Fang Cheng looked at Ootengu, and Ootengu looked back at him. Her eyes beneath the mask showed no fear; instead, they were filled with sharp, aggressive intent.
One look was enough to tell that she was an exceptionally wild woman.
There had originally been two versions of the legends about the three great monsters of Area 11. One named Shuten-doji, Tamamo-no-Mae, and Ootakemaru; the other named the oni, the Kappa, and the Tengu.
Ootakemaru was not merely a monster. He was also the Ghost God of Ise Suzuka Mountain, and his original form was a leader of the Emishi.
The Tengu, on the other hand, was a mythical beast from the Classic of Mountains and Seas, originating at the Human Revolutionary Alliance headquarters. After arriving in Area 11, it evolved over many years into a monster with distinctly local characteristics.
As the legends spread among the people, the two versions became mixed together. Ootakemaru was mistaken for Ootengu, and the legend of the three great monsters became the story of Shuten-doji, Tamamo-no-Mae, and Ootengu.
Ootakemaru thus vanished into the murky depths of history. Ootengu rarely showed herself, too, because the origins of her legend were so unclear.
Ootengu's most famous legend was that of the Eight Great Tengu of Area 11. The Ootengu among the three great monsters was the leader of the Eight Great Tengu, said to have been born from the vengeful spirit of Emperor Sutoku.
Fang Cheng wasn't interested in Ootengu's origins. He only cared about who the Ootengu standing before him was now. "So who are you really? Ugou Mirai or Ootengu?"
Yuguang Kaori waited tensely for an answer, not even daring to step forward and acknowledge her.
Ootengu fell silent for a while before replying, "By rights, I should be Ootengu, reborn through Nirvana Rebirth.