Time passed.
Korea and Japan stabilized according to Jinseong’s intentions.
The series of incidents that occurred in both countries stirred enough fatigue among the people.
Due to disasters that could hardly be called minor, people had to live with their nerves on edge, constantly on guard against ‘something’ that could threaten their daily lives. And as is to be expected, this level of vigilance consumed a lot of energy.
The more excessive the vigilance, the higher the tension rose.
However, this tiredness continued to linger.
The media had no intention of discarding this endlessly exploitable material, and the government saw countless benefits in directing public attention there under the name of a crisis.
Eventually, the governments of both nations, who were intent on using these incidents, became overly neurotic in their actions, worsening the situation.
But surely, something cannot remain taut forever?
The tension that had stretched to its limits finally slackened.
Thanks to Jinseong’s intervention.
As such, people’s tension dissipated, replaced by a sense of fatigue and listlessness.
They naturally shifted their focus away from the constant mental torment and energy-draining situations.
It was quite natural.
How can that be natural, you ask?
On the contrary, isn’t there no reason it shouldn’t be?
Major incidents occurred.
But those incidents were resolved.
What exactly is strange about that?
If a series of major events happening one after the other seems odd, then sure, it might be odd…
But considering that forest fires, factory fires, and collisions happen regularly, aren’t they accepted as part of everyday life?
Then there’s no reason not to accept the events that just transpired.
‘Of course, I did raise the fatigue level to its limit to make it more acceptable.’
Especially if one is so exhausted that they don’t even want to lift a finger?
In a state of mind where thinking feels tedious, spending time staring blankly at the ceiling, and feeling as if sleep could claim them the moment they close their eyes?
Then accepting such a situation would be all the easier.
Just like the current situation.
And if a little spark ignites from there…
『 The largest-scale audition program in Korea-Japan history! 』
『 Astonishing outlines?! Will it be a dragon or a mere tail? 』
『 Participant conditions revealed! Indie singers can join?! 』
『 Audition program officials say, “To attract talent, we’ll set the conditions leniently,” including not just amateurs and indie singers but also pros who haven’t been active for a certain period…? 』
This brilliantly diverted people’s attention.
“Yasaki, Yasaki Tokitaka… not bad. Quite useful….”
Jinseong smiled as he recalled the man he had met at the villa.
A man with a pretty sharp instinct.
He was probably successful thanks to the talent inherited through his bloodline.
The boss of an entertainment company, a famous producer, and despite all deeds of malice, he projected an image of goodwill through meticulous image-making.
His abilities propelled him to great heights, and his instincts allowed him to maintain close ties with power holders, even as he committed unscrupulous deeds without hesitation. With a mindset resembling that of a merchant, selling off others while never dirtying his own hands, he gained both infamy and admiration.
But paradoxically, it was that very talent that drew him to the spotlight.
To a shaman named Park Jinseong.
Having a strong instinct and being of line with a shamaness is noteworthy, and on top of that, he dared to commit evil deeds without hesitation?
Moreover, he even received blessings freely…
If Jinseong did not pay attention to him, it would be more strange.
Thus, Yasaki Tokitaka became Jinseong’s excellent ‘assistant’ at the villa.
An assistant that provided various aids and could be utilized for multiple purposes.
A truly useful… existence.
And Jinseong was making good use of Yasaki Tokitaka.
Yasaki proactively initiated this large-scale project and fully utilized the connections he had built over time.
Naturally, those associated with Jinseong supported him in the back or provided funding, gradually increasing the scale.
[ This is bound to succeed! In this time, an audition of this scale is sure to succeed! I can stake the name and honor of Yasaki Tokitaka, the golden hand, the Midas touch! ]
[ There’s no way it can fail… if so, then we must ride this big wave! ]
Moreover, as a person with results and recognition said to unconditionally succeed, countless investments and helps poured in even from those unrelated to Jinseong.
Success.
It will definitely succeed.
Investing will result in profits!
…Isn’t that a sweet phrase?
‘How can one speak with certainty of success?’
Yet, despite such sweet words, the reality was unbearably dark.
Not that the future was bleak.
Rather, it would be accurate to say that while success could be assured in words, its substance remained unknown.
A large-scale project never seen even before Jinseong’s regression.
Who could tell if this project would succeed, and if so, to what extent?
Yasaki Tokitaka’s boasts were merely a fragrant allure to attract pests.
And whether the end of that fragrance really led to a honeyed flower or a carnivorous plant devouring insects… would only be known then.
‘Whether the audition succeeds or fails, my purpose has already been accomplished.’
But one thing is certain—Park Jinseong’s purpose has been fulfilled.
Look.
Aren’t people wonderfully diverting their attention from war and conflict?
‘After the storm, the skies will clear, light will descend upon the earth. Then the birds will sing and the insects will rouse from their brief rest to move lively. There’s no better time to prepare than during such a period.’
Isn’t it customary to regroup after a battle?
After the harvest, there’s also a time needed to sort and organize.
Jinseong was the same.
What has he gained in Korea and Japan, and how much needs to be organized?
The divine objects, magic records, and materials he pillaged from Korea and Japan.
Villas and haunted houses purchased through Rise.
The humans he acquired.
Including the human skin acquired from Lee Jae-soon this time.
Just thinking briefly shows how immense his gains were.
And considering the intangible things like connections and recognition…
‘Good.’
Jinseong smiled at the thought of enjoying a moment of rest in the calm after the storm.
How sweet is the rest that follows hard labor?
In that rest, he could savor pleasures that he has not been able to enjoy while busy running around. What could be better than that?
He could research the divine objects in hand, study the magic records, and have blissful worries about how to use his magical materials, or create divine objects with precious materials. Reflecting on what to use while recalling reasonable compensatory rituals would be enjoyable, and finding clues to strengthen himself while expanding his social circle would be nice too.
Building deeper connections with the government to use his strength for national events wouldn’t be bad, and forging ties with entrepreneurs active on the global stage wouldn’t be either.
No, that would all be nice, but…
‘Right. Exploring the ruins of Korea and Japan doesn’t sound bad either.’
Places that Jinseong had never been to before his regression.
Areas completely devastated and turned to wasteland due to war…
Traveling around such places would indeed be commendable.
If lucky, he could discover divine objects or magic records there, and such discoveries would bring him true joy.
Yes, it would surely be a delightful thing.
It would be delightful, but…
‘It wouldn’t be very efficient.’
How many joyful things could happen?
No matter how one thinks of it, it wouldn’t be that many.
Plus, can ruins be explored solo?
Ruins are merely locations.
In that case, wouldn’t it make more sense to send people to find and excavate the ruins?
No, there’s no need for large-scale excavations.
Just discovering the ruins would suffice.
Jinseong could always go and personally do the exploring there.
So, traveling didn’t seem like such a good thing.
Wouldn’t it be better to use this time on something more valuable?
‘Right. It’s about time to visit the mansion…’
Jinseong recalled the massive mansion.
Now possessing a beautiful garden.
Though they didn’t share blood, it was a place where they had lived as one family.
‘Hmm.’
Jinseong recalled Lee Yang-hoon, who had visited him not long ago.
‘It’s about time for the talisman to activate…’
He had given Lee Yang-hoon a talisman claiming it would prevent evil from befalling him, and now it seemed time for that talisman’s effect to activate.
A talisman meant to protect Lee Yang-hoon from calamities.
A talisman preventing the seeping of death.
Yet, oddly enough, it held none of the protective charm functions.
The effect of that talisman is—
‘Given that he’s likely caught a fever, it would be appropriate for me to pay him a visit.’
It causes the holder to succumb to fever.
