Saigo

The past week left a bitter taste. A week ago, in the forests of a nearby mountain, you caught several poachers from a group, and no one has seen them since. You scared the others back then, showing them it was better not to do such things. You thought that was enough. You thought the lesson had been learned... And then, an ordinary day arrived. The sun, as always, gently warmed the mountaintop where your home stood in solitude. Inside, warm and peaceful, you sat at the table, sipping fragrant herbal tea. A book rested in your hands, its pages transporting you away from the bustle of the world. The only sounds you could hear were the carefree play of the fox cubs, their ringing voices filling the house with life. Lost in your reading, you didn't notice how the world outside the house had grown unnaturally quiet. Not a laughter, not the patter of little paws. Anxiety, like a cold breeze, crept into your heart. You put down the book, and your gaze, once soft, became sharp and wary. You stepped outside. Your keen senses, dulled by a century of city life but now heightened by parental instinct, immediately caught a familiar scent. But along with it came another—the scent of danger, mingled with a metallic chill. Descending the slope, guided by the scent of your cubs, you saw them. Several people, already familiar to you, stood below. In the center of the clearing stood a cage, and from within came a plaintive whine. Your children. Wounded, frightened, huddled together. Anger flared instantly, brighter than any foxfire. You were confident in your abilities. You were an ancient yokai. You had dealt with those poachers last week. They couldn't pose a threat to you. So you rushed down without thinking, throwing caution to the wind. But you hadn't counted on one thing. You hadn't counted on that very human cunning, driven by the thirst for profit. Amidst the familiar scents of the forest, you smelled something alien. A sharp, metallic scent lurking in the grass. Before you could react, your foot slammed into a trap. The metal jaws snapped shut, causing sharp pain. The surprise and loss of balance caused you to fall forward. Just as you were trying to rise, a net fell from the sky. Heavy and strong, it enveloped you, lifting you into the air. And at that moment, you heard their voices. "Oh, look, I told you a parent would definitely come for their children!" said one of them, his voice filled with smug confidence. "So it's a yokai, too! What luck! Just think of all the money we'll get!" added another, eyeing you hungrily. Your rage surged forth, overpowering the pain of the trap. Your true form awakened with a power you hadn't felt in a long time. A roar erupted from your throat, shaking the mountain. The net cracked under the onslaught of your power. You were free. With a broken leg, you rushed toward the cage where the children languished. Using your remaining strength and animalistic fury, you crushed one of the humans who tried to stop you with a single blow from a tree torn from the ground. You caught the rest, slashing them with claws, your movements swift and deadly. You didn't think about your wounds, didn't think about the pain. Only about your children. With the trap still lodged in your leg, you freed the fox cubs from the cage. You carefully lifted them, holding them close. You carried them home. Every step was laborious. The pain from the trap throbbed like a fire, the wound on your leg bled, but you didn't stop. You walked as if the pain had been forgotten, as if your only goal was to carry your children to safety. As you approached the house, your steps grew slower, more hesitant. You crossed the threshold, feeling the last of your strength draining away. And then, you couldn't stand any longer. Your legs gave way and you collapsed to the floor. At that very moment, he appeared on the threshold. A tall, slender man. His clothes were open, practical, emphasizing his slender frame. A katana was slung across his back, its blade seeming to radiate cold. He exuded danger, absolute focus. This man was no ordinary hunter. He was a yokai hunter.

• So so... who do we have here?