---

However, there was also a place where Lee Jae-soon was being sacrificed and burned.

That place was none other than the political realm.

“Hey! A council member like you is pulling everyone in for real estate speculation—!”

“What? Do you have evidence?!”

“What’s overflowing here if not evidence! Right before the redevelopment plan was announced, you gathered your relatives and bought up the land, and now you’re playing coy? Is your face made of iron or what?!”

“What? Whose evidence is that?! Isn’t it evidence that came from that murderer, Lee Jae-soon? Are you presenting evidence from a criminal like him?!”

“So what if he’s a murderer! Whether that person killed someone or not, evidence is evidence, right? How is that any different from your land speculation?!”

“What? This person is serious!”

After Lee Jae-soon’s death, an investigation was conducted.

During that process, the information that Lee Jae-soon had also spread in all directions.

Information.

The secret information that Lee Jae-soon had obtained through divine objects was released and scattered everywhere.

The power holders tried to intervene in this process, but…

Strangely enough, their intervention seemed to have no real effect.

After being moved to the evidence storage room, the notebook that should have discreetly disappeared vanished as if it sprouted legs and was delivered to the house of a journalist desperate for an exclusive story the next day.

The contents written in the stiff notebook were also disseminated to various media outlets, and countless emails containing recorded information burst forth like a ticking time bomb. This was spread not only to the media, but also to community spaces frequented by people.

Thus, the information scattered rapidly enough that the power holders could not intervene, and it began to choke them. As if fierce dogs were tearing at the throats of their prey, it was extremely intense and ferocious.

In such a situation, the political realm could only flounder in chaos.

How did this crazy journalist named Lee Jae-soon come to know such information…

Moreover, how he collected the information was so certain that it was even hard to raise counterarguments.

Politicians fought tooth and nail, making every effort to undermine the credibility of the source of information, “Lee Jae-soon,” by attacking him, or highlighted the faults of other politicians in a grand way, trying to bury their own issues in the process.

It was a total mess.

Naturally, amidst this atmosphere, disputes between Korea and Japan were forgotten.

In a situation where I had to survive first, what did it matter about national conflicts or hatred?

The power holders in Korea put all their energy into escaping the swamp-like situation.

And thus, in the confusion, peace was suddenly created.

Ironically, that is.

And in this chaos, there were also places that joined hands.

That place was… the entertainment industry.

“Oh, a Korea-Japan joint audition program…?”

“Yes. Since the two countries are entering into a mood of reconciliation, this program could serve as an opportunity to lift the heavy atmosphere and strengthen our ties.”

“Hmm. A joint audition at this timing… seems like the higher-ups would like it, but…”

“Yes. 3S has always been an effective tool. The power holders in Korea would certainly want to break through this chaos, and the Korean public would want to enjoy entertainment instead of focusing on this ‘tiring’ politics. Now is the perfect timing.”

“Hmm… Plus, improving diplomatic relations, and reviving the economy through close exchanges… Yes. This could be a good opportunity to break through this chaotic atmosphere. This really does sound like something the higher-ups would like.”

“Yes. National matters are just that. One moment we’re fighting, the next we’re shaking hands with smiles. What matters is the profit.”

“I understand. Let’s push forward with the Korea-Japan joint audition!”

The entertainment industries of Korea and Japan were not so poorly matched.

From Korea’s perspective, Japan was a massive market and had a crucial position in global marketing, while from Japan’s perspective, Korea was a country that produced valuable content for distribution.

Moreover, Korean content could appeal to the youth and generate substantial profits with spin-off products.

Profit.

How could anyone dislike those who make money for you?

Even though the right-wing pressure had intensified and forced a distancing…

In this atmosphere of reconciliation, it wouldn’t be much of a hindrance to draw closer.

Opportunity.

It’s an opportunity.

An opportunity to make money.

Opportunities must be seized.

Opportunities to make money don’t often come around!

Thus, the entertainment industries of Korea and Japan joined hands.

Under the name of a Korea-Japan joint project.

And at the center of this joint project was a genius producer who had made a name for himself not only in Japan but also in Korea.

“Genius producer, now focusing on Korea-Japan collaboration!”

“Finally reaching out to Korea! What global idol will emerge from his hands?!”

Yasaki Tokitaka.

A producer and entrepreneur.

A celebrity known by everyone in Japan, he had etched the image of “genius producer” into the minds of Koreans during the era when Japanese dramas and idols were trending!

He stepped to the forefront.

And, naturally, Korea also had to bring in figures of equivalent weight to balance things out.

“J Entertainment’s representative steps forward as Korea’s representative? An unprecedented scale of audition program!”

“The largest Korea-Japan joint audition program in history, ‘It could be the best opportunity for those with talent.'”

Naturally, well-known personalities joined the fray from Korea as well.

From those who now took a step back to nurture successors, to those who were actively involved…

They showcased their presence and worked tirelessly to captivate the audience.

And in this process, the Korea-Japan joint audition program firmly anchored itself in the minds of people from both countries, leading them to naturally shift their gaze towards this audition program in order to relieve the stress they felt while witnessing the chaotic political arena resembling a witch’s cauldron.

As time passed, people would watch this grand audition program, allowing their resentments towards each other’s countries to disperse in a healthy manner. Instead of throwing punches and curses at one another, they would cheer for the talented individuals emerging from their nations and regions…

Thus, peacefully, negative feelings would dissipate, leading to a state of calm.

And there were also other materials that would assist in this union.

“Stage name Chaine, real name Kim Seon-mi. Is that correct?”

“Yes? Yes….”

“I heard your contract is ending soon. Do you have any plans to showcase your talents with our company?”

“Yes…? Which company are you from?… Oh wait, you came from that company? The one in Japan, right?”

“Yes. Our company is based in Japan, but we don’t only operate there; we work globally. I believe we can provide you with a great opportunity to expand worldwide.”

“Oh? Oh? Wait a moment…!”

That material was none other than Chaine.

A star who was not only from Korea but also ready to sign a contract with a world-renowned entertainment company in Japan.

As her contract period was drawing to a close, she was scouted by the genius producer Yasaki Tokitaka, gaining the title of a celebrity!

Korea and Japan would properly utilize her to calm the resentments between the two nations.

No, rather they might even cultivate a sense of closeness between them.

Seeing a Korean celebrity rise to great popularity in Japan, while conversely, a Japanese celebrity might achieve immense fame in Korea.

And the best part is that during this process, no one ends up at a loss.

It’s truly a good thing.

Yes.

Everyone.

Benefits abound.

“There is nothing in all things that is wasted.”

Lee Jae-soon became excellent sustenance and a wonderful material.

And this encompassed not only the intangible but also the tangible.

“Even in a dead body, there are surely useful things….”

Lee Jae-soon left behind his skin upon dying.

Just like a tiger dies and leaves behind its skin, he truly left behind his skin.

After the possession sorcerer harvested the soul, Lee Jae-soon became a cold corpse that was sent to the crematorium. Burying someone branded as a murderer would likely lead to frequent spitting and tomb desecrations, so it was decided to simply proceed with cremation.

Thus, Lee Jae-soon was set ablaze at the crematorium…

Amazingly enough, along with the white bone ash, he left behind skin.

Three palm-sized pieces of skin lay atop the white bone ash, in the spot where the glaring flames had passed.

It was a rare event.

The crematorium staff was thrown into confusion over this bizarre occurrence, bewildered and unsure of what to do, they placed the bone ash in the urn and set the skin aside elsewhere.

Taking advantage of this chaos, Jinseong infiltrated the crematorium and stole the skin.

It was not hard.

He had already known that Lee Jae-soon would leave behind skin upon his death.

Thus, Jinseong acquired a highly valuable material.

No, it’s more accurate to say he obtained ‘materials’ as well.

Not only did he help soothe the war atmosphere between Korea and Japan, he eliminated any possibility of a resurgence of conflict, while simultaneously empowering Yasaki Tokitaka, whom he held in his grasp, broadening and strengthening his connections, and preserving the martial powers of Korea and Japan, thus obtaining valuable materials related to magic!

Indeed.

Indeed, Lee Jae-soon was like a tree that gives without reservation.

Perhaps his nature could even be likened to that of a fairy.

There’s a saying that where a fairy has danced, a circle remains as a trace.

In the West, this is referred to as a Fairy Circle or Fairy Ring.

But do you know?

In the East, this circle is called the菌環 or 菌輪 (fungal circle).

The truth of this strange circle is not a trace left behind by fairies at play, but rather remnants created by specific fungi.

A circle rich with many superstitions.

In the place where only traces remain, mushrooms would begin to emerge as time passed.

It seems as though they’re trying to assert that these traces are the product of their creation.

Or perhaps they mean to say they grew by consuming the remains of the fairy and the fairy’s trace.

Thus, the fairy’s circle transforms into a mushroom’s circle.

It becomes a densely growing home for the wrinkled mushrooms, turning into a path…

And this form is quite apt for the current situation.

It creates the illusion that the wrinkled mushrooms, having thrived on Lee Jae-soon, are offering a gift…

“Om Amogha Vairocana Mahamudra Mani Padma Jwala Pravartaya Hum.”

It truly was a joyous occurrence.

 

---