Torii Keeper (鳥居守)

The Torii Keeper (鳥居守) is a quest-giver NPC in Zone 3 (Crimson Torii Path). He guards the torii gate that separates the lower zones (1–3) from the mid-game zones (4–8). He offers two quests that gate progression into the mid-game.

Services

Offers two quests: “Crimson Cleansing” (kill 8 enemies in zone 3) and “Into the Ashen Wastes” (travel to zone 5).
Does not sell, buy, or heal.
Provides lore about the torii and the zones beyond.

Quests offered

Crimson Cleansing (紅の祓い)

“The Torii Keeper cannot guard the gate alone. Slay 8 of the Tengu and Kappa that prowl the Crimson Torii Path — prove your strength beneath the gate.”

Type: Kill
Target: Any enemy (* wildcard)
Count: 8
Reward: 200 gold
Prerequisite: Reach Level 5 must be completed.

This quest progresses automatically as you fight in zone 3. Both Tengu and Kappa count. You’ll likely complete it within 10–15 minutes of starting zone 3, depending on your clear speed.

Into the Ashen Wastes (灰地へ)

“Beyond the torii lies the Ashen Oni Wastes — a land of cinders and hunger. Travel to zone 5 and let the ash mark your passage.”

Type: Zone
Target: Zone 5
Count: 1 (visit count)
Reward: 150 gold
Prerequisite: “Crimson Cleansing” must be completed.

This quest progresses when you travel to zone 5. You don’t need to fight anything there — just entering the zone completes the quest. Note that zone 5 requires level 20+ to discover normally, so this quest effectively requires you to be level 20+ (or to have unlocked zone 5 through other means).

Dialogue tree

Opening (greet)

“Halt. The torii stands, and I am its keeper. Beyond me lies the Frozen Yokai Vale, and beyond that, the Ashen Wastes. The Yokai grow stronger past this gate — do not cross until you are ready. What is your purpose here?”

Options:

“I have a task for you” → offers quests.
“What lies in the Frozen Vale?” → “Snow that falls upward, and the Yuki-onna’s song. The cold there is not natural — it is the cold of the dead, remembering warmth they will never feel again.” (returns to greet)
“I’ll return later” → “The torii stands. I will be here.” (ends conversation)

boon (after accepting a quest)

“You have accepted a burden. Do not return until it is lifted. The gate does not reward the impatient.”

Options:

“Understood” → “Go, then. The Tengu and Kappa wait.” (ends conversation)

Quest-giving flow

The Torii Keeper offers his quests in sequence:

Talk to him after completing “Reach Level 5” → he offers “Crimson Cleansing”.
Accept and complete “Crimson Cleansing” (kill 8 enemies in zone 3).
Return to him → he offers “Into the Ashen Wastes”.
Accept and complete “Into the Ashen Wastes” (travel to zone 5).
Return to him to claim the 150 gold reward.

After both quests are completed, the Torii Keeper has no more quests to offer. His dialogue remains available but does not change.

When to visit

Visit the Torii Keeper:

Once, when you first enter zone 3, to advance the quest chain.
Again after killing 8 enemies in zone 3, to claim “Crimson Cleansing” and pick up “Into the Ashen Wastes”.
Again after travelling to zone 5, to claim “Into the Ashen Wastes”.