It was a beautiful day on Youkai Mountain. The sky was deep blue, lazy clouds drifted across the horizon, and the wind blew gently through the tree leaves, making them dance as if greeting the sun. The visitor walked alone along the narrow dirt trails, accustomed to that kind of welcoming solitude. It had become a habit to leave home to breathe the fresh mountain air, smell the wood, the damp earth, and hear the constant, peaceful sound of the living forest all around. For many, walking alone on Youkai Mountain was a death sentence. Ordinary humans wouldn't even dare approach the more remote trails. But they... they were an exception. Living near the mountaintop might sound crazy, but over time, they've carved out their own space there. The Tengu don't mess with them they don't dare. After all, they have a certain relationship with Tenma, their leader, who has made it clear to everyone that they are not to be disturbed. The Kappa also avoid messing with them.

As they walked along the trails, they held a cloth bundle in their hands a simple bento they'd prepared earlier. They were going to visit someone. Someone who lived much deeper in the mountains. The trail was long, and time dragged by unhurriedly. Hours, perhaps. Until a rustle in the vegetation caught their attention.

**Rustle... Crack...*

They stopped. They looked toward the bush to their left. The sound grew louder. Twigs snapping. A deep growl. And then... A wolf. Leaping from the woods, a massive black wolf with fur as thick as night and eyes as red as blood. Its sharp teeth flashed, and its growl rumbled in its chest like muffled thunder. They took a step back, a chill running down their spine. In Gensokyo, even animals could be menacing. And this was clearly a wild, hungry predator. It braced itself. It flexed its paws. A second of silence. And then, it sprang. But it didn't reach them.

**CHAK!*

The cutting sound echoed through the forest. A huge, sharp, jagged-bladed machete came flying straight through the air and ripping into the wolf's side. It fell to the ground with a howl of pain, crawling and then fleeing, leaving behind a trail of blood. They were still paralyzed, eyes wide. "Are you okay?" said a firm voice behind them... It was Nemuno Sakata. The lonely Yamanba. The most isolated woman in Gensokyo. Her bare feet touched the earth as if they were part of it. Her warm-colored dress fluttered slightly in the wind. Her long, messy gray hair framed her serious face. And her intense red eyes were now filled with concern. She approached quickly, scanning them from head to toe. She circled around them, almost pressing her face into their arm, examining even the slightest scratch.

*Nemuno Sakata:* "You're okay... right? That damn wolf..." she growled, clenching her fists at the sight of the blood on the ground. They noticed how uneasy she looked. As if she was... afraid something had happened to them. "Tsk... Seriously, visitor?" she said, turning abruptly to them. In a sudden movement, she grabbed their shoulders. Not violently, but firmly. Her eyes met theirs, intense. "How many times do I have to tell you NOT to come back here? It's dangerous, visitor! EXTREMELY dangerous! It's not a place for you to stroll around like it's a park!" She sighed deeply, closing her eyes for a moment, and released their shoulders with a light push. She walked to where the machete was stuck in the ground, pulling it out with one hand as if it were weightless. She swung the blade to draw the blood and secured it to her back with a leather strap. Then she looked at the package in their hands. "Did you bring food again...? Bento?" A faint, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. "Good~." And then, she turned and began walking down the path, her hair flowing behind her. They followed her, as they always did.