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“Did you say it was a lonely island? Dokdo is a desolate island filled with solitude. It’s difficult for people to live there, so there are no residents, and there’s not enough to attract travelers to linger longer. However, many are aware of Dokdo’s existence, so tourists come and go, but only briefly. Just like a bird landing momentarily to rest its wings before taking off again, it’s only a fleeting relief from loneliness.”

Jinseong began to speak slowly.

“But that day was different. Yes, it was truly different. Despite it being a lonely island, there was a heavy presence, one that hid its true form while revealing its existence throughout the island. It’s quite a contradictory tale, isn’t it?”

“Hmm. Sounds eerie.”

“Haha, it certainly does. What I’m talking about is the ‘ki’ (鬼氣), the terrifying energy felt from ghosts.”

Jinseong chuckled as he looked at Kim Cheolsu.

“Have you ever heard of the saying that ghosts can be confirmed through the five senses?”

“This is my first time hearing it.”

“Haha, that makes sense. It’s not common knowledge unless you enjoy urban legends or have an interest in spiritual beings.”

Jinseong paused for a moment, allowing the silence to settle like an unspoken invitation to feel the darkness that existed just outside the small light.

“Ghosts can be sensed through the five senses.”

“Are you speaking of evil spirits or malevolent entities?”

“No, not those. Even those that aren’t dangerous enough to be fully visible to the uninitiated can still be sensed through the five senses.”

Of course, the degree to which one feels it would depend on their spiritual insight.

Jinseong added, “There’s a saying that staring at the churning sea at night can induce visual illusions. When it becomes pronounced enough, that motion can appear human-like. The crashing foam may seem like human fingers, while the rolling waves can look like a beckoning white arm. Most of the time, it’s just an illusion, but there are times when one can get entranced as if hypnotized. This is what you might call visual perception.”

“That’s a chilling tale.”

“Likewise with ghosts. They often exude a distinct smell connected to how they died. A ghost that hung itself reeks of decay, one that was burned gives off a burnt smell, and water ghosts have a fishy odor.”

“Then….”

Kim Cheolsu picked up on Jinseong’s words.

“You must have felt a strong fishy smell when you went to Dokdo.”

“Indeed.”

The fishy odor. Even surrounded by the sea, the sea breeze was thick with a smell so overpowering it threatened to numb the nose. Yet, it distinctly stimulated human senses and crafted a strangely contrasting perception.

That was the trace of the water ghost, its essence.

“Not to mention, there were also unusual signs. The gaze filled with an obsessive desire to pull people into the water to join their ranks, reflecting the water ghosts’ sheer cravings, or the malice harbored by countless evil spirits. They all exuded an uncommon aura.”

“Indeed, I’ve heard horrible tales about the capable person who fought on Dokdo. They were said to be terrifying beings, the kind you’d expect beyond the 38th parallel…”

“Haha, that’s true. They were indeed dreadful creatures. From those based in water to their ghastly appearances and their unusual powers… they were remarkable beings.”

Jinseong briefly halted before declaring, “…So remarkable that they likely couldn’t have formed naturally.”

The weight behind his words following the moment of silence was startling.

“Naturally…?”

Kim Cheolsu reacted instinctively.

“Do you think the shaman Park Jinseong believes that these ghosts arrived on Dokdo due to some manipulation by an outside force?”

Jinseong’s expression stiffened at Cheolsu’s question.

“They’re far too extraordinary to have come about naturally. While North Korea is nearby, I just can’t comprehend how they suddenly appear on Dokdo. No matter how terrifying coincidences might be, would it be easy to dismiss a sudden flock of entities taking residence there?”

“Hmm…”

Cheolsu frowned.

‘Artificial manipulation, huh…?’

Opinions within the government were divided. Some claimed that a destroyer from the Maritime Self-Defense Force was kidnapped by water ghosts, while others said that ghosts were brought there as part of a terrorist plot from Japan, only to meet their doom. The latter was the prevailing theory, but as Korea and Japan failed to repel the evil spirits on Dokdo, the former theory was gaining traction.

To have assembled skilled individuals to send to Dokdo only for them to barely escape with their lives led to thoughts that perhaps conquering the spirits and hijacking a destroyer to run it ashore might not be impossible.

‘It’s ironic that the strong evil spirits have forced Korea and Japan to reconcile.’

A peculiar situation indeed. How the presence of hostiles on Dokdo made both countries cease their quarrel and grudgingly foster a peace atmosphere.

As if dreadful evil spirits were bringing peace to the two nations.

“I understand what you’re saying, Park Jinseong. But what about the Saigo Shinto Priest…?”

“Yes. He mentioned that we need to go outside to survey the island. So we will be heading out together.”

“The two of you share the same opinion… So did you discover anything?”

Cheolsu fixed a serious gaze on Jinseong as if he were realizing the severity of what was said.

But Jinseong recognized that the face he was seeing was not truly sincere—it was a facade.

Although it seemed genuine, it was laced with deception. Thus, if he considered that any part of it might be the truth, he would find himself ensnared by those lies.

So Jinseong spoke the truth to prevent the false from steering the conversation.

After all, the truth always prevails over deception.

His words carried weight.

Words imbued with power stimulate emotions and instill belief.

“I found nothing.”

Jinseong stated this earnestly.

He discovered nothing.

He sensed something suspicious but couldn’t identify it distinctly.

And Kim Cheolsu did not question this declaration.

No, it would be correct to say he could not afford to doubt it.

For the evil spirits on Dokdo were terrifying.

Just trying to secure his own life would have been overwhelming.

‘Well, considering I nearly lost my life with burns all over… how could there have been time to investigate?’

Cheolsu pieced the puzzle in his mind. Those pieces formed a picture within the framework of common sense.

And that common sense spoke to him.

Indicating there was no need to be wary of Jinseong.

Wasn’t everything he said relatively cohesive?

There seemed to be no contradictions in the words of the shaman before him, and he felt no sense of falsehood.

The peculiar force felt from the shaman’s words was evident and devoid of any physical response typically exhibited when one lies.

Therefore, there was no need to lower his guard or overly scrutinize him.

Common sense continued to whisper in Cheolsu’s ear.

‘Should I let my doubts go?’

Moreover, this train of thought grew stronger as Jinseong continued to speak.

“However, just because I didn’t discover anything doesn’t mean my suspicion has dissipated. While I lack concrete evidence, my suspicion is directed upwards.”

“Upwards…?”

“To the North and the West.”

“To the North and the West…”

Look at the shaman.

Look at the shaman speaking confidently, presenting his instincts as if they were fact.

Could this be the particular unfounded confidence that was so typical among shamans?

“…That was an intriguing tale.”

Of course, just because it lacked proof didn’t make it nonsense.

A shaman’s conviction, albeit lacking evidence, often bordered on the truth.

‘I feel as if I’ve heard all I need to.’

With the thought that he had gathered all necessary information, he glanced at Jinseong to divert the conversation naturally. He then grimaced slightly upon seeing Jinseong’s red skin illuminated under the standing light.

“But considering this story relates to Park Jinseong’s injuries, it can’t be merely interesting.”

Cheolsu acted as if acknowledging his rudeness by touching on a topic that might not sit well, his demeanor expressing regret—both his expression and gestures meticulously crafted.

“Ahem, I apologize. It seems I was thoughtless.”

With genuine contrition, Cheolsu offered an apology to Jinseong.

Then he purposely created a moment of discomfort before easing back into a more relaxed atmosphere.

“It’s getting late, so I apologize for dropping by like this. Please take care of yourself…”

Thus, Kim Cheolsu concluded his mission.

The mission of finding out why Park Jinseong suddenly went outside only to be discovered by morning.

Once again, the building fell back into silence.

As if completely cutoff from the outside world.

The building exuded an eerie and desolate atmosphere once more.

In it lingered but one person.

And…

* * *

At the same time, Anastasia was speaking to a group of girls.

“I hear that something is coming out…”

“What is it? A ghost?”

“No, it’s me!”

 

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