“However, such a frame might just be a grand opportunity for Master Park Jinseong, the shaman.”
Kim Cheolsu continued speaking.
As if urging for joy.
“When working with the government, all sorts of information come flowing in. Among them was… um, information about Master Park Jinseong as well. Ah, it’s not like I searched specifically for it. It’s just that my interest in native shamans naturally led to me picking up that information, so please don’t feel uneasy about it.”
All of this was mixed with the public’s expectations for native shamans.
Kim Cheolsu said this while pulling some documents from his bag.
“… So the government has concluded that Master Park Jinseong can handle this task adequately. This will be a tremendous opportunity for you, Master. Perhaps… it will be so grand that it won’t even compare to the last broadcast.”
The documents Kim Cheolsu presented had these words written on them.
『Dokdo Purification Operation.』
Dokdo.
Purification.
Just by seeing those two words, it was clear what the government was suggesting.
They were asking to expel the evil spirits from Dokdo.
“Right now, Dokdo is experiencing a great misfortune. Japan’s re-invasion and occupation… and on top of that, there’s a surge of evil spirits. Fortunately, most Japanese forces have withdrawn, but that doesn’t mean the issue is resolved. Evil spirits presumed to have slaughtered the Dokdo Guard and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force are swarming there.”
Kim Cheolsu paused for a moment and then handed a photo to Jinseong.
It was the image of an evil spirit drawn through thoughtography by a military mage wearing special equipment.
At a glance, the ghost looked like a balloon.
The texture of its skin resembled that of a melted water ghost, and its rolling movement made one think of a bubble floating in hell.
“It seems like quite a powerful entity, as it couldn’t be captured perfectly even with special equipment. The images were blurry, distorted, or missing. So military mages used artifacts to create this drawing.”
Kim Cheolsu said this while closely observing Jinseong’s expression.
He was checking to see if Jinseong would frown at the appearance of the evil spirit or show signs of fear.
But fortunately, Jinseong exhibited no change.
Even faced with the horrid and blasphemous visage of the ghost, he maintained the same expression and demeanor as before, with no signs of distress.
‘At least he’s not afraid of the ghost… so the chances of him panicking and doing something foolish might have decreased a bit.’
Kim Cheolsu accepted Jinseong’s demeanor positively.
If just seeing the drawing terrified him, he certainly wouldn’t be able to even approach Dokdo.
He considered the first hurdle passed.
“I will ask the shaman. Can you exorcise this evil spirit?”
“Um.”
“By the way, those who will aid Master Park Jinseong are already on standby. Soldiers who were fighting the ghosts at the front lines, military chaplains, divine objects effective against exorcism and exorcists, and warriors with experience confronting evil spirits are all ready.”
Jinseong pondered for a moment at Kim Cheolsu’s question and nodded.
“It seems possible. Evil spirits, while capable of physical manifestations, also have a vulnerability to physical force. With adequate backup and divine objects, it shouldn’t be hard to exorcise them.”
“Is that so? That’s a relief.”
Kim Cheolsu smiled at Jinseong’s affirmative answer.
‘Right. They say he has skills that don’t match his age? I don’t know about his abilities, but he seems to have quite a bit of courage. He also appears to know how to seize opportunities.’
Even if others are helping, stepping up against evil spirits is not something most would willingly want to do, yet Master Park Jinseong declared it was perfectly fine.
What does this mean?
It could mean he’s either disturbingly calm or is willing to risk everything to grasp an opportunity.
But questions arise here.
Is he truly so unphased?
He once had a record of visiting the DMZ, but Master Park Jinseong is a shaman raised in a greenhouse. Supported by a rich conglomerate, he grew up abundantly, without experiencing significant hardships. He would indeed lack immunity to blood, death, and wicked monsters and spirits.
Logically, then, one could deduce the latter.
He’s prepared to seize the opportunity, even at great risk…
‘A shaman quite familiar with power, I see. This is fortuitous.’
Could it be because he comes from a wealthy family?
He didn’t seem to have a detached or hostile disposition towards power; rather, he appeared at ease with it and knew how to utilize it.
For Kim Cheolsu, working for the nation, this was truly good information.
Unlike other shamans, who might not even know what they desire while shunning worldly values, with Jinseong, a ‘rational and sensible’ trade could be possible.
Kim Cheolsu had a premonition.
Perhaps he might end up keeping in touch with this shaman for a long time to come.
This person would undoubtedly rise to a high position, and if he stays close to him…
‘If I’m lucky, I might climb to a high place too.’
Kim Cheolsu thought that becoming in charge of Master Park Jinseong could be a stroke of luck in his life.
“Master Park Jinseong, will you participate in the Dokdo purification operation? If you accomplish this successfully, there won’t be a single person among the citizens of the Republic of Korea who doesn’t know your name.”
Jinseong smiled as if pleased by Kim Cheolsu’s words.
Then he nodded and said,
“Of course. I will gladly participate.”
Thus, Jinseong became involved in the purification operation for Korea’s Dokdo.
*
“Lord, will you not participate in the Takeshima purification operation?”
At the same time.
In Japan, a similar conversation was taking place.
Inside a villa where Japanese and Western aesthetics were seamlessly blended.
There sat a politician who had earlier received a ‘blessing’ and a peculiar Shinto priest wearing a mask, creating a strangely ominous atmosphere.
The priest knelt on a red cushion, and across from him, the politician had approached him with hopeful expectations.
The Shinto priest slightly nodded at the politician’s request.
“Are you referring to Takeshima?”
That phrase was incredibly polite, and it seeped into the ear like a smooth fox trying to bewitch a person.
Yet, beneath this sweet sounding voice lay something disturbingly bizarre; the voice emanating from the priest was a deep tone, as if it had burst forth from the depths of the abyss, mingling with a buzzing noise that reverberated within the mask it seemed to reverberate from. Furthermore, it not only gently crept into the ear, but also subtly rattled the brain with its sound.
This was the true calling voice that entranced a person.
Sweet as a fox’s words, smooth as a raccoon’s, and venomous like a serpent’s.
Just listening to it would disrupt one’s spirit and hinder proper thought.
What was even more horrifying was that the individual would be oblivious to this fact.
This is due to the voice’s power to mesmerize people and suppress their spirits.
The listener was already under its spell.
“Yes. Right now, Takeshima is in a state polluted by most unprincipled evil spirits, surely they must be the wicked ones drifting in due to Korea’s neglect.”
The politician spoke with slightly unfocused eyes.
“Those evil spirits led to the deaths of innocent Maritime Self-Defense Force members and even caused precious destroyers to run aground on Takeshima. Yet these dreadful evil spirits are not satisfied there; they even killed Korean police stationed on Dokdo, nearly igniting a war between Korea and Japan.”
“A war, huh…”
“Haha. It’s rather frightening that such a terrible event almost occurred over mere evil spirits. Fortunately, misunderstandings were resolved and a war did not break out… but even if Korea and Japan settle their misunderstandings, the situation isn’t resolved yet.”
“Indeed. Evil spirits will remain.”
“Yes. Evil spirits are still lurking on Takeshima.”
The politician let out a slight sigh and continued speaking.
“If these evil spirits remain on Takeshima, there’s nothing good to come of it. They could use the island as a base to seize the sea and attack passing vessels, just like what happened this time when they could hijack Korean or Japanese ships and run aground in Japan.”
If that happens, they would suffer damages from being aground and from the evil spirits who landed, leading to a calamity, wouldn’t it?
After saying that, the politician gazed earnestly at the deity.
“If it is matters beyond human control, like typhoons or earthquakes, that’s one thing. But if it’s something we can sufficiently exorcise and seal, isn’t it a leader’s duty to take action against evil spirits? That’s why I’ve come to seek out you, the most exceptional Shinto priest I know.”
“Oh…”
The masked Shinto priest uttered as if moved by the politician’s words.
“There are many outstanding Onmyoji within the government, as well as priests in significant shrines or renowned monks, so why would you seek out this insignificant priest…?”
“Haha. How modest you are. But I assure you, dear priest, that you are simply hidden from the world, and you are in no way inferior compared to them. In fact, you might even be greater.”
The politician lightly stroked his own hair.
As he did, the lush hair tickled his palm.
Just recently, he had been progressing towards male-pattern baldness.
But ever since receiving the ‘blessing’ from the deity, his hair had grown back.
As if the hair loss never happened, it flourished abundantly.
And how thick and dark it was!
Coupled with feeling lighter in his body, he even felt rejuvenated as if he was back to his youth.
Who could do such miraculous blessings if not someone superior to renowned Onmyoji or priests?
The politician was certain.
This person was a hidden master; a talented genius who shone even at a young age.
‘Moreover, I doubt I’m the only one thinking this way.’
Naturally, something hidden in one’s pocket will draw attention.
This deity before the politician seemed to be known among many powerful figures and politicians.
When he mentioned wanting to recommend someone to go to “Takeshima,” many readily agreed that it was a great idea.
“So, dear deity, please go to Takeshima and exorcise the evil spirits. Display your brilliant skills, crush the spirit of Korea, and elevate the spirit of Japan.”
The politician earnestly requested of the deity.
With a heart to repay the deity who made his hair flourish and with a desire to add another line to his achievements stating, ‘I successfully handled this by recommending talented individuals.’
And the deity naturally gave the reply expected of him.
“I will gladly do so.”
That was an acceptance.
