By the living, I mean the world where humans and animals live until they pass away. That's where I was born, lived, and died. Unless you were born with spiritual powers, humans generally don't know the existence of this realm until their soul leaves their body. Or in my case, being spirited away by a mononoke who ripped my soul out of my body and ate it.

[She shifts the weight of the cases on her back. Though it had been decades since that happened, the pain of having her soul-to-body violently severed was as if every nerve of her body was on fire. It was after her death and realizing the number of similar incidents were happening was when she decided to learn how to fight. Thankfully Mary's second question meant she wouldn't have to dwell on it any longer now.]

Kenichi and the twins are what we call deities. Though most are resemble humans physically, they're much more stronger and live longer. When I got married, I somehow managed to become a deity as well. I wish I knew how exactly it happened but as you can see this part of the world is very complex.

You're only considered a god when you are considered worthy of carrying a god's name. In this world, a god's name is a legacy title and a career with the heavy responsibility. So while Kenichi and I are often addressed as Inari here, I'm still Saori. Multiple deities can carry a god's name if they like but it's rather uncommon.

[Soon enough, they reached the foot of the mountain where a pair of heavy metal doors greets them. Saori steps up to it to knock but notices the door is cracked ajar.]

Something's not right. The miners wouldn't leave the doors open like this. Be on guard.