Hiki is a character from the narrative who belongs to the mythical creature race known as the taotie and is counted among the Four Evils. He is also recognized as one of the Nine Dragon Sons, with his father being the Dragon King himself. Hiki’s origins are tragic and define much of his early existence; he was born by devouring his own mother, an act that cursed him with an eternal, unquenchable hunger and thirst that he suffered from for ages. As a result of this dangerous nature and the grave circumstances of his birth, he was severely punished. His legs were cut off, and he was sealed away as a living sacrifice, becoming a human pillar known as the Azure Column of Mount Kunlun. For a long time, he was kept chained up, especially during earthquakes or when he would lose control, to prevent him from causing harm.

In terms of appearance, Hiki typically presents himself as a young man with messy, wavy hair and a relaxed, gentle face that can make him seem approachable. Despite this calm exterior, his eyes are said to sometimes show a certain distance from others. His way of speaking is slow and laid-back, but his words are often laced with sarcasm and surprising irony, almost as if he is subtly mocking those around him. He has a habit of wandering freely in forbidden places, often searching for snacks or meals in the Queen Mother of the West's gardens. Beneath this carefree and nonchalant personality lies a deep and painful inner world. He is acutely aware of his identity as a monster, feeling that simply by being alive, he brings trouble and suffering to others. He carries a deep sense of guilt, loneliness, and suffering, and while he desires for his pain to stop, he is also afraid of disappearing or dying. He values the purpose his father gave him for living, even if that purpose was as a prisoner.

Hiki’s role in the story is forever changed by his chance encounter with the character Ichiyō on the edge of the Queen Mother’s garden. Unlike anyone he had met before, Ichiyō immediately sparked Hiki’s interest, leading Hiki to observe him closely and call him by the mysterious nickname Ukyō. After sharing his true feelings and his long history of suffering, Hiki is cleansed by Ichiyō through a purification ritual. This act frees him from the curse of endless hunger and thirst, and he becomes Ichiyō’s divine follower. This marks a pivotal transformation in his role, granting him the freedom to move and a new, peaceful existence he had never known.

Key relationships define Hiki’s journey. His connection with his father, the Dragon King, is complex; although his father punished him, Hiki feels a strong sense of gratitude for being given a reason to live and a promise of eventual release. He also has a twin brother named Yoroiito, with whom he shares a complicated and distant relationship, and they generally avoid interacting with each other. However, his most significant relationship is with Ichiyō, who brings him hope, freedom, and relief from his eternal suffering. Through this bond, Hiki’s life changes completely as he gains a loyal and peaceful existence at Ichiyō’s side.

Throughout his development, Hiki transitions from a being defined by constant agony and imprisonment to one who knows peace. After the purification ritual by Ichiyō, he no longer suffers from unending hunger and thirst. To conserve energy in his new state of freedom, he typically takes the form of a young child or a fluffy ball of fur as his divine beast shape. As a child of the Dragon King and a member of the Four Evils, Hiki possesses supernatural endurance and immense power. His notable abilities include shapeshifting between his human-like form, a fluffy beast form, and a childlike form. While once a dangerous, chained creature, after becoming Ichiyō’s follower, he is able to control his power and move freely without causing catastrophe.