Salt, a doppelganger boy, lived a life of persecution in the desolate slums known as the “Lost Area.” The one who saved him from his crushing loneliness was a girl named Rakuna. Through her, he finally found a semblance of peace—but it was not meant to last. Suddenly, a swarm of monsters appeared, slaughtering humans one by one. In the midst of the chaos, Salt watched helplessly as Rakuna was brutally murdered before his eyes. Driven to madness by despair and rage, the power sleeping deep within him finally awakened. After meeting Hakua, a mysterious girl who holds the key to changing the future, Salt travels back in time to reclaim everything he lost. To exact his revenge on the monsters and save the one he loves— The legend of the kind-hearted “monster” boy begins now. [Original Webtoon](https://jp.piccoma.com/web/product/208853)

Hideo Yamada compiles 18 stories about loneliness. Presented through themes of straggling, futility, insanity, seclusion, and an epilogue. **Rakugo** (落伍): 1. **Chikatetsu wo Orite.......**(地下鉄を降りて……) \[Daijiro Morohoshi\] 2. **Ohenro-san** (おへんろさん) \[Takashi Imashiro\] 3. **Oshiroi Komachi** (白粉小町) \[Youko Kondou\] 4. **Kuroi Chou** (黒い蝶) \[Kakusai Han\] **Muyou** (無用): 5. **Kamen** (仮面) \[Shinji Nagashima\] 6. **Ishi wo Kai ni Kita Onna** (石を買いに来た女) \[Motoyuki Oota\] 7. **Otsuuya no Kyaku** (お通夜の客) \[Yuu Takita\] 8. **Kibishii Shiren (from Pattman X)** (きびしい試練「パットマンＸ」より) \[George Akiyama\] 9. **Nichijou Seikatsu** (日常生活) \[Jun Kagari\] **Fuukyou** (風狂): 10. **Omoide no Occhan** (思い出のおっちゃん) \[Jun Urata\] 11. **Yoru no Semi** (夜の蝉) \[Tadao Tsuge\] 12. **Aburemon** (あぶれもん) \[Kaiji Kawaguchi\] 13. **Hisashiburi** (久しぶり)　\[Shinichi Abe\] **Inton** (隠遁): 14. **Shounan (From Musashino)** (沼南「武蔵野」より) \[Junichirou Saitou\] 15. **The Salamander** (山椒魚) \[Yoshiharu Tsuge\] 16. **Shimi** (紙魚) \[Shigeru Mizuki\] **Epilogue** (エピローグ) 17. **Sorekara** (それから) \[Hozumi\] 18. **Hitotsu no Hi** (ひとつの火　カシワイ) \[Kashiwai, original story: Niimi Nankichi\]