The novel takes place in the distant future .. On the planet Belzagor, previously owned by the Earth, arrives a former employee of the colonial administration Edmund Henderson .. On Belzagor live two species of intelligent beings, outwardly more like animals that have created a unique, unlike anything, non-technical civilization. Due to the mass anti-colonial movement on Earth, the exploitation of Belzagor was stopped, and the planet was granted complete independence. Earthlings mostly left this planet, but it remained a handful of former researchers of Belzagor. They are attracted by the ritual of “second birth” practiced among the aborigines of the planet, which promises every rational being a complete renewal of his body and spirit. Henderson, who is sincerely repentant for his participation in the ruthless exploitation of intelligent inhabitants of the planet by earthlings, wants to undergo the rite of “second birth”. But, as it turns out, the ritual is fraught with great risk, since already one person who passed this ceremony has turned into a terrible monster. But Henderson doesn't want to back down...