---

Thus, Japan dispatched personnel to purify Dokdo, referred to as Takeshima.

They consisted of warriors with powerful armed forces to combat evil spirits, wizards equipped with special equipment capable of utilizing psychic powers, Maritime Self-Defense Force members armed with personalized weapons developed by Japan, and onmyoji aiming to assist in creating barriers against the evil spirits on Takeshima.

No matter how many evil spirits there might be, it was a combination too reassuring to fear.

Thus, the elite forces of Korea and Japan began to gather on the narrow island.

A tiny island, so small it’s referred to as a reef.

* * *

Splash.

Splash.

Even without the wind, the waves crash.

When the wind blows, the waves strike fiercely.

When rain doesn’t fall, the waves break and splash water as if longing for the rain poured from the clouds. And as one surrenders to this longing and pushes forward, they eventually reach their destination.

That destination is the lonely island.

“Ha. Dokdo has ended up like this….”

That’s Dokdo.

A lonely and small island.

Yet, contrary to being just lonely and small, Dokdo usually has a certain liveliness to it.

Seagulls fly overhead, and police establish their posts on the island.

There are even a few residents living on Dokdo, undeterred by the lack of infrastructure.

At the very least, it’s an island where you can catch a whiff of human presence.

But what about the current state of affairs?

“It feels like an island you’d see in a horror movie….”

Human scent?

None.

The seagulls that once soared above?

Gone.

The seabirds that once passed by seem to have sensed an ominous presence and disappeared somewhere, leaving Dokdo devoid of any sign of life. The facilities and camps of the Dokdo Coast Guard remain intact, but that’s all there was; even the dogs kept to ease the loneliness inside Dokdo might have died, leaving only a silence akin to death.

Moreover, look.

That sky.

That sky so perfectly clear.

Look at that sky, where not a single cloud is visible, showing a blueness even deeper than the sea.

How can something so clear and clean give off such a feeling?

Desolate, eerie, ominous, disquieting, filthy, chaotic.

Even without a single cloud, it feels chaotic.

Even without a single stain, it feels unclean.

Even in the absence of the darkness brought by dark clouds, it feels disquieting and ominous, and despite being drenched in the sea’s humidity, it feels more desolate than a desert.

All of this combined makes the sky of the island emit an eerie sensation.

If this isn’t a ghost island, what could be?

Moreover, that abomination on Dokdo!

The iron ship that should have carried people was now like a structure on Dokdo, exuding the smell of blood and corpses, firmly anchoring itself in place.

All of this paints Dokdo like a scene right out of a horror movie.

Utterly blasphemous and ominous, indeed.

“Oh dear, the aura of the spirits is overflowing to the point it’s overwhelming. It’s shaking so much I feel nauseous.”

And so, the ones who feel this ominousness the strongest are none other than the spiritual capable people.

“I’m going insane, I’m going insane. My master is absolutely going bonkers, telling me not to approach that island. If even the brave general is in such a state, that island is nothing short of a dreadful hell. I really don’t want to go, I really don’t….”

“Tsk tsk. Is this how you feel too, Lord Park? I feel the same. Even though my master is promising me a bag of snacks, I’m shaking my head. You see? My master is tugging at my head like this. It seems that place is quite dangerous.”

In South Korea, where shamans were lacking, they decided to fill that gap with spiritual capable individuals.

Thus, especially promising individuals among the spiritual capable were selected and boarded the ship… Yet, despite the government’s efforts, those boarding the ship were growing increasingly grim as they approached Dokdo.

Some were feeling nauseous and dizzy due to the warnings from their spiritual abilities, and the shamans calling on their masters, spirits, were causing quite the ruckus, claiming they couldn’t go there, becoming entangled in their turmoil.

Naturally, those observing these reactions from the spiritual capable individuals couldn’t help but grow worried as well.

It’s understandable to feel anxious, especially when the people meant to protect them were showing such signs before even setting foot on the island.

The only reason they didn’t immediately turn back was that there was someone remaining calm on board.

“Huh, I think I’m going to die. Hey, young Shaman, can you not feel this aura? Why are you sitting there so composed, with such an expressionless face?”

Recently gaining fame from an appearance on a broadcast, the native shaman, Park Jinseong.

“Haha. I’m definitely feeling it. It’s certainly daytime and something must be hiding somewhere, yet the aura is too intense. I feel goosebumps rising on my skin, it seems there are certainly some extraordinary beings gathered here.”

“Whoa. That’s impressive. Are you feeling any other sensations?”

“Other sensations… I can’t see anything, but I can smell something. It smells distinctly different from the sea, a putrid odor reminiscent of a water ghost may be present.”

“Oh dear, if you weren’t a shaman, you’d be an excellent medium. What a talented person you’d be.”

“Haha, too much praise.”

“No, no. I feel a bit nauseous from the aura, but you seem completely unaffected? Just from that alone, I can tell you possess abilities far beyond your age.”

So even as the faces of the spiritual capable individuals turned pale or green, Jinseong remained fine.

It seemed he wasn’t insensitive to the sensations, yet he maintained a calm demeanor. Moreover, he looked so serene while gazing at Dokdo, resembling the attitude of officers from frontline military branches.

This composure of Jinseong resonated with the people around him.

Especially considering he was the youngest among those present, it stood out even more.

Moreover, with this bold demeanor, it was further backed by the other spiritual capable individuals.

He shouldn’t be hastily judged just by his youthful face; he was truly capable.

Thus, while people carried their worries, they couldn’t harbor excessive fear.

While evil spirits might pose danger, they believed they could handle them adequately.

They thought they could manage it sufficiently within their capacity.

With these thoughts in mind, those who boarded the ship continued advancing toward Dokdo.

And at the same time.

The ship that had departed from Japan was also nearing Dokdo.

“Hmm….”

However, their atmosphere was somewhat different from that of the Korean ship.

While Korea was tense yet filled with spirit, Japan’s ship felt more subdued. Moreover, unlike Korea, where people clustered anxiously together, those on the Japanese ship maintained a strong sense of separation.

The wizards were huddled together, checking their equipment, while the onmyoji seemed unwilling to mix with others, coiled up in their cabins and reluctant to come outside.

Only a few warriors and a single priest were having any sort of conversation.

“In the old saying, it’s said that one should strike down the Buddha and the ancestors. If you meet a Buddha, strike him down; if you meet an ancestor, strike them down. That’s what breaking the rules is all about. I’ve lived by that motto, yet I’ve never actually had the chance to strike down a Buddha. But today, perhaps I can strike down a ghost instead—it’s surely a wonderful opportunity.”

Of course, their conversation was anything but typical.

“Tsk. Your sect always talks about killing. Sometimes I wonder if you’re stranger than those of Shiheng Style. They’re crazy about striking down, but you seem so eager to find anything to slash.”

“Haha. But wasn’t that why you volunteered with the same thought?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. We volunteered in the name of patriotism. Unlike you lot, who simply volunteered out of an ignorant desire to slay ghosts, we have a larger cause for boarding this ship.”

“Tsk. How long will you cling to that pretense? Warriors are naturally a bunch obsessed with killing and being killed, you know. Strip away the facade, and warriors are all driven by the same instincts. You’re just avoiding and turning your back on those instincts. You won’t be able to reach a higher plane that way.”

“Haha. What nonsense. Our sect is bigger and stronger than yours; talking of higher planes is absurd.”

“Ha. Just because a balloon is big doesn’t mean it intimidates anyone. True strength is honed through actual combat. It’s not about puffing up and appearing strong like your lot.”

Even as they tended to their swords, they exchanged sharp words between them.

These cutting remarks didn’t seem to reflect the conversation of comrades heading to fight on a ghost-infested island.

Yet, perhaps it was only natural.

Those who volunteered to board the ship to defeat ghosts were a bunch of warriors bent on acquiring wealth and fame.

The honor of being the “top contributor to purging the evil spirits rampaging on Takeshima.”

And the praises from the government after a successful mission.

These two motives drove them to embark on this journey.

Thus, it was only natural that they would battle for supremacy.

To seize a larger share for themselves.

To achieve more feats and gain even greater fame and fortune.

“Haha. Sure, let’s see which of our sects can slay more evil spirits.”

Indeed.

The warriors present were not comrades.

They were rivals.

Competitors in a contest to seize a limited pie.

Of course, this tension would inevitably lead to sharp exchanges.

Yet, fortunately, it didn’t escalate to an outright duel.

Because there was someone mediating the situation.

“Oh dear. In that case, I shall modestly use my abilities to ensure that our warriors can compete safely.”

A man wearing a fox mask.

Dressed in Shinto priest garments, adorned with colorful divine objects.

All thanks to the priest who introduced himself as ‘Saigo.’

He interjected at the peak of the warriors’ rising tension and steered the atmosphere towards a cooling balm, guiding them towards a ‘friendly competition.’ Moreover, he garnered goodwill from all the warriors with his humble demeanor, showing no excessive desire for glory.

Moreover, look at that humility.

Seeing his youthful voice, he didn’t seem that old, and despite his young age, he appeared to embody such humility.

From the looks of it, he wasn’t lacking in ability, yet he didn’t flaunt himself or boast of his skills. In addition, he went as far as to personally deliver talismans to help the warriors not fall prey to evil spirits and infused their swords with divine power to easily slay ghosts.

“Oh. It seems I owe a favor to Priest Saigo.”

“Priest, once we return to the mainland, let’s drink together. I’ll prepare a splendid place for you. Let’s boast about our tales and enjoy until dawn.”

Thus, the Japanese ship smoothly sailed towards the island.

While exuding a precarious atmosphere, it oddly maintained balance.

Towards the island.

Moving towards the island.

* * *

Though there are legs, they do not crawl with them; thus, the legs are meaningless.

Though there are hands, they cannot grasp anything; thus, this occurs due to the absence of flesh.

With a weak spirit swaying like a candle flame in the wind, it barely formed a shape, becoming a ghost.

As I observe this peculiar existence, broken from its balance, I pose a question.

What exactly is death?

What exists after death?

Those questions have been asked continuously and repeatedly.

Thus, in the pursuit of those questions, seeking answers…

They are termed seekers of death, those who study ghosts.

They are referred to as necromancers.

 

---