Seoul Object Story
Chapter 284: Doll Expo (2)

The Sehee Research Institute courtyard, bathed in warm noon sunlight, bustled with researchers gathering to enjoy lunch with their mini Reapers, as usual.

The researchers chatted while examining the Triceratops golden statue that had suddenly appeared in the middle of the courtyard.

“Why is there suddenly a Triceratops golden statue here?”

One researcher asked curiously.

“Maybe Director Sehee installed it?”

Another researcher nearby proposed the most likely hypothesis.

It was a reasonable guess, as most such absurd occurrences at the institute were Sehee’s doing.

Besides, Sehee was probably the only one who could acquire such a large chunk of gold.

Just then, Sehee and Seoah slowly walked in among the researchers.

Upon seeing the Triceratops golden statue, Seoah’s expression immediately soured.

She whipped her head toward Sehee with a “surely not” expression.

Sehee shook her head with an expression full of indignation.

Though no words were heard, Sehee’s expression seemed to shout “It wasn’t me!”

But unfortunately, perhaps because Sehee lied too often normally, Seoah didn’t look particularly convinced.

Hehe.

I watched this scene from under the cozy shade created by the Triceratops’s frill.

Kyu.

Beside me were a Red Reaper and a white Hungry Ghost forcibly held by that Red Reaper.

The Red Reaper was striking a pose like an artist framing a landscape, facing the Triceratops golden statue.

For whatever incomprehensible reason, it held a pipe-shaped flame in its mouth and a flame-made chisel in its hand.

After observing the Triceratops for a while, the Red Reaper struck an excessively affected pose.

Then, with a bold motion, it thrust the chisel into the white Hungry Ghost.

Kyuhinghing!

The Red Reaper seemed to be trying to carve the white Hungry Ghost’s nape to create a Triceratops frill.

But perhaps because it used too much force, the flame-made chisel pierced straight through the white Hungry Ghost’s neck.

Ah!

As the Red Reaper panicked with an expression of having made a mistake, the white Hungry Ghost seized the opportunity to flee.

And as always, a chase began between the fleeing white Hungry Ghost and the seemingly delighted Red Reaper.

Late afternoon, as the sun tilted toward the horizon.

The endless stream of supply vehicles ceased, and as the Association Dolls transporting materials to the parking lot disappeared one by one, only silence remained.

In a corner of that quiet parking lot sat James’s temporary containment facility.

It was a simple facility consisting of a containment room for Objects and an observation room for remote monitoring and experimentation.

Inside the observation room, James and his subordinates, dressed in lab coats, were positioned, examining the containment room.

In that containment room, Association Dolls were firmly secured in steel frames.

They were various types of dolls purchased from the Association.

James carefully observed the Association Dolls through the transparent barrier.

Then, a man wearing a bulletproof vest and black uniform, unlike James, spoke up.

“Sir, wouldn’t it be safer to use the facilities inside the tower?”

James, slowly disassembling an Association Doll using mechanical arms, answered without taking his eyes off the control console.

“Of course the tower’s internal facilities would be much safer, Alex.”

“Then let’s move to the internal facilities immediately! The security options here are too limited.”

Alex immediately replied when James agreed with his point.

“From a security facility standpoint, that would obviously be better. But we won’t move.”

But James refused in a low voice.

“Because the Association Dolls keep trying to enter the tower. Until the situation becomes clear, it’s better not to bring any dolls inside the tower.”

And James added, “From now on, let’s think of James Tower more as a fortress than a laboratory.”

After disassembling dolls for a long time, James took his eyes off the console and stood up.

“I roughly understand the dolls’ structure, but I can’t figure out their most important energy source.”

Perhaps from working too long at the remote console, James was rubbing his eyelids as if his eyes were tired.

Alex seemed slightly surprised that James, America’s top Object expert, said he “didn’t know” something, but he didn’t speak up.

“That’s enough for today.”

James said, looking at the Golden Reaper pressed against the window, which had grown dark as the sun disappeared.

The Golden Reaper held a sticky Mecha Tyranno drawing covered in adhesive.

“It’s been six hours already, you should change shifts and head home too.”

As James said this, his lab coat already had five Mecha Tyranno drawings stuck to it.

Night had fallen, and darkness had descended. Yerin was heading home, following the Golden Reaper.

Thump thump.

The Golden Reaper’s proud footsteps thumped as always, and its water-made spear and helmet glinted in the moonlight.

And occasionally, the Golden Reaper would turn back, meet her gaze, and smile broadly.

It seemed to be checking if Yerin was following well.

Reaching the building’s main entrance, the Association Doll greeted Yerin, a building resident, warmly.

“Welcome back.”

Though the doll greeted her kindly, Yerin hurried past without even glancing at it, as if looking at something unpleasant.

And Yerin passed through the corridor and could enter her home.

“Arrived!”

Yerin called out cheerfully as soon as she opened the front door.

And she took out a round golden jelly from the snack container by the entrance and handed it to the Golden Reaper.

“Thanks for the escort!”

The Golden Reaper, receiving Yerin’s thanks, smiled broadly and began nibbling at the jelly.

Om nom nom.

The Golden Reaper chewed the jelly with its small mouth.

A happy smile spread across the Golden Reaper’s face from the emotions Yerin emitted and the sweet taste of the jelly.

After finishing the jelly, the Golden Reaper raised its hand high, waved goodbye, and vanished through ghost form.

As Yerin, having seen off the Golden Reaper, entered her room, a puzzled expression crossed her face.

?

Something seemed strange.

She remembered placing a white Hungry Ghost on the lead doll’s lap before leaving.

But now the lead doll seemed to be hugging the white Hungry Ghost tightly.

The lead doll had slightly stiff joints, like dolls that could hold poses, allowing it to maintain whatever position it was moved into.

But now the lead doll’s arms were frozen in position, embracing the white Hungry Ghost.

Did the Hungry Ghost adjust the pose itself?

To Yerin, it looked like the white Hungry Ghost had crawled in on its own, moved the lead doll’s arms, and nestled into its embrace.

The white Hungry Ghost’s face in that embrace was full of happiness.

Perhaps finding peace in the lead doll’s cold temperature, that small face looked more lively than before.

The lead doll must be quite cold, but it looks comfortable and happy.

Yerin watched for a moment, then smiled gently.

Perhaps because the Hungry Ghost usually wore an aggrieved expression, it looked even happier.

Yerin slowly approached, poked the Hungry Ghost’s cheek, and stroked the lead doll’s soft hair.

!

But while stroking the lead doll’s hair, Yerin’s eyes widened in shock.

“It’s warm?”

Yerin murmured, clenching and unclenching her fist as if trying to feel the warmth remaining on her hand.

Late night, James Tower security room.

James, still uneasy, hadn’t gone home yet.

Two days until the doll expo.

To James, those two days felt like the last remaining time.

I hope we can clearly determine whether the Association Dolls are a problem or not before then.

James had CCTV footage displayed on the monitor and was analyzing it.

It was a video compiled of the Association Dolls’ abnormal behaviors.

A rhythmic metallic sound played from the monitor.

The sound of Association Dolls turning doorknobs.

The same rhythm and volume each time.

It happened whenever Association Dolls showed abnormal behavior trying to enter James Tower.

The Association Dolls always turned the doorknob three times with the same rhythm, then returned to their positions as if nothing had happened.

As James watched the monitor in the security room, a loud sound reached his ears.

Beep-. Beep-.

An approach warning indicating someone was coming to the security room.

Switching screens, he saw Alex, who had gone home, slowly approaching the security room.

Did he forget something?

And reaching the security room, Alex turned the doorknob.

“…”

And Alex looked up at the security camera and said:

“Sir. Please open the door.”