Taco

Biodata

Power Progression

Appearance

• A burly man with bulging muscles and a large build 10 24 27.
• His fists are compared to sandbags 14.
• Wears his Smart Glasses to scan people, monsters, objects, and locations 10 26.

Personality

Taco openly seeks protection from stronger allies. Although initially frightened by rumors about Himeko, he admits that he hopes she will carry him through the dangers of the park. Once accepted, he praises her extravagantly and becomes increasingly confident in her protection 9 10 14.

He places enormous value on muscles, regarding a physique capable of wrestling a bull as true beauty. His enthusiasm extends to criticizing Himechi Cat's lack of muscle, and he begins doing push-ups after deciding that his commentators cannot be trusted 12 14.

His reasoning is often impulsive and literal. He initially interprets the Wax Museum's unknown danger rating as proof that it is safe, and later accepts Himechi Cat's nonsensical argument that Himeko is guaranteed to defeat armed wax figures. Nevertheless, he recognizes when he cannot meaningfully help in a fight and follows Himeko's evacuation orders without hesitation 10 22 37.

Taco combines consideration with a vindictive streak. Despite his own fracture, he first asks whether the wounded Washana is all right; after she stabs him, he repeatedly asks permission to beat her up. He also breaks the mind-controlled Pan En's limbs to immobilize him, reasoning that medicine can repair the damage afterward 16 17 20.

Abilities & Skills

Harden

A skill whose description promises that Taco will become “very hard” 36.

• Defensive use: Activates it before dangerous encounters in the Wax Museum 36 37.
• Restraint: Uses Harden while pinning down Inukai and trapping the Nine-Tailed Fox beneath his foot 41.
• Bite resistance: A tiger cannot pierce his skin while the skill is active 48.
• Practical limitation: Hardening does not prevent his vision from being obstructed. With the tiger covering his head, he repeatedly crashes his kart and drives in circles 48.

Physical Strength

Taco can lift another contestant by the collar or throat with one hand. He also carries the incapacitated Pan En out of the Restaurant 16 20 22.

• Breaks Pan En's arms and legs when no rope is available to restrain him 20.
• Before acquiring Harden, fractures his own wrist by punching wax Inukai, whose face remains unmarked 14.

Wax Shaping

• Reshapes his immobilized wax double into a pile resembling excrement after Himeko melts and cools it. He insists that the result is art 12.

Equipment & Items

Smart Glasses

Taco's four-star Guardian Deity provides analysis and utility functions rather than direct combat power 10 27.

The glasses are fallible. They initially misidentify Six-Phased Ice as an “extradimensional crystal,” admitting the error after Himeko corrects them. The group consequently treats their information as a reference rather than unquestionable truth. During the return to the Wax Museum, the AI also gives an unhelpful description of damaged wax figures instead of explaining what happened 27 37.

Other Equipment

• Solar-powered kart: Initially has fairly average speed. Washana recommends obtaining spare batteries in case of rainy weather; Taco is later shown driving an upgraded version 10 17 48.
• Emergency medicine: Two pills heal his injuries in sequence—the first repairs his fracture, and the second closes his knife wound 16.
• Cleaver: Takes a meat cleaver from the burger shop before evacuating the Restaurant 22.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Joining Himeko

Taco encounters Himeko by accident after using the Wax Museum's bathroom. He initially considers fleeing because his commentators have portrayed her as a bloodthirsty monster, but her conversation with her wax double convinces him that she may be approachable. He identifies himself as Samba Country's contestant and explains that his country did not participate in the earlier attacks against her. Himeko accepts his request for help 9 10.

His own wax double subsequently catches him in a chokehold. Himeko cuts the figure apart without injuring Taco and throws him clear. After she melts and cools the still-living double, Taco reshapes it so that it can no longer move 11 12.

Witnessing Himeko create Himechi Cat causes Taco to distrust his commentators. He suspects that their failure to explain her extraordinary abilities is a deliberate attempt to get him killed 12.

Injury and Washana's Recruitment

While exploring the museum, Taco punches wax Inukai and fractures his wrist. Himeko bandages him and escorts him toward the infirmary. He refuses her offer to knock him unconscious for pain relief, insisting that relying on her protection does not mean he should be helpless 14 15.

Washana, whom Himeko has just rescued, attacks Taco to obtain a contestant-killing reward. He blocks her knife with his already-fractured arm, and Himechi Cat knocks her away. Himeko supplies medicine that heals both injuries, then invites Washana into the group after asking her to apologize. Taco continues protesting that he wants revenge 16 17.

Restaurant Exploration

Taco warns Washana that Himeko's improvised food is a level-five threat. While gathering supplies, Washana pushes him away from Pan En's knife and is stabbed in the arm. Taco restrains Pan En, discovers his mind control through the glasses, and immobilizes him by breaking his limbs 20.

When Himeko orders an evacuation, Taco carries Pan En outside and scans the newly appeared Pig Trotter Rice King. His report that the monster's strength comes from its deliciousness helps Himeko devise a way to weaken it through disastrous cooking 22 23.

Haunted House Investigation

Taco's glasses detect an unfamiliar power inside the Haunted House and a similar trace within Himeko, prompting her to investigate a possible connection to the missing Astral Express passengers 26.

Inside, Taco sees a frozen, ruined environment rather than the courtyard staff visible to his companions. Removing his glasses does not change his view, supporting the group's conclusion that they are experiencing different spaces 29.

After the apparent clear, Weir suspects that the rewards are bait and that a greater threat remains. Taco tries to consult String Bean, but Washana throws the glasses aside before it can answer. Weir teleports Taco, Washana, and himself to the cleared Restaurant while Himeko returns to investigate 32.

Return to the Wax Museum

Unlike Weir and Washana, Taco stays with Himeko to continue exploring. He demonstrates Harden before their return to the Wax Museum and takes cover behind Himechi Cat 35 36.

During the confrontation following Duncan's deception, Taco uses Harden to restrain Inukai and the Nine-Tailed Fox. He subsequently dismisses Inukai's criticism of Himeko, regarding her conduct as normal 41 42.

After the Amusement Park

Taco is next shown driving his upgraded Go-Kart with a tiger's jaws around his head. Harden prevents the tiger from injuring him, but Taco bites down on its teeth and refuses to let it withdraw. Unable to see, he repeatedly crashes, leaving the tiger with multiple fractures 48.

Relationships

• Himeko — Protector and alliance leader. Taco seeks her help, follows her instructions, and contributes scans during exploration. He remains with her after Weir and Washana leave the park 10 26 35.
• Himechi Cat — Companion and frequent sparring partner in arguments about muscles, weapons, and her foxlike appearance. She protects him from Washana's attack; he later uses her as cover 14 16 36.
• Washana — Initially tries to kill him, then becomes his teammate. Taco repeatedly demands revenge, but she later saves him from Pan En's ambush 16 17 20 35.
• Weir — Fellow alliance member who explains his suspicions about the Haunted House and teleports Taco to safety 32.
• String Bean — AI within Taco's Smart Glasses. Taco relies on its analysis but questions its honesty after the Six-Phased Ice misidentification 27 32.

Notable Quotes

“I think you should add muscles. Powerful muscles. Only something that can wrestle a bull is true beauty.” 12

“Although I do want Miss Himeko to shelter me, I can't be this pathetic.” 15

“You have a point. Thanks for the reminder, but that doesn't stop me from wanting to beat you up.” 17