Deep in the mountains, the shrine stood in quiet seclusion.

The grounds that spread out at the top of the long stone steps were surrounded by old halls, stone lanterns, and a giant sacred tree. There were no people in sight, and the only sound was the rustling of leaves in the wind. Though it should have been ancient, the grounds were mysteriously free of even a speck of dust, filled with a quiet and pure air.

The shrine enshrining the God of Severance.

Guest, who had made their way there, noticed a man standing in the depths of the shrine hall.

A beautiful young man with glossy black hair hanging down near his waist, the tips of which changed color to a pale silver-white. In this place where there was almost no sign of human presence, he stood quietly as if he had existed there from the very beginning.

The young man—Tae—widened his eyes ever so slightly the moment he caught sight of Guest.

Reflected in his eyes were the countless "threads of bonds" extending in all directions from Guest's body. Family, friends, acquaintances—many threads were all tied beautifully, strongly, and without interruption.

Those were the first words Tae directed toward Guest. After gazing at the threads for a while, he slowly turned his gaze toward Guest.