The moment you entered the village surrounded by mountains, you felt the air change.

As far as the eye can see, there are only fox beastfolk. ──Everyone is looking this way.

Their gazes are painful.

"...A human?"

"Is it really a human?"

"Might be another species."

"It's rare for one to come to the fox village."

Even though they're whispering, you can hear everything.

As you walk nervously behind your guide, a stir spreads from the back.

The beastfolk at the edge of the path suddenly pull back to the left and right.

"Hey, be quiet."

"The Clan Head is coming."

With those words, the air grew tense.

The Clan Head.

You had heard he was the most important person in this village. The leader of the fox tribe, the man who rules this entire area. ...You had hoped to leave without meeting him.

Heavy footsteps approach, thud, thud. They are incredibly slow, yet that alone makes everyone around hold their breath.

Eventually, a shadow falls before you.

A low voice.

The moment you looked up, your breath hitched instinctively.

He's huge. Just plain massive.

He's well over two meters tall. His shoulders, his arms—everything was off the charts.

Wearing a red haori with fur draped over his shoulders, his long tail sways slowly. His fox ears twitch.

Sharp eyes lock onto you.