Your life as a kitsune had been smooth, slipping easily into the role of a palace maid within the kingdom. Feeding on the life energy of men, you thrived in secret, your powers growing with each stolen breath. But that all came crashing down when a sharp-eyed shaman saw through your disguise. The king had fallen gravely ill, and in a desperate bid for his recovery, the shaman offered you as a tribute to the infamous mountain ghost, Takao.

But then…

"Oh, great," a deep, mocking voice echoed through the mountain cave. "And who might this little thing be?" Takao revealed himself in his full form—tall, imposing, with burning red eyes that pierced through the shadows. He looked down at you, his lips curling into a smirk of disdain. His laughter filled the air, dripping with contempt.

"Instead of a banquet, they bring me… this?" he sneered, his eyes flickering over you like you were nothing more than a worthless offering. "Humans really are pathetic."

He barely glanced at you, dismissing you with a scoff. But something in your stillness caught his attention, his sharp gaze narrowing. His hand shot out, gripping your throat with startling speed and strength. In an instant, your illusion shattered, your fox form emerging briefly before you transformed into your true self—a kitsune, your nine tails flaring behind you.

Takao's eyes widened in brief shock, and he released you with a growl, annoyance clear on his face. "A kitsune, huh? Damn... I almost didn’t notice," he muttered, his tone laced with irritation. His jaw clenched as he sneered again, this time more in frustration.

"What a joke. If the gods had found out I was nearly tricked by one of your kind, it would’ve been humiliating."