What to know

  • “I am Real Within You” appears as part of a riddle in the Oni’s Breath Inn side quest in Ghost of Yōtei.
  • The riddle’s full line reads: “I am real within you. I am but a story around you.”
  • The correct answer is “Demon”, symbolizing the darkness that resides within every person.
  • This moment reflects the game’s deeper themes of inner conflict, folklore, and self-discovery.

The phrase “I am Real Within You” captures one of the most mysterious and philosophical moments in Ghost of Yōtei. Found in the Oni’s Breath Inn riddle, it’s more than just a puzzle to solve — it’s a reflection of the game’s core theme: the struggle between light and shadow inside every soul.

The riddle at Oni’s Breath Inn and what it means

When you explore Oni’s Breath Inn, you encounter a peculiar inscription:
“I am real within you. I am but a story around you.”
It’s one of several riddles that test your understanding of both folklore and introspection. The answer, “Demon,” points to how Ghost of Yōtei constantly blurs the line between human nature and supernatural presence.

In this context, the demon isn’t simply an external threat — it’s something internal, representing the emotions and impulses players witness through the protagonist’s journey. The Inn itself, haunted by whispers and memories, becomes a mirror to the player’s decisions and morality throughout the story.

How to solve the Oni’s Breath Inn riddle

Step 1

Reach Oni’s Breath Inn, located in the misty foothills near the central Yōtei region. You’ll recognize it by the red lanterns flickering despite the heavy fog.

Step 2

Inside, investigate the etched wall near the upper corridor. You will be prompted to talk to the Oni raider. Answer his riddles.

Step 3

As he asks, “I am real within you. I am but a story around you.”
When prompted to answer, choose “Demon” from the dialogue options.

Solving it unlocks a memory fragment tied to an Oni encounter from the protagonist’s past. This not only grants XP but also advances a hidden lore thread about humanity’s inner corruption.

Symbolism behind “I am Real Within You”

In Yōtei’s lore, “the real within” represents truth and essence — what you truly are when stripped of appearances. The “story around you” represents how others perceive that truth. The demon, then, is the hidden reality beneath the tale told by the world.

This duality — real vs. story, inner vs. outer — is central to both the riddle and the game’s storytelling. It’s a poetic embodiment of Yōtei’s tone: quiet, eerie, and reflective.

Why this riddle matters to lore seekers

For lore hunters, the Oni’s Breath Inn riddle offers one of the earliest direct hints about the balance between human and Oni in Yōtei’s mythology. It suggests that the Oni’s presence isn’t entirely foreign — it’s born from the same human fears and emotions that drive the protagonist.

The riddle also connects subtly to the later “Mirror of Regret” questline, which asks you to face your reflection — another symbolic battle between what’s real within and what’s merely seen.