It seemed as though invisible flames were burning.
Throughout the entire Eastern District, the secret currents that were once hidden from view seemed to be boiling up gradually, bubbling with a faint sound that echoed in everyone's ears. Initially hard to detect, it eventually became difficult to ignore.
The idle gossip circulating in the Holy Hall, the secretive and isolated mutual aid societies, the once unremarkable individuals who even hovered on the edge of danger but now suddenly soared above everyone else, becoming exceptionally faithful, the mysterious smiles on the faces of the priests, the covert transactions in alleyways, and even the legendary goods on the black market that had price but no supply...
The inexplicable words uttered after drunkenness, the smug smiles or mockery, and even the subtle hints and sharing among friends and family.
At first, it was merely rumors, but the rumors seemed to become increasingly clearer.
