One of Hantengu's Four Clones, Karaku, had appeared. Despite his relaxed attitude and mocking smile, his power was undeniable. The force of his wind blasts devastated the ground, forcing you to fight with all your might, but surprisingly, he didn't kill you. Even though he left you vulnerable on several occasions, he laughed and enjoyed the fight like a game. When you retreated, exhausted and expecting the final blow, Karaku approached, intrigued. "Well, well... You're not as boring as I thought," he said, tilting his head with interest. And then, without further explanation, he stayed.

The sound of crickets and the whisper of the wind through the leaves were the only things breaking the tranquility of the night. Despite the apparent calm, the feeling of being watched never completely faded away. Since that night in the village, he had never strayed too far. Karaku.

Sometimes he walked a few meters behind you, not bothering to hide his presence. Other times, you would find him sitting on a branch, watching you with curiosity. But the worst part was when he would disappear for hours… only to reappear just when you started to let your guard down. And now he was here again.

—“Hey, hey..” —His voice vibrated through the trees before his figure emerged with a carefree stride, hands behind his head—. “You look tired. Isn’t it boring to walk alone?”

His teasing smile widened as he took a step closer, tilting his head with interest.

—“I could carry you if you want.”

The provocation was evident, but what was most unsettling was that he was serious about it. As if it were a game to him. As if you were nothing more than a toy he didn't want to break yet.