The Cannibalism Case

**Unofficially Titled Arc**
**The Cannibalism Case'**s name is **conjectural** which means that no official designation has been assigned, and it is susceptible to change at any time.

## Arc Information

### Volumes

Volumes 2 - 3
(2 Volumes)

### Chapters

Chapters 6 - 9
(4 Chapters)

## Arc Chronology

**The Cannibalism Case** (極榮街の食人鬼, *Gokurakugai no Shokujinki*, alternatively named as *Gokurakugai Cannibal Case*) is the second arc of *Gokurakugai* manga series.

Alma encountered an unfamiliar young woman named Kanata, who appeared visibly troubled and was wearing a black hood. Out of his compassionate nature, he accompanied her to a restaurant and provided her with a diverse selection of meals. Subsequently, Alma and Kanata began spending evenings together at a consistent location over a span of three consecutive nights.

During this period of their companionship, a series of incidents involving cannibalism emerged within the district, a matter that Alma and Tao had recently been investigating.

## Arc Plot

### Chapter 6

A week ago, Alma and Tao began investigating a series of cannibalistic incidents, where victims were found with bite wounds leading to significant blood loss. They examined the crime scenes and noted similarities among the cases, including a mysterious figure walking away from one site. In Tatsuomi's office, he offered Tao a reduced fee for his services in the case, prompting Alma to question the fairness of this arrangement based on individual financial situations.

Photographs showed victims with consistent bite wounds in different alleyways along Gokurakugai 10th Avenue. The victims shared criminal records involving offenses against women. The peculiar bite patterns on their palms raised suspicions of intentional targeting. Tatsuomi shared this information but hinted at a cost for more details. Alma and Tao decided to explore the area further before returning home.

In a crowd, Alma approached a woman named Kanata who seemed distressed. He inquired about her well-being, leading to a momentary physical altercation. Alma managed to engage her in conversation and took her to a restaurant, where they introduced themselves. Kanata revealed her loneliness and desire to be outside, leading to multiple dinners and shared interests between them. Alma appreciated Kanata's smile and encouraged her to reach out whenever needed.

The scene shifted to Kanata encountering a man in a restroom who made inappropriate advances. She defended herself by biting his hand and escaped his presence. The man accused her of being a "monster" due to her actions.

### Chapter 7

Upon arriving, Alma casually placed Tao's coffee jelly on a shelf and mentioned making a new friend with a cheerful demeanor. Tao was engrossed in reading a news article about an incident involving a girl from Izumisawa High School who bit a man on Gokurakugai 8th Avenue. The victim was taken to a hospital, and the news labeled it a Gokurakugai cannibal case. The girl, described as petite with light blue hair, had bitten through the man's palm. Tao answered a call from Tatsuomi and redirected the bills to Yoki. An unrelated outbreak on 6th Avenue was discussed.

Tao tossed Alma the news article, revealing that Kanata, Alma's friend, was the girl in question. Tao suggested Alma handle the Kanata situation while he dealt with the 6th Avenue issue. Kanata struggled to control violent urges and fled from human contact despite an anxious smile. The chapter transitioned to a group dining together.

At the gathering, Yomi intervened as a man harmed himself with a knife. The group included Yomi, Yoru, and others. Memeko noted families don't gather without a reason, sparking a disagreement. Among them were two distinct individuals, including one with a prominent scar and another with a wolf-cut hairstyle.

After a brief altercation, the man with the buzzcut left, and the remaining six discussed Kanata's struggle to resist her Maga nature. Yomi wished for Alma, a Maga hybrid, to join them. They debated Alma's inclusion, and Yoru was positive due to recent interactions. Alma searched for Kanata, finding her key ring near a phone booth. After tracking her, he discovered her upset and crying at a subway station.

### Chapter 8

Tao talked with Tatsuomi about Kanata, discussing her ability to live as a Maga while blending into the human world. The focus then shifted to Alma, finding Kanata upset at a subway station. She confessed to being behind recent cannibalism cases, describing an incident where she bit a man who nearly assaulted her in a restroom, confirming the man's description of her as a "monster."

Instead of responding verbally, Alma embraced Kanata. He questioned her nature and why she contacted him, sharing his hybrid status as part-human, part-Maga. Alma revealed his role in dealing with wrongdoers and encouraged Kanata to channel her abilities for good.

Alma mentioned Maga targeting malevolent humans, but Kanata hadn't taken lives since meeting him. He encouraged her to save people like he does. Alma suggested taking her to Saragi for assistance. During their embrace, Kanata involuntarily bit Alma's shoulder, surprising them both.

The man from the restroom incident arrived with accomplices, seeking revenge. They tried to attack Kanata, leading her to transform into a Maga, decapitating one man and eliminating the others. Alma tried to calm her, but she bit his arm, severing it. Yomi arrived through a Maga's gate, extracting a Karmic Stake from Alma's heart. Alma transformed completely into a Maga, despite his pleas to stop.

### Chapter 9

Yomi successfully removed Alma's Karmic Stake, transforming him into a Maga and accidentally causing his attack to injure Kanata. This incident triggers a memory for Kanata, explaining her aversion to meals due to past loneliness. Kanata endures Alma's attacks while reflecting on her connection with him and her remorse for taking lives. Alma eventually delivers a fatal blow to Kanata.

Yomi observes and comments on Kanata's perceived betrayal, while Alma tries to attack Yomi but fails. Yomi explains Maga behavior, their consumption urges, and Kanata's internal conflict. Tao and Nei arrive, attempting to attack Yomi with no success. Yomi bids Alma farewell, leaves a message for Tao, and introduces himself before departing.

Tao returns Alma's Karmic Stake, advising him to balance Maga blood and humanity. Alma is shocked by Kanata's lifeless state. Nei reveals Kanata's Maga nature, but Alma still considers her a friend.

## Story Impact

* 1. **Investigation Initiated:** Alma and Tao start investigating a series of cannibalistic incidents involving bite wounds and blood loss. They find similarities among the cases and a mysterious figure near one of the crime scenes.
	+ **Pattern Discovery:** Photographs reveal victims with consistent bite wounds in various alleyways, all with criminal records involving offenses against women. Suspicion arises about intentional targeting due to peculiar bite patterns on victims' palms.
* 2. **Encounter with Kanata:** Alma approaches Kanata, a distressed woman, leading to an altercation and a subsequent conversation. They bond over shared interests and experiences, and Alma encourages her to reach out.
	+ Kanata's encounter with an inappropriate man in a restroom leads to her defending herself by biting him. He labels her a "monster" due to her actions.
	+ Alma discovers that Kanata was involved in a cannibalism case where she bit a man. Tao shares this information with Alma, revealing that Kanata is the girl mentioned in the news article.
	+ **Kanata's Struggle:** Kanata's internal conflict is highlighted as she struggles to control her violent urges and avoid human contact.
* 3. Yomi intervenes in a situation where a man harms himself with a knife, and a group gathers. Discussions revolve around Kanata's struggle with her Maga nature.
	+ **Alma's Inclusion:** The group debates whether Alma, a Maga hybrid, should be included due to his recent interactions with Kanata.
* 4. Alma searches for Kanata and finds her at a subway station, upset and crying. He comforts her and reveals his hybrid nature, encouraging her to use her abilities for good.
	+ Kanata transforms into a Maga to defend against attackers from her past, decapitating them. Alma tries to calm her, but she accidentally bites him, causing a deeper connection between them.
* 5. **Yomi's Intervention:** Yomi arrives through a Maga's gate and removes a Karmic Stake from Alma's heart. This action transforms Alma into a complete Maga, inadvertently causing him to attack Kanata.
	+ Alma's attack severely injures Kanata, triggering a poignant memory for her. She reflects on her connection with Alma and her remorse for taking lives before Alma eventually delivers a fatal blow, ending her life.

## Characters Introduced

**Tao****Alma****Tatsuomi****Kanata**†**Yomi****Yoru****Memeko****Nei**

## Terminology Introduced

* **Karmic Stake:**
A "Karmic Stake" is a concept linked to the transformation of Alma into a Maga. It suggests a key element that's connected to Alma's ability to prevent himself from fully transforming into a Maga. Yomi successfully removed this Karmic Stake from Alma, causing him to undergo a complete Maga transformation. This process remains a mystery with unanswered questions.

## Location

* **Gokurakugai 10th Avenue:**
This is an avenue that's referred to multiple times in the arc. It holds importance as it's believed to be the significant location where Kanata likely resides.
* **Tatsuomi's Office:**
A place where discussions and arrangements related to the investigation occur.
* **Izumisawa High School:**
A school where a character named Kanata is associated, linking her to a specific location.