He (the MC) isn't dead (yet at least), the situation he's in is his soul and flesh connection is thin so he could be dead anytime soon even if the cause is trivial (like being jumpscared so hard his soul leaves his body). Also because of this, he becomes an easy target for spirits who wants to inhabit a flesh. That is why the tengu is with him, to guard him from malicious spirits who wants to inhabit his flesh.
So he's more like a dying person but doesn't look like it (?) I hope I explained it well ^^;
OH! thank you! its makes more sense now!
Yeah, you're welcome, glad I could help! XD
(oops I called him tengu haha I forgot the word, but I guess you knew that I meant the goblin)
i just realized. if he is dead then how does his apartment situation work? shouldnt it be cleaned out and some one else living there? how does he pay the land lord if he is dead??