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A divine object (주물) is an item made through magic.

It’s not just any charm that looks fancy simply because it came from a factory; it actually possesses magical effects. These “magical effects” vary depending on what kind of effect the shaman hoped to achieve and what kind of sorcery was used in its creation.

It could enhance the condition of the bearer, bring minor luck, contain the power to repel evil, or wield the ability for exorcism to drive out evil spirits possessing the body.

Alternatively, it might harbor a curse that brings terrible calamities to the one who holds it, cause the people around them to die, or even lead the bearer to death. It could also act as a kind of “marker,” serving as bait to attract evil spirits or monsters.

Thus, divine objects are diverse in their powers and abilities.

Naturally, such items won’t just be treated like ordinary stones lying around.

Dangerous divine objects may be monitored under heavy guard, while those that display powers coveted by the general public might be sold for a high price, becoming treasures cherished by the wealthy. Moreover, objects useful in warfare can sometimes be treated as “strategic resources.”

These items operate on a different mechanism compared to artifacts created through magic. Naturally, depending on the situation, they might even show efficiency surpassing that of artifacts and could serve as keys to turn the tides in crises.

Consequently, valuable divine objects are directly managed by nations or large corporations.

The powers embedded within divine objects, along with their worth as artifacts and academic value—divine objects deserved such treatment.

However, Jinseong wasn’t particularly pleased that divine objects received this kind of treatment. To express it accurately, while he was okay with divine objects being treated as precious, he wasn’t thrilled at the idea of them being managed in a closed-off space without any public access.

Why, you ask?

It’s quite simple.

When divine objects are locked away in such a closed-off place, nobody can access them.

Value as artifacts? Acknowledged.

Academic value? Acknowledged.

Value of the power within? Also acknowledged.

But that value doesn’t mean much if it can’t be used, studied, or felt.

If they’re just sitting in a warehouse, how are they any different from stones buried underground?

Therefore, Jinseong was waiting for the right moment.

This was also a minor side income.

A very minor side income that arose from preventing a full-scale war between Korea and Japan and resolving potential future tragedies through trivial disputes.

“Om Vajra Pahar Gagana Mara Hum.”

It might not have been so minor after all.

* * *

Paju, Gyeonggi Province, was peaceful.

Soldiers moving about on the Gyeongui Line and the sight of residents living in Paju. And then there were the foreigners who came to visit Paju, along with sightseeing buses.

Paju remained as peaceful and serene as ever, unchanged in the slightest.

The soldiers moved, each revealing their own feelings on their faces. Some, filled with excitement, were on leave, while others were reluctant to return to their units. The fatigued soldiers were the officers, while those who had faced ghosts at the frontlines were caught up in mental fatigue or discomfort.

Foreigners wandered about Paju, bursting with expectations. They took buses, subways, and rental cars, continuously exploring the tourist attractions that Paju proudly boasts, enjoying the exotic scenery. They even explored tunnels dug during the time when North Korea was intact, and after touring the tunnels, they would come out and rub their bent backs and necks from crouching in the narrow passages.

They observed the northern region through a telescope, usable only during the bright sunlit hours due to the risk of being possessed by spirits, and walked or rode a monorail through the DMZ that had finished its cleansing and mine removal operations.

In the process, they screamed in shock at the sight of a moth the size of a human head sticking to a tree or the ground, and were horrified to see a large, elongated, colorful insect, hairy and exotic-looking, and cried out in surprise. Furthermore, they recoiled in fright at the sound of a large caterpillar that squeaked like an animal, and nearly fainted when a giant moth, mistaken for decoration, flapped its wings with a threatening noise.

So Paju was just like usual.

Yes.

Just like usual.

At a glance, at least.

“Paju, it’s not a bad place.”

“Is it Paju? Faju? Pajyu? Ah, who cares? That’s not important, right?”

“That’s true.”

Who could possibly know?

That amidst the scenes meant to be peaceful, an alien presence had intermingled.

“Isn’t information more important than the name of the area to operate in?”

They blended into the everyday life of tourists. Assimilating without any sense of discomfort among foreign tourists, their rugged and solid appearances were disguised in clothes that any tourist would wear. It was as if a snake, carrying poison, had hidden itself between the earth and fallen leaves, camouflaged.

Tourist clothing. Bright, flamboyant, pragmatic. Their carrier looked worn, as if it had been on many trips, plastered with stickers claiming it as their own.

Moreover, the large backpack strapped to their back, though slightly worn, appeared sturdy enough to hold its plump contents with ease.

But who could tell?

That there were weapons within that tourist’s clothing.

That explosives and materials were inside that carrier.

That smuggled equipment was packed in that backpack.

“Pretty soon, it’ll be EENT (End Evening Nautical Twilight).”

They hid sharp blades within their clothing; venomous fangs concealed inside, pretending to be harmless.

Waiting for the client who had hired them as mercenaries.

Thus, they awaited and awaited.

Until the day turned dim, the world was enveloped in blue, and everything appeared blurry.

Finally, when the time had come.

Rustle.

From within the darkened trees, something emitted a sense of presence.

It moved, making sounds reminiscent of wildlife, yet it exuded no foul smell, moving like a creature though sounding as if it were an insect with many legs.

Yet its body made a sound not small at all as it emerged, moving through the branches of trees, parting the leaves.

What was revealed was a person.

No, it was something resembling a person.

It draped something like armor over itself, shining with a black luster that seemed to merge with the darkness itself.

The black, shiny surface of the armor changed lights here and there according to human eyes, giving off an eerie glow that reminded one of a cockroach’s exoskeleton’s disgusting colors.

Interspersed between were golden glimmers, shining like real gold but not emitting light unless directly illuminated.

And upon that armor.

The head, which a person ought to have, was all the more bizarre.

It resembled a grotesquely enlarged insect face crafted into a mask.

Wouldn’t this be the sort of look you’d expect if a creature themed around bugs were made for a B-grade horror movie?

The being that emerged from the darkness looked so alien, bizarre, and disgusting, it seemed like it did belong in a horror film.

Moreover, behold.

That person’s form.

Bent over as if they were a hunchback, their back was arched, and spider-like legs stretched out from their back and legs, supporting them off the ground.

The organic-like movement of those spider legs helped the being move while pushing aside leaves and branches, clearing a path for it.

It moved on.

This being, whether a person or an insect monster, shifted.

From the eye holes drilled into its face flickered eerie blue flames, dancing as if they were embers, illuminating the darkness as they moved like a feral beast.

Moving with spider legs, and then with its two legs, crunching leaves beneath a bent back as it completely revealed itself before them—

“Heh. Everyone’s gathered…”

—spoke.

“Is the preparation ready…?”

It inquired with a voice that sounded like scraping metal, producing an unpleasant noise as if squeezing sounds from nails on a chalkboard, imprinting heavily in their minds.

Was the preparation set?

Would there be no disruptions in the ‘operation’ coming soon?

Weren’t there any variables?

And in response to such words from this “employer,” the team leader, guiding the squad, answered.

“Of course. Everything is prepared, Client.”

The team leader asserted.

Preparation was perfect.

They had gathered all the supplies you required, there were no variables, and everyone was in top condition.

And upon hearing this declaration, the monster grinned widely.

Its glowing blue eyes curved into a smile, beaming down at them with a sense of joyful relish.

“Heh.”

And then, it raised its head to gaze at the ‘target.’

The building secured with electric barbed wire.

“If we move now, it would be just perfect….”

Thus the monster and the mercenaries move.

To raid the building, to seize what lies inside.

“Let’s go.”

 

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