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Yin energy (陰氣) is the energy opposite of Yang energy (陽氣), referring to dark and humid forces. It is associated with death and influences the longevity of life by slowing down its activities.

While similar to death energy (死氣), Yin energy encompasses a broader range and is primarily used by those exploring the concept of death.

It’s easily obtainable from various places, indifferent to location, and can be drawn easily from human organs or bones, making it accessible at any time. However, since it is cold, moist, and tied to death, it’s also apt for summoning spirits and for magic associated with the afterlife.

Moreover, if moderated, it can produce effects ranging from enhancing a person’s health to causing harm, making it suitable for creating divine objects (呪物). If one is willing to suffer the consequences, they could carry Yin energy abundantly within their internal organs or bones.

‘Of course, very few would actually do such a thing.’

However, collecting Yin energy is rarely seen.

Issues with health?

That’s hardly a significant problem.

Health can fluctuate, right?

The true issue lies in the nature of magic.

Each time it is used, a cost is incurred, twisting the body and transforming the soul. The nature of magic, which continuously warps and alters a person’s body, prevents a shaman from reliably accumulating energy and utilizing stable special abilities.

Martial arts that focus energy in one area?

The lower dantian being twisted and destroyed is a given, and problems with vital areas like the heart or brain are commonplace.

Blood vessels or bones?

It’s not unusual to see waste accumulate, vessels break, or their flow change. Bones can rot while still alive, develop holes, or even shatter absurdly. In severe cases, they may disintegrate completely…

Experiencing such occurrences regularly means that a shaman honing their martial arts will inevitably face either a spiritual collapse or internal injuries.

It doesn’t just stop at martial arts.

The ability to gather and use energy within the body is rendered impossible.

How can one collect energy when their vessel is shattered, and how can they safely use that energy?

Therefore, even when handling Yin energy, it’s rare to collect it within the body. The most one can do is carry objects that contain collected Yin energy or use a special divine object called an energy vessel. Even then, due to energy loss and instability, it’s generally not feasible to carry much…

‘That’s an incredible amount of Yin energy.’

What Jinseong was witnessing was beyond imagination for such a divine object.

The swirling Yin energy was so potent, it made one suspect that a warrior proficient in its use unleashed their full power. Moreover, what was astonishing was that despite the abundant swirling Yin energy filling the sky, no one had noticed it.

‘The dampness of Yin has mingled with the humid breeze from the sea, concealing itself, while the darkness of Yin has hidden its presence amidst the descending shadows. The swirling scent of death collects the essence of evil spirits to cloak itself, remaining cold and gloomy in the changing air, reminiscent of the moon’s melancholy. Truly a supremely secretive outlet.’

It’s secretive.

Secretive yet peculiar.

It seems to display no intentions of hiding, yet it possesses a nature so elusive that one cannot recognize it even when it’s right before their eyes—how strange indeed!

Jinseong quietly gazed at the sky before slowly lowering his head.

Then, without a sound, he rose from his seat and headed somewhere.

The destination was the lodging where the capable individuals from Japan were staying.

“—!”

“–!”

A raucous noise echoed from the lodging of the Japanese capable individuals.

The clamor was thick with emotion, and to the untrained ear, it might sound like drunkards lamenting their circumstances in some bar.

Jinseong used the uproar as his guide, approaching slowly.

**Step.**

**Squeak.**

Did his footsteps amplify?

One capable individual noticed Jinseong’s approach and unzipped the large tent, stepping outside.

“What is it?”

A wizard peeked out, speaking to Jinseong in an emotionless tone characteristic of a translation device. Korean flowed forth without feeling, and as Jinseong listened to the machine’s precise question, he smiled.

“I have someone to meet.”

“Someone to meet?”

The wizard’s expression flickered with concern at Jinseong’s answer.

Given the earlier incident, the unexpected visit from a Korean capable person to their lodging couldn’t bode well.

‘Could someone have caused a ruckus?’

His first thought was that one of the warriors might have made a blunder.

If one of the warriors—who tended to be ‘emotional, violent, and rather foolish’—sneaked away to cause trouble in the Korean lodging, it wouldn’t be particularly surprising.

Thus, the wizard recalled who remained inside the large tent as that worst-case imagination surfaced.

‘Wait a moment. Everyone’s here?’

Realizing that absolutely no one was missing from the tent, he finally felt relief wash over him.

“What brings you here? Whom do you intend to meet?”

“Hmm. The person I wish to meet is…ah, there they are.”

Jinseong spotted someone emerging behind the wizard and smiled.

“Eh? Oh, Priest?”

The figure that revealed itself was a Shinto priest.

Wearing a fox mask and adorned with various divine objects on his body, he certainly seemed peculiar.

‘Why is the priest here?’

The priest—dressed as he was, not relaxing even after entering the lodging, but rather piling on more divine objects and talismans as time went on—was certainly an odd character.

Why on earth did he come outside?

Moreover, how was it that the Korean shaman just declared he was here to ‘find someone’ without any prior word?

How did that priest know that he was here?

And, why did it feel oddly unsettling to see the Korean shaman and the priest together?

‘He might have sharp hearing…or perhaps he’s just overly curious.’

The wizard regarded the shaman and the priest with a perplexed expression.

The shaman was smiling, and the priest’s fox mask wore a grin as well.

“Looking at the sky, I noticed something unusual, prompting this visit. Won’t you accompany me for a round?”

Jinseong spoke directly to the fox mask, saying so.

In Japanese.

And in response, the priest replied:

“Divine power has spoken, saying that there exists energy akin to Chishikinookami (道敷大神). Clearly this warrants a firsthand investigation. Wearing the priest’s robes, I must bear that responsibility, thus I shall capture the blessing of Ohirumenomuchinokami (大日孁貴神) in my left eye and notched an arrow set on the bowstring of the oak bow to probe the darkness of the cave.”

The priest said that.

In Korean.

Thus unfolded their peculiar dialogue.

“Let’s go.”

With that resolute statement, the two moved.

“Wait a moment. Where are you two going?”

The wizard, witnessing such a scene, asked flustered.

It was already surprising that they had appeared unannounced, but now they were walking off somewhere after exchanging strange words?

It was utterly incomprehensible.

“It’s the middle of the night. Where on earth do you think you’re going!”

It wasn’t even daytime.

It was a pitch-black night.

A time when evil spirits were most active.

Yet, these two dared to move alone?

Without informing anyone?

What on earth was happening?

Moreover, what made it more perplexing was that those acting this way were precisely the individuals who had seemed so reliable just hours prior.

The priest, who had first stepped in to calm the atmosphere when Korea and Japan nearly clashed.

The shaman, who bolstered the priest’s words and fostered cooperation between Korea and Japan.

He couldn’t understand why the two he thought were much more dependable than the unpredictable warriors were suddenly acting so rashly.

“Don’t worry. It’s not dangerous. Upon examining the sky, I found something unusual, and I intend to verify what it is. I have my charms prepared to evade any spirits, so it shouldn’t be too dangerous.”

“Divine power states that this is a matter of urgency. I fear there’s no time to notify others. I humbly ask that Wizard Takeda convey this message to others: that the Korean shaman and I will be taking a moment to explore our surroundings.”

Unfazed by the wizard’s mounting anxiety, the shaman and the priest delivered their nearly authoritative message before moving heedlessly into the darkness.

* * *

The Yin energy of the sky is, in itself, a flow.

Those who enter the flow leave their traces behind.

Like ripples formed in water as one swims, one can identify visitors from their paths.

If the start and end of the flow remain the same, the destination can be deduced—thus revealing the host.

Soon, the shamans will meet.

 

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