Seoul Object Story

Rumble—!

A heavy shockwave from fists colliding rippled through the forest, sending dust swirling everywhere.

But I didn’t care about the dust; I kept moving forward.

Plop—! Plop—!

I hurried toward the battlefield where the Giant Black Reaper and the Giant Cult Leader were locked in combat.

My destination? The enormous eyeball at the Giant’s feet!

As I approached the two giants, the noise and vibrations of their battle intensified, and an unpleasant white flame began to cling to my body.

Should I call it the Uncanny Valley Theory?

Just like food that looks delicious but smells foul, this white flame, which resembled my own firewood, offended me.

Looking down at the eyes up close, it definitely appeared to be a passageway to another world—an unidentifiable realm that was colorless but filled with something opaque.

Before jumping into the eyeball, I glanced up at the Giant Black Reaper, who was giving it its all in the fight. The five-meter-tall Giant Black Reaper must have sensed my intent to leave, as it raised its hand and waved goodbye.

It was amusing because, despite its towering height, it still greeted me in the same way it did when it was small.

Leaving the Black Reaper behind, I leaped into the eye.

***Seoah sprinted through the deserted outskirts of Gangdong-gu.

Behind her, the Object Recovery Team members, fully equipped with their gear, followed closely. They were armed with large transparent shields, three-section batons, sturdy armor, and helmets. The only unusual detail was the black tentacles protruding from the tops of their helmets.

Even though Seoah was navigating the danger zone of Gangdong-gu, an area emptied of residents, she didn’t appear anxious. It wasn’t because she trusted the research institute’s staff; rather, it was her faith in the Black Reapers assimilated into the Recovery Team helmets.

The Black Reapers, transformed into slimes and stuck to the helmets, giggled, occasionally popping their heads out to survey their surroundings.

“Turn left at the next alley!”

Seoah darted through the winding, complicated alleys, seemingly familiar with them, even without a navigation system. This was all thanks to the Bud Reaper perched on her shoulder.

Giggle—!

The Bud Reaper’s laughter, audible only to Seoah, guided her on which way to go.

After some time, they arrived in front of a building that radiated an unsettling atmosphere.

Thump—! Thump—!

The building made ominous, loud noises as if they had stumbled upon a construction site.

Seoah and the recovery team entered the building slowly, sweat trickling down their brows from the weight of the tension. The loud vibrations were emanating from the basement. After locating the entrance, they descended to find individuals whose bones had been broken.

“Deputy Director. It seems difficult to move these injured people with the current equipment.”

“I see. Let’s have a few people stay here and call an ambulance.”

The people appeared relaxed, perhaps even sleeping, but every single one of them had broken bones, making them difficult to move. Despite their serious injuries, they rested comfortably, and a familiar scent wafted through the air.

A refreshing, cool aroma reminiscent of blue.

As Seoah guided the remaining staff deeper into the cave, they spotted a large water giant executing a dynamic dropkick.

< Kind Mom Golem Dropkick! >

< Dropkick! >

Behind the giant, shaped like a Gray Reaper made of water, small Blue Reapers and the missing Sehee Research Institute security staff could be seen. However, they were surrounded by clones sharing the same face and attire.

Upon entering that chaotic empty space, the clone-like men all turned and charged toward Seoah.

“All hands! Prepare for battle!”

The recovery team leader, running alongside Seoah, stepped forward and shouted loudly. In the meantime, Seoah retreated behind the defense of her team.

Bang—!

A sound that was hard to believe came from a shield colliding with a fist echoed in the air.

“Don’t think of your opponent as human!”

The recovery team, moving in unison with their leader’s command, handled the enemies far more effectively than anticipated. Seoah had thought they had spent the entire day at the gym, but it seemed they were also engaged in group suppression training.

Impressed by their movements, Seoah smiled slightly.

< Warm Mom Golem Windmill! >

< Windmill! >

Of course, the Blue Reaper was even more impressive than them.

***As I entered the eye, a strange environment greeted me. A floor made of black mirrors stretched endlessly in both directions. The only landmark was a faint light in the distance, beckoning me forward.

The light beams extending from that distant glow formed a straight path through this dark world. Alongside the path, countless people lay down.

I stood blankly at the end of the light’s trail.

The condition for the giant’s destruction was < Collect the eyes from inside the eyes. >

It was clear there must be an eye beyond that light.

Plop—!

I took a step toward the light. However, with the sound of something breaking, a vision flashed before my eyes. I saw a man crossing a scorching desert, as if his lungs were on fire.

< May my wish reach God. >

I heard the voice of a man struggling to walk, his flesh burned away. At the same time, a bright red fire ignited at my fingertips. It felt like a curse, clinging to me and refusing to leave.

I gritted my teeth against the pain that seared through my bones. Each step felt terrifying, but fortunately, the pain began to ebb as warm light flowed from the golden burning firewood in my heart.

The firewood gifted by Yerin, who was always bursting with happiness, soothed the anguish of the dark, cursed flame.

Looking down, I noticed a man lying face down, scattering into ashes. When I glanced back, the edge of the light I had stood at moments ago seemed incredibly distant.

I placed my hand on my warm heart and took another determined step.

Plop—!

As I took another step, I saw an old man trudging through a snowy field where all life had been frozen.

< May my wish reach the dead god. >

Simultaneously, my fingertips turned to ice powder and began to scatter. My physical immunity was compromised by the white flames, causing my firewood to be consumed rapidly for regeneration.

But there was still enough firewood.

Plop—! Plop—!

I continued walking endlessly toward the light. With each step, I saw many people waiting and yearning for God. They were individuals who endured hardships and trials, hoping to reach God through their suffering.

In the meantime, my body was ignited and pierced by blades.

It was a wound that would have killed me long ago if I were human, but I was fine. After all, I had enough firewood. The warm firewood Yerin had given me was still there.

Finally, I could see the end of the long road. I arrived right in front of the source of light illuminating the path like a lighthouse.

There, I spotted something different from the despairing figures lining the roadside. A black lump and a completely broken steel lamp lay alone.

Plop—!

I took the final step toward that last obstacle. Then I saw a man walking across the desolate land. The nobleman, dressed elegantly, held an antique steel lamp as he traversed the blackened terrain.

The ground had melted into something oily, and with each step, the man’s body dissolved.

< May God hear my wish. >

< May eternal end come to mankind who killed God. >

At that moment, my feet turned black and began to crumble.

Bang—!

I lost both feet and fell to the ground.

It hurts…

My feet melted as quickly as they regenerated.

Is this ‘evolution fluid’?

It hurts…

If I just give up and turn back, all my wounds would definitely fade away, and I would be fine. ‘Physical immunity’ was that kind of ability.

Yet, I had to press on. A world filled with giant monsters wouldn’t be good for the firewood or for Yerin.

I clenched my teeth and began to crawl forward with both arms.

As I entered a place glowing brightly like a beacon, the source of the light revealed itself. It was a large ring made of light.

Was that the ‘Eye’?

In front of that eye, a muscular man in fancy attire stood, gazing at me. He looked just like the man who had been battling the Black Death outside.

Could it be that I needed to fight him here?

I was startled and barely managed to rise on my melted legs, but the man’s eyes were unfocused when he opened them. For some reason, it felt as though he were looking far away.

It felt like a vision of the past, much like what I had witnessed from the countless people lining the path of light.

I crawled cautiously. As I passed the man, I heard a calm voice.

“I see… So, I failed, huh?”

The man continued staring into the distance, speaking in a tranquil and steady tone. Unlike the giant’s frenzied voice, his was composed.

“Then you should succeed, the Last Alchemist.”

Suddenly, I heard a vivid voice and turned to look, only to see the man’s body turning to dust and scattering. Strangely, it felt like a woman with blue hair was standing before the man, who continued to stare blankly.

I looked back at the spot where the man had vanished, crawled slowly once more, and reached out my hand to touch the radiant ring. In that instant, the ring of light ascended into the sky, and space began to fracture.

Everything subsided like a dream, and the numerous scars etched into my body disappeared like bubbles. When I opened my eyes, I found myself in a forest where the remnants of the battle between the two giants were evident.

The forest, which had recently echoed with loud noises, was now enveloped in a calm silence. The giant had vanished after I fulfilled its killing condition.

As I observed the tranquil forest, a golden light emerged from the shadows. Upon seeing me, the Black Reapers and the Golden Reapers began to swarm around me from all directions.

Mom!

I became a cocoon of black and gold and collapsed to the ground.

Looking up at the sky through the writhing mini Reapers, I saw a large ring of light adorning the sky.

It didn’t resemble an eye, but it was undeniably the ‘Eye.’