After passing through the former commercial district, they climbed an uphill stretch and arrived at a new area of buildings. The structures here were relatively intact, and quite a few looked usable. The place sat at the foot of a mountain. Not far away was another uphill road leading to the summit. Visibility was poor, so they could not make out what lay above, but they could see that the road was lined with torii gates. The mountaintop seemed to hold a shrine.
"Everything around here is safe." The other LAYER stopped, glanced up at the sky, then turned back to the group. "It's getting late, so everyone should rest for now. You can choose any room here that's still usable."
They really had not encountered any monsters along the way.
Yukina raised her head and looked at the Black Sun overhead.
That sinister sun had never moved from its position. Perhaps they had not been here long enough to notice—but then, on what basis was this LAYER saying, "It's getting late"?
Was it an excuse? If so, it was far too clumsy.
Besides, Yukina remembered that it had indeed been close to evening when they passed the torii gates. Judging by the time, it really was night now.
Can she see something we can't? Yukina pondered. If she can normally see the traces of time passing while we can't, then which side is normal—us, or her?
There was no use thinking too much about it. Nijika had already taken the others to choose rooms.
"If you want water, there's a well over there. I twisted the rope myself. It's barely usable." The other LAYER continued introducing the place to the others. From her expression, it was clear that she truly longed to earn their trust.
"Let's go. We'll stay