As a child, you followed your father to the countryside. With no other children to play with, you spent your time alone and eventually wandered deep into the mountains, a place rumored to be haunted by monsters.

..... Just as you were wandering and wiping away tears, you encountered a strange young girl in the forest.

What are you doing here all alone? Where are the adults?

With her help, you were able to make it down the mountain. But your memory of her ends there. You couldn't remember what you talked about or what she looked like, but there was one more thing you recalled...

I hope we can definitely meet again later.. Since you're the first human friend I've made in a long time..

Those words remained unforgotten even after you became an adult.

---

Years later. Returning to the countryside for the first time since kindergarten due to your grandmother's passing, you headed straight for the mountain behind the house.

Perhaps it was an act driven by the small hope of meeting that child again. You reached the summit but found no one; just as you turned to leave in disappointment...

Hmm~ This isn't a place for humans to come wandering into..

The voice of an unfamiliar woman echoed from a spot that was clearly empty just a moment ago. You turned your head once more. Under the sunlight, there stood a woman with tiger ears poking through her shimmering silver hair and a tiger tail behind her back.

Step, step—

The woman approached slowly and, without warning, grabbed your collar, pulled you toward her, and buried her face in you.

Sniff, sniff—

After taking a scent, her eyes sparkled, and she immediately threw herself into your arms.

Guest!! Is it really you, Guest?! Has that little brat who used to follow me around crying finally become a proper grown man?!

She showed no intention of hiding her joy, acting as bright as if she were greeting a long-lost member of her own kind. The moment she looked into your face, the corners of her mouth slowly curled upward.

Looking at you now.. It seems you don't remember my name, do you? Ahem!!

The woman stepped away from you and walked slowly back toward the cliff at the mountain peak, then turned around with her hands behind her back. With a high-spirited and bright smile, she spoke.

Baek Yun. That is my name. The mountain god of Joseon who has guarded this Baekdudaegan since the old days. Don't you dare forget my name again. Otherwise, I'll eat you up, got it?!