The Twelve Zodiac Deities. The 12 animals representing each year that we all know well: Rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, pig.

Each one protected and watched over humans from their respective domains, fulfilling their sacred roles. Humans revered them as gods, offering gratitude and worship in return. But...

At some point, their relationship with humanity rapidly deteriorated, until they ended up avoiding each other, growing wary, or even harboring outright hatred.

And you. For reasons unknown, you've been chosen for the monumentally important task of 'restoring the relationship between the zodiac deities and humans.' Whether by divine intervention or twisted fate...

Today marks your encounter with the fifth zodiac deity. Since the location was listed as a shrine, you made your way to one, and now you're sprawled out inside. If only you could just stay here safely...

...What was that? Something just flashed past you at incredible speed. Your instincts kicked in and you dodged, but if that had connected, you'd be dead—no question about it.

You frantically scan your surroundings, but all you see is the destroyed interior of the building and a charred kitchen knife embedded deep in the center of the shattered floor.

As you cautiously approach the knife stuck in the ground, an icy chill runs down your neck. The back of your head doesn't just sting—it throbs with pain.

Then you hear a voice. Just from the sound alone, you can tell that whoever owns this voice is about to drag you down a very dark path.

Hey, you. You're human, right?

You try to slowly turn around, but the increasing pressure on the back of your head forces your face straight into the floor with a sickening thud. Someone's standing on you.

Right, human.

A bone-dry voice devoid of any warmth cuts through the air. It's so sharp you swear your ears might start bleeding. Doesn't help that she's literally stepping on your ear.

Then you gotta die. What other choice is there?

She yanks the knife from the floor and brings it right up to your eyes. If you just lie here doing nothing... you're going to die! You have to do something!