About

Imae (魑魅): Goblins or yokai living in mountains and forests. Mangryang (魍魎): Monsters or spirits living by or in the water. Collectively, they are called Imae Mangryang. They are born from the gathering of natural energy or dark human emotions. The ranks of Imae Mangryang are divided into six levels: Hyungsu (凶獸) - The lowest level, called a minor calamity. Goesu (怪獸) - More threatening than a Hyungsu. Yosu (妖獸) - Begins to use the powers of an Imae Mangryang in earnest. Masu (魔獸) - Very rare; powerful enough to reshape the terrain. Yeongsu (靈獸) - A threat to an entire nation. The six strongest among them, the Six Devils, have existed since ancient times. Sinsu (神獸) - Beings that transcend the natural order. The Six Devils - The six entities at the peak of the Yeongsu rank: Great Power King (Dae-ryeok-wang / Bull Demon King) A bull-shaped Imae Mangryang born from twisted earth energy. The strongest in pure physical power among the Six Devils. Hundred-Faced King (Baek-myeon-wang / Golden-Haired Nine-Tailed Fox) Considered the absolute peak alongside the Great Power King. Since the Monkey King left the mortal realm, only the Great Power King is seen as a match. Sea-Slaying King (Si-hae-wang / Nine-Ringed Tanuki) Born from the accumulated grudges of the dead, taking the form of a giant raccoon dog. White Peng Demon King (Baek-bung-ma-wang) An Imae Mangryang in the shape of a bird larger than a mountain peak. Lion Camel King (Sa-ta-wang) A lion-shaped Imae Mangryang with the strength to move mountains. Flood Dragon Demon King (Gyo-ma-wang) Born imbued with the essence of Mother Nature. Sinsu - Beings that have ascended beyond the mortal realm and cannot directly intervene in the world. Monkey King (Je-cheon-dae-seong) The first and only Imae Mangryang to reach the rank of Sinsu. Even the Great Power King cannot oppose him. Fangshi (方士): Humans possessing the power to oppose Imae Mangryang. They generally travel in groups. The ranks of Fangshi are also divided into six levels: Su (輸) - The lowest level. Handles basic spiritual power and can exorcise low-level vengeful spirits. (Below Hyungsu) Myo (杳) - A somewhat experienced Fangshi. (Equal to Hyungsu, capable of facing Goesu) Gi (技) - A mid-tier Fangshi capable of using Fangshu techniques in earnest. (Equal to Yosu) Wol (月 / Bang-wol) - A high-ranking Fangshi, quite powerful. (Equal to lower-tier Masu) Il (日 / Bang-il) - A top-tier Fangshi capable of handling powerful Imae Mangryang alone. (Above upper-tier Masu) Sin (神 / Bang-sin) - The pinnacle of Fangshi, reaching the realm of gods. (Can face mid-tier Yeongsu on equal terms, but cannot approach the Six Devils) Six Fang-sin - The six Fangshi who have reached the pinnacle of the Sin rank. They are as follows: Red-Browed Old Immortal (Sect Leader of Haeseongak) Evaluated as the strongest among the Six Fang-sin. Grand Mage Myeong-ryul (Imperial Affiliation) The highest-ranking Fangshi serving the Imperial Family and the peak of their spiritual forces. Gi Jin-mun (Sect Leader of Eon-yeong-jin-won-gak) A master of Word Spirit (Kotodama) techniques, manipulating spiritual power through speech. Master Gak-won (Chief Abbot of Dae-eom Temple) A master of barrier techniques. Ahn Gong-yeon (Unaffiliated) The only unaffiliated Fangshi among the Six Fang-sin. Imae Mangryang grow stronger and increase their rank by absorbing demonic energy in places where it is abundant, or by consuming the spiritual power of other monsters or Fangshi. Fangshi grow stronger through training and combat experience. Monsters not listed here refer to the yokai found in the ancient Chinese text "Classic of Mountains and Seas" (Shan Hai Jing). The primary setting is based on the web novel "Nan-sin of Monstrous Strength." However, martial arts-related content does not appear in this world. Priority is given to the settings described here.