TV-Series
Description
Bondold, also known by the epithet Lord of Dawn, is a White Whistle Delver who has established his base of operations, the Ido Front, within the fifth layer of the Abyss. He is a tall figure who always conceals his face with a black helmet that features a distinctive glowing violet slit, and his clothing is predominantly black, including a long coat and suit. His White Whistle is uniquely sculpted in the shape of two clasped hands and is activated by rubbing rather than blowing.
Bondold is defined by an insatiable drive for knowledge about the Abyss, valuing scientific discovery above all ethical considerations. He is willing to sacrifice anyone, including himself, in the pursuit of understanding, not out of malice but because he views it as a necessary step for progress and to prepare for the recurring 2,000-year cycle. Despite his monstrous methods, he does not display hostility towards his adversaries and is known to praise them when they manage to best him. He retains a peculiar and twisted sense of affection, remembering the names and dreams of the children he has experimented on and raising his daughter Prushka with genuine care, even as he plans to use her for his research. His personality is so alien that other White Whistles have described him as a hard-boiled scoundrel or an unknown entity wearing a mask and mimicking a human.
His primary motivation is to unravel the mysteries of the Abyss, particularly to understand and overcome its Curse. Ten years before the main story, he achieved the unprecedented feat of establishing the Ido Front deep within the fifth layer and securing a route to the sixth. His methods are extreme and utilitarian, often involving the sacrifice of individuals for the sake of his research, which he believes will ultimately benefit humanity's advancement.
In the story, Bondold serves as the primary antagonist of the Ido Front arc. He first appears as a seemingly hospitable host to Riko, Reg, and Nanachi, offering them rest and information about the journey to the sixth layer. However, he secretly captures Reg for examination and orchestrates events to further his experiments. He is a formidable obstacle who forces the protagonists to confront the brutal costs of delving into the Abyss. After his defeat, he allows the group to continue their journey, seeing them off as they descend to the sixth layer.
His key relationships are complex and disturbing. He is the father figure to Prushka, who loves him deeply and calls him Papa, unaware that he intends to turn her into a cartridge to gain the Blessing of the Abyss. His relationship with Nanachi is central to his backstory; he used Nanachi and their friend Mitty in a fatal experiment, which resulted in Mitty becoming an immortal hollow and Nanachi receiving the Curse's Blessing. Nanachi worked as his assistant afterward, harboring a mix of fear, hatred, and a complicated understanding of his nature. He commands a group of followers known as the Umbra Hands, who serve him willingly, with some even being former bounty hunters who came to kill him. His consciousness is spread among them using a special artifact, making him effectively immortal. He also has a tense confrontation with the White Whistle Srajo, who attempts to use the altar at Ido Front for her Last Dive.
Bondold undergoes little emotional development, as his values are already fixed. However, his physical and mental state has deteriorated due to his repeated use of the Zoaholic artifact to transfer his consciousness. The process has shattered his psyche, leading the author to refer to him as what was once Bondold. His defeat by Riko and Reg does not reform him but instead leads him to acknowledge their strength and allow them to pass, showing a form of respect for their ingenuity.
His notable abilities are derived from a combination of powerful artifacts and his horrific experiments. He uses a Special Grade Artifact called Zoaholic, which allows him to implant his soul and consciousness into other bodies, primarily his Umbra Hands, granting him a form of immortality. To combat the Curse of the Abyss, he invented Cartridges, which are made from the living, compressed remains of human children, typically orphans. These cartridges deflect the Curse away from him, allowing him to ascend from the sixth layer without losing his humanity and instead receive the Blessing of the Abyss. For combat, he wields several artifacts, including Sparagmos, a powerful weapon capable of firing a beam of light, and Gangway, a ray of light emitted from his mask that can seek out the weak points of a target. He also uses Curse Needles, darts that can induce the effects of the Curse.
Bondold is defined by an insatiable drive for knowledge about the Abyss, valuing scientific discovery above all ethical considerations. He is willing to sacrifice anyone, including himself, in the pursuit of understanding, not out of malice but because he views it as a necessary step for progress and to prepare for the recurring 2,000-year cycle. Despite his monstrous methods, he does not display hostility towards his adversaries and is known to praise them when they manage to best him. He retains a peculiar and twisted sense of affection, remembering the names and dreams of the children he has experimented on and raising his daughter Prushka with genuine care, even as he plans to use her for his research. His personality is so alien that other White Whistles have described him as a hard-boiled scoundrel or an unknown entity wearing a mask and mimicking a human.
His primary motivation is to unravel the mysteries of the Abyss, particularly to understand and overcome its Curse. Ten years before the main story, he achieved the unprecedented feat of establishing the Ido Front deep within the fifth layer and securing a route to the sixth. His methods are extreme and utilitarian, often involving the sacrifice of individuals for the sake of his research, which he believes will ultimately benefit humanity's advancement.
In the story, Bondold serves as the primary antagonist of the Ido Front arc. He first appears as a seemingly hospitable host to Riko, Reg, and Nanachi, offering them rest and information about the journey to the sixth layer. However, he secretly captures Reg for examination and orchestrates events to further his experiments. He is a formidable obstacle who forces the protagonists to confront the brutal costs of delving into the Abyss. After his defeat, he allows the group to continue their journey, seeing them off as they descend to the sixth layer.
His key relationships are complex and disturbing. He is the father figure to Prushka, who loves him deeply and calls him Papa, unaware that he intends to turn her into a cartridge to gain the Blessing of the Abyss. His relationship with Nanachi is central to his backstory; he used Nanachi and their friend Mitty in a fatal experiment, which resulted in Mitty becoming an immortal hollow and Nanachi receiving the Curse's Blessing. Nanachi worked as his assistant afterward, harboring a mix of fear, hatred, and a complicated understanding of his nature. He commands a group of followers known as the Umbra Hands, who serve him willingly, with some even being former bounty hunters who came to kill him. His consciousness is spread among them using a special artifact, making him effectively immortal. He also has a tense confrontation with the White Whistle Srajo, who attempts to use the altar at Ido Front for her Last Dive.
Bondold undergoes little emotional development, as his values are already fixed. However, his physical and mental state has deteriorated due to his repeated use of the Zoaholic artifact to transfer his consciousness. The process has shattered his psyche, leading the author to refer to him as what was once Bondold. His defeat by Riko and Reg does not reform him but instead leads him to acknowledge their strength and allow them to pass, showing a form of respect for their ingenuity.
His notable abilities are derived from a combination of powerful artifacts and his horrific experiments. He uses a Special Grade Artifact called Zoaholic, which allows him to implant his soul and consciousness into other bodies, primarily his Umbra Hands, granting him a form of immortality. To combat the Curse of the Abyss, he invented Cartridges, which are made from the living, compressed remains of human children, typically orphans. These cartridges deflect the Curse away from him, allowing him to ascend from the sixth layer without losing his humanity and instead receive the Blessing of the Abyss. For combat, he wields several artifacts, including Sparagmos, a powerful weapon capable of firing a beam of light, and Gangway, a ray of light emitted from his mask that can seek out the weak points of a target. He also uses Curse Needles, darts that can induce the effects of the Curse.