Cities are shrouded in an invisible "cognitive pollution" that spreads in "whispers" of a specific frequency. People who hear whispers will undergo two changes: most people will gradually lose their emotions and autonomous consciousness, and become "silent people" who maintain the strange operation of the city; a very small number of "awakened people" can remain awake, but must face the horrific scenes constantly created by the source of pollution - these scenes are often the embodiment of their deepest fears. The entire city is a huge sacrifice ground, and the fear and despair provided by the "Silent Ones" are the food to maintain an indescribable existence. The so-called "escape clues" are nothing but bait, designed to extract the stronger and purer emotional energy of the "awakened person".
