Shadow on the Ground (下界の影 Kakai no kage) is the 12th chapter in the Gachiakuta manga series written and illustrated by Kei Urana. It was published in the 24th Weekly Shōnen Magazine issue on May 11th, 2022.
Summary[]
Semiu takes a seat at her desk and looks at the phone. After a moment, it rings with the person on the other end making a request.
Semiu tells Rudo, Zanka, Griss and a few other janitors that a request was made. Zanka asks her why Rudo is there since he is not officially a janitor yet. She says that the nature of this request warrants Rudo joining. She continues saying the details of the request, which includes a merchant being attacked by an aberrant beast and stolen cargo. It turns out that this cargo was a person who fell from Heaven. Griss tells Rudo that he should decide for himself whether he wants to go or not. Rudo thinks about how he couldn’t use his power properly and that he could be a burden again. But he also thinks that there may be a clue to getting back above. Rudo makes up his mind saying that he’ll go. Semiu mentions that Engine couldn’t join because he is on another job but he said that since Zanka is there it’ll be fine.
Now outside and heading to their destination, Zanka, looking very happy, says they have to do their absolute best. Rudo asks Griss why he doesn't have any weapons to which he answers that he mostly uses his bare hands. Another janitor chimes in saying that Griss has an amulet that he prays to before every job.
While they continue talking, a person appears behind them. They introduce themself as the merchant who sent the request. Rudo begins bombarding them with questions about the Skyperson. The merchant says that they were unconscious so they don't know anything about them. Rudo says he hopes they aren’t trying to make money off of the Skyperson which they adamantly deny. Zanka thinks about how aberrant beasts always attack any humans they see so it's odd that it would abduct someone. He notes that there have been a lot of weird mutations since Rudo arrived.
The merchant ushers them into a building saying that they need to hurry to get the Skyperson before it's too late. They push them all to what appears to be a doll sitting on a chair. Rudo says that it isn’t human at all right before the floor caves in under them. The janitors fall to a lower floor and look for the abducted person. The merchant on the upper floor appears to melt and say “he’s right there” while pointing at Rudo.
Two figures approach mentioning a skyperson who is also a giver. Zanka realizes that this was all a setup by “vandals”. The vandals say that they will take the skyperson.
Appearances[]
Characters[]
Locations[]
- Ground
- Cleaners Headquarters
- Abandoned city in the Polluted zone