Chapter 277


In the depths of the Free City Alliance lies a massive underground chamber.

It was filled with the abyssal darkness where even light could not reach.

Columns pocked with worm trails stood amidst the vast expanse of the chamber.

The resonance created by those two elements reverberated ominously through the air.

The resulting echo felt like the wails of thousands of ghosts.

And within that echo, the sound of Object Bodies walking along the grooves of the columns could be heard.

Tap-tap, tap-tap.

The sound, reminiscent of nails incessantly tapping stones, held a magical ability to irritate all who heard it.

Thus, the shrieks of ghosts and the footsteps of fingers blended together, fostering a terrifying atmosphere.

But that sinister ambiance did not last forever.

Grurrrr!

With that chilling sound, the eerie atmosphere of the chamber transformed in an instant.

The finger worms packed within the tank twitched like leeches sprinkled with salt.

Their pale, drooping bodies tangled together, creating an abhorrent sight.

That was not all.

The liquid in the tank, exuding a sticky and unpleasant odor, began to bubble like boiling water.

The abnormal convulsions of the finger worms and the ominous changes in the liquid sent chills of horror and disgust.

And the three worm monitors entangled by cables attached to the tank began to flash urgent red lights like a warning signal.

[Object Killing Object.]

[The Gray Reaper has invaded.]

[Why? Why? Why?]

The words displayed on the monitor reflected pure panic and confusion.

Meanwhile, the underground tank continued to bubble violently like boiling water, emitting heat.

[There is disgust, but it doesn’t seem hostile.]

[Then it’s fine.]

After a moment, as words began to appear on the monitor, the convulsions of the tangled worms and the heat of the tank gradually subsided, restoring calm.

[Special-class Object, an Object beyond.]

[The ‘Giant Deity’ that has reached beyond will surely defeat the Gray Reaper.]

[But it seems the Deity’s preparation is not yet complete.]

The three monitors displayed the same message in unison.

[Then let’s buy some time.]

That statement hinted at some sort of plan amidst the chaotic situation.

*

Free City Alliance, Central Tower.

Cheong arrived by taxi and slowly stepped off in front of the Central Tower.

Her gaze was directed towards the tip of the tower that soared high into the sky.

“Wow, it’s really tall.”

Looking up at the Central Tower, her eyes held a hint of admiration as she addressed the Orange Reaper.

This tower, a symbol of the Free City Alliance, was steeped in stories more than any other place.

The symbol of the Free City Alliance.

A location not influenced by the three ruling families of the city.

Currently the residence of the Giant Deity, but previously a place where past mercenary kings of the Free City Alliance stayed.

It was truly a place where the legends of the city lingered.

Although Cheong did not particularly think of standing at the pinnacle of the mercenary world.

As she looked at the tower that had been a stage for legends, a tiny thrill began to bloom in her chest.

Just then, while Cheong was lost in thought, a man walked out from inside the Central Tower.

The man, with a cold demeanor, approached Cheong with an indifferent expression and began to guide her.

“Please follow me.”

Cheong took a deep breath, gathering her nervous heart.

She passed through a door that usually would not open and entered a lobby with a polished floor and a large security gate.

Though the people around were bustling about, Cheong oddly felt as if she stood alone in the vast space.

‘It will be fine.’

In an attempt to shake off her uneasy feelings, she placed her hand on the Orange Reaper perched atop her head.

As the unique warm essence of the Orange Reaper transferred to her fingertips, her heart calmed down a little.

Suddenly, the faces of her comrades who remained in the hideout flashed in her mind.

In fact, they all opposed this mission.

The request itself was fraught with suspicion.

The Giant Deity had designated Cheong as the only mercenary, while no others were allowed to enter the Central Tower.

Moreover, what was put forth as a reward was none other than the relic Cheong so longed for.

It seemed like bait thrown specifically for Cheong.

Yet, she could not refuse this opportunity.

She could not bear to turn her back on that relic carrying traces of cherished memories.

In this situation, the only one Cheong could trust was the Orange Reaper standing by her side.

Cheong sought hope in this whimsical presence.

Hope that she would complete the mission and obtain the precious relic.

Lost in her thoughts, Cheong followed the guide into a transparent elevator like glass.

The walls of the elevator were made entirely of glass, giving a panoramic view of the outside.

As the elevator ascended at tremendous speed, Cheong felt as if she were soaring towards the sky.

Buildings around her shrank, and the ground slipped further beneath her feet.

With each climb, her view began to widen.

The scenery of the Free City Alliance unfolded before her eyes.

The view through the glass was like a painting.

A city formed of colorful buildings, winding roads, and countless people moving along them.

In reality, it was a city twisted and horrific in some respects, but from afar, it resembled a vibrant mosaic.

Ding!

While enjoying the view outside, she soon arrived at the top floor.

A straight corridor filled with dark metal.

Unlike the luxurious hotel lobby on the first floor, the top floor exuded an atmosphere reminiscent of a storage hangar.

“The guidance ends here. The Giant Deity is in the room at the end of the corridor.”

Tread, tread.

With no windows and minimal lighting, the corridor had a sinister vibe.

At the end of the corridor stood a heavy, massive iron door that resembled a solitary confinement prison door.

The moment Cheong opened the door and stepped inside, unfathomable darkness unfolded before her.

“Is anyone there?”

The floor of the room beyond the door seemed to be flooded with water.

With each step, the sound of splashing water echoed beneath her feet.

After taking a few more steps inside, the door slammed shut with a loud crash, and lights began to flicker on in the dark room one by one.

In the center of the room was a giant mass of metal.

A lump chaotically mixed with brilliant gold and dull black metal, drenched in red blood.

Surrounding it, liquid emitting a red glow pooled thickly on the floor, and next to it lay a grotesque heap riddled with holes.

The instant she set eyes on that heap, the stench of blood began to choke her breath.

Not a moment ago, there was no smell at all!

“Finally, the last piece has arrived.”

In that moment, the giant mass of metal began to move.

With a creaking sound, it rose from its place, taking on a human form.

That being, radiating a metallic sheen from its whole, was none other than the Giant Deity.

*

In the peaceful Marshmallow Plains devoid of the Gray Reaper.

There, around piles of Four-legged Golden Reaper Doll Outfits, many White Hungry Ghosts had gathered.

The numerous White Hungry Ghosts gathered, playing rock-paper-scissors with their short fingers that couldn’t even fold properly.

The victorious White Hungry Ghost stood upright on its hind legs, letting out a delighted “Kyuuu!” while the defeated one walked away to a corner, sobbing “Kyu-hing-hing” in sadness.

It was indeed a place where fortunes and misfortunes intertwined.

The losers lay in the plains where the Gray Reaper frequently roamed while the winners pranced around the plain clad in Golden Reaper Doll Outfits.

It was a cruel game of rock-paper-scissors, selecting victims in anticipation of the Gray Reaper’s brutal retribution.

Kyu-hing-hing.

*

While riding the Glow-in-the-dark Mecha Tyrannosaurus around the wondrous city, time passed and the sun began to set.

Just as it was time to showcase the power of the formidable Mecha Tyranno in the Harmful City, a festive atmosphere began to emanate throughout the city.

Streets filled with neon signs.

Cheerful music and dancing people.

Delicious-looking foods and snacks.

Perhaps sensing the emotions pouring out of the festival, the Golden Reapers hiding in my hair emerged, peeking out to watch.

Cautiously stepping out, they began to mimic the dances of the people.

Whether following the moves of a holographic bunny girl or using my antennae like a stick, they began to spin furiously.

Surely it was a dance meant to be sexy…

While the original motion was a slow turn around a stick, the result was like a mini Reaper propeller whirling around like a fan!

Combined with the Golden Reaper’s bright smile and its body moving multiple times faster, every single motion felt like a circus act.

As I wandered around watching the Golden Reapers mimic various dances, I stumbled upon an incredible sight.

‘!!!!!!!!!!’

Elaborately constructed holographic Tyrannosauruses shook their gigantic bodies as they roamed between buildings.

‘Tyranno!’

I stood up on top of the Mecha Tyranno and reached out toward the hologram.

Then, the Tyrannosaurus opened its mouth wide and pretended to roar.

Startled by the sudden movement, I couldn’t help but smile.

Hehe.

A Tyranno festival, indeed.

What a marvelous festival it was, with massive Tyrannosauruses leaping over rooftops.

Massive machines flying through the sky, showering fluffy marshmallows.

Countless dinosaur holograms bustling through the city.

Joyful music and lively dances.

It was a festival more splendid than any on Earth.

Sitting on the back of the Mecha Tyranno, I started to eat the marshmallows pouring down from the sky like rain while enjoying the festival with abandon.

*

Thud!

As the heavy fist of the Giant Deity slammed into the ground, blood splattered everywhere.

Cheong, the Attached Human of the Orange Reaper, barely evaded the attack, but it was evident that she could not hold on much longer.

“You’re wasting time on useless things.”

The Giant Deity muttered in a frigid voice.

His icy gaze pierced through Cheong.

Haa. Haa.

Cheong, with a pale complexion, was panting heavily.

‘Cheong is nearing her limit.’

While the Orange Reaper kept attempting to manipulate probabilities, her efforts were in vain.

The Giant Deity appeared to be a makeshift existence woven from metal and golden horns, yet no matter how the probabilities were twisted, it remained unfazed.

Even though a slight distortion in probabilities should have caused collapse.

“It’s futile. You seem to only understand when I don’t put it into words.”

As the Giant Deity unveiled its massive palm, the components forming the hand began to shatter and fall to the ground like scattered fragments.

“It’s a basic skill.”

Then, as the Giant Deity reached out again, the disassembled components clumped back together to form a hand.

‘!’

Probability manipulation!

The Orange Reaper was so shocked it barely opened its eyes wide.

An enemy that wielded the same ability as itself!

“We have researched the Gray Reaper’s ‘Death Induction’ and have ultimately surpassed the Gray Reaper to reach the realm of ‘Probability Domination.’”

The Giant Deity chuckled softly and continued.

“Our abilities, nearly completed, should have surpassed even the Gray Reaper. Your feeble attempts at probability are meaningless.”

As the Giant Deity clenched its fist in the air, Cheong’s death probability began to escalate wildly.

‘No… the Attached Human is in danger!’

The Orange Reaper poured all its strength into suppressing the probability, but it was futile.

Bang!

A small hole pierced through Cheong’s body.

It was an injury that looked like it had been punched through a perforator.

Cheong, the Attached Human of the Orange Reaper, began to transition into a lifeless corpse riddled with holes.

Moreover, with every drop of blood Cheong shed, the blood pooling on the ground visibly rose.

And with that height, the Giant Deity’s power grew progressively stronger.

“Now, let’s finish this.”

As the Giant Deity approached, increasingly resembling the shape of the moon, it reached out towards Cheong once more.

‘No!’

A perfectly isolated building preventing her from calling for her mother.

An overwhelmingly powerful enemy impossible to defeat.

A perilous Attached Human.

The Orange Reaper turned away from Cheong and looked back.

‘It was fun while it lasted.’

Golden flames began to blaze from the Orange Reaper’s body.

‘I wanted to play around a bit more…’

If probability manipulation doesn’t work, then stronger probability manipulation must be employed.

As the Orange Reaper’s body ignited, the blood-soaked floor began to morph into fluffy clouds.

As the Orange Reaper’s figure grew more translucent, the corpses littering the area began to vanish, replaced by peaceful Cloud Fish.

And in the last mischievous smile.

A colossal Orange Moon began to rise.

Not a desolate moon stripped of power, but a brilliant orange moon radiating pure light.

Thus, a splendid orange moon rose over the bustling Free City Alliance, shining brighter than the sun.