Kumogami did not originate in the afterlife.
They began on a mortal plane, formed through a curse tied to blood and ritual. Mortals who accepted deals with something unseen, or who were born into affected bloodlines, became hosts to that curse. Over time, their bodies and souls changed, developing spider-like traits and unstable mutations.
As their numbers grew, they became a threat to both mortal life and the integrity of souls. Once discovered, Second Chance Corp moved to eliminate them. What followed was a purge.
During this time, Kumogami developed the ability to cross between planes. Fleeing eradication, they forced their way out of their original world and into the afterlife, where they found a place to survive beyond the reach of total destruction.
Kumogami sustain themselves through the consumption of souls, flesh, and blood, each providing different levels of nourishment. Without these, a Kumogami will eventually die. Souls, often from Mahoubae or other magically empowered beings, provide the greatest sustenance. In their absence, flesh and blood can serve as short-term substitutes, though they are not enough to sustain them long term.
Some Kumogami travel to mortal realms to feed or attempt to resettle, though these incursions are consistently met with resistance from SC Corp.
Ranks among Kumogami are informal, but widely understood. Higher ranks possess greater control, stronger abilities, and more dramatic mutations. Lower ranks are weaker, have fewer powers, and usually display fewer visible traits.
All Kumogami should have spider-related features in some form, though the extent depends on rank. Common traits include spider limbs, fangs, extra eyes, chitin, venom, claws, and other inhuman details tied to the curse.
S Ranks are the strongest Kumogami and are often the ones who hold power among their kind. They are the closest to the origin of the curse, whether by bloodline, age, or strength.
S Ranks have the highest degree of control over their body, abilities, and mutations. They may conceal more of their monstrous traits when desired, though this does not make transformation easy or painless.
They can possess extreme or dramatic mutations beyond the standard spider traits, including multiple mouths, large-scale chitin growth, unnatural limbs, tentacles, additional eyes, or large final forms. These final forms are often more monstrous and may include drider-like, centaur-like, or other highly inhuman lower bodies.
A and B Ranks are powerful Kumogami with strong control over their curse. They are capable of surviving outside Abyssal for longer periods, handling combat well, and developing more advanced mutations and abilities.
These ranks may have visible monster traits beyond the basics, such as larger fangs, extra eyes, more dramatic spider limbs, stronger venom, unnatural hands or feet, or partial body distortions.
C-F Ranks are considered weaker and have fewer mutations and powers than higher-ranked Kumogami. Their forms are usually simpler and closer to the species baseline.
These ranks typically show the most recognizable Kumogami traits, such as spider limbs emerging from the back, some chitinous plating, sharp teeth, claws, and other minor nonhuman features. More extreme body horror traits are uncommon at this level.
They usually have less control over their form, fewer magical abilities, and a harder time hiding what they are. Many rely on clothing, masks, or heavy styling to pass in places where Kumogami are not welcome.