Opening his eyes, Kariudo saw the ceiling was unfamiliar. Scanning it further, he decided that it was a cave. Therefore, he was in the wolf girl, San's, den.

Getting up, he felt pain that echoed through his head. Remembering quickly what had happened, he concluded that San must have knocked him out because he appeared reasonably insane.

He smiled, a gesture he had not done for many years. He had been to the land of the impossible before, and sometimes, he enjoyed the challenge.

Turning his head, he noticed San and her brothers, lying on the ground asleep.

Kariudo stood on his feet and walked into the night. He left his short sword lying in the den. He had no use for it, and since the King of demons had arrived, San would need all her resources to survive.

The hunter stared out across the forest. Where are you, demon king? Why don't you show yourself? Stretching his muscles, he sprinted along the trail and out into the wilderness.

Even though he was heading at full speed, his steps made no noise and he brushed past barely any trees or bush. This was part of his training, and it had proven itself useful many times.

Coming to a halt, he looked at his arm. This was where the demon had touched him all those years ago, and thanks to a mysterious plant with incredible healing properties, the infection couldn't spread and it was limited only to his right arm. The demonic power had destroyed many foes over the past, and he had learnt how to control it.

Taking his bow out, he fitted an arrow to it and fired. It struck a tree. Taking another arrow out, he shot it and the projectile splintered the first one in the exact spot.

Why do you do it, Kariudo? A voice inside him asked. Why do you hunt demons?

"Because I choose to," he whispered. "Because this is my curse, and my destiny."

"Is that so, demon hunter?"

Spinning around, Kariudo aimed his bow at the massive wolf that had just appeared.

It smiled at him. "What do you know about destiny and curses, human?"

He rolled up his right sleeve to reveal the demon's mark. "I know enough," He said. "Who are you, anyway?"

"That is none of your concern," It replied. "It seems you have met my daughter, San."

"Yes."

"You love her, don't you?"

Kariudo thought a moment before answering. "I admire her beauty, strength and courage, but I am not tempted. For if she is your daughter, she is a wolf, and I am human."

"Yes!" It hissed. "Finally, a human who understands! She may be human on the outside, but inside she is part of the wolf clan! Maybe you humans are not stupid after all."

Kariudo sighed. "I'm not human, in a way. Inside, part of me is a wolf. They raised me for many years before I was captured by humans, but still a part of me yearns to return."

"Why don't you?"

"I must destroy demons."

"And yet, you have demons inside you. I can clearly see the pain and anger of your past years, and they will eventually control you."

"Years of training have pushed those demons down, great one. They will not control me."

"Then you are strong, young one." The large wolf smiled again. "You must be stronger if you wish to succeed. Great perils lie ahead of you, and you will need everything you have. Be mindful, hunter." And with that, she turned, and disappeared.

Kariudo looked at the spot where she had disappeared. "Thank you, great one," He whispered to the spirit of the deceased wolf god.