Chapter 191 ⥤ Save Him, Nelliel!

The brilliant beam of light collided violently with the Cero from the Hollow horde.

Like spring snow melting, the crimson Cero blast vanished in an instant. Flames intertwined with lightning surged forward without restraint, erasing everything in their path.

The pursuing Gillians shattered instantly, their towering black forms melting like butter, dissolving into Reishi with piercing screams.

Sung-Sun found herself struggling to breathe.

Though young and having encountered few Shinigami, she believed she understood what they were supposed to be like.

Could an attack so reminiscent of a Cero truly come from an ordinary Shinigami? Or was the figure before her a Hollow masquerading in a Shinigami's form?

Akira tore through the massive Hollow horde in moments, countless beings perishing beneath his onslaught. The vast silver sea now lay charred black, thick with the stench of burnt flesh.

Deep gashes carved through the silver desert sands as powerful shockwaves rippled outward, creating concentric rings under the night sky.

The surviving Hollows gazed at him with terror-filled eyes. Before Akira could speak, they scattered frantically — burrowing, flying, crawling, and leaping away in a display of Hueco Mundo's diverse creatures.

Akira dismissed them — Las Noches housed plenty of Hollows at this level, none worth his attention. He turned to face the bewildered white snake.

"Are you... a Shinigami?" Sung-Sun's voice trembled as she beheld the figure before her, whose violent energy surpassed even the savage Hollow horde.

Though grateful for her rescue, she hesitated to express thanks. Shinigami and Hollows were natural enemies — their meetings typically ended in death for one side.

Yet somehow, she sensed this Shinigami might defy her expectations.

"Mm-hmm, the genuine article!" Akira nodded, studying the yet-to-transform white snake before him.

Her smooth scales and delicate skin caught his eye. Perhaps due to her species, her oversized head carried an unusual charm.

After a moment's observation, he smiled at her confused expression.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Akira Kisaragi. Master of Las Noches, the new God-King of Hueco Mundo."

Hearing this, Sung-Sun's pupils contracted as she stared at him in horror.

She instinctively moved to flee, but thoughts of his terrifying combat prowess made her body freeze. Her small white tail began shaking frantically, rivaling the speed of a Western rattlesnake.

The God-King of Hueco Mundo was supposed to be Baraggan Louisenbairn, the skull-faced Vasto Lorde. How had a Shinigami replaced him? Had this man actually defeated Baraggan?

The more she pondered these questions, the more her tail trembled.

"Relax, I'm not going to hurt you." Akira said casually, waving his hand, "Look, I'm not some fairy tale hero out to save damsels in distress. I only stepped in because I need some information. Tell me — where can I find Tier Harribel?"

At these words, Sung-Sun darted backward, her guard instantly raised.

"So you too mean Lady Harribel harm. Give up! I'll never betray Lady Harribel!"

Between her savior and her dear friend, she chose the latter without hesitation.

Looking at the wary white snake before him, Akira sighed, troubled that he'd have to go against his conscience after all.

He rolled up his sleeve and said gravely, "There's an old saying in Soul Society about getting information through special means. I'm sure Las Noches' torture devices can loosen your tongue."

Sung-Sun's eyes widened in disbelief.

How could this new God-King of Hueco Mundo be so flippant? Did he think a mere snake like her would understand his implications?

"I, Cyan Sung-sun, would rather die than submit!" The white snake straightened proudly, ready for one final stand.

"I admire your integrity." Akira nodded, "In that case, let's settle this with force."

His lips curved into a savage, demon-like grin.

Under Sung-Sun's horrified gaze, he launched a punch without warning. But before it could connect, an immense Reiatsu crashed down like a collapsing mountain torrent, like an overturning sea, filling the air with humidity.

A massive bone sword materialized between them, blocking the strike.

"La-Lady Harribel!" Sung-Sun cried out, her tail quivering, "Quick, run! This man defeated Baraggan — he's the new God-King of Hueco Mundo, and he means you harm too!"

Akira calmly withdrew his fist, studying the newcomer carefully.

Golden short hair, emotionless emerald eyes, a bone mask covering half her face, an impressive figure with gill-like markings, and a long shark tail swaying gently behind her.

Vasto Lorde, Tier Harribel.

"Finally decided to come out, Harribel?" Akira grinned.

Harribel's expression darkened beneath her mask — she realized he had sensed her presence all along.

This Shinigami's strength far exceeded her expectations.

"You know my name."

Akira nodded, "Old Bary mentioned you to me, said he always wanted you as a subordinate. Too bad his Adjuchas couldn't track you down."

Hearing his nickname for Baraggan, Harribel's expression grew even more unfriendly.

She and Sung-Sun and their companions had lived a life of constant flight because of that old skeleton.

"Shinigami, while I appreciate you saving Sung-Sun, I won't attack you out of principle. But if you persist, don't blame me for being impolite."

As she spoke, the massive bone sword materialized before her again, its fin-like spikes gleaming.

Before she could say more, Akira raised his hand, "That's not how we're settling accounts. First, I saved Sung-Sun's life — let's keep that debt in mind."

Harribel warily watched the Shinigami's antics.

"Second, you were hunted by Baraggan's subordinates, and I helped by eliminating that old skeleton. That's another debt, right? Since you want to talk principles, let's settle both old and new accounts."

Sung-Sun's eyes widened, "You scoundrel — so you did have ulterior motives!"

"Isn't it obvious?" Akira replied shamelessly, "As a righteous Shinigami, not eliminating you all on the spot already says a lot. Sung-Sun dear, you can leave, but first repay the debt for saving your life."

The snake's expression instantly froze.

After a moment of silence, she reluctantly asked in a small voice, "H-how do I repay it..."

Seeing this, Akira grinned, surprised by the white snake's straightforward personality. Since that was the case, he'd drop the gentleman act.

"Since I saved your life, from now on, you belong to this king. Snake spirit, I want you to help me train!"

Though she didn't understand what he was saying, she still instinctively hid behind Harribel, even though her humanoid form couldn't hide her serpentine body.

"No, I won't go!" The snake head shook violently like a rattle drum.

How dangerous was Las Noches — Sung-Sun felt that if she went there, she'd become dried snake jerky by nightfall.

Hearing his statement, Harribel raised her right hand, her massive bone sword emanating golden Reiatsu.

"I won't allow you to take her."

Just then, two powerful Reiatsu emerged from afar. Before anyone could react, a crimson Cero descended from the sky.

In an instant, it engulfed Akira's figure.

"Hmph, foolish Shinigami."

A lioness and a doe appeared. Their faces bore the features of Hollows — bone masks, towering builds, spiritual pressure flowing freely.

Emilou Apacci let out a contemptuous snort, "Those who threaten Lady Harribel should be executed on the spot!"

Franceska Mila Rose responded with displeasure, "Hmph, you stole my line — I should be the one saying that!"

As the two Hollows argued, the explosion's smoke gradually cleared, revealing an unharmed figure once again.

The scene fell silent. Apacci and Mila Rose stared at Akira with disbelief, as if seeing a ghost.

"Looks like negotiations have broken down." Examining the now-complete group of four, his smile turned fierce and cruel, like a demon, "Since you're ambushing a colleague who's not even a hundred years old, I won't bother playing fair either. From here on, it's forced compliance!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the defiant Apacci and Mila Rose launched their attack first, crimson light condensing before them into massive spheres. Then, projectiles poured forth like a torrential rain, covering everything ahead.

⤫ Bala ⥤ Hollow Bullet! ⤬

Though less powerful than Cero, these attacks were twenty times faster. As Adjuchas, their close combat abilities might be lacking, but their ranged attacks were formidable.

In an instant, Akira vanished beneath the barrage.

This time there was no dust cloud — under the intense assault, he simply raised his hand, tore off his tattered Shihakushō, cast it aside, and charged straight through the Bala, shocking the four Hollows.

Seeing the situation turn dire, Harribel rushed forward, her imposing figure flashing as her massive bone sword materialized before Akira, slashing down with devastating force. The air split on both sides of the blade as if cut.

As a Vasto Lorde, her strength was undoubtedly formidable. But her opponent was beyond normal comprehension.

When Akira caught the slashing bone sword, Harribel's expression shifted beneath her mask. An unimaginable force transmitted through the blade.

Just as he was about to pull her in, golden Reiatsu erupted from her sword, forcing his hand away.

Seizing the moment of their deadlock, crimson Ceros blazed from behind.

The matchless light pillars burst forth, devouring the sand and carving huge trenches, kicking up massive sandstorms that reached toward the sky — all aimed directly at Akira.

Though Sung-Sun and the others weren't particularly strong, they showed good judgment. Harribel had clearly been at a disadvantage in the first clash — if this continued, she would be in grave danger.

The Ceros struck, light pillars soaring skyward. Such massive Reiatsu would make any ordinary Shinigami tremble. The impact rippled outward, creating concentric circles across the sand.

Yet such a powerful attack couldn't leave even a scratch on Akira.

This display left the four Hollows increasingly bewildered.

It defied understanding — were they the Hollows, or was he? Why did it feel as if their roles had been reversed?

Weren't Shinigami supposed to be graceful beings with sophisticated tactics? Why was this one acting like a brute, charging forward with raw power?

Dusting off his clothes, Akira smiled with disdain.

"Who can kill me?"

Harribel's expression darkened beneath her mask.

She realized that if they couldn't defeat him, escape was unlikely. Their power demonstration had proven they were no match for him. Now they could only rely on cunning.

With this thought, Harribel raised her right hand high. Water burst forth from her bone sword, swirling around and emanating powerful pressure. Golden Reiatsu condensed within the water, merging completely with it.

Not giving Akira time to recover, she swung her sword violently. Intense golden light erupted from within the water, shooting straight ahead.

Boom!!

The violent impact struck at his feet, sending a water column soaring skyward. Like a shooting star, Akira was launched until he vanished from view.

Seeing this, Harribel breathed a sigh of relief.

Under the moonlight, Akira adjusted his posture, preparing for a perfect splash-free landing. But before he could descend from the sky, a figure burst from a nearby dune, leaping up to catch him on its broad back.

He froze in surprise, instinctively turning to look at his rescuer — a Hollow.

The massive Reiatsu revealed its identity — a Vasto Lorde.

An antelope-like bone mask covered its face, while its upper body resembled Harribel's, with an impressive figure and stunning curves.

Below the waist, it took the form of a centaur from Western fantasy, its back covered in soft, thick fur that cushioned Akira's fall.

As its four hooves touched the ground, it turned its head and asked with concern.

"Are you alright?"

Akira shook his head, about to speak, when it continued.

"I was passing by and saw you surrounded by several Hollows. Don't worry — I don't care about species. Helping those in need is my duty. I'm glad you're unhurt. By the way, I'm Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck..."

⤫⤬⤫

T/N: If you want more chapters like this, check out my Patreon! Take a look at my other translations too, you might like them!

For just $1 you can access all the extra content, and descriptive images, costs only $2!

That's it and happy reading! (-‿◦)

https://www.patreon.com/mrblackwing