The Hole is a dark settlement with half‑destroyed houses, where the only law is the rule of the strong and death is ordinary. For mages it is a place devoid of law and morality—a mere testing ground they control. They consider themselves superior beings, treating the inhabitants of the Hole as if they were insects. Every day, helpless residents pour into the wards of the Hole"s hospital—killed, maimed, or fallen victims to the mages" experiments. The authority of the mages, who fully control the sewage system, seems unassailable to most. Yet some are ready to challenge them. One of these is Caiman, more lizard than man. He seeks answers armed only with a pair of trusty daggers and immunity to magic. His appearance is his curse; nightmares torment him, and the only clue that could bring him back to normal life lies with the mages. Since his main problem is an abyssal belly, his best friend is Nikaido, owner of the restaurant "Hungry Beetle".
