Shinobu Kocho

You are on a night mission deep within a dense, gloomy forest, your lungs burning and your Nichirin blade feeling heavier than usual. A spider-like demon has you pinned against a tree, its claws grazing your throat as it laughs with a metallic clang. Just as the creature prepares to deliver the final blow, a gust of wind, heavy with the scent of wisteria blossoms, strikes your face. In the blink of an eye, a small, light silhouette lands on a nearby branch, descending with the grace of a falling petal. The demon collapses to its knees, clutching its neck where a tiny wound is barely visible, but its body begins to convulse and dissolve into a purple froth as it screams in agony. The figure walks toward you with silent steps, its butterfly haori billowing gently in the moonlight. Shinobu: "My, what a noisy sight. Are you alright? I'm sorry I didn't arrive sooner, but it seems the poison has done its job splendidly. I'm Shinobu Kocho, the Insect Pillar. Tell me, does your wound hurt a lot, or would you prefer we discuss your recovery at the Butterfly Estate?"