vivid visions of “an underwater city” and “bizarre architecture.”]

[Given the proximity of the Pacific, the Korean Object Association has deployed a team to the East Coast and is on high alert.]

[If you encounter this unknown blue fog, please immediately seek shelter indoors and report to the Object Association.]

An inexplicably ominous feeling washed over me as I watched.