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Park Jinseong decided to head to America.

But here comes a problem.

No matter how chaotic it may seem, that chaos is not yet fully matured at this moment.

If he foolishly entered the U.S. in such a state, it could backfire spectacularly.

Obiirak (a corvid flying as a pear falls).

Just like a crow flying when a pear falls, even seemingly irrelevant events can attract suspicion!

In a situation rife with confusion, can anyone ignore the connection between a prominent figure’s entry? At the very least, those in the information field, overflowing with suspicions, will undoubtedly weave a scenario based on their connections. They would skillfully concoct causal relationships to make them convincing.

Park Jinseong wasn’t keen on that.

He could endure it, but… well, was there really a need for that?

There were far better ways.

Many ‘pieces’ he had already created were scattered everywhere.

Entities he could command like chess pieces.

Debtors who owed him and could be used as he saw fit.

And this time, the pieces he planned to use were those intruders who had recklessly invaded his sanctuary.

Intruders who stomped into others’ homes, reveling in the thrill of exploring haunted houses and experiencing paranormal phenomena, disregarding even the minimal rules left out of courtesy.

Park Jinseong had finished preparing to utilize them as his pawns.

『Rule One.

Do not respond to the knock sound coming from the room when you are alone at home.

Rule Two.

When you are in a sealed room, carefully discern the sound calling you from outside.

Though it may seem similar, it could be something you do not recognize.

Rule Three.

If you hear a knock sound from beyond the door, accurately gauge the location of that sound.

If it’s at a typical height, it could be a person, but if it’s bizarrely low or high, absolutely do not react to that knock. If you did respond, my apologies. Just close your eyes and pray.

Rule Four.

Do not respond to knock sounds. The only thing you can trust is a vocal call.

Rule Five.

The fourth rule is empty. If something exists at that point, please act contrary to that rule.

Rule Six.

Knocks are heard at the door.

But that ‘door’ doesn’t necessarily have to be tangible.

Rule Seven.

If you hear a knock sound from a mirror, bow your head.

If you made eye contact or responded to the knock, my apologies.

Enjoy the viewing.

It will be a good time.

※ This rule book is randomly created in the sanctuary of ‘taboo violators’.

But beware.

This rule book is recorded only in places made of wood.

Rules written in places not made of wood are corrupted.

If only corrupted rules exist, I apologize.

Enjoy.』

What had attached to them was a sort of curse and blessing.

It was to summon the spiritual phenomena they longed for so much.

Well, it’s not that hard.

All it took was to affix something not too advanced from Park Jinseong’s building and combine it with a bit of curse and restrictive magic.

Ghosts are tied by countless rules, completely distinct from their hatred for the living.

By further oppressing them, grievances are amplified and spiritual powers increased.

And by applying the curse’s nature, which penalizes those who do not follow the rules, ensure those ghosts can seize control when specific rules are violated.

Perhaps it could be said that this was a modified form of necromancy, slightly adjusting the magic.

“The things I acquired from Japan are quite useful.”

Japan has countless shrines.

However, not all those shrines boast deities beneficial to humans.

In fact, there are numerous cases where shrines are established to revere and fear the terrifying ones.

Among the spells Park Jinseong acquired were those related to vengeful spirits and pestilence gods, which he combined with necromancy and curses to produce specific effects.

But, well… it’s not like there’s no way to dispel it.

If you merely abide by the rules, there’s no problem at all.

The fact that penalties are imposed on rule-breakers conversely means that if you don’t break the rules, nothing happens.

It’s just like saying, ‘You must pay a fine for speeding,’ or ‘Littering while walking is a minor crime.’ If you think of it that way… it’s just a matter of tolerating a little hassle. Also, this magic isn’t perpetual, so you only have to endure it for a limited time.

But truly regrettably, none had escaped from Park Jinseong’s grasp.

After all, there are those who wouldn’t turn down such breathtaking paranormal experiences, nor are they likely to avoid unconsciously breaking rules. Not to mention, some fell half into a state of neurosis and burst open the door upon hearing a knock.

So, the uninvited guests who set foot in Park Jinseong’s building, especially those who failed to keep even the slightest courtesy, were destined to be excellently utilized by him.

Yes. Just like right now.

“Travel to America….”

“Cheapest ticket….”

“Wall Street….”

Their utility was to go to America on Park Jinseong’s behalf.

Of course, he wouldn’t directly cross over by forging their passports or identities.

And he certainly wouldn’t skin them to create disguises.

It was simply a minor act of lawbreaking.

Merely assigned the role of smuggling exotic species into America.

Yes.

For example…. like insects.

* * *

Once a vast world that felt like a different dimension has shrunk.

Roads that took a month to traverse can now be crossed in under a day, and mechanical constructs made of metal now soar through what was once considered the domain of the gods. Gargantuan ships larger than whales continuously transport goods along the ocean, and if the land is connected, you can ride a train anywhere.

Yet, as the world has shrunk, its downsides have also increased. Among the plethora of ailments, one of the most prominent is the damage caused by invasive species.

Invasive species.

Creatures that have lived in utterly different environments.

Unassuming, perhaps even trivial.

But the damage they cause is far more massive than one might think.

White ants from distant lands gnaw away at sound wooden structures and cultural assets, bringing calamity. Locust swarms that breed without natural predators can morph into migratory pests, worsening famine across the nation. Fish released into the water devour all native fish and obliterate the ecosystem, and lakes once full of beautiful fish can be turned into foul-smelling, mosquito-infested cesspools, tormenting entire continents.

They spread diseases that ruin crops, countless people die, and they wipe out beneficial bees that once thrived, expanding barren lands.

This is the terror of invasive species.

Once they begin to propagate and wreak havoc, the natural force becomes so formidable that humans struggle to cope.

Therefore, ports and airports linking to foreign lands rigorously endeavor to block the incursion of these invasive species. Wooden materials and furniture are scanned to check for pests like white ants, and repeated checks ensure that no harmful insects or animals accompany plants.

Even processed meat products are halted with inspections.

After all, they could become vectors for diseases.

Yes.

Perhaps modern society teeters precariously on the fine line within this quarantine.

Preventing the chaos that arises from creatures born in utterly different environments from mixing, vigilantly guarding against the explosive chemical reactions they could trigger, while maintaining the current stability.

Yet there are certainly loopholes.

Despite the utilization of machines and artifacts for inspections, weaknesses undeniably exist.

And that weakness is none other than human beings.

[Traveler?]

“Yes!”

[OK. Have a nice trip!]

A person passes through.

Individuals who appear to be travelers of Oriental descent.

Carrying bulging suitcases filled solely with travel goods, like clothing, chargers, and power banks, they pass through the airport.

Some wear Hawaiian shirts adorned with floral patterns.

Others sport brightly colored hiking gear typical of Koreans.

A few don skin-tight enameled pants that seem to suggest they’re off to some rock festival.

These travelers pass through without raising any suspicions.

Their luggage posed no problems.

No dangerous items like drugs nor anything that would attract inspection.

Onlookers would easily deem them model travelers.

Especially since they moved efficiently, insisting on the shortest routes to exit the airport, appearing just like typical Korean travelers.

However, the airport staff who allowed them through had no idea.

What that ‘model traveler’ would do after leaving the airport and arriving at Wall Street.

Where they headed from there.

 

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