Chapter 501

In the midst of a quiet Siberian snowfield, a massive amusement park glittered with colorful lights, standing tall against the cold expanse.

The Golden Reapers, after dealing with the ominous objects emitting a chilling atmosphere within, scattered throughout the park, as if on some unspoken cue, beginning to explore the area.

Thud thud.

The sound of small footsteps echoed throughout the park.

In the eyes of those little ones, the usual mischievous sparkle was replaced by a sharp sense of vigilance.

As one Golden Reaper walked, it stopped in front of a massive roller coaster, gazing up at something intently.

Then, from the air where the Golden Reaper was looking, a pale, plaster mannequin slowly materialized.

“Welcome, little guest.”

The mannequin spoke with a smile that seemed a little too practiced, beginning to describe the roller coaster in familiar movements.

The mannequin passionately described the thrills and joys of the roller coaster.

The sharp turns, sudden drops, and dizzying spins—sounding as if it were the most exciting ride in the world.

Though it was a description that could make any human excited, the Golden Reaper merely stared at the mannequin with a blank expression.

Considering how often the Golden Reaper usually wandered around with a bright smile, it was an extremely unusual sight.

And as soon as that thrilling description ended, the mannequin briefly mentioned the dangers of the ride.

“But unfortunately, there is only one safe seat.”

The mannequin, unable to contain its joy, continued with a sinister smile.

“I hope you can combine the clues and hints within to find a seat where you can survive and receive a stamp.”

In that moment, the Golden Reaper’s tiny finger pointed at the mannequin.

“Hostile Object!”

With a sharp will filled with intense animosity, a hole in the shape of a Golden Reaper appeared on the mannequin’s chest.

The mannequin looked down at its chest in disbelief, but the hole that had formed in an instant did not disappear.

“Why…?”

Under the cold moonlight, the mannequin’s fragments scattered like dust.

Screams echoed through the park as mannequins were destroyed all around.

The Golden Reapers showed no mercy.

Each time they discovered a hostile entity, they immediately shouted “Hostile Object!” and charged without hesitation.

By the Ferris wheel, a mannequin attempted to escape, but it could not avoid the Golden Reaper’s swift steps.

A mannequin hiding between the horses of the carousel, another hiding in the food court’s storage—both were eventually discovered and shattered into pieces.

Every time the clouds quickly crossed the sky, blocking and revealing the moonlight, a mannequin would disappear, and a painful scream would follow.

As the night deepened, the park grew quiet, but many rides and mannequins still lurked within the amusement park.

The park was truly of a continental scale, boasting enormous size.

Perhaps that was why, the Mini Reaper network was quickly flooded with requests for help from the Golden Reapers.

“Help me!”

“There are so many hostile objects!”

“I need a strong little sibling!”

“There are lots of snacks here too.”

At this, Mini Reapers with free hands from around the world began flying toward Siberia.

I was walking through the dense jungle, far from Seoul.

I had been searching for the missing Immutable Sphere, glancing around as I went, but in truth, I wasn’t in a rush.

I was simply strolling, moving at a leisurely pace.

After all, finding the Immutable Sphere would require a search on a planetary scale.

Moreover, considering the possibility it might have slipped into another dimension, the search range was nearly infinite.

As I walked through the damp, moss-scented jungle filled with birds chirping, something suddenly popped up in my line of sight.

Amidst the dense trees, an elegant Western-style mansion unexpectedly appeared.

It looked as if it had stepped straight out of a fantasy novel.

‘It definitely looks like a hostile object…’

And the feeling of hostility.

It felt like the kind of object that would be playful, like the “theme park” I visited once before.

Hehe.

A smile spread across my face.

It had been so long since I saw an ordinary object like that.

These days, such weak objects were rare.

Mini Reapers were so diligent in their work that most weak objects like that were dealt with before they even caught my eye.

However, I didn’t rush toward the object.

Instead, I ascended into a tall tree using my ghosting ability and began observing the mansion from afar.

Why not approach?

Well, objects of that caliber would likely sense my aura and flee.

Since it had been so long since I encountered something that seemed fun, I needed to prepare to enjoy it for as long as possible.

I spent a moment thinking while observing the mansion, then teleported to the Mini Reaper Garden.

I picked up a shark-shaped doll outfit among the various doll clothes made by the yellow Reaper.

This doll outfit, inspired by the sardine foreign object I had met earlier, was perfect for the current situation.

Much like the sardine foreign object, this doll outfit had a spatial ability that would prevent my aura from leaking, creating a sealed space inside it.

It was just the perfect outfit for approaching weak objects.

When I donned the doll outfit, my vision became constricted.

I instinctively furrowed my brows, but for the sake of a fun game, I could endure this much.

Now, the preparations were complete.

Wearing the shark doll outfit, I started walking toward the massive mansion-shaped object.

As I walked toward the mansion, wearing the shark doll outfit, the surrounding air grew heavier.

With each step, a dense mental contamination seeped through the air like mist.

A subtle mental contamination that slightly distorts human perception.

This contamination, faint as it was, was the kind that humans wouldn’t notice.

I felt that this contamination would make its prey circle around the same place until hunger and fatigue reached their peak, and eventually, the exhausted victim would be lured into the mansion.

Well, it didn’t affect me at all.

I cut through the mental contamination and moved toward the entrance of the mansion.

As I stood before the grand door, the heavy wooden door began to move on its own.

Creeeeak…

With the sound of rusted metal screaming, the door opened.

Ironically, though, the door looked as if it were brand new.

As if it was designed to make that sound intentionally.

When the door opened, the lavish interior revealed itself.

A hallway with red carpets, chandeliers decorated with crystals, and walls adorned with gold leaf.

It was as if a European castle from centuries ago had been transported into this place.

Right next to the entrance stood a man.

Dressed in a perfectly ironed black uniform, he resembled a butler from a high-end hotel.

With a soft smile, he bowed toward me.

“Welcome. This is a sanctuary for lost souls.”

As he spoke, a white paper and a heavy key were offered toward me.

The key, decorated in a vintage style, was large enough to fill both of my hands, with the number “401” inscribed on the shaft.

Along with the key, a piece of paper with the mansion’s rules was handed to me, neatly written in elegant handwriting.

<1. Do not open the doors after sunset, regardless of whether someone knocks or calls.>

<2. The hallway has no windows. If you find a window after opening the door, immediately close the door and do not come out.>

<3. When using the bathroom, ensure the lights inside are on. If they go out during use, close your eyes immediately and leave the room.>

<…>

As soon as I read the first three lines, I realized.

‘This is a typical manual ghost story turned into an object…’

Just what I had been expecting from an object.

Hehe.

With a smile still on my lips, I turned my head and glanced around.

The guests in the lobby were all objects.

The staff were all objects.

Every single piece of the interior was an object.

And all of them were hostile objects.

‘Luckily, it seems no humans were swept in before I arrived.’

Meaning, I could leisurely start my ghost story tour without worry.

There was no concern about new humans or Mini Reapers entering.

I had sealed the area with the Mini Reaper Garden!

‘By the way, it smells far more hostile than I expected…’

If the Golden Reaper found this place, he’d probably observe for a bit before punching a hole straight through it without hesitation.

But, I didn’t want to deal with such an interesting-looking object so easily.

While rereading the rules, I smiled inwardly.

Now, the real fun part begins.

I reviewed the rules and walked toward Room 401, step by step.