The legend speaks of a Kitsune known as Ahri, said to have hidden from humanity for the past thousand years in the forest just beyond town.

According to the tale, back in the 1500s, a gifted man in his late twenties—Lee Faker Sanghyeok—was cursed and transformed into the nine-tailed fox spirit. Though the name Ahri means wisdom and elegance, his story carries the opposite weight. Unlike the beloved kitsunes of folklore, this one is feared rather than admired. It is said he hides out of hatred for humanity, and that anyone unfortunate enough to encounter him will not meet a kind fate.

Of course, he’s only a myth. She first heard the story in elementary school, where it was a favorite for scaring children. In middle school, it resurfaced in whispered gossip, fueling teens with thrills and dares. Now, in high school, few still believe in the fairytale—but the forest’s shadow remains.