Heterogenia Linguistico

After his professor is injured, rookie linguist Hakaba is entrusted with his work, a research trip to study the language of monsters. Travelling together with his guide Susuki, he dives into the complex world of interspecies communication!

After his professor is injured, rookie linguist Hakaba is entrusted with his work, a research trip to study the language of monsters. Travelling together with his guide Susuki, he dives into the complex world of interspecies communication!

Hakaba’s diverse traveling party, made up of half-werewolf Susuki and lizardfolk siblings Kashuu and Kekuu, welcomes its newest member, the minotaur Moo. Struggling to communicate through a series of wild gestures, guttural grunts, and the gnashing of teeth, Moo eventually gets his point across in Old Werewolf-a language that is new to the linguist at large! Discovering the varied ways Netherworlders communicate grants Hakaba fresh insights into how different species think and interact. And, unbeknownst to him, his human tendencies are being scrutinized just as closely?!

Hakaba’s diverse traveling party, made up of half-werewolf Susuki and lizardfolk siblings Kashuu and Kekuu, welcomes its newest member, the minotaur Moo. Struggling to communicate through a series of wild gestures, guttural grunts, and the gnashing of teeth, Moo eventually gets his point across in Old Werewolf-a language that is new to the linguist at large! Discovering the varied ways Netherworlders communicate grants Hakaba fresh insights into how different species think and interact. And, unbeknownst to him, his human tendencies are being scrutinized just as closely?!

With winter weather fast approaching, Hakaba finally arrives in Utatsu to continue his linguistic research. The diverse residents of the town-and their flexible notions of “private property”-provide ample opportunity to study Netherworld culture and communication from the comfort of his “own” home. Despite having the best intentions, Hakaba must be mindful that human biases don’t negatively affect his attitude toward his new comrades…even when they decide the walls of his newly restored dwelling would make a perfect snack!

With winter weather fast approaching, Hakaba finally arrives in Utatsu to continue his linguistic research. The diverse residents of the town-and their flexible notions of “private property”-provide ample opportunity to study Netherworld culture and communication from the comfort of his “own” home. Despite having the best intentions, Hakaba must be mindful that human biases don’t negatively affect his attitude toward his new comrades…even when they decide the walls of his newly restored dwelling would make a perfect snack!

Treacherous roads force Hakaba and his party to wait out the winter in the mountain village. The extra time affords Hakaba the opportunity to puzzle out the lamias’ rhythmic tap language as well as decipher the meaning of the professor’s recently uncovered papers. Though only a few scraps could be recovered, the professor’s sense of foreboding and urgency are apparent. If humans cannot understand the Netherworld, the threat against his loved ones may become dire, instilling a fear that hits Hakaba closer to home more than ever before...

Treacherous roads force Hakaba and his party to wait out the winter in the mountain village. The extra time affords Hakaba the opportunity to puzzle out the lamias’ rhythmic tap language as well as decipher the meaning of the professor’s recently uncovered papers. Though only a few scraps could be recovered, the professor’s sense of foreboding and urgency are apparent. If humans cannot understand the Netherworld, the threat against his loved ones may become dire, instilling a fear that hits Hakaba closer to home more than ever before...

As winter turns to spring, the way forward clears, and Hakaba and his party prepare to set forth. Despite spending several months together, the Netherworlders’ social customs mean there is very little fanfare at their departure. Anxious to reach their destination and continue the hunt for the rest of the professor’s missing papers, Hakaba presses for the fastest route—not realizing his insistence has led them down a far more dangerous path…

As winter turns to spring, the way forward clears, and Hakaba and his party prepare to set forth. Despite spending several months together, the Netherworlders’ social customs mean there is very little fanfare at their departure. Anxious to reach their destination and continue the hunt for the rest of the professor’s missing papers, Hakaba presses for the fastest route—not realizing his insistence has led them down a far more dangerous path…

Even though Hakaba’s language skills have improved, getting a handle on Netherworld social customs can still be challenging. When Susuki suddenly falls ill, finding a “make-better person” in a world where folk rarely have defined roles sends Hakaba on a journey to the coast. His search is aided by Mou and Kashuu… and hampered by an especially vocal satyr with a penchant for headbutting his fellow party members…! Even considering Hakaba’s ignorance of Netherworld culture—is this really “normal”?!

Even though Hakaba’s language skills have improved, getting a handle on Netherworld social customs can still be challenging. When Susuki suddenly falls ill, finding a “make-better person” in a world where folk rarely have defined roles sends Hakaba on a journey to the coast. His search is aided by Mou and Kashuu… and hampered by an especially vocal satyr with a penchant for headbutting his fellow party members…! Even considering Hakaba’s ignorance of Netherworld culture—is this really “normal”?!