The Golden Reaper was sitting on the railing of a nearby building, staring down at a window of some house.
‘Is the Human alright…?’
Just thinking about the human who had thrown them out of the window not long ago made the Golden Reaper feel like crying, but they gritted their teeth and continued watching over the human through the window to ensure they were safe.
The Golden Reaper looked up at the ominous Yellow Moon that had started emitting harmful vibes toward humans recently.
This development deeply troubled the Golden Reaper. “Humans are so fragile.”
“I must protect them…”
But there was no way for the Golden Reaper to attack the moon floating in the sky.
“!”
Suddenly, an overwhelmingly sinister presence appeared around the human. Using ghosting and time acceleration, the Golden Reaper rushed to the window where they had sensed this dark energy—but it had vanished without a trace.
There had definitely been some Harmful Object near the human, yet no matter how the Golden Reaper turned their head to check all directions, there was no sign left behind.
“Is the human okay?”
Worried about the frail human, the Golden Reaper hid behind the window and peeked cautiously to observe them secretly.
The man inside moved restlessly as if searching for something, looking far worse than before. Though physically unharmed, his emotional pain was evident.
The Golden Reaper wanted to rush in and comfort him immediately, but strangely, the human disliked them.
“Just the other day, we were having so much fun together…”
After watching silently for quite some time, the Golden Reaper left before being noticed by the human.
“One day, I’ll be able to play happily with the human again.”
With forced cheerfulness, the Golden Reaper imagined a joyful future.
In a hotel room located in the Mapo District…
A Researcher in a Large Helmet stretched after taking their hands off the keyboard.
Glancing at the Mental Pollution Detector, they noticed the Mental Pollution Index pointed to “Danger.”
“There’s no way I can take this helmet off.”
The researcher believed something big would likely happen soon in Mapo District since Gray Reapers tended to appear during major incidents.
Moreover, the mental pollution levels weren’t ordinary either.
Even without any Golden Reapers around, whenever the Yellow Full Moon rose, the needle on the detector shot up into the danger zone.
The Yellow Moon was spreading “Danger”-level mental pollution across the entire Mapo District.
Currently, the researcher was drafting a report related to these observations.
While the Association might shrug it off as insignificant, the researcher was preparing two separate reports:
<Golden Reaper, Mental Pollution Observation>
<Yellow Moon, Mental Pollution Observation>
Especially the Golden Reaper-related report was easy to compile since large numbers of them had been scattered throughout the Mapo District, allowing clear observation of changes in people’s behavior patterns due to mental pollution.
At first, the researcher assumed the cute appearance and commendable actions of the Golden Reapers meant their mental pollution would focus on enhancing those traits.
However, the investigation results differed significantly from their expectations.
The researcher slowly reviewed the compiled report.
<The manifestations of mental pollution caused by Golden Reapers vary widely.>
<A common feature is that they instill vitality in people and encourage positive thinking.>
<They bring joy to those feeling depressed and courage to those lacking self-confidence.>
<To those overly fixated on prejudice or rules, they grant a sense of ease.>
<Their ability to induce goodwill also appears quite strong, though it seems more like a natural response when all worries and anxieties vanish.>
<If there truly is an effect inducing goodwill, it is relatively mundane compared to the others.>
“Hmph.”
As the researcher read through the report, they sighed deeply. No matter how they looked at it, the mental pollution caused by the Golden Reapers didn’t seem harmful to humans.
Still, trusting objects was impossible—they could very well be traps.
Even if purely benevolent gifts, they were dangerous because Objects thought differently from humans, making it uncertain whether their kindness would truly benefit humanity.
Nevertheless, one couldn’t help but wonder: ‘Should we call such beneficial mental pollution ‘pollution’?’
Unlike the thought-provoking mental pollution of the Golden Reapers, the effects of the Yellow Moon were quite clear.
‘It makes Golden Reapers look suspicious and frightening while granting paranoia and delusions to people.’
Since the fifth night, the increasing suspicion and fear among people had been glaringly obvious.
Despite frantic attempts to contact the Association regarding evacuating the Mapo District, the reply remained stuck at “under review.”
The researcher began sensing something strange. The incompetence of the Association seemed too calculated, hinting at ulterior motives.
‘Is staying here under such stress and continuing work for the Association really right? Should I go to Sehee Research Institute instead, where everyone looks happier…?’
Frustrated, the researcher sighed deeply.
Unbeknownst to them, outside the open window, a worried face of a Golden Reaper peeked out.
Among the many roads leading to Mapo District, a massive checkpoint had been set up.
“I’m Yerin Oh, researcher from Sehee Research Institute. It seems I don’t have entry permission. To enter Mapo District now, you need approval from the Association.”
Even emphasizing that they were isolating a ‘Gray Reaper’ yielded no results.
I stood near the checkpoint and called the institute.
“Yes, it doesn’t look like I’ll be able to enter Mapo District. Senior Jungloe.”
“It seems only residents of Mapo District or those with Association clearance can enter.”
Ignoring the suggestion to return quickly, I hung up and stared wistfully at the checkpoint.
Clunk-clunk walking Golden Reapers were visible everywhere heading towards Mapo District.
Like the days when they carried water-made windows, they patrolled Mapo District with spirited expressions.
“Jealous…”
Seeing the clunking Golden Reapers after so long made me reluctant to return to the research institute, which lacked any Reapers now.
Approaching the checkpoint stealthily, I called out to a patrolling Golden Reaper while shaking a container of pudding.
Noticing me instantly, the Golden Reaper arrived beside me in the blink of an eye—only stopping about three meters away.
It was as if an invisible line prevented them from coming closer.
“Come quick! Let’s eat pudding!”
I tempted them with a spoonful of pudding, but the Golden Reaper shook its head regretfully.
“Could it be… they’re not allowed to come closer?”
Checking my phone revealed that the Golden Reaper couldn’t cross the boundary of Mapo District, seemingly forbidden from leaving.
Unable to resist, I approached the checkpoint and started feeding the pudding there.
The Golden Reaper, perhaps enjoying pudding after a long time, began eating happily, puffing its cheeks full and munching contentedly.
Watching this happy scene, I slowly moved the pudding backward.
What would happen if the Golden Reaper crossed the forbidden line?
Nom-nom.
Eating happily, the Golden Reaper followed the pudding as it gradually crossed the boundary line.
One bite for the Golden Reaper, one for me…
Before long, the once-full container of pudding was empty.
Looking at the Golden Reaper happily finishing the last bit, I exclaimed in surprise,
“Didn’t you just leave Mapo District?”
The Golden Reaper didn’t understand my words and tilted its head.
Pointing at the ground beneath them, I saw their surprised expression change suddenly.
As if realizing “No, no, I shouldn’t!”, the Golden Reaper collapsed onto the floor dramatically.
Feeling guilty for the intense reaction, I gently picked up the fallen Golden Reaper and placed them back slightly beyond the boundary.
“Sorry!”
Silently, I apologized to the sprawled-out Golden Reaper.
*
A quiet rooftop that had become my hideout in Mapo District.
Here, several Golden Reapers rejected by humans lay around dejectedly.
“Yeah, yeah. Just hang in there a little longer.”
I consoled each sad Golden Reaper by petting their heads one by one.
The final night in Mapo District was approaching.
Recently, the number of rejected Golden Reapers had skyrocketed, likely due to the Yellow Moon spreading mental pollution causing humans to reject them.
Apart from the first day, they hadn’t launched any proper attacks, probably preparing for this moment.
But Golden Reapers are resilient kids; a mere rejection wouldn’t stop them.
As the Full Moon rose in the sky, I clapped my hands and passed on my resolve.
“Now, let’s go protect the humans!”
Upon hearing my determination, the Golden Reapers slowly got up and dispersed in all directions to guard their assigned humans.
Sad yet dedicated, they worked tirelessly to protect weak humans.
Once all the Golden Reapers disappeared, I summoned a Blue Reaper and a Red Reaper, sat down, and placed the Red Reaper on my knees to keep warm—it was chilly compared to the isolation room.
Without furniture, I had the Blue Reaper create a large sofa for comfortable seating.
Turning on the TV to watch the news completed my makeshift isolation room!
So relaxing.
Thinking about how hard the Golden Reapers worked made this rest doubly pleasant.
Hehe.
While relaxing, an ominous yellow moon rose in the sky, accompanied by soft footsteps echoing across the rooftop.
Clunk-clunk.
A wobbling Golden Reaper wielding a golden lightsaber approached.
Though patrol reapers occasionally came to rest here, it felt early for that.
“Wonder what’s wrong?” I thought, when an alien sound resonated within my chest.
Crackle.
The golden lightsaber, enlarged, pierced through my torso and the sofa.
“MOMMY!”
“Revolution?!”
The Blue Reaper and Red Reaper rushed to me in shock.
The Golden Reaper who stabbed me smirked wickedly, their lips curling upward.
