Chapter 82 Seed Of The Devil (2)
"Damn! Damn! Damn! Damn! "
Each time Koral swings his blade, a bone spike emerges from his form, while white smoke gradually envelops him, transforming his flesh and blood into spiritual particles that become part of his skeletal structure.
After executing dozens of cuts in rapid succession, Koral's appearance has altered drastically. He can no longer be categorized as a Shinigami or even an Arrancar; he is now reduced to a bare skeleton, with bits of bloody flesh clinging to his skull.
A spire emanating a dark aura is situated in his chest.
Bone wings unfurl from his back, and the arm that was intended to merge with his Zanpakutō has transformed into a bony hand gripping a colossal sword engulfed in black flames.
In the hollow sockets of his eyes, red and blue beams of light flicker, which represent his last remnants of spirit and Reiatsu.
The entire spine is contorted, supported by six skeletal structures at the lower vertebrae, rendering his figure reminiscent of a demon from the depths of hell.
"Has it finally begun? Unexpectedly, Lord Fiander's unintentional act truly led to the success of the experiment! "
Watching Koral's enhanced form, Reinhard's expression remained devoid of emotion, as though this was all anticipated.
"Whoosh--"
As Koral's mouth opened and closed, a thick, black mist was gradually expelled from within. Upon contact with nearby objects, this mist swiftly eroded them, transforming them into a gooey substance.
"I'm stronger . . ! "
Koral hesitated as he spoke, the red gleam in his eyes fading bit by bit, giving way to fiercely flickering blue flames.
"What? Do you believe you've grown stronger? " Reinhard dismissed the notion with a mocking tone.
"Come on, I'm a god. . . you can't comprehend. . . my power! "
As Koral's sinister laughter echoed "Jie Jie Jie Jie," his tone shifted to one of overwhelming arrogance, prompting Reinhard to maneuver behind him.
He struck directly at Koral's spine.
Clang!
The claw blade collided with Koral's spine but failed to inflict any damage. The resilience of his skeletal frame had surpassed Reinhard's typical attack.
Reinhard, in his resurrecion state, found himself unable to penetrate Koral's fortified defenses, highlighting the significant changes his body had endured.
In that moment, Koral extended two bone spikes from his back and launched an assault on Reinhard, who raised the weapon in his right hand to defend himself.
However, the black gas clinging to Koral's bone spike began to corrode Reinhard's claw blade slightly.
"Jie Jie Jie, is this. . . all? "Koral scoffed.
With a swift sound, whoosh—
Reinhard distanced himself from Koral, initially observing his claw blade in surprise, noting the marks left by Koral's attack.
Then realization dawned upon him as he recognized that a searing black flame had taken hold of his claw blade, just as it had with Koral.
Before Koral could react, Reinhard moved with incredible speed.
Swoosh—!
The black flame-infused claw blade left distinct claw marks on Koral's skeleton, creating five singed impressions on his ribs.
Koral appeared bewildered that his opponent could inflict harm. He instinctively touched the wound with his left hand, experiencing searing pain that resonated deep within his soul, suddenly realizing the truth of the situation.
"You seem a bit perplexed, don't you? Did you believe this power was exclusive to you?" Reinhard continued his taunts, his body brimming with black Reiatsu, radiating fierce intent as he unleashed a black Cero directly at Koral.
Confronted by the threatening Black Cero, Koral stood his ground. He swung down with the bone giant sword engulfed in dark flames, cleaving Reinhard's Black Cero in half.
Despite Koral's notable enhancement in power, his speed had diminished considerably.
Against Reinhard's agile assault, Koral's strikes failed to connect effectively, leaving him to flail helplessly with his massive sword.
Yet Reinhard pressed on; his left hand, infused with black Reiatsu, slammed against Koral's face, smashing him into the ground.
Boom—
Black flames erupted from Reinhard's palm, searing Koral's visage.
"Ahhh~~~~! ! ! "
The piercing cries reverberated throughout the Menos Grande forest. Koral, with only remnants of flesh and blood on his face, had half of his skull incinerated by the black flames.
"You resemble a rat trapped in a ditch, clinging to life, unlike your kin who fight with fervor. "
"Did you truly think you could absorb a hollow's power for your own gain? It's absurd, nothing but a little white mouse, proclaiming itself a god! "
"Master Fiander stated that only the most despicable soul can awaken the seed of the devil. I keep you alive merely to see if you can successfully awaken that devil's seed. "
As he spoke, Reinhard seized Koral's head, lifting it high. Koral swung his massive sword in an attempt to retaliate, but Reinhard simply wrenched off his right arm and tossed it aside.
"Despicable wretch, vanish from this realm! " Reinhard grasped Koral, unleashing black flames from his arm that engulfed him entirely.
"Forgive me~ Please! Have mercy! ! Like. . . once. . . , let me. . . survive! " At that moment, Koral was stripped of his prior bravado.
He pleaded with Reinhard in an anxious stutter.
The black flames emanating from his adversary suppressed Koral at a soul level, leaving him without any inclination to resist.
At this moment, Ichigo, having healed from his injuries, arrived at the location where the battle had occurred, Nell cradled in his arms.
To his surprise,upon reaching the scene, he witnessed Reinhard seizing his adversary with his bare hands and hoisting him high into the air.
"Could it be. . . that creature. . . C
Koral? ? "
Ichigo exclaimed, his eyes widening in disbelief.
The skeletal figure before him was indeed Koral, who had fought valiantly against him for the honor of Shinigamis.
"Save. . . save. . . me, fellow Shinigami, I too. . . . . Shinigami! ! " As Reinhard refused to release him, Koral turned to Ichigo and pleaded.
"Kurosaki Ichigo? " Reinhard glanced over at Ichigo and then unceremoniously dropped Koral onto the ground, pressing his foot firmly on his chest to immobilize him.
"Want to hear his tale? Substitute Shinigami! " Reinhard's chilling voice echoed in Ichigo's ears, but Ichigo merely stared at him blankly, dark lines forming in his hair, remaining silent for an extended moment.
"It appears you still possess some curiosity, so let's begin with the story from 200 years ago! "
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