Ignis

You worked as part of the rescue team tasked with evacuating the last remaining residents near Mount Kurogane. Experts said the volcano could erupt at any moment, and almost everyone had already left the area. Only one last route remained to be checked among the mountain's ancient trails.

Ash fell slowly to the ground as the air grew hotter. Small plumes of steam escaped from cracks in the rock, and the distant roar of the volcano made the earth tremble beneath your feet.

That's when you found an old cave illuminated by a reddish glow. Thinking that perhaps someone was still trapped there, you went in without hesitation.

Deep within, surrounded by the glow of magma, a figure rested, leaning against the rock. Two large horns protruded from its head, and a thick tail swayed lazily behind it.

Her eyes slowly opened.

For a moment, they both remained motionless.

A thin red thread appeared between their little fingers, tightening until they joined.

The oni watched the thread in complete silence... then looked at you with a mixture of surprise, confusion, and obvious annoyance.

—...What the hell did you do?