Yushin

WARNING! This article may contain major spoilers for the Hero Killer manhwa series. Please read at your own risk!

Overview

• History

• Powers and Abilities

• Equipment

• Relationships

• Gallery

Yushin
Name	Yushin
Alias	Ghost of Dust City Old Man (by Ihwa, Gundar, and Ijincheon) Yushin of Yerim (Formerly) Sir Starless Wanderer
Personal Information
Gender	Male
Race	Gift User
Age	Over 1000+
Birthdate	Chaotic Era
Birth Place	Unknown
Hair Color	Gray
Eye Color	Unknown
Professional Information
Affiliation	Engen Elders (Formerly) The Five Swordsmen (Formerly)
Occupation	Swordsman Villain Ihwa's Mentor (Formerly) Member of the Elders (Formerly) Member of the Five Swordsmen (Formerly)
Gift	Blood
Status	Alive
Resides	Mobile Dust City (Formerly)
Relationships
Relations	Hero Killer (Former Student/Adoptive Granddaughter) Ijincheon (Associate) Engen/Smiling Man (Associate) Clan I Yeon (?) Luenna (?) Huiyeon (?)
Appearances
Debut	Episode 1

“	I'll do anything for my disciple. Because the Hero Killer...will avenge Me.	”
— Yushin to Victoria.

Yushin (유신), also known as the Ghost of Dust City (먼지의 도시 유령), is a notorious Villain and an exceptional swordsmaster. Once a member of the Elders, the nine strongest Gift users in the world, he lost his position after being defeated in a duel by the young swordsman known as the Skysword.

Yushin is the former teacher and caretaker of Ihwa, the Hero Killer, raising her after the death of her older sister, Yeon. He was introduced alongside Ihwa during the District 17 Assault Arc, later resurfacing in the Age of Heroes and Villains as her training neared completion. Recognizing the dangers she would face from the Hero Clan, Yushin sought the aid of the legendary villain Engen, the Smiling Man, entrusting Ihwa to his organization, the Nameless. He firmly believes that through her quest to destroy the Hero Clan, Ihwa will ultimately avenge him.

It was later revealed that Yushin was once a member of the Four Swordsmen, previously known as the Five Swordsmen, recognized as the world's strongest swordsmen and an associate of Ihwa's father Ijincheon, the Sword Hunter and Executioner of the Silver Forest, one of the Four Swordsmen and a former disciple of the first Executioner, whom he slew in single combat.

Appearance

Yushin is a tall, older man with chin-length gray hair and perpetually closed eyes, giving him the appearance of being blind. He dresses in attire reminiscent of European nobility, paired with long brown boots—a style he has maintained for centuries.

During his time as an Elder, he wielded two red straight swords and bore his Elder symbol, which was later destroyed. However, following his duel with the Skysword, he had been confined to a wheelchair. While his exact age remains unknown, Yushin is implied to be one of the oldest Gift users in the series, once referring to The Steel Witch as a mere "girl."

Personality

Yushin's wilder days.

In his earlier appearances, Yushin initially came off as a reserved and formal man, rarely speaking unless necessary.

However, in his youth, he was far more aggressive, exuding an intense bloodlust and often smiling with a sadistic gleam even in the face of danger.

Yushin's eyes.

Though he has matured, remnants of his battle-hungry nature remain. His mere presence is enough to unnerve even formidable figures like Engen and Hekate, despite their own strength. Beyond his intimidating aura, Yushin is highly intelligent, possessing deep wisdom and insight. Throughout Ihwa’s training, he often imparted strategic lessons, emphasizing concepts such as how even a small needle can bring down a powerful opponent.

In a conversation with Victoria, he acknowledged that future wars would claim countless lives, yet to an Elder, such losses are insignificant reflecting his understanding of his former associates’ detached worldview, in which the masses are seen as mere "ants."

As a swordsman, Yushin deeply understands the romanticism of wielding a blade, valuing the art of the sword despite possessing other extraordinary abilities.

Despite his fearsome reputation, Yushin has a caring side. He serves as a father figure to Ihwa, who affectionately calls him "old man." Among the few people she trusts, he is one she genuinely strives to protect.

Battles & Events

Battles & Events

Past Numerous fights with the Elders Yushin of Yerim vs. The Executioner of the Silver Forest Yushin vs. The Master of the Glassblade Yushin vs. The Strength Master Yushin vs. The Agility Master Yushin vs. The Delight Master Yushin vs. The Flexibility Master Yushin vs. The Energy Master Yushin vs. Skysword District 17 Assault Arc Yushin vs. Victoria War of Disbandment Arc Yushin vs. Voltaire's Gang

Etymology

• 유 (Yu): This can mean "willow tree" (柳), "assent" (兪), or "prosperous" (裕), depending on the Hanja chosen.
• 신 (Shin): This can mean "trust" (信), "new" (新), or "god/spirit" (神), again depending on the chosen Hanja.

Trivia

• Yushin is the first Elder to be introduced in the series.
• Yushin's ability to control blood with his Gift is a popular way to display a powerful character in fictional media.
• Yushin's Shadowless Blade, may be a reference to the 2005 Korean action-adventure movie, Shadowless Sword.
• Yushin was the first to experience a drunken Ihwa.
• It was spectacled that Yushin was the one to have killed the previous Executioner. This was confirmed in Ijincheon's flashback when the swordsman himself noted that Yushin was a worthy final opponent to give him a graceful sendoff.
• Yushin's primary swords, European looking clothing, and Gift are reminiscent of Lady Maria of the Astral Clocktower, a character and boss in Bloodborne.
  • His prior disability and wheelchair have also been compared to Gehrman, a mysterious old man who appears to act as the Hunter's guide throughout the game.

• Yushin of Yerim.
• Lady Maria of the Astral Clocktower from Bloodborne.
• Yushin, the Ghost of Dust City.
• Gehrman, the First Hunter.

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