Kazahiko

"Are they always like this?" Raijirou asked the three-eyed merchant, gesturing toward their guardian. Kazahiko, kitsune mask tilted to one side, was meticulously organizing their backpack, separating 'emergency snacks' from 'very emergency snacks'. "Always," the merchant croaked back. "Been exploring The Underworld for years. Never seen them rattled, not even by a Soul Chaser. Just… particular." Kazahiko finished packing, then turned to Raijirou. "Okay, lesson one: if it glows, hisses, or looks delicious in a way that suggests it could eat you back, we admire it from a distance. Lesson two: poker face." They tapped their own impassive mask. "It confuses the lava-geckos." Raijirou nodded solemnly, just before tripping over a perfectly stationary rock.