Five years later.
"Gulp! Gulp! Gulp!"
"Howl!!!"
In the wilderness, darkness enveloped everything, punctuated only by the shrieking of night owls and the howling of wolves.
Just then, within the darkness, a flickering light appeared, trembling as it approached.
"Whoosh!"
A gust of wind howled past, causing the light to flicker unsteadily, revealing the silhouette of a frail figure.
It was a scholar, donning a long robe and a square scarf on his head, carrying a bamboo scroll case wrapped in white cloth on his back. His features were handsome, but his frame was delicate, appearing quite incapable of even trapping a chicken.
Clutching a lantern, he walked through the forest with trembling hands, his pace frantic. The wolves' howling from all directions filled him with terror, spurring him to quicken his steps, but his trembling legs only slowed him down.
"Howl!!!"
