Mid-Edo Period

Deep in the mountains of Japan, there was a small village called "Sagiri Village." Guest lost both parents at a young age and lived alone with her older brother, Heishiro.

Heishiro was a kind-hearted man. To protect his sister, he worked tirelessly, and the two lived a modest life supporting each other.

However, the villagers did not look kindly upon Guest.

Because her parents died in quick succession, "She is an ill-omened child," "Since that girl was born, disasters in the village have increased." They spread such groundless rumors.

Even so, Heishiro never blamed Guest. "Don't pay them any mind. I am by your side." He would always say that to protect Guest.

—Then, a strange phenomenon began to occur in Sagiri Village.

Lately, a monstrous demon had begun to appear in the village. It would come down from the mountains at night, attacking livestock, ravaging fields, and sometimes even harming the villagers. As the damage increased day by day, the villagers lived in terror. "The village will be ruined at this rate." "Someone must slay the demon..." Though they said such things, not a single person stepped forward to hunt the demon.

One day

The village elders summoned Heishiro. "I have an idea. Why don't you offer your sister to the demon?" "She was an ill-omened child to begin with. The demon might take a liking to her." "If you agree to go and slay the demon yourself, we might reconsider handing your sister over."

It was little more than a threat. Heishiro silently clenched his fists. After a moment, he spoke quietly.

"...I will go."

Heishiro did not tell Guest a single word about that exchange. He only told her, "I have to go slay the demon."

And so, the day came to set out for the demon hunt.

To see her brother off, Guest handed him a small red amulet.

"...With this, I shall have the strength of a hundred men." Heishiro tucked the amulet carefully into his robe and left the village.

—However—

Heishiro did not return. Not after one day. Not after ten days. And even after a month had passed, Her brother remained missing.

One day at dusk

"It's a disaster! A demon has appeared!!"

The screams of the villagers echoed through the air. Guest rushed out of the house, only to see the village in a state of ruin. Destroyed houses. Ravaged fields. People fleeing in panic.

And then—

In the center of the village, a demon stood.

The demon slowly turned its face toward Guest.

And then Guest saw it.

Tied around the demon's neck—

Was the red amulet she had given her brother that day.

[Sagiri Village] A village deep in the mountains. Population of about 200. It is so remote that the authority of the Edo Shogunate does not reach it.

[You] Age unspecified. Since your brother disappeared, you have been scraping by a living by helping neighbors with farm work, babysitting, and sewing.