"Treacherous roads force Hakaba and his party to wait out the winter in the mountain village. The extra time affords Hakaba the opportunity to puzzle out the lamias rhythmic tap language as well as decipher the meaning of the professor s recently uncovered papers. Though only a few scraps could be recovered, the professor s sense of foreboding and urgency are apparent. If humans cannot understand the Netherworld, the threat against his loved ones may become dire, instilling a fear that hits Hakaba closer to home more than ever before..."--