"My Lord, please come here!"
Chiva Barnes' grotesque fish-like face, covered in jagged bone spurs, somehow managed to display an unsettlingly anthropomorphic grin.
After traversing a yellowed forest and skirting around an eerie swamp, Ren had been pressing forward on this journey for days.
"Are we there yet? If I find out you're lying to me, you'll suffer the consequences."
Ren's expression was cold as he fixed his gaze on the strange fish before him.
"My Lord, rest assured! Your most loyal servant, Chiva Barnes, would never deceive you!"
Ren had been following this creature's guidance for several days, yet there had been no sign of an Adjuchas. In fact, even encountering a Gillian had been a rarity. Giant hollows were plentiful, but they were weak—mere nuisances, barely worth his time now.
The monotonous journey had begun to bore Ren, and he had entertained the thought of devouring the peculiar fish on more than one occasion. However, he refrained. Adjuchas-level Hollows were already a rare find in Hueco Mundo, and given the vastness of this barren dimension, locating one was no small feat. Of the Three Realms, Hueco Mundo's expanse dwarfed even the Soul Society and the Human World.
Ren had traversed this realm for what felt like an eternity, yet his understanding of its entirety remained vague. Despite possessing the strength equivalent to that of a Captain, he refused to grow complacent. The course of events was already shifting—Aizen and his two lieutenants were soon to infiltrate Hueco Mundo, seeking to subjugate Beligang and other Vasto lordes in their pursuit of evolution.
Furthermore, hidden within this realm's desolation, there were undoubtedly powerful entities that had never surfaced in recorded history.
After several more days of travel under Chiva Barnes' lead, Ren finally sensed a formidable spiritual pressure.
"My Lord, the Adjuchas that resides here is Ta'an Virik. He's a lone wolf, but among the Adjuchas, his strength is unmatched."
Following the direction indicated by Chiva Barnes' fin, Ren spotted a murky pool nestled within the dense forest ahead. The overwhelming spiritual pressure emanated from within its depths.
"Stay here. Don't move an inch. If you do, I'll detonate the thunder orb inside you."
Ren's voice was sharp, his gaze colder still.
The strange fish shuddered before slinking away, curling itself into a submissive huddle.
Ren didn't immediately approach the pool. Instead, he raised his right hand and extended his index finger. At its tip, a sphere of black and crimson spiritual energy formed before erupting into a concentrated beam of destruction, piercing straight toward the water's surface.
"Let's stir things up a bit."
Boom!
The blast shot directly into the pool, sending a towering column of water skyward. Though Ren had not even used a Cero, the sheer force of his attack was enough to churn the water violently. The scorching energy vaporized a significant portion of the pool instantly, leaving a thick mist in its wake.
A bloodcurdling roar echoed from within.
Emerging through the swirling fog, the Adjuchas made itself known—its form resembling that of a monstrous hippo. It was roughly the same size as those Ren had seen in his past life, save for the ominous white mask covering its face and the hollow hole gaping beneath its neck.
The beast's body bore countless scars, its hide a tapestry of old wounds. It fixed its furious gaze upon Ren, seething with rage. If looks could kill, Ren would have been reduced to nothing more than shreds of flesh.
It didn't understand. It had never sought conflict. It had merely existed in solitude. So why had a Vasto lorde suddenly decided to attack it in its own domain?
Its gaze flickered toward Chiva Barnes, who remained cowering at a distance. Realization dawned.
"Chiva Barnes! You treacherous, miserable excuse for a Hollow! You brought this Vasto lorde here?!"
To the hippo's dismay, Chiva Barnes merely sneered, sticking out its grotesque tongue before retreating even further away.
"You wretch!"
Enraged, the hippo reared back its head. A Cero of black and crimson light coalesced within its gaping maw before launching toward Ren in a violent surge of energy.
Ren, however, stood his ground, unmoved, as if he hadn't even registered the attack. His expression remained calm, indifferent.
Just as the Cero was about to strike, Ren calmly extended his left hand. He caught the energy blast with ease, then gently squeezed—instantly dispersing it into nothingness.
Ta'an Virik stared in shock. He had put everything into that attack, yet it hadn't even scratched the Vasto lorde before him. Despair crept into his heart.
"Is this really the so-called strongest Adjuchas?" Ren mused aloud, shaking his head in disappointment.
"Your spiritual pressure is indeed greater than any Adjuchas I've encountered before, but it only amounts to about 30% of my own. Even your Cero lacks force."
After nullifying Ta'an Virik's attack, Ren spoke in a calm, measured tone:
"Ta'an Virik, you've fired your shot. I assume your frustration is spent. Now, I offer you a choice—swallow this thunder orb, swear loyalty to me, and I will allow you to live."
Though this Hollow was weaker than Ren, he was still the most formidable Adjuchas he had come across. Recruiting him seemed a wise decision. To establish a true foothold in Hueco Mundo, Ren needed subordinates. A time would come when Aizen and Yhwach would make their moves—he had to be ready.
Before, he had refrained from gathering allies because he was still weak. But now, he was strong enough to build a force of his own.
Power in numbers could not be ignored. One of the key reasons both Aizen and Yhwach had ultimately failed was their neglect of this simple truth.
Ta'an Virik's gaze fell on the dark golden thunder orb in Ren's hand. He understood the reality of the situation—if he consumed it, his fate would forever be in Ren's hands. The thought was unbearable.
With a defiant roar, he made his decision.
"I, Ta'an Virik, will never surrender! I fight for freedom!"
The hippo-like Hollow exhaled forcefully, expelling a dense, murky breath. The air twisted and expanded into a howling tornado, tearing up the ground as it barreled toward Ren.
Ren sighed. "What a waste."
In a blur of motion, he vanished, dodging the raging storm with ease. In the next instant, he was upon Ta'an Virik, blade flashing.
Boom!
The moment the sword struck, a sharp, thunderous crack split the air—Thunder Slash!
Ren granted the Adjuchas the respect of a warrior's death.
Puchi!
Ren's blade carved cleanly through Ta'an Virik's hide. Despite its durability, it offered no more resistance than soft tofu. The Hollow was severed in two.
"Devour, Ghoul Soul."
Without hesitation, Ren activated his ability. Absorbing every last trace of Ta'an Virik's existence was, in its own way, an act of respect.
From a safe distance, Chiva Barnes watched the scene unfold. His grotesque fish-like features twisted with fear as he swallowed hard.
"Vasto lordes… are terrifying!"
Many had mistaken Ren for an exceptionally powerful Adjuchas, but Chiva Barnes knew the truth. Compared to Ren, even the strongest Adjuchas were nothing. And he himself—merely a Gillian—was utterly insignificant.
A surge of spiritual energy flowed into Ren's body as Ta'an Virik's essence was fully absorbed. His power swelled, his spiritual pressure increasing by another 30%.
He turned his gaze toward the quivering fish in the corner.
"M-My Lord… now that you've eaten Ta'an Virik, you won't eat me… right?"
Ren's expression darkened. Without a word, he kicked Chiva Barnes eight feet away.
"Quit whining and take me to the next Adjuchas!"
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