While Yekawa was devouring Hollows deep within the Great Hollow Forest, in another region of the Hueco Mundo desert, a Gillian bearing unusual patterns on its mask stood facing another Hollow, both of them covered in wounds.
If Yekawa were present, he would immediately recognize this Gillian. It was the same mutated Gillian he had encountered when he first arrived in Hueco Mundo.
The Hollow confronting it stood only about three meters tall. Its body was gaunt and twisted, and an inverted triangular mask resembling a clown covered its face. Blade like claws extended from both hands, sharp and cold.
Scattered around them lay countless severed limbs belonging to ordinary Gillians. It was clear that the mutated Gillian had just endured a brutal battle.
You arrogant and reckless Gillian. How dare you slaughter all my subordinates. Submit to me and become my servant. I, Starr Mlev, will spare your life and even grant you an audience with the ruler of Hueco Mundo, Lord Baraggan Louisenbairn.
Starr Mlev stared at the mutated Gillian and spoke slowly, each word dripping with arrogance.
A piece of trash like you dares demand my submission. One day, this great one will march into Las Noches, crush Baraggan beneath my feet, and seize the throne.
The mutated Gillian sneered and immediately opened its mouth, firing a Cero straight at Starr Mlev.
Starr Mlev raised both hands above his head and released his own Cero in response.
Boom!!!
The two beams collided violently, producing a deafening roar. Shockwaves tore across the desert, whipping up violent winds.
As the dust settled, both figures remained standing. The two Ceros had canceled each other out perfectly.
Starr Mlev's eyes widened in fury. As an Adjuchas, he had fought a wounded Gillian to a draw in a Cero clash. If word of this reached Las Noches, his reputation would be ruined.
Suppressing his rage, Starr Mlev forced a calm expression and spoke coldly.
Foolish Gillian. How dare you defy me, Starr Mlev, an Adjuchas above you.
Hearing this, the mutated Gillian actually mimicked a human gesture and burst into laughter.
Hahaha. You still dare call yourself an Adjuchas. You are nothing more than a cripple whose evolution has permanently stalled, barely clinging to the Adjuchas rank by devouring Gillians nonstop.
You bastard, how dare you—
The words struck Starr Mlev like a blade. He froze in place, unable to respond. Even through the pale clown mask, it was clear that his face had flushed red.
Paired with the mask, the sight was even more grotesque.
Roar!
Starr Mlev exploded in rage. His spiritual pressure surged violently as purple black energy condensed between his palms. He hurled the energy forward without restraint.
Cero.
Almost at the same time, his figure blurred as he used Sonido, reappearing beside the mutated Gillian. His blade like claws thrust toward its neck.
At the instant his claws were about to strike, the mutated Gillian vanished as well. Using Sonido, it narrowly evaded the attack and appeared directly above Starr Mlev.
A massive bone like foot descended with crushing force.
The stomp sent white sand exploding in all directions.
Starr Mlev was driven straight into the ground.
Clang!
A metallic sound rang out as Starr Mlev forced his upper body free from the sand, raising both arms to block the crushing foot. Sparks burst forth as his claws scraped against the Gillian's hardened limb.
Damn you, cursed Gillian!
Starr Mlev roared, releasing his spiritual pressure at full strength. With a violent surge, he forced the massive foot away and shot out of the sand like a streak of light.
Purple black spiritual pressure enveloped his body. He raised his hands high, fingers interlocked, and his aura climbed to its peak.
Fallen Bite!
Starr Mlev transformed into a black purple grimace and charged forward at terrifying speed, clamping down onto the mutated Gillian's neck.
The flesh of the Gillian's neck began to melt instantly, as if struck by concentrated acid. Wrapped in a black purple glow, nearly one third of its thick neck dissolved within moments.
At that instant, the mutated Gillian's left hand closed around its own neck, catching something unseen.
Starr Mlev was exposed, trapped firmly in its grasp.
Got you.
Ignoring the damage to its neck, the mutated Gillian clenched its hand tightly.
Sizzle!
The flesh of the Gillian's hand began to corrode as well.
Hehe. My Fallen Bite spreads across my entire body surface. Grabbing me like that will only speed up your death.
Starr Mlev's triumphant laughter echoed.
Yet the mutated Gillian showed no panic. It lifted its left hand, bringing Starr Mlev toward its mouth.
You want to melt me, don't you. Then let's see whether you dissolve me first, or I digest you first.
No. Stop. You—
Starr Mlev finally panicked, trying desperately to speak. The mutated Gillian ignored him and swallowed him whole.
Ah!
A pained cry escaped the Gillian as it dropped to its knees in the desert. Starr Mlev's corrosive power continued to burn through its esophagus from within.
Several hours passed.
The mutated Gillian, which had remained kneeling and motionless, slowly stood back up. Purple black spiritual pressure surged within its body as its wounds gradually healed.
A smug smile spread across its face. It patted its stomach lightly.
This amount of spiritual pressure isn't even enough to make me evolve. And you dare call yourself an Adjuchas. Also, stop calling me Gillian. Gillian. This great one has a name.
My name is Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez.
…
Deep within the Great Hollow Forest, Yekawa, having just eaten his fill, moved through the towering trees in search of new prey.
Roar!
That sound… a lone Gillian?
Following the roar, Yekawa soon located the source. A Gillian stood alone, roaring mindlessly.
Too bad. Just an ordinary, unintelligent Gillian. Still, you'll do nicely to test my strength.
Facing a Gillian one rank above him, Yekawa felt no fear at all. A cold smile crept beneath his mask as he charged forward without hesitation.