Reborn As A Ghost: Time To Build My Undead Army!-Chapter 1783: Great Couch City

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Maria reflected on everything she had witnessed in this mysterious and enigmatic world.

"The power of Imagination... No wonder it feels so akin to Dreams. They must overlap in some way yet remain distinct. Perhaps it’s a form of convergent evolution?"

Convergent evolution occurs when unrelated species develop similar traits to better adapt to their environment or pursue the same goal—like birds and insects evolving entirely different wings, yet both achieving flight.

"If this power can truly breathe life into inanimate objects and even grant them souls, it must be immensely valuable. That explains why those pyramid-wielding monsters are hunting Toykin and ripping out the cores from their bodies."

Maria wasn’t certain if those cores were genuine souls, but they were something remarkably close. Souls born from Imagination, infused with Dreams, Hope, and Love. It seemed that while "Owners" could not reshape their own world with such power, they could transform lifeless objects.

For a fleeting moment, she imagined a hidden society of Owners who understood this secret, channeling the power into special toys that became living weapons for battle. The idea felt almost too clichéd, straight out of a shonen manga.

"Nah. Bobby mentioned that if an Owner discovers a Toykin is intelligent, it might strip away their sentience—some punishment from the feared ’Toy Maker.’ Though he wasn’t sure if the same rule applies when Players interact with Owners."

"Yet those Pyramids operate openly. Either they hide from Owners, or we Players are completely invisible to them. And that unseen force still prevents us from touching them anyway. This world is frustratingly complex."

Maria’s fascination deepened with every revelation. Everything felt so uniquely wondrous, yet undeniably strange and unsettling.

Once inside the couch, they stepped into tunnels woven from soft fluff—the stuffing that filled its depths. Wooden pillars rose occasionally for support, and adorable Dust Bunnies hopped about.

"Pyukuu?"

They were large, round balls of fluff with tiny button eyes and long yarn tails. These gentle creatures carved the tunnels and fed on dust.

"They’re so cute!" Nyx reached out eagerly, only to sneeze violently. "Achoo! Ugh..."

"They’re fluffy, but coated in dust," Celes said with a soft giggle. "Are you allergic?"

"I didn’t know..." Nyx sniffed, rubbing her nose.

"Kyuuuh!"

Startled by the sneeze, the Dust Bunnies scurried into a narrower tunnel they had dug through the enormous couch, a landscape that felt like a vast mountain to them.

"Hey, come back!"

Nyx started chasing after them, but Maria swiftly caught her with a phantasmal hand and pulled her gently back.

"Sweetheart, please don’t dash off like that," Maria sighed, concern lacing her voice. "What if you got lost? Come on, stay close."

"Sorry..." Nyx mumbled, cheeks flushing.

They continued through the winding tunnels, faintly lit by scattered plastic pieces that glowed in the dark and clusters of mushrooms that the bug people quietly nibbled.

"Ah, here we are," Bobby announced. "Welcome to our refuge—the Great Couch City."

Maria and her companions gazed in awe at the sprawling city nestled within the massive couch, constructed from scraps of toys, wood, stone, and anything the inhabitants could salvage.

Soft light came from glowing trinkets and mushrooms, while a large bulb hung overhead, shining warmly like a sun.

"Wow..." Nyx breathed.

"Incredible!" Celes exclaimed.

"So many colors and toys everywhere!" Arachne marveled.

"Yes, this is our main stronghold," Bobby said. "The Pyramids haven’t found us here yet, but I fear it’s only a matter of time."

"Come this way," Christine urged, leading the group along the fluffy streets into a vibrant district where the ground was paved with colorful plastic plates, creating a firm and welcoming path.

As they admired the remarkable inhabitants, they arrived at a sturdy building assembled from plastic and wooden parts. A large snail person stood outside, serving warm food to those who approached.

"Bobby? You’re back!" the snail called, eyes widening in surprise. "And you’ve brought many new friends..."

"Yeah," Bobby replied. "I believe they might be able to do something about the Pyramids."

"Ah, those wretched things..." the snail sighed heavily. "I’ve lived here so long I almost forgot the danger outside. But yes, reports of vanishing Toykin keep spreading. I’ve even heard the Bug People are being taken now. Everyone is hiding in the Manor or here in the couch. No one dares step beyond the borders anymore."

"That’s very unfortunate," Bobby sighed. "But don’t worry. This time, I truly believe we can do something. I saw what these people are capable of. They overthrew an entire world’s government and slain incredibly powerful beings from other realms."

"I-Is that so?" the snail chef murmured, eyes widening slightly. "Hmm. Well, I wish you the best of luck. Did you come here to eat with your friends?"

"Yeah, I’m pretty hungry," Bobby admitted. "Can you bring us the usual?"

"Of course."

Maria watched as the snail swiftly returned with small plastic plates. He arranged colorful bits of plastic food and tiny shreds of broken paper atop them, then carried the meal to a large table fashioned from cardboard.

"There you go. A grand menu for Toykin. Eat up," he said warmly. The toys immediately began devouring the offerings.

"Oh yeah, all new!" Wrecker exclaimed. The damage on his fists from attempting to strike Maria faded away as he ate.

"I haven’t had a proper meal in weeks. It feels good to enjoy one now and then," Christine said with a soft smile.

"You guys eat plastic and paper?" Partner asked, raising an eyebrow in surprise.

"Yes? What else would Toykin eat?" Bobby replied, tilting his head in genuine confusion. "Ah, right. You don’t consume this stuff. Well, you should be able to eat what the bugs do. Hey, chef! Can you bring them a bug menu?"

"Sure thing!" The chef returned shortly afterward, carrying three plates loaded with roasted mushrooms, fried mushrooms, and grilled mushrooms, all accompanied by a sweetly fragrant honey-flavored juice. "Here you are. A hearty mushroom feast, plus some fresh tree sap juice. Enjoy."

"Tree sap juice?" Maria echoed, taking a cautious sip. "Hmm! Not bad at all. It’s pleasantly sweet."

"Nom, nom!" Nyx happily munched on the massive mushrooms. "Oh, they taste just like meat! They’re so big and chewy!"

"I wish there was a little more variety to go with them," Alma murmured.

"Ah, I can handle that," Maria said with a confident smile. She summoned freshly cooked rice, noodles, steaming soup, roasted potatoes, and even tender meat from the Ghostly Pagoda’s bustling kitchen. The chefs there always gladly provided whatever she requested. "Here! Now this is a real feast!"

"Oooh! What’s all this?" Wrecker asked, eyes wide with curiosity.

"You soft people really know how to eat, haha!" Christine giggled brightly.

"I’m sorry I couldn’t bring proper food for you all," Bobby said, his voice tinged with regret.

"It’s fine, truly. Don’t worry about it," Maria reassured him gently. "So you guys only eat plastic?"

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