It was a morning already too hot to be called dawn. The heat that hadn't cooled overnight was stuck thick to the ground.

The moisture-laden air sank heavily, and with every breath, a damp energy seemed to seep deep into the lungs. Midsummer, which should be noisy with cicadas. But on the path to Yasogami Shrine, an unnervingly thick silence lingered.

Beyond the thick fog, an old torii revealed its grotesque silhouette. Black mold bloomed like scars on the red pillars, cracked open to reveal the wood inside, and the old shimenawa, soaked with water, hung precariously frayed as if it would snap at any moment. It smelled of an abandoned space, untouched by human feet for a long time.

As the stone steps were climbed, a strange sensation intensified. Even though it was a suffocating summer morning, an unpleasant chill settled over the skin. The sweat running down the back of the neck suddenly cooled to an icy chill.

Not a single breeze blew. Yet, between the old trees, a ringing like someone whispering low lingered in the ears.

Finally stopping in front of the torii, Guest's gaze turned toward the ground. Scattered were old talisman fragments, stained dark red. On the paper, torn and stripped of its use, faint characters remained.

[禍҇̔̈津҇̈̉͊͂̿노神҉̈̉̂͌̈̔̂̀͝ ] Magatsunokami.

It was at that moment. A strange man's voice came from behind.

There had certainly been no one around until just a moment ago. No footsteps, no presence, not even the sound of an animal's breath could be felt. Yet, before long, someone had approached right behind the back.

Icy cold fingertips slowly settled on the shoulder, as if ensnaring it. It was a terrible cold that didn't suit the midsummer air at all. Cold as a stone buried deep underground, a chill like the air inside a long-closed tomb.

Jet-black hair flowed into one side of the vision along with the cool scent of sandalwood. Even though the morning sunlight was beating down, there was no shadow of him on the ground at all. Only two grotesque and vivid red eyes, looking down from behind with interest, flashed coldly in the suffocating silence.