Chapter 633

Park Jinseong was a man of many talents.

For one, he had quite a normal appearance and demeanor for a shaman, which was unusual, and his connections to the upper class did him no harm either. Furthermore, unlike other shamans who carried an air of indifference towards fame, he seemed to have aspirations for broadcasting, and that was quite a pleasant surprise.

Wanting to engage in broadcasting meant he had a sense of ambition.

In other words, it meant he harbored a desire to make his name known to the world.

This was an ambition and privilege that only the youth could possess.

It was a natural aspiration for a man, a mindset shared by many heroes.

Throughout history, the Chinese have always favored men of great ambitions.

As long as it isn’t mere boasting, the Chinese people do not turn away from those who advance with ambition.

The great nation of China could indeed provide the young man with what he desired.

Of course, he had to sing praises about China on broadcasts and among the upper class…

That was a given when one has received help from China.

To shame those who offer you kindness and assistance is akin to stabbing them in the back.

‘Hmm. It’s possible this young shaman would rather be in a great nation than a small one…’

China is a big nation, rich in resources.

There’s nothing that doesn’t exist in this world, and throughout its long history, it has amassed countless legacies.

The food alone is so abundant that one could never taste it all in a lifetime, and the layered heritage of civilization evokes a sense of awe in itself. Mastering it would require devoting an entire lifespan to the endeavor.

Surely, a young shaman would not shy away from such a place.

If swayed, he would likely play along with their advances, as others had done before him…

‘Hmm. By the way, the atmosphere down here is fantastic. It feels like a jiangshi might just pop out any moment…’

Well…

Such persuasion is essential for this mission to unfold successfully.

Using the information they had gathered to create common ground for approach, or seizing weaknesses to manipulate them into cooperating with the Communist Party was necessary.

Thus, it was crucial that the reconnaissance mission in the basement be executed successfully to turn this young shaman into a guanxi connection.

‘Come to think of it, there’s a lot to gain here. Given the mission’s low difficulty, it seems the Communist Party places quite a significant emphasis on it.’

This operation could certainly bolster one’s career.

Furthermore, since higher-ups are taking an interest in it, succeeding could certainly leave a favorable impression on them.

Moreover, achieving a good score in the social credit system would raise social status considerably.

If everything went well, and Park Jinseong became an ally of China, he just might forge a guanxi connection with this shaman. The benefits of having such a connection are manifold, serving as a ladder to the upper class, which is a massive gain.

And on top of it, the difficulty level is rather low.

There are certainly plentiful volunteers eager to take on this mission for a reason…

‘Furthermore, I already got the inside scoop that this shaman specializes in fire magic. Hahaha. A Fire Sorcerer in the heart of Seoul, facing powerful fire magic in his own domain is quite the rare sight… what luck I’ve got!’

It’s a joyous occasion.

The lower the difficulty level of an operation, the sweeter the task it becomes.

Besides, even though the basement has a somewhat eerie atmosphere, it doesn’t seem particularly dangerous.

Honestly, it does trigger some trauma, but that’s something one can deal with.

We’re not in elementary school anymore; we are adults after all.

And besides, nothing here looks particularly threatening.

Though the underground may be a bit peculiar, it still doesn’t appear hazardous.

Everything seems to be falling into place, which is indeed a good sign.

Despite being in the middle of an operation, feeling like this shouldn’t happen, but…

It’s so easy and straightforward I can’t help but be excited…

I might pride myself on becoming a man of steel through training, yet being this excited feels like a lack of mental discipline; I can’t help but think maybe it’s inevitable to let one’s guard down when everything is sailing smoothly.

Since nothing seems dangerous, it makes sense, right?

A low-difficulty mission.

A non-threatening basement.

And a big reward waiting after the operation is completed.

Everything is going perfectly.

[I thought this was the shaman’s dwelling, but there’s really nothing to it. Feels like I’m on a stroll.]

Isn’t that what his companion remarked too?

They feel a bit deflated.

Saying it’s too easy that they’re losing their tension.

Yeah.

What could a young shaman possibly have set up?

Coming from a Magic Desert, how grand could anything really be?

Well, it doesn’t make it hard to understand.

He’s from a Magic Desert.

He’s a young shaman.

So, he can’t really do much or know much… so he must have hit his limits.

It’s okay.

China is a great nation, and it has the power to help surpass those limits.

Haha.

What an easy task indeed.

Not dangerous at all.

The rewards are promising.

You.

Can you truly be certain that your thoughts originate solely from yourself?

Is it really yours?

Can you truly assure that it was constructed entirely in your mind, unaffected by any external factors?

A person’s thoughts are both complex and simple.

Thus, they can be induced, and it is possible to manipulate someone’s thinking.

With the right stimuli and environment, it’s too easy to guide someone’s thoughts.

Oblivious to the manipulation, they can dance like puppets, moving in accordance with their fabricated independence.

Behold.

There are two here whose thoughts are being led by external stimuli.

[The atmosphere is eerie, yet it feels empty here. I feel like my tension is meaningless now.]

A mouth protrudes from a pipe, whispering.

A mouth emerges from the wall, whispering.

A head with just a mouth approaches my ears and whispers.

[It’s a low-difficulty mission… I think volunteering for this was a good call. Today, I really want to praise the Communist Party.]

How did you dare step into this place without fear?

Did you boldly walk into this place where unpleasant things gather and pile up?

The Chinese agents’ eyes were glazed over, and their formerly swift moves devolved into sluggishness. Their unfocused gazes were wandering, and their shaky legs kept circling the same spot.

As if their minds were deeply bound to that place, they couldn’t bring themselves to leave, tracing circles, moving forward only to turn back again, unable to take one proper step deeper, wasting time in such a manner.

They are trapped.

These individuals have been ensnared, captured in the haze of their own disorientation, and deceived into being locked up in the basement by a ghostly game.

There are no bars, no chains.

No restraints, no hands to hold them down.

Yet, not being able to leave this spot is akin to being behind thick bars and doors, while being unable to escape the basement is even worse than being bound; it’s a literal trap.

They have been bewitched.

They are caught in the vast maze created by ghosts…

[But this basement looks somewhat peculiar, so I think I should report this afterwards.]

[I wonder if when the shaman becomes aligned with China, I can ask him a bit about this basement, as I grow curious… but the most important thing is to perfectly complete the mission and receive good rewards. This is really a low-difficulty mission, and yet there’s so much to gain, it makes me happy. If I find something special in the basement, it’ll add to my own prestige, and I hope those higher-ups fail while I discover something incredible.]

[That could be possible, right? It’s a tradition in the East to hide treasures and silver underground, after all. So, surely, valuable things must be hidden somewhere within this basement. Maybe there’s a secret safe hidden in the wall or floor? How about activating my sense a little more?]

Whispers.

Mouths whispering.

Crimson lips flutter.

Purplish lips sway.

Lips with patches of decay and holes flutter.

Mouths formed by clusters of moth flies flutter.

White lips made of writhing maggots flutter.

This place is not dangerous.

This is a low-difficulty mission.

The basement is a bit peculiar, but not strange.

There will be good rewards after the mission ends.

Thinking about the significant gain makes me feel good.

I am at ease.

[This place is safe.]

Their thoughts echo my mind, mirroring their understanding.

I eavesdrop on their conversations and imitate their sentiments, creating disturbance.

I mimic their voices, reproducing their tones.

As if to replicate their inner thoughts, I whisper, making them feel trapped.

And, in that way, those who wander in this maze are finally met with their fate.

Tap.

Tap.

Tap.

Tap.

*Tap.

She approaches.