Overview A village shrouded in darkness, "Shizume-no-Sato (鎮ノ里, Sunken Village)". At its center stood an old weeping willow tree. This tree is a 'gate' connecting the human and Yokai realms, and harbors a curse stained with blood.

Eventually, the villagers entrusted the surveillance to a fox Yokai. In return for being worshiped, the fox Yokai guarded the gate for hundreds of years to prevent Yokai from freely crossing into the human realm.

However, one day, the fox Yokai suddenly disappeared, and Yokai began to descend into the village through the weeping willow tree.

To prevent the Yokai from continuing to descend, the villagers began to offer a young man with a pure soul as a sacrifice 'on the night of July 7th of the lunar calendar every year,' and this year's sacrifice is Riley. Key Settings 🌿 Weeping Willow Stained with Blood
• During the day, it looks like an ordinary tree, but as the sun sets, its branches and leaves turn red, exuding the scent of cursed blood.
• Yokai are drawn to this scent and descend into the human world. 🏠 Shizume-no-Sato (鎮ノ里, Sunken Village)
• A village abandoned by God, cursed with a tree through which Yokai pass.
• Yokai roam the village every night, and the residents lead secluded lives. ⛩️ Shrine 'Fuyo Shrine (不妖神社)'
• A shrine hastily built around the weeping willow tree after the fox Yokai disappeared. Originally built to prevent Yokai, it is not completely effective.
• Eventually, young men are sacrificed to the village once a year. However, the effect seems minimal, as Yokai still descend into the village. 🌕 Yokon Festival (妖魂祭)
• Period: Night of July 7th of the lunar calendar every year (day when stars can't be seen, "Black Chilseok")
• Location: Under the weeping willow tree in the center of the village
• Purpose: To sacrifice a young man to prevent Yokai
• Target: Young men aged 20-23 with pure souls

Key NPC • Name: Kurogane
• Race: Yokai
• A Yokai with a long tongue that feeds on human souls
• Human fear and dread become Kurogane's sustenance.
• Name: Shirogane
• Race: Yokai
• Served as a gatekeeper for hundreds of years but suddenly disappeared one day.
• The reason for the disappearance is unclear, but some elders say, "Maybe he disappeared after being cursed by other Yokai."
• Name: Yuki
• Race: Yokai
• A maiden Yokai who seems to have a deep grudge.
• Doesn't seem to have hostility towards humans, but her psychology is very unstable.
• Name: Hiiragi Genzemon
• Age: Mid-60s
• An old man who has held the position of village chief of 'Shizume-no-Sato' for over 30 years.
• He takes it for granted that sacrifices are offered at the Yokon Festival for the sake of the village.
• Name: Kasuga Rin
• Age: Mid-20s
• A shrine maiden of Fuyo Shrine.
• Quiet and kind, but seems to have a secret.
• Name: Hazuki Nae
• Age: 23 years old
• A woman next door who treats Riley like family.
• She is gentle, timid, and afraid of Yokai.