"Home" (ホーム Hōmu) serves as the second chapter in the Gokurakugai manga series, a work written and illustrated by Yuto Sano. It is also featured as the second chapter within the first volume of the series.
Summary[]
Alma and Tao return to the Saragi Anti-Maga Organization headquarters, where Alma undergoes a blood extraction procedure and feels unwell afterward. Yoki and Dara welcome them, and Yoki shows off some new gauntlets he made, explaining that Alma's blood is used for ammunition.
They discuss a mission Tatsuomi mentioned, involving mysterious disappearances at a cemetery. After resting, Alma and Tao head to the cemetery and meet a young man named Isato. Isato shares his painful past of family abuse, revealing that his father killed his grandfather for insurance money and abused him.
While talking with Isato, they are suddenly attacked by Magas (Disaster Beasts). Alma intervenes, and Tao explains that Magas are resurrected corpses. Alma transforms into a half-maga and defeats the Magas. Isato discovers that one of the Magas is his father.
Isato rejects his father’s pleas for mercy, and Alma finishes off the Maga. Isato decides to let go of his guilt and start afresh. When Alma and Tao return to headquarters, Yoki and Dara warmly embrace them. They are shocked to receive a hefty repair bill for the cemetery cleanup.
Plot Details[]
The Saragi Anti-Maga Organization Headquarters
Alma is woken up by Tao, who tells him they're heading home. They chat casually while walking down an alley. When they reach the Saragi Anti-Maga Organization Headquarters, Yoki greets them excitedly with hugs, and Dara gives a more reserved welcome.
During a blood extraction, Alma feels faint, and Dara helps him by holding his hand. Yoki explains that Alma's blood is being used to make ammunition for Tao's weapon, so they need regular blood samples. Yoki then shows off his new gauntlets and jokingly asks Tao to try them on. Dara also talks about some new gear she’s made.
After the blood extraction, Alma still feels dizzy and Dara tells him to rest. Tao, busy with her weapon, reassures Alma that once they deal with the problematic Maga, they won’t need to take more blood samples, which cheers Alma up.
Alma's blood extraction session
Tao asks about Tatsuomi's whereabouts, and Yoki explains that he got information from Tatsuomi about a case at the Southern Fudo District Cemetery. People have been disappearing there, leaving their belongings behind. Tatsuomi’s report suggests that the culprits are using the cemetery's remote location to stay hidden. Tao inquires about the cost of this information, and Yoki reveals he had to pay double the original price. While Alma recovers and eats to regain his strength, they prepare for a new mission based on Tatsuomi's intel. Alma and Tao then head to the Southern Fudo District Cemetery, saying goodbye to Yoki and Dara.
Tao and Alma reaching Southern Fudo District Cemetery
Tao and Alma arrived at the Southern Fudo District Cemetery and met a young man named Isato. He was heading to visit a special grave, and Alma asked if he could guide them to the inner part of the cemetery. Since they were going in the same direction and had some free time, Alma suggested they join Isato.
They reached the Amadera Family Grave together, where Isato lit candles and prayed for his late grandfather. Isato revealed that his grandfather was buried there and shared that his father had killed his grandfather out of greed for insurance money. His father later died in jail due to illness. Isato stopped for a moment, realizing he had shared a lot, but Tao reassured him that their agency was there to listen and accepted cigarettes as a form of payment.
Tao asked for cigarettes as payment for listening Isato's story
Isato began to share the hardships of his upbringing. He explained that his father never worked and lived off his grandfather's money. As a minor, Isato had to work while enduring physical abuse if he spoke out against his father. Despite the difficulties, he found comfort in his grandfather's support.
One day, when his grandfather’s health worsened due to overwork, Isato saved money for potential hospital bills. However, his father took the money forcefully, leaving Isato stunned and helpless.
Isato recalled a moment when he bought his grandfather's favorite sushi to celebrate his middle school graduation. Sadly, when he returned home, he found his grandfather dead with his father nearby. His father dismissed the death, leaving Isato to grieve silently. His father continued to mistreat him and demanded Isato's earnings. Isato’s story revealed a painful history of abuse and neglect at the hands of his father.
Isato witnessing his grandfather's death in the hands of his own father
As Isato reflects on those tough times, he feels regret for not standing up for himself. Alma reassures him, saying he’s not to blame for everything and that his kind nature often makes him take too much responsibility. Alma believes Isato’s grandfather would understand this. Isato thinks his grandfather might have felt the same way.
Feeling lighter after sharing his story, Isato gets up to head to work. Alma gives him a tissue pack with their business contact details. Isato then leaves to return the bucket he borrowed earlier.
Isato was attacked by a Maga
As Isato walks away, still thinking about Alma's words, he hears noises coming from nearby bushes and is suddenly attacked by Magas. Alma quickly comes to his rescue and asks Tao to chant "Kai" so he can fight the Magas himself. Alma undergoes a half-maga transformation, which surprises Isato as he sees blood gushing from Alma. Alma manages to defeat one of the Magas. Watching the battle, Isato nervously asks about these creatures. Tao explains that they are called Maga, or Disaster Beasts, created from resurrected corpses and sometimes capable of speech.
Alma transformed into half-maga
Seeing Alma transform into a half-maga and bleed so much raises concerns for Isato. He questions if Alma is no longer human, but Tao reassures him that Alma is still human, just not ordinary.
The remaining Maga, still partly conscious, asks why Alma, who shares their blood and power, is helping humans despite being a Maga himself. It begs for mercy, promising not to harm humans anymore. However, Alma, unwilling to show compassion, strikes the Maga's head and explains that they are destined to be eliminated.
Isato expressing that he want his dead father to get away from his life
The decapitated Maga tries to flee and calls out to Isato for help. Tao, who is with Isato, keeps the Maga in check with her gun. Isato is shocked to realize that the Maga is the corpse of his abusive father, especially since it knows his name. Tao explains that these are just remnants of his father's memories, not his father's actual presence.
The Maga begs for mercy, trying to appeal to family ties and justifying its actions by claiming it killed Isato's grandfather for his sake. As Isato hears his father's Maga plead, he remembers his grandfather's smile. Overcoming his fear, Isato admits that his father’s influence caused him suffering and expresses his desire to escape that painful past. Alma takes the chance and strikes the Maga down as it curses Isato, ending the creature’s existence.
Isato cries as he expresses his gratitude.
After Alma removes the karmic stake from his chest and returns to his human form, he advises Isato that living a life full of regrets isn’t fulfilling. He encourages Isato to release his guilt about his grandfather and live his own life without that burden. Alma suggests that Isato might have the chance to apologize to his grandfather in the afterlife. This thought touches Isato deeply, bringing tears to his eyes. He agrees with a smile and thanks Alma.
Back at the headquarters, Yoki and Dara warmly welcome Alma and Tao. They’re taken aback when they receive the repair bill from the cleanup squad, which has six zeroes. The cost surprises them, as they hadn’t expected graves to be so expensive, despite being made of just rocks. Despite the shock, Yoki tearfully reassures them that their safety is what truly matters.
Gallery[]
Quick References[]
Chapter Trivia[]
- It is disclosed that the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter Agency is just a side hustle run by Tao and Alma. Their primary affiliation is with the Saragi Anti-Maga Organization, which specializes in missions centered on Maga-related cases.
- This chapter illustrates a unique trait of Maga creatures. As these entities are formed from resurrected human corpses, there are instances where they possess the ability to speak and exhibit the personality of the person they once were. Additionally, they retain the memories of their past identities.
Chapter Notes[]
- Alma and Tao are introduced as members of the Saragi Anti-Maga Organization, and it's revealed that Alma's blood is being used to create ammunition for Tao's weapon.
- Yoki and Dara, their colleagues at the organization, welcome Alma and Tao back after a mission.
- Alma undergoes a blood extraction procedure and feels unwell, leading to concerns about his health.
- The group discusses their next mission based on information provided by Tatsuomi, which involves mysterious disappearances in a cemetery.
- Alma and Tao head to the Southern Fudo District Cemetery to investigate, where they meet a young man named Isato.
- Isato shares his tragic family history, including abuse by his father and the murder of his grandfather.
- Alma and Tao offer a sympathetic ear to Isato, who finds relief in sharing his painful past.
- Isato is suddenly attacked by Magas, supernatural creatures formed from reanimated corpses.
- Alma transforms into a half-maga to fight the Magas and explains their nature to Isato.
- Isato questions Alma's humanity and learns about his unique abilities.
- Alma confronts the Magas, ultimately defeating them, and Isato grapples with the realization that one of the Magas was his abusive father.
- Isato overcomes his fear and rejects the Maga's claims, ultimately finding closure and resolving to live without regrets.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
Author's Comment[]
| Author's Comments | |
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Yuto Sano |
Thank you for your support and comments. I'm glad.
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