"These guys even have reinforcements? At this rate, we're going to be caught!"
Hearing Apacci's words, Sung-Sun frowned, deep in thought.
It was true—there was a clear hierarchy of strength among the Adjuchas.
Their current power level placed them in the middle tier.
Not to mention Oswell, who was locked in battle with Harribel—even among the Adjuchas tasked with pursuing and cutting them off, several were significantly stronger than them.
"We can't keep running like this! Let's just take them head-on! We're all Adjuchas—who's afraid of who?!"
Mila Rose suddenly widened her eyes in fury, stepping forward forcefully. Her Reiatsu surged, radiating without restraint, her presence instantly becoming overwhelming.
"What do you say, Apacci?!"
She turned to Apacci, whose sharp gaze burned with the same intensity.
Not to be outdone, Apacci's Reiatsu flared violently, kicking up a swirling storm of dust and sand. Gritting her teeth, she growled,
"Yeah! Let those bastards know we're not easy prey!"
Sung-Sun cast a calm glance at her two companions before shifting her gaze forward, giving a slight nod of acknowledgment.
At this moment, they were caught in a pincer attack—
Relentless pursuers closing in from behind, while ahead, the vague outlines of enemies charging toward them became clearer.
In this situation, fighting seemed like the only option left.
Suddenly—
A deafening, thunderous hum erupted from behind.
Through the thick smoke that filled the sky, multiple blazing red energy blasts rained down like a torrential storm.
The beams intertwined, forming a suffocating barrage that swept toward them with merciless force.
"Sung-Sun! This time, you're not getting away!!"
At that moment, a beast-like roar echoed across the battlefield, shaking the very air.
Apacci immediately recognized the voice and spat in frustration.
"Damn it, it's that bastard Ggio again!!"
Beside her, Mila Rose clenched her teeth, eyes locked on the Adjuchas charging toward them—a massive saber-toothed tiger-like Menos.
Without hesitation, she leapt into the air.
Her body moved like a bolt of lightning, slicing through the sky.
In an instant, she was airborne, ready to meet the oncoming challenge.
CRACK!
Sharp claws suddenly extended from her fingertips, gleaming with a chilling light.
Like meteors streaking through the night, they carried devastating power, tearing through the air with an unstoppable force!
CLANG!
Their claws collided, sparks erupting in a dazzling display, like fireworks bursting across the battlefield.
In that moment—
A long crack split across the once-impenetrable bone armor on Mila Rose's right claw!
They were both Adjuchas, yet even the most oblivious onlooker could now see—
The power gap between them was insurmountable.
The two figures streaked past each other at incredible speed, kicking up a fierce wind.
Then—
BOOM!
Two brilliant columns of energy exploded across Ggio's body!
But as the dust settled, he sneered—
And in the next instant, his figure vanished.
"Boom!!"
A deafening explosion echoed through the sky, as blinding fireballs shot upward, bursting like massive bombs in the gloomy sky. The roaring orange flames painted the entire sky crimson, as if a grand and spectacular fireworks display was unfolding.
Just as Oswell was deeply familiar with Harribel and her group, Sung-Sun and the others, having clashed with the forces of Las Noches multiple times, knew their enemies inside and out.
Mila Rose alone was no match for the Sabertooth Tiger, Ggio Vega. Even with the combined efforts of the three of them, they could barely hold their ground.
"So slow..."
With a disdainful sneer, Ggio leapt from the billowing smoke and landed smoothly. But just as he opened his mouth to speak, his expression suddenly changed.
Crack—
A sharp sound rang out as Ggio Vega's powerful forelimb snapped off without warning. His once-thick, muscular arms now hung limply, revealing two smooth, cleanly severed cuts.
At the same time, the surrounding air began to twist and distort violently, growing thick and oppressive.
Ggio Vega's face contorted in shock.
"What... is this?"
Whoosh!!
A fierce wind howled across the desert like a rampaging beast, kicking up a blinding storm of sand that swallowed the sky.
Under the crushing weight of the terrifying Reiatsu, many Hollows gasped for breath, their mouths hanging open in shock.
"Who's there!?"
A startled cry rang out, and tension flooded the battlefield. Moments later, exclamations of shock followed one after another.
"What incredible Reiatsu!"
"Could it be another Vasto Lorde!?"
"Ggio-sama! Who could have arrived!?"
All eyes turned to their leader, Ggio Vega.
The battle-hardened and highly respected Hollow commander now looked utterly disheveled. His forelimbs were severed, his body weakened, and an undeniable flicker of fear gleamed in his eyes.
As the leader of this elite force and a close confidant of His Majesty Baraggan, Ggio had always been known for his formidable strength.
Yet at this moment, even he was at a complete loss, faced with such an unknown and overwhelming Reiatsu.
"I don't know!!" Ggio's voice trembled. "I've never felt this kind of Reiatsu before! It's definitely not from anyone in Las Noches!"
His words struck the surrounding Hollows like a thunderclap, their pupils shrinking to needlepoints. Already on edge, their nerves were now stretched to the breaking point.
If this Reiatsu was unfamiliar to Ggio, then it could only mean one thing—the intruder was from outside Las Noches.
And from the sheer pressure of their presence, they had to be an immensely powerful being.
Ggio gritted his teeth against the searing pain in his wounds, knowing full well that the arrival was anything but friendly. With a furious roar, he commanded,
"The intruder is hostile! Prepare for battle!!"
The Hollows hesitated for a brief moment before snapping to attention.
Without the need for words, they moved into action, their movements swift and precise. Their bodies pulsed with intense Reiryoku as they scanned their surroundings, bracing themselves for whatever attack might come.
Sung-Sun, Apacci, and Mila Rose exchanged glances, each seeing the same shock reflected in the others' eyes.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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