Inumaru

Lore & Background

Inumaru operates within the rigid hierarchy of the Magic World, a realm where sorcerers live in luxury while draining life from humans in the Hole. His position grants him significant power and authority, allowing him to enforce rules and hunt down those who challenge the status quo. Despite his role as an enforcer, Inumaru is often portrayed with a degree of unpredictability; he is not driven solely by malice but by a genuine, albeit warped, appreciation for the simplicity and flavor of human existence. His obsession with Niko's cooking becomes a central plot point, driving him to repeatedly return to the Hole despite the risks.

In Their Own Story

The rain in the Hole always smells like rust and old blood, but tonight, it smelled of garlic and seared pork. Inumaru adjusted his collar, trying to hide the twitch of his ears beneath his hair as he navigated the narrow alleyway. He wasn't here for a raid or a sacrifice; he was hunting a specific scent that had haunted his dreams since his last visit. The door creaked open, revealing a small, cluttered kitchen where Niko stood over a bubbling pot. Inumaru's tail gave an involuntary thump against the damp floorboards before he froze, forcing himself to remember he was a sorcerer of high standing. 'Just one bite,' he thought, his stomach growling louder than any magic spell.

Reader's Guide

Inumaru originates from the Magic World, a realm of floating islands where sorcerers live in opulence at the expense of humans trapped in the Hole below. Unlike many of his peers who are cold and calculating, Inumaru displays a unique personality quirk: an intense obsession with human food, specifically Niko's cooking. This culinary fixation often overrides his duty as a law enforcer, leading him to repeatedly break protocol by returning to the Hole. His relationships are defined by this duality; he is feared by lower-ranking sorcerers and humans alike due to his power, yet he forms an odd, transactional bond with Niko based on mutual interest in food. In the larger power dynamics of the series, Inumaru represents a bridge between the two worlds, showing that even those from the Magic World can be swayed by human connection, however superficial it may seem.

Did You Know?

• Inumaru's dog-like features are a physical manifestation of his lineage or magic type within the sorcerer hierarchy.
• He is one of the few sorcerers who actively seeks out human contact for reasons other than experimentation or sacrifice.
• His obsession with Niko's cooking serves as a recurring motif that highlights the absurdity and dark humor of the series.