NOVEL WEB Chapter 898
Viktor’s invitation brought Park Jinseong to Russia.
To be precise, he was heading to Russia using the worm-infested Origami God made in Japan.
‘The Korean government won’t easily permit my departure, so there’s nothing I can do about it.’
Right now, the Korean government is on the verge of a large-scale operation conducted in collaboration with Japan.
Under normal circumstances, Park Jinseong should have held some position in that operation.
To reduce the variables that may arise during the process of subduing North Korea, or for the psychological comfort of the ability users participating in the operation, or to propagate that Korea has now escaped the status of a Magic Desert.
There were many reasons why Park Jinseong had to participate, and considering the favor the government had shown him over time, he must have been present. Even if he simply sat there like a scarecrow without using any magic.
But right now, Park Jinseong was recuperating because of the aftereffects from the Ritual of Magic.
From the Korean government’s perspective, they would want to forcibly bring him along whether he was sick or not, but due to the symbolism of a shaman suddenly emerging from the Magic Desert, they opted instead to relay the wish that he recover fully and quickly.
Yeah.
This is leniency and goodwill.
The Republic of Korea shows such kindness towards the shaman named Park Jinseong, indicating how much they value him by allowing him this convenience even in such a grand operation.
But then, suddenly heading to Russia in such a situation?
That would be like trampling on goodwill right in front of them.
If he were to behave that way, the Korean government would naturally think,
“Didn’t we tell him to rest because he was unwell, but now he’s off to Russia? He has the strength to go to Russia, but not to participate in this historic operation with Japan?”
Thus, Park Jinseong’s real body must continue to rest.
At least, that’s how it must appear.
Instead, Park Jinseong decided to use the Origami God… the ‘Shinju’ existing in Japan.
There were no significant difficulties.
In Japan, the existence known as ‘Shinju’ was recognized as a promising ability user, but it was not irreplaceable. Many who had made their names using ‘Divine Power’ were more renowned than Shinju, and for propaganda purposes, the heirs of famous large shrines like Meiji Shrine, Usa Shrine, and Ise Shrine were more suitable.
Moreover, in terms of utility, Japan boasted Onmyoji, a shaman, making Shinju’s involvement unnecessary. In fact, there were probably even more people wishing that Shinju would not attend.
If he dropped out, it would create an empty spot, why would that not be the case?
Reputation and fame!
This operation wasn’t just any operation.
If done well, it had the potential to make a name for itself worldwide, so how could Japanese ability users, eager for fame, refuse such an opportunity?
Thus, Park Jinseong could easily send Shinju to Russia.
‘Heh heh. In exchange for letting others know that Shinju would miss this operation, I could obtain quite a decent level of benefits.’
No, he even gained an advantage.
Rise sold the information about the vacancy created by Park Jinseong’s absence to those thirsty for fame… for example, those whose egos had inflated, like the heir competing in a temple, or those who had recently taken office wanting to exert political influence.
What a truly satisfactory display of skill.
Gaining multiple benefits from one thing.
Rise had, before long, been able to absorb what Park Jinseong was doing and emulate it.
The path of seeking the truth is a journey of constant learning.
The skills Rise showed were more than just improved talent; they indicated that his learning had not stalled, how could he not feel pleased?
‘This is truly a good thing; indeed, it’s a sign of good fortune appearing for no reason.’
There was no specific evidence.
It was as if he was gauging his luck for the day by simply looking at the shape of coffee grounds settling at the bottom of his Turkish coffee, a belief near the realm of superstition with no real basis.
But hadn’t his instinct been telling him?
That the tangled threads could be untangled easily without the need for a sword.
Just as time would naturally unfold things over time, his instinct assured him that everything would turn out well, an unfounded belief.
With that belief, he arrived in Russia.
Very secretly and quietly.
Have you ever seen a sky so bright blue?
Have you seen that color reflected on the shore of a lake where waves crash? While staring in a daze at the undulating surface, have you ever thought the sky and land had flipped, with waves swimming in the sky?
The place where the clear blue came from when ice was cut.
A beautiful location that evokes the image of a pristine sea.
A place where countless ethnicities began, a plane was flying over the sky of Lake Baikal.
Is it a personal aircraft?
The airplane, not too large but not too small, glided gently across Lake Baikal.
It wasn’t strange.
Airplanes passing through the sky or including Lake Baikal in their route isn’t unusual.
Moreover, considering that the plane was a personal aircraft, it’s also quite common to want to take in the views, even if it means taking a longer route.
However, this time something felt a little different.
There were traces left in the wake of the airplane.
I’m not talking about the typical contrails that planes leave behind.
No, something clearly different in color was being left where the airplane had passed.
No, beyond just leaving something behind, it was pouring into the sky.
Like rain.
Drip.
Drip drip.
Could it be fuel being discarded?
Or was it a problem with a special tank leading to a mess leaking out?
The things that poured from the plane fell like rain into Lake Baikal, soon disappearing like dust dissolving in water.
Again, Lake Baikal found its calm.
As if to show the embrace of the goddess who birthed countless peoples.
Such vast nature didn’t bat an eye or think twice as it cradled something created by mankind…
‘No matter where what leaves my body heads, how could it possibly become someone else’s? With an invisible force, we remain connected.’
However, there is will among the beliefs that yearn to break free from that embrace, and thus the fallen remnants of the airplane slowly began to move toward one specific point.
The black things gathered into one spot, transforming into floating debris the size of a fist, moving about on the surface of the undulating lake.
And finally, as they touched down, they began to unwind and reveal their true forms.
Six-legged creatures.
Eight-legged ones.
Those without legs, crawling.
Those with wings and those without.
Countless types of insects!
Even though they were clearly different bugs, just like an army of ants might do, they crawled over to Lake Baikal, breaking down into a bunker.
And inside the bunker, they began to merge and shape into forms, creating a dreamlike scene almost as if a human was assembling from dust.
Thus, Park Jinseong appeared in the bunker.
In a mundane manner resembling an ordinary Slavic person seen anywhere on the street.
“Ah, I see. Russia has gotten more livable. Just like America, illegal immigrants have started showing up too.”
And then, someone was there to welcome Park Jinseong.
“Welcome to Russia, Illegal Immigrant.”
Viktor Alexandrovich Smirnov.
The young lion.
Before his return, he was the warrior known as ‘Viktor of the Nuclear Shower.’
“We’re both masters and guests here.”
“Are you talking about the customs of hospitality? Then the rules double up, making it twice as safe.”
Had Viktor studied at all about magic since meeting Park Jinseong?
He joked back Park Jinseong’s words with a smirk before guiding him to a certain location.
The place was filled with the rich aroma of food.
He pointed to a banquet hall filled with all sorts of Russian dishes.
“Since you’ve come such a long way, let’s eat first.”
Park Jinseong chuckled as he looked at the food prepared in the banquet hall.
Because there was capybara barbecue and dishes made from mushrooms.
“Capybara barbecue. What a splendid meal you’ve prepared.”
“Yeah. The last time I ate it, it was quite tasty.”
Viktor burst into laughter.
“The last meal was tasty, but this one will definitely be even better. I arranged it in a Russian style!”
“And the mushroom dishes seem really interesting. Quite ‘hungry’.”
‘Hungry.’
A term that seemed meaningless in such a solemn atmosphere, akin to something a child would say when playing around.
Viktor raised the corners of his mouth at Park Jinseong’s words and briefly locked eyes with him.
“I may not know about ‘hungry’, but I can assure you that it’s ‘expensive’ as hell. I used some outrageously pricey mushrooms!”
His eyes weren’t smiling.