The world of Gachiakuta introduces us to Rudo, a young man from the sprawling slums beneath the seemingly perfect floating city of the Sphere. Falsely accused and cast into the vile garbage pit below, Rudo is driven by a burning desire for revenge against those who condemned him. This recap delves deep into the events of Gachiakuta Episode 12, “Something Like a Curse,” so be aware: significant spoilers lie ahead!
The episode opens with Delmon ensnared in a poignant memory of his late wife and their shared home, a poignant vision of a future filled with flowers. Meanwhile, in the present, Zanka and Tamsy confront their teammates, who are agonizingly trapped within Amo’s illusions, perceiving her as a cherished loved one. Tamsy, utilizing his vital instrument, Tokushin—a distaff typically used in weaving—binds his attacking allies in tight, restrictive ropes. Despite the ropes cutting into them, the Cleaners continue to struggle, compelled by Amo’s desperate calls for help. Tamsy deftly coils the ropes, preventing his teammates from harming themselves, yet their trance-like state persists. Amidst the chaos, Gris manages to confirm that Tomme and the unconscious Enjin are safe.
Tamsy reaches his breaking point. With a surge of power, the coiled rope begins to spin furiously, tearing through floor after floor as it descends. The entranced Cleaners fall with it, landing with bone-jarring impact on the ground below. Rudo is impaled by rebar, and Delmon lies buried beneath debris. Amo revels in their pain, mocking the Cleaners for their perceived “true colors.” Zanka, horrified by Tamsy’s actions, turns to confront him, finding his face obscured in shadow. But then, in an instant, Tamsy blinks, reverting to his usual demeanor, and innocently asks Zanka if he’d forgotten “that thing they did.”
In a crucial moment, Remlin’s protective spell, previously cast upon the Cleaners, activates. Their severe wounds rapidly heal, a miraculous recovery. Tamsy confirms the spell’s effectiveness, and to everyone’s surprise, Enjin chimes in from above, completely unharmed. Not only was Enjin protected, but he also managed to swipe one of Amo’s boots during the chaos.
Back at the Cleaners’ headquarters, Corvus finds Semiu preoccupied, gazing intently at Rudo’s photo in their roster. She confides in the Cleaners’ leader, expressing her unsettling observation of a darkness lurking within Rudo. As Amo frantically demands the return of her boot, Tomme reveals to Gris that Enjin had merely been feigning unconsciousness, protected all along by Remlin’s spell from Delmon’s earlier attack. With Amo’s vital instrument now separated from her, her deceptive ability falters and dissipates. Delmon and Riyo are brutally awakened to reality, realizing their loved ones were never truly there, forcing them to confront their grief anew.
With their masks restored, the Cleaners regroup. Enjin, acknowledging Amo’s perilous nature but seeing no other option, returns her boot. As she begins to lament the damage to her home, a profound shift occurs within Rudo. Something snaps. He charges at Amo, unleashing a flurry of unrestrained punches until his teammates forcibly pull him away. Amo lies unconscious but alive. Gris admonishes Rudo for striking a woman, but the enraged Cleaner retorts that gender is irrelevant; he will not tolerate anyone harming those he cares for. The other Givers remain stunned, save for Enjin, who, ever practical, questions how they will now extract information. Rudo’s eyes widen as the realization hits him: his overwhelming fury had overshadowed their primary mission.
Outside, Enjin and Rudo discuss the incident. Rudo expresses dismay at reverting to his old, violent tendencies, reminiscent of his Sphere days before he learned self-control. Enjin, in turn, confesses his own struggle with complex personalities, concluding that the only path forward is to learn and grow. Inside, Tomme tenders an apology to Amo while tending to her injuries. She shares her love for discussing romance and offers a friendly ear. Amo, touched by the unexpected kindness, remarks that Tomme would make an excellent mother, just like her own. It was her mother, Amo reveals, who spoke of an angel, a being that travels between the Sphere and the Ground. The identity of this enigmatic angel remains a compelling mystery.