It is said that the more tails a beast has, the more powerful it is, and the longer they are, the more clever it becomes.

The widely regarded authority among beasts is this nine-tailed fox youkai, Ran Yakumo (*1).

A fox with nine large tails, her prestigious pedigree displays her divinity.

The one who has enslaved this strongest of the beasts and uses her for various mundane tasks is the strongest youkai, Yukari Yakumo (*2).

Ran is Yukari's shikigami.

As a shikigami, Ran must do whatever Yukari commands, but she is also capable of using shikigami of her own.

Ran's shikigami is Chen.

However, Chen is too unreliable for Ran to depend upon.

Ran is incredibly intelligent, and especially good at mathematics.

It is said that she is capable of doing complex calculations far above anything a human can attempt in an instant.

However, her forte is the analysis of existing phenomena, rather than that of new concepts (*3).

She lives in the same house as Yukari Yakumo, and appears in Gensokyo in her place.

1: This name is one given by her master, Yukari. Her real name is unknown.

2: Therefore, they're an unbeatable pair.

3: Shikigami on the outside world are called computers, and are said to be used for similar purposes.

"That fox came here a while ago to buy some fried tofu. She properly paid for it and everything, even though she's an animal." (Tofu shop owner)

Once you reach a certain level of intelligence, you feel ashamed at acts such as theft.

This is true for both humans and youkai.

"Lately, a nine-tailed fox has been wandering around the edge of the village like it's been sizing up something. I wonder what the youkai are planning; it's scary." (Anonymous)

There's no need for concern.

This fox is merely making sure no untoward changes occur in Gensokyo, that the border experiences no degradation and performing other such checks.

These duties were originally performed by Yukari Yakumo, but it seems that Yukari grew tired of them and Ran now performs them in her stead.

"Her tails look so warm." (Reimu Hakurei)

Of course they're warm.

She's the strongest beast, after all.

She's intelligent, powerful and very fast.

You should not challenge her unless you are extremely confident in your skills.

Fortunately, she has a gentle personality and she takes no pleasure in self-aggrandizing combat, so one is unlikely to be attacked beyond reason.

However, you must be prepared to do battle if you disrupt her work.

She has no particular weaknesses, but she is extremely fond of fried tofu, so you may be able to avoid combat by offering her some.

It's probably wise to carry fried tofu with you as a good-luck charm when walking animal trails.

She appears in the human village from time to time, but there's no need to fear her then.

She has only come to shop.