The underground chamber glittered with countless lights embedded in the ceiling, resembling stars in a night sky.

Golden waves surged violently through the mystical space.

“Harmful object!”

“Object!”

The Mini Reapers’ will, filled with hostility, radiated in all directions.

Their gazes were fiercer than ever, and determination was etched on their faces.

This was hardly surprising, as the stench emanating from the objects that had appeared was more intense than anything before.

I took a step back to observe the scene.

The objects caught in the Mini Reapers’ attack were shredded to pieces, as if sucked into a giant blender.

Watching this scene in a daze, my mind swirled with complex thoughts.

“Time abilities and the Sprout Reaper.”

“The navy-blue moon and navy-blue tree that wielded time.”

“Space abilities and the Purple Reaper.”

“And the mighty purple moon.”

I slowly considered the moons and reapers who could manipulate time and space.

The Purple Reaper could wield various abilities, but it was primarily specialized in controlling space.

In contrast, the navy-blue Sprout Reaper freely manipulated time, accelerating or reversing it as it pleased.

And now, the newly arrived flowered Sprout Reaper could even stop time altogether.

“This is truly strange…”

“Why is space considered superior to time?”

Was it merely a matter of rank that placed the purple moon, with its control over space, above the navy-blue moon with its command of time?

Or was there some other reason?

Time and space were inherently intertwined—they were even collectively called “spacetime.”

Perhaps that was why the navy-blue tree also possessed spatial-cutting abilities.

If that’s the case, perhaps the purple moon could also have controlled time.

As these thoughts continued to spin, my gaze drifted afar.

I noticed that the man whose limbs had been severed had fully regenerated and was now attempting to flee.

His face was filled with triumphant confidence, and he shouted loudly in a language I couldn’t understand.

“…!”

Then, the surrounding air suddenly grew heavy, and time seemed to freeze, hardening like solid ice.

In that fleeting moment, I experienced a revelation.

I had discovered a new dimension of spatial manipulation beyond the “Kwek” I’d been using.

It was a true mastery of space, encompassing not just spatial control but also halting time.

A power that suppressed time manipulation, forcing the target to move within my time.

Without hesitation, I unleashed this newfound power.

Above me, I created a spatial distortion that resembled a black hole, like the ones I’d seen on TV.

The man was immobilized in the grasp of the frozen spacetime and could no longer take a step.

“…!”

He let out a voice filled with panic as his feet were bound.

And when I willed silence within the captured spacetime, he couldn’t even speak.

By my command, his steps halted, his mouth sealed shut.

Then, the black hole began to swallow him without restraint.

In the distorted space, his body was torn to shreds.

But it didn’t end there.

His body regenerated, only to be torn apart again in an endless cycle.

It seemed he would regenerate forever, but I could feel that his strength was waning with each cycle.

Though he was of a lower rank, his regenerative power was immense, on par with consuming the equivalent of a hundred corrupted creatures.

Considering his condition to be destroyed was the “depletion of consumed life,” I could guess just how many lives he had devoured.

The rancid stench emanating from him suggested he had likely feasted on countless humans.

I looked up at the man suffering in agony within the black hole.

The Mini Reapers had gathered around me after dealing with the other harmful objects and were now watching the scene.

Although they usually avoided killing objects too cruelly, they seemed to make an exception for this man.

Slowly, his life force was exhausted in this endless pain.

Though his screams were inaudible, his twisted expression was enough to hint at the depth of his suffering.

Watching him, I allowed myself a faint smile.

This was truly the fate befitting one who had so recklessly used the firewood.

Heh heh.

Meanwhile, in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, an unnatural silence had enveloped the massive island where the James Explorer had anchored.

Traces of recent exploration were visible, and the researchers’ equipment remained scattered across the island, but no one was there.

The personnel of James Institute had fled in terror at the appearance of the massive navy-blue tree that had wrecked James City, abandoning all equipment in their haste.

Even after the tree had vanished, the exploration team stayed hidden aboard the James Explorer, monitoring the situation.

Then, one by one, the Mini Reapers who had disappeared with the tree’s appearance began to reappear.

“Humans, you’re safe now!”

“Humans, it’s been so long!”

Though they had only been apart for a few minutes, some of the more sentimental Mini Reapers rushed to the humans and embraced them as if reuniting with long-lost family.

Their return signaled that the island was now safe.

The security team went ashore first to survey, followed closely by the researchers.

They immediately unpacked various measuring instruments and got to work.

They busily measured numerous values at the spot where the tree had appeared, including data related to the mental contamination linked to the “Pacific Fog Phenomenon.”

At the center of this bustling activity was a woman in a suit with the Purple Reaper perched on her head.

She slowly read a report, deep in thought.

When she finished reading, her gaze sharpened.

“The data doesn’t match our predictions.”

“We’re not seeing the contamination patterns we expected, but to be certain, we should investigate further.”

After a brief pause, she spoke decisively.

“For now, let’s conduct a thorough examination until the additional personnel arrive. After that, we’ll proceed to the next destination.”

At that moment, a female researcher cradling a small cabbage approached her.

Her voice carried a hint of tension.

“Team Leader, the situation at the cave entrance has changed. The Mini Reapers have withdrawn.”

The team leader raised her eyebrows slightly.

After a moment of thought, she issued a command with firm resolve.

“Very well. Security team, proceed to check the safety of the cave interior. Move cautiously, and report any abnormalities immediately.”

The Purple Reaper looked down at its cherished human with a proud expression.

With the destruction of the object that had ruled this space, the observing Mini Reapers scattered, dashing off in different directions.

I slowly walked down the deserted path.

The soft sand unique to the cave crunched under my feet.

The grains slid between my toes, tickling slightly.

As I stood before the entrance to the grand city and lifted my head, a breathtaking view greeted me.

The countless tiny lights embedded in the dark cave ceiling looked like stars dotting a night sky.

Their bluish glow blended with the floating particles in the air, creating a mystical atmosphere.

Looking down again, I saw massive stone pillars lining the avenue, interspersed with buildings reminiscent of ancient temples.

It felt like a very old archaeological site—the rough stone walls and sculptures enhanced the ancient vibe of the city.

Though it had a tourist-like atmosphere, there was no one in sight.

In fact, the emptiness only added to its charm.

The stillness amplified the subtle vibrations of the air, while the blue particles floating in the darkness cast shadowy dances.

‘I wish the Mini Reaper Garden had a place like this….’

The atmosphere was so alluringly mysterious and dangerous that I couldn’t help but think it.

As I passed through the charmingly empty city and ascended a hillside path, a sudden explosion broke the silence.

‘?’

As I moved toward the source of the noise, the distressed voices of the Golden Reapers became clearer.

“Waaa!”

“The human’s hitting us!”

“Don’t hit me!”

Apparently, they had sensed the humans and rushed toward them.

In a facility that looked like a repurposed research center, a group of humans faced off with the Golden Reapers.

But the confrontation was entirely one-sided.

“They’re strong objects! Everyone, be careful!”

A man shouted in a language I couldn’t understand.

“All the instructors vanished, and now objects have reached here?”

“Don’t be fooled by their cute appearance. Those objects are the most dangerous!”

Responding to his words, others chimed in.

The Golden Reapers were taking hit after hit, bouncing as they walked cheerfully with their arms spread out, only to tumble away upon impact.

As they rolled away, tears welled in their large eyes, and they looked up with dejected expressions.

The Golden Reapers repeatedly tried to approach the humans with faces that seemed to plead, “Please don’t do this!” only to be bounced back.

Even knowing they were immune to physical harm, I felt a pang of sympathy.

Some of the Golden Reapers sat down with forlorn expressions, looking up at the humans.

The sincere sadness and affection in their round eyes began to sway the humans’ hearts.

“They don’t seem dangerous.”

“Maybe I should be the first to see if they’re harmful…”

With various thoughts in mind, more humans began approaching, hugging the Golden Reapers with sad expressions.

The Golden Reapers gave the humans who embraced them radiant smiles, as bright as the sun.

And the humans, holding the soft Golden Reapers, smiled back in response.

Gradually, the one-sided battle began to calm.

“Everyone, snap out of it! They’re objects!” the man who seemed to be their leader shouted one last time, though he, too, was beginning to waver.

The fact that he couldn’t shake off the Golden Reapers clinging to his pant leg was proof enough.

“Ah… no…”

In the end, he succumbed to the pleading eyes of a Golden Reaper clinging to him.

Hm.

Was the Golden Reapers’ mental contamination always this strong?

It felt like it had intensified several times over….

Well, the Golden Reapers are kind, so even if the contamination is strong, it should be fine.

As I passed the Golden Reapers playing with the humans and entered the building, I began to hear a faint voice.

“Mom…”

“What should I do…”

Worried that something serious had happened, I quickly transported myself to where a lone Golden Reaper sat.

When I arrived, the Golden Reaper turned and began crying openly.

“Wuuu…”

It was a truly heart-wrenching, sorrowful feeling.