Shinsu

Shinsu, literally "divine water" is a substance native to lifeforms within the Tower. It is produced by the Tower and flows through the surroundings like air. Shinsu exists everywhere inside the Tower. Shinsu does not flow from the Outside, but is rather "created" and "produced" by the Tower itself. Shinsu can even exist in a vacuum. As of now, what Shinsu consists of or comes from is unknown.

Shinsu is essential to all living beings in the Tower, enabling their survival in multiple ways. For all of living memory, and likely prior to it, Shinsu has been an integral part of the Tower. Strong or weak, ranker, regular, or otherwise, if you run out of Shinsu you will die. It fulfills the role of life energy for organisms within the tower, as well as acting in lieu of oxygen for for breathing.

Shinsu can be utilized in a multitude of ways, given adequate knowledge, skill, resistance, and natural talent. Through Shinsu, one can attain eternal youth, extended lifespans, halt the aging process, control natural elements and, even attain the powers of a god.

Shinsu is normally not visible to the naked eye like air, unless it is highly concentrated, manifested in large amounts or is manipulated using a Shinsu Technique or item. There are exceptional areas within the tower where Shinsu is highly concentrated naturally.

Shinsu Control and Manipulation

There are two ways to control Shinsu: control through an item or direct control. Generally speaking, when one says "manipulating shinsu", it usually refers to direct control.

Through Items

Not all regulars have good Shinsu control, so some will rely on specific items to assist them in battle like Rozéal who used a pink Wand which can produce shinsu independently or Lurker who used a ball device. Basic common items like Lighthouses and Observers can also enhance their shinsu control and techniques. Controlling Shinsu through items doesn't require a Contract because they were already permitted by the Administrator at The Workshop when they were created. Example: Lighthouse Reinforcement.

Direct Control

Being able to directly control Shinsu is a very rare talent and it can be said that this talent itself is an absolutely necessary requirement to becoming a Ranker. Basically, most, if not all, Regulars have some degree of control over Shinsu, although this does not mean all Regulars can become skillful manipulators of Shinsu.

While the Wave Controllers are very specialized in direct control, all Positions have to learn it eventually to pass the Tests, to fight successfully or to use it to strengthen their bodies and enhance physical abilities.

Types of Shinsu Manipulation (Direct Control)

When controlling Shinsu, there are two major types or methods of manipulating Shinsu. They are referred to Flow Control and Reverse-Flow Control.

Flow Control

Flow control is reading the original flow of Shinsu and manipulating that natural flow. Although there is no exact predictable pattern to the flow of Shinsu, Shinsu does momentarily flow in certain directions, so one can efficiently manipulate Shinsu by reading and encouraging the flow in desired directions. Once a person begins to control Shinsu in one direction, it is difficult to change direction.

The greatest advantage to flow control is that it allows the manipulator to control a large amount of Shinsu without much effort. Compared to the reverse-flow control, this normal flow control is much faster and the user can control larger amounts of Shinsu. Sometimes, one can take advantage of the flow of the enemy's Baang to make it their own.

Of course, the most important part is reading the current flow of Shinsu and finding the optimum point, this is the best way to use it.

Body Strengthening

Body Reinforcement or "Body Strengthening, Physical Enhancement" is an ability to strengthen your body with Shinsu. Every living organism within the Tower has an individual flow of Shinsu. By using this flow, one can heal themselves or others, enhance their physical capabilities or grant numerous other abilities. Of course, the opposite is also possible.

Reverse-Flow Control

Reverse-Flow Control is controlling Shinsu by forcefully changing, altering or reversing its flow. Reverse-Flow Control is slower than flow control and thus generally means the user can only control a smaller amount of Shinsu in comparison to flow control, but allows the user to completely dictate the flow of Shinsu, allowing them efficiency for the amount of Shinsu used. Reverse-flow control is mostly used to "destroy" or to "stop" the enemy.