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Death comes without bias to everything.

The trees that pierced the sky will one day turn into decaying ancient trees, and the towering mountains will be worn down into sand and gravel. The ferocious beasts, once objects of fear, will fade away, leaving only their fangs and hides behind, while the flames that once spread wildly will eventually extinguish, leaving only ashes like corpses in their wake.

To be born and to face death.

This is an inevitability all beings must confront in this world.

It signifies the end of a long journey, a moment to stop the breathless run and seek eternal rest.

This is the law.

A grave law that no one can break.

Even the wisest will become food for maggots, and the bravest will be buried beneath the earth.

No matter how gifted one is, escaping death is not an option, nor can it be postponed.

Life.

Inanimates.

Even the stars that sparkle in the sky.

They are born, and they vanish.

Thus, one must accept it.

The end that is death.

But, if one quietly accepts death, questions inevitably arise.

What lies beyond death?

Death.

Everyone knows it is the end.

But… what is there behind this death?

Black darkness and rotting corpses, what lies beyond it?

“Woodbam Chaksur Baluna Supratikam Devayoreti.”

While the world shines so brightly, everything mortal must inevitably be submerged in darkness.

Observing that, we realize that nothing in this world can last forever and naturally acknowledge our own mortality. We live on, and eventually, we come to accept the death that we hoped would never arrive.

This is a journey.

A journey that everyone undergoes.

“Surya Stanban.”

But can we not know what awaits us at the end of this journey?

Is it merely a state of rest, or is there another journey that begins?

Is there a new world that various religions speak of waiting?

“This is curiosity.”

It is surrendering to the human instinct to explore the unknown.

And it is a journey to seek knowledge that must be uncovered, an adventure to expand humanity’s horizons by carving a path through the endless darkness.

Thus came those who give themselves to curiosity.

People called them seekers, or rather, “Seeker.”

“They explore ghosts to inquire about what lies after death.”

They were named Necromancers.

“Woodbam Chaksur Baluna Supratikam Devayoreti Surya Stanban Abi Yo Visba Bubanana Chashtete Sa Manyum Marteyeshba Chiketa. Abi Yo Visba Bubanana Chashtete Sa Manyum Marteyeshba Chiketa.”

And here, a Necromancer made his home.

In the corner of this small island, a skinny Necromancer settled.

Draped in ghosts like a cloak, he concealed himself from the sunlight.

He crafted a dwelling using the folded hides of evil spirits as seats and beds.

Adorned with items made from what the dead leave behind, he established himself in this dark place.

“Abi Yo Visba Bubanana Chashtete Sa Manyum Marteyeshba Chiketa.”

The Necromancer sways.

Swaying gently with the salty sea breeze, swaying like the reeds, he sits in place. With skin as dark as coal and showing gaps in his teeth when he smiles, he grins.

* * *

Listening to the crashing waves, the ship finally reached its destination.

Korean and Japanese vessels arrived at Dokdo around the same time, stepping onto the territory while facing each other.

The Koreans felt a shiver from the tingling ominous energy that enveloped the island, while the Japanese disembarked, wary of potential hiding spots for evil spirits.

Their vigilance continued despite the exorcism artifacts loaded on each ship. The warriors held their weapons as if protecting their comrades from evil spirits was their mission, ready to leap out and strike at any moment, maintaining an appropriate tension.

Fortunately, nothing unusual occurred.

All equipment was moved to Dokdo, and the disembarking personnel constructed the base camp using their equipment and special abilities.

“Is it because the sun is still up?”

“Hmm. Really powerful beings can still move to some extent even in daylight…”

“So, the fact that we aren’t seeing or feeling anything at this time means they might not be that strong?”

“That… might be the case. But making hasty conclusions is risky. It could be that they’re lying in wait for an ambush or… simply know it’s better to attack at night and are just biding their time.”

Some expressed doubt at how smoothly everything was proceeding.

The ominous feeling hanging over the entire island made it seem odd that they could construct the base camp and set up exorcism artifacts so effortlessly; they expected at least a stone thrown from a distance or an attempt to abduct someone.

Strangely, none of that happened.

There weren’t even any hostile gazes detected.

As if the ghosts had hidden themselves away.

Or perhaps, they weren’t hiding at all.

If they were, they wouldn’t be emanating such a distinct ominous presence.

Perhaps the ghosts were not hiding but rather gathering.

To feast upon something far more enticing than fresh humans stepping onto the island…

Or….

* * *

“Surprisingly clean!”

The base camp was built and shared by both Koreans and Japanese.

Given the historical tension between the two nations and the current conflict that had come close to war, it might have been better for them to stay apart … but unfortunately, there were significant reasons compelling them to share one lodging and move together.

Two reasons.

The first was that it was significantly safer.

It is said that the first targets of evil spirits are those who stray from the group.

A person who cannot call for help is more likely to be lured by spirits or torn to death.

The same principle applies: the fewer people in a group, the greater the danger.

Thus, for everyone’s safety, it was best to gather in one place.

The second was that this purification operation was deeply intertwined with political motives.

Korea and Japan wanted to proclaim to the world, “Our two nations have a good relationship. There are no issues,” quite blatantly.

And the best way to depict this reconciliatory atmosphere would be a scene where both nations worked together to solve a problem.

No thoughts were given to whether they would truly join forces or what the degree of contribution would be.

However, both needed to appear as if they were cooperating on the surface.

This was to alleviate tensions arising from America’s intrusion.

Additionally, it provided a reason to avoid unnecessary meddling from an out-of-control America.

According to this intent, Koreans and Japanese stayed in the same place.

However… when those who do not get along gather, something inevitable occurs.

Thud.

“Ah, dammit! Keep your eyes open!”

“Huh? Shibal?”

That was exactly the conflict.

Given that the two nations had recently come close to war, it was hardly surprising that tensions would flare in the same space. The Koreans and Japanese warriors were already creating a tense atmosphere, ready to fight at the slightest bump of shoulders, while others glared at each other or loudly cursed in earshot.

It was far from a nice atmosphere, even as mere pleasantries were exchanged.

“We need to share our powers and our plans…”

“Hmm. There’s a magician over there who is friendly with a scholar… but the mood is…”

Of course, not everyone was swept up in this atmosphere.

There were those who, being more scholarly in nature, didn’t get caught up in the ‘state’ structure—magicians, or Onmyoji, who clustered together, whether they were Korean or Japanese, and the Spiritual Capable Persons who had half-lost their minds clutching onto their own ghosts.

They disapproved of the grim atmosphere dominated by warriors.

Yet, while disapproving, they kept their voices down.

They didn’t desire to reach a boiling point amongst those who might appear ‘simply ignorant’ warriors.

Thus, they were waiting for someone to take charge.

Before things escalated to the point where they really might grab each other’s collars and start throwing fists.

And their wish was granted.

Indeed, someone stepped up to calm the situation.

“Everyone. Please calm down for a moment.”

The brave soul who dared to step into the tense atmosphere was from the Japanese side.

Wearing a Fox Mask.

 

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