America.
It was a country where Jinseong had been very active during his life as a mercenary, filled with waves of strange and mysterious occurrences.
Research institutes spread throughout America.
Odd groups.
Madmen rarely seen in other continents.
Even those armed with bizarre beliefs.
Indeed, before the rewind, America was a favored playground for mercenaries.
And there’s a term people use to describe places where mercenaries thrive.
Magical Realm.
A place where it’s hard for humans to live.
Surprisingly, this chaos in America wasn’t confined just to those within the continent; it overflowed to everyone who set foot on American soil.
One of those was, of course, satellites.
“There were so many satellites.”
Was it because the country was genuinely passionate about space development?
America had a staggering number of satellites.
Really, an unbelievable amount.
Not just many, but an overwhelming variety in sheer numbers.
Communication, reconnaissance, special purpose, military, combat, bombing…
Each with its own purpose and function.
And the satellite Jinseong was eyeing was one launched for ‘special purposes.’
SSS.
Full name: Star Shield System.
Shortened to “SSS,” or “Triple S.”
The effect of that satellite was powerful observational interference.
To be exact, it was launched to disrupt observations conducted through means that America couldn’t intercept.
“Means that can’t be intercepted.”
In other words, this special ability.
That satellite impacts observations made through special abilities within a certain range.
It distorts the view of the sky when seen with the naked eye. Unless observed with astronomical tools, it covers up observation results with smoke or a veil of satellites.
Cities shroud themselves in smog as a shield, casting a veil so that stars can’t be observed through it, while the countryside obscures stars other than renowned ones and distorts starlight.
However, this was merely a supplementary effect.
You might think it’s strange that astrology was meticulously blocked and seen as a mere additional effect…
The real reason behind launching that satellite wasn’t just to block astrology.
The true purpose of the Star Shield System was to hide the countless satellites launched by America.
It literally functioned as a shield to conceal artificial satellites.
And of course, it goes without saying, a shield must have a substance behind it.
What meaning would there be in a shield covering an empty space?
“It’s like a loaded bullet aiming downrange.”
What exists behind the veil is a gun ready to fire at any moment.
A gun held by America.
“America truly had a plethora of conspiracy theories.”
America was a country rife with conspiracy theories.
Perhaps it was simply because conspiracy theories make for interesting stories?
Was it due to severe education and wealth disparity?
Of course, that reason was indeed valid.
America had a strong tendency towards elitism.
Smart people were smarter than you could ever imagine, and foolish people were way more foolish than you’d think.
It wouldn’t be strange for them to be entranced by a plausible story like a conspiracy theory.
But there was another reason why conspiracy theories spread like wildfire.
That is, these conspiracy theories weren’t just wild tales.
There were times when conspiracy theories circulated about the American government kidnapping people for brainwashing.
And remarkably, that was true.
There were conspiracy theories claiming that the American government conducted biological experiments on African Americans.
Surprisingly, this too was true.
Conspiracy theories.
Absurd tales.
Stories that sound like urban legends.
Ridiculous narratives that seem fabricated by a child.
But among them, there lay truths.
Horrific truths that left everyone aghast.
Have you heard of the conspiracy theory that the CIA funds itself through drug trafficking?
What about the conspiracy theory that pharmaceutical companies conducted illegal drug trials on orphans by infecting them with incurable diseases?
What about the theory that the FBI illegally surveilled Hemingway, causing him to develop mental illness?
Miraculously, all of these were true.
It was revealed as the truth, shocking many.
This was the very reason why conspiracy theories flourished in America, rooted in reality.
Truth hidden within falsehood.
A horrifying reality concealed in seemingly absurd tales.
This is the origin of the conspiracy theories pervasive in America and what earned it the title of the land of conspiracy theories.
And these conspiracy theories continued to emerge, disappear, and actual facts were revealed while others were proved absurdly false, maintaining their very existence as though they were a conceptual entity that shouldn’t exist.
Among those countless conspiracy theories, there was this one.
“There exists a military created to combat aliens in America.”
“The solar system belongs to America.”
“There are secret weapons crafted by America in outer space, possessing power far beyond nuclear capabilities.”
“On the dark side of the moon, there exists a secret base created by America.”
“The inside of the moon is hollow, and it harbors advanced military facilities of the U.S. Armed Forces.”
Truly absurd tales.
Upon hearing them, you’d laugh mockingly and think, “Is that what a kindergarten kid is saying?”
It really would be worthy of mockery.
The moon isn’t hollow, and there are no military facilities on its far side.
America hasn’t properly ventured into the solar system, let alone Mars, and there are no aliens.
But…
Among these ridiculous stories, there exists one truth.
“There are secret weapons created by America in outer space, possessing power far beyond nuclear capabilities.”
Satellite weaponry.
Terrifying devices that can paralyze and obliterate civilizations.
Jinseong was well aware that such devices hovered above.
No, he was certain.
There’s no evidence.
Unlike the former times when they displayed their power, those horrific weapons must be quietly waiting for their day to be deployed up there.
However, since there is a shield, it is only natural that something hiding behind it exists.
“Flow.”
Such thoughts crossed his mind.
Perhaps at the end of this changed flow, there was a place where he could peek behind the veil.
By letting himself be carried by this flow, could he approach the mysterious entities hidden beyond the draped veil?
“That would be truly wonderful.”
He had a feeling, that’s for sure.
*
“I heard you performed a ritual of magic?”
The day after intoning a mantra.
Lucas came to visit him.
“Yes, that’s right.”
“What kind of ritual of magic?”
“It’s a ritual to repel evil and cleanse.”
“I’ve heard it involves things like incense.”
Did he see it on CCTV?
Or perhaps he glimpsed Jinseong’s floor from outside the building?
He might have heard about it from other employees working in the building, or a friend working in another building.
Lucas seemed quite knowledgeable about the ritual Jinseong had performed, and Jinseong smiled and nodded at Lucas’s inquiry.
“Yes, in the East, we refer to it as incense, and it’s often used in religious rituals.”
“I have a rough idea. It’s something used by Buddhists who believe in Buddha.”
Lucas’s eyes sparkled, as if he was hinting for Jinseong to explain the ritual.
Thus, Jinseong took out two cans of coffee from the refrigerator, handed one to Lucas, and began to explain slowly about the ritual he had performed.
He detailed that it was a ritual deriving from Tibetan Buddhism.
The ritual aimed to repel misfortune and evil through the smoke emitted from the incense.
He elaborated on the effects of purifying curses and calamities, and so forth.
He modulated his pace, ensuring Lucas became engrossed in his story while simplifying concepts that might seem strange to Westerners and comparing them with well-known items to enhance understanding. He added a bit of that ‘mysterious’ aura often associated with the East and sprinkled in elements of ‘ancient tradition’ that would resonate well with Americans to instill confidence.
When the explanation finished, Lucas looked at Jinseong with a hint of admiration in his eyes.
“Wow, I seem to have underestimated a fine vintage.”
The emotions reflected in his eyes were trust and belief.
The skepticism stemming from Jinseong’s youthfully immature appearance had completely faded, and the slight aversion to ‘superstitious’ things he didn’t want to believe was washed away as if by magic.
Even though the results hadn’t emerged yet, a trust took root in his heart that it must have been handled well, gazing at Jinseong like seeing a capable person who swiftly completed the first request of ‘somehow handling a cursed building.’
“Underestimated, you say?”
“Oh, did I express that poorly? But don’t take it the wrong way. A newcomer must prove himself in a way, right?”
Lucas said that and gulped down the canned coffee in one go.
Crunch.
Boom-!
Then, he crumpled the empty can and threw it toward the distant trash can.
The can flew in a parabolic arc and landed right in the trash, making a sound.
“Anyway, that’s great. I believe in you. Make sure to handle the other two well too. Oh, by the way, do you need anything?”
“Three pounds of pure silver and pure gold. Two quarts of mercury, one quart of pure lead….”
“Oh, dear. I misspoke. If you need anything, just text me, and I’ll fetch it right away.”
Lucas swiftly responded as Jinseong listed the items he wanted.
Then, he looked around the now-empty space with satisfaction and, leaving a message for taking care of other things, he disappeared.
