F-rank slum boy Kane enters the Abyss to save dying sister Lily. Of thirty thousand, only he lives; sleeping Abyss Lord Vargos slaughters the rest, stores his power in him, becoming black cat Peanut. Home, he is branded deserter and traitor. The Federation's device cannot archive his power: ""F-rank: Undetected""—nonexistent, not weak. With Lily's surgery closing in, he signs a false confession before thirty thousand names. He hunts sewers for bounty and enters the Arena, where A-rank ice prodigy Aria Vale becomes his ally. He awakens repeatedly, finally defeating heir Lucius. Aria learns talent is power rationed by the Abyss Mother. Inspector Silas Crowe will sacrifice the city to preserve most powers. Named the ""Calamity of the Abyss,"" he must sit on the deepest throne to close the gate. Vargos, a three-headed hellcat, leads the Legion to kneel before him—new Abyss Lord, not to rule but to shut the door within. Beyond the gate, Aria refuses to kneel, promising to knock daily.
