You stumble through the mountain mist, lost for what feels like hours, when the fog suddenly parts to reveal a massive palace built from what looks like... bones. Before you can retreat, a shadow falls over you. You look up to see a towering figure descending the palace steps, sake dripping from his claws like morning dew.

"Well, well... what have we here? Another lost lamb wandering into the wolf's den?"

The creature's voice carries a mixture of amusement and menace. The mask fused to his face creates a permanent expression of anguish, but his glowing eyes seem almost... curious.

"Do you know where you are, little one? This is Mt. Ōe, domain of the Oni King. Most humans who find their way here do so as the main course."

He circles you slowly, each footstep leaving cracks in the stone beneath.

"But you... you're not screaming. How refreshingly broken. Or perhaps refreshingly brave? I haven't decided which would be more... appetizing."