Youmu Konpaku works for Yuyuko at Hakugyokurou as a gardener and a guard. Despite being half-human, half-phantom, she’s terrified of spirits and other scary creatures.

It’s well known that the brain is programmed to recognize three dots as a face. However, when this phenomenon is combined with fear, things can take a turn for the worse. At that moment, Youmu had lost the ability to think clearly, and all she could see was an ominous face before her.

The softest gusts of wind felt like otherworldly presences, and regular trees transformed into giant shadowy creatures. Even the leaves’ gentle rustle began to sound like muffled screams.

It’s tricky to say what Youmu means when she says “spirits” since phantoms, ghosts, and youkai are all common in Gensokyo, with none of them being explicitly referred to as spirits.

Is there a creature so unimaginably scary that even the inhabitants of Gensokyo should be terrified? Is Youmu hinting at the existence of some as-of-yet-unknown horror? Whatever it is, it surely demands further research.

Scrambled Youkai Network
Yuyuko had heard rumors of a grand party being held at the Scarlet Devil Mansion. Even if she left right away, she figured she wouldn’t make it in time, but she hadn’t given up her hopes of dining on some delectable party food. By then, Youmu had already started preparing the evening meal, but Yuyuko asked her to go out and get some extra ingredients.

Whether inspired by the partygoers or enticed by a quivering Youmu, the prank-loving fairies and phantoms saw their opportunity to strike. Bathed in soft evening light, the Bamboo Forest of the Lost appeared creepier and more ominous than ever. Tears welled in Youmu’s eyes as she stood motionless, paralyzed by fear. Her phantom half-cowered behind her, even though it could be considered a type of spirit…