A review by rae_shutupandbookup
Phantom Tales of the Night, Vol. 3 by Matsuri

5.0

The Owner welcomes all into the Murakumo Inn.

Did you know that employees get days off? I guess even yokai can't work every day of the year. We start the book with Spider's day off. On this day off he is allowed to do anything. Yet why is he following around a high schooler? Wishing to protect her from others and herself?

We get to see into Spider's back story and how he came to be Spider. Get to see his past before he was an Earth Spider. How people condemn others or use others for the sake of humanity. Can humans be more corrupt than monsters?

While working Butterfly meets a mysterious person walking around the inn. She has dropped a hair pin with small flowers on it. Butterfly decides to go on a scavenger hunt. Upon exploring the inn Butterfly finds a number of things. Including Kaibara from the previous volume.

We get to see his side of the story and why he is still at the inn. Him and Butterfly get to talking which causes a trigger for Butterfly. He cannot fully remember things or why he is what he is. Also why does Owner keep the inner workings of the inn a secret from his employees?

Did you know that the inn can accommodate more than one guest at a time? Owner picks up three guests stuck at a train station. In exchange for a night at the inn Owner asks them for stories about themselves. Odd? Yet they agree.

But some stories can actually intermingle with one another. Even if you are all strangers. We even see a glimpse into a creation of a monster.

The final story is that of Slayer. Announcing that he will be a Student Teacher! Throwing Sasaki's world on its head even more. Remember the boy with a hollow, bone chest from volume one? Yeah we get to see a continuation of his story.

Saejima is the name Slayer has picked to blend into the new role. Yet he starts out day one announcing that if anyone sees something odd or mysterious. To tell him immediately.

Sasaki isn't fully on Owner's side or Saejima's. He doesn't even know what his future will truly be like. Trying to be inconspicuous and a wall flower. Not trying to draw attention for certain, obvious reasons. Yet Slayer being an active member of Sasaki's school is going to change all that.

The hunt is on to get back to the inn. The ultimate goal? Owner.

Again this series is dark and has some horror elements. The art is so beautiful! We also get to really view the ugly side of reality and humanity. Enjoy the read and give the author some stars!