Seoul Object Story

No trace of the Trinity Research Institute could be found anywhere in Gwanak-gu, which had morphed into a twisted version of hell. The tentacles waved wildly, while black water that swallowed everything covered nearly the entire area.

In James’ opinion, both the sky and the ground were equally screwed.

Tentacles, sprouting from the overturned black sea that had replaced the sky, were snatching helicopters out of the air and dragging them into the black sea.

And those helicopters were the ones from the broadcasting stations, dutifully filming the chaos from what they thought was a “safe” distance.

Cute, right? Too bad for them, the entirety of Gwanak-gu was already a dangerous tentacle-filled playground, and safety was just a laughable notion at this point.

The only spot that could remotely be considered “safe” in Gwanak-gu was the patch of white land where James stood—courtesy of the Gray Reaper’s handiwork.

James lowered his stance, resting his hand on the soft, white earth.

Huh…? This… Is this a marshmallow?

A marshmallow island, conveniently blocking the hellish tentacle assault. How quaint. It’s like something ripped straight out of a children’s bedtime story, if that story was written by someone with a very dark sense of humor.

Despite the giant tentacles raining down from above, they couldn’t quite touch James and his crew.

All thanks to Relic Number 0, burning brightly above the Gray Reaper’s head like a makeshift sun.

“Huh…? So Relic Number 0 can do that too, huh?”

James muttered to himself, discovering yet another surprise from the relic he’d been poking and prodding for ages.

The white light had this weird divine vibe, so much so that even the interpreter—who usually couldn’t stop trembling and making a fuss—shut his trap and watched in silence.

Beneath that glowing light, the Hungry Ghost, which had collapsed onto the ground, stared up at the Gray Reaper with a blank expression.

Meanwhile, the Gray Reaper and the Golden Reaper stared back, all casual-like.

The Gray Reaper, locked in this little staring contest with the Hungry Ghost, slowly raised its hand into the air.

And as if on cue, the white sphere drifted closer and closer to the Gray Reaper’s outstretched hand.

The moment the sphere made contact, an intense light erupted.

James had to close his eyes against the blinding flash, unable to keep them open.

When he finally managed to pry them open again, the white sphere was gone. But the light? Still there, only now it was emanating from the Gray Reaper itself.

The now-glowing Gray Reaper casually strolled forward and placed its hand on the Hungry Ghost’s head.

And just like that, the Hungry Ghost turned into ashes, scattering on the wind.

For a creature that looked so vicious, the Hungry Ghost seemed almost… peaceful as it dissolved into nothing.

With the Hungry Ghost reduced to ashes, the Gray Reaper, which had been glowing like a mini sun, stopped shining.

Did the Gray Reaper just eat Relic Number 0?

Well, based on the evidence, that seemed to be the case.

The Hungry Ghost turned to ash, and Relic Number 0 had disappeared.

But the Gray Reaper wasn’t done showing off just yet.

It crouched down and pressed its hand into the marshmallow ground. Then, something popped up—a large, round mound of marshmallow.

From that mound, limbs and a tail sprouted.

And as eyes and a mouth appeared, it began to take on the shape of something familiar.

It had become… cute?—minus the tentacles, of course.

It was a huge, white Hungry Ghost.

The new Hungry Ghost, which was twice the size of the one that had just turned to ash, opened its massive mouth and let out a sound like a dolphin.

Gyuuuu-!

Then white flames erupted from its marshmallow skin as it charged straight toward the jellyfish.

It was off to fight again, but this time decked out in white flame armor that incinerated the tentacles on contact!