Epigraph
adj., Taken from the ancient Chinese state of Chu, where in a race to paint a snake, the fastest artist got carried away and drew legs, thus losing the contest (“Strategies of Qi,” Strategies of the Warring States). Something superfluous or unnecessary.
—Digital Daijisen dictionary © Shogakukan Inc., 1995, 1998, 2012
This is a superfluous tale.
The Headless Rider, the colorless street gang, a cursed sword that slashes humanity because of an abundance of love—these strange and eerie monsters left scars on the city of Ikebukuro.
The people of this city imagined, fantasized, and in some cases even loved these monsters—creating their urban legends that are passed on through the streets.
And now the legs of the snake have been added to that completed portrait.
Some might call this an unnecessary story.
A superfluous detail added to the massive snake that is an urban legend.
However, it is vital to remember this: The front legs of the snake can evolve into arms, and if they should grow claws that seize all, the snake has the potential to become a dragon.