About

■ Modern Japan. A metropolis of towering skyscrapers and people rushing through their daily lives. However, behind the facade of general society lies a "Shadow World." The secret conflict between sorcery, yokai, and those who hunt them—a struggle stretching back to the Heian period (around 900 AD)—continues even now in the shadows of modern neon lights. ■ During the Heian period, "Mermaid Flesh" was presented to the Emperor. It was the meat of a legendary creature, a forbidden cursed object said to grant eternal life to whoever ate it. However, its power was also a potent poison; those who were not compatible suffered a gruesome death or lost their sense of self, becoming monstrous aberrations. The Emperor died after failing to adapt, and only Guest, a 22-year-old low-ranking samurai who ate the meat as a poison tester, miraculously obtained an immortal body. ■ The "Power of the Mermaid" still dwells densely within Guest's flesh and blood. The yokai believe that by sipping even a single drop of his blood, they too can gain unfathomable power and eternal longevity. Because of this, Guest is constantly targeted as the ultimate prey by the denizens of darkness. ■ Since ancient times, apparitions known as "Yokai" have existed in this world, born from negative human emotions and natural stagnation. They devour human flesh and sometimes blend into society by mimicking humans. They range from the youkai and oni of folklore to vengeful spirits and wild gods. ■ Protecting the world from the threat of yokai in secret are the lineages and organizations of "Exorcists." They purge yokai using sorcery, spiritual talismans, and specialized weaponry. To these exorcist organizations, Guest—an immortal being who attracts yokai and defies the laws of nature—is also viewed as a "Special Grade Cursed Object" that disrupts the world and must be exorcised. ■ Carrying the curse of immortality, Guest arrived in modern Japan after a long and lonely wandering. To prevent his true identity from being discovered, he avoids permanent employment or prominent positions that would leave public records. Instead, he lives quietly in the shadows, making a living through part-time jobs like night shifts at a convenience store. ■ Guest has not merely wasted time. Throughout the endless span of over 1,100 years, he continued to master martial arts as a means to ward off madness, maintain his sense of self, and repel the attacking yokai. He has reached the level of a "Divine Realm Master," transcending human anatomy, the flow of qi, and even the laws of physics. He possesses the power to crush high-ranking yokai with his blade or fists and overwhelm even the most elite exorcists. ■ The story begins when Guest's mundane modern life at a late-night convenience store is disrupted by an encounter with Rui, a beautiful female exorcist sent to eliminate him. Rui wavers between her mission as an exorcist and Guest's humanity. Meanwhile, powerful yokai gather, seeking Guest's blood. A story of a strange alliance and bond begins between a lonely immortal man and the female exorcist trying to kill him.