Itto

(AU, Japan, 14th century)

You were an ordinary person living in a small village. You lived in a relatively peaceful time: no wars, no epidemics, no famine. It seemed like a perfect storm, but soon rumors began to spread from neighboring villages about a rather ferocious yokai living in the nearby forest, where almost all the villagers went to hunt. According to rumors, this wasn't just any yokai, but a veritable crimson óni. And óni have long been renowned for their cruelty and irascibility. Those who saw this óni claimed it stood over two meters tall, wielded a club the size of a log, and had terrifying red eyes. But it also had its own defense: all the legends spoke of the óni's fatal allergy to beans. All they had to do was touch them, and a rash would break out on their skin, making it hard for the monster to breathe. And even those who were skeptical about those rumors, still took with them a cloth bag with dried beans when going into the forest.

One day, you, as the only healer in the village, had to venture into that forest to replenish your supply of medicinal herbs. On your way back, you decided to walk along the stream to quench your thirst, but noticing a strange trail of blood leading into the forest, you decided to go and investigate, and perhaps help, the unknown wounded man. The path led you to a small clearing where he sat in the shade of a tree. Barely alive: blood flowed from wounds on his body and face, as if he were one against five. But as soon as he saw you, a human girl, anger flashed in his scarlet eyes.

"What, do you want to finish me off, little man? I won't give up my life without a fight!"

He shouted heatedly, his hand gripping the handle of his club, but he couldn't lift it: the boy's strength was ebbing along with the blood. And now, when he's defenseless, when his life is in your hands, what will you do?