At the edge of the barren desert lay a stone forest, its towering rocks—some several meters tall, others over ten—jutting out from the sands and forming a jagged expanse of stone.
This wasteland was rarely visited by others, yet now, the forest echoed with the sound of explosions.
Beams of Cero lit up the stone forest. When the blinding light faded, three Hollows lay sprawled across the ground.
They were Adjuchas-class Hollows, each bearing the form of a deer, a serpent, and a lion respectively.
Standing before them was a humanoid Hollow—jet black from head to toe except for its abdomen and mask. Shark-like dorsal fins jutted from its waist, and a powerful tail extended from its back.
This was none other than Riel, the Blackshark King, ruler of the region.
"This is your last chance. Where is Queen Jaws?"
Riel's foot pressed down on the serpent Hollow's head as he asked coldly.
Though this rocky forest lay just beyond the desert he claimed as his territory, Riel had long considered it part of his dominion. But now, intruders had appeared in his domain.
Unwilling to share his territory, Riel had come either to expel or subjugate these outsiders.
But when he arrived, he discovered that Queen Jaws was not among them.
"I… won't… tell… you…" the serpent hissed through a grim smile.
"Hmph. Quite loyal. I admire that. I'm willing to forgive your rudeness. Serve me, and I'll spare your lives!"
Riel pressed harder with his foot.
The serpent remained silent, refusing to respond.
"Get lost!"
A furious roar suddenly rang out from the distance.
A white blur shot toward them. Riel felt a powerful force slam into his back.
"—Ugh!"
A humanoid Hollow, moving at blinding speed, drove a powerful kick into Riel's back and sent him flying.
The attacker was clad in snow-white bone armor. Her legs looked as if she wore white boots, her right hand gripped a massive fishbone sword, and a long white tail trailed behind her head.
"Queen Jaws!!!"
Riel shoved rubble off his body and shouted in rage.
The one who had kicked him was none other than Tier Harribel, known among the Hollows as Queen Jaws.
Hollows with enough strength to dominate an area were often given nicknames based on their appearance. Such figures were considered regional lords.
To Riel, having another titled Hollow trespass on his land was unacceptable.
"I don't seek conflict. But you shouldn't have hurt my friends," Harribel said coldly.
"Lady Harribel…" the deer Hollow on the ground raised its head with difficulty.
"Submit to me—or leave my territory!" Riel barked.
"This forest was supposed to be unclaimed," Harribel frowned.
She had allowed her new friends to settle here because she'd heard the land had no master. Now the Blackshark King had attacked them out of nowhere.
"This is my domain too!" Riel roared.
Harribel didn't bother replying. Her actions said it all—this was not his domain.
Bruised and limping, Riel left the stone forest.
"I'll tear her to shreds!" he cursed.
He had lost his battle against Queen Jaws and had no choice but to retreat.
Now, he planned to call on his elder brother, the Redshark King, to exact revenge.
Just then, he noticed two figures approaching from ahead.
He sensed little spiritual pressure, but when he saw the mask atop one figure's head, his blood ran cold.
He glanced at the other figure—cloaked, with a partially visible face under the hood.
Riel instantly recognized them as Vasto Lorde-class!
He had just run into Nanatsuki and Nel.
"So you're the Blackshark King?"
Nel eyed the Hollow curiously—it matched the description.
"Vasto Lorde-sama! Please, call me Riel!" Riel put on a sycophantic grin.
He was only an Adjuchas. Compared to a Vasto Lorde, the gap was unbridgeable. The last thing he wanted was to anger them.
"I heard you're the strongest in this area. I'd like to test my blade against you," Nel smiled.
"Vasto Lorde-sama, I'm just a lowly Adjuchas… how could I possibly compare to you?" Riel's Adam's apple bobbed nervously as he spoke.
Then a flash of inspiration hit him. "I was just defeated by someone even stronger! If you're looking for a fight, she's a better match!"
"You mean Queen Jaws? You lost to her?"
Nel's interest was piqued.
"Yes, that damned… I mean, powerful Queen Jaws. She might already be close to Vasto Lorde-level. She'd be a perfect challenge for you!"
Riel eagerly pushed Nel toward causing trouble for Harribel.
"A stronger opponent, huh? Fine by me. You're dismissed."
Losing all interest in someone already defeated, Nel waved him off.
Without another word, Riel fled at top speed.
"Sensei, let's go find Queen Jaws!" Nel was eager for the challenge.
"I've already sensed her spiritual pressure. She should be a decent match for you," Nanatsuki nodded.
The two arrived at the stone forest—and found Queen Jaws.
Nanatsuki recognized her silhouette instantly and pulled up her Status Interface.
[Tier Harribel]
[Talent: S]
[Reiatsu: Lv88]
Nanatsuki raised an eyebrow. So this Queen Jaws was none other than Tier Harribel, the Tercera Espada, ranked equally with Nel.
At this point in time, Harribel hadn't yet evolved into a Vasto Lorde, but she was close.
She would make a worthy opponent for Nel.
As long as Nel didn't enter her Resurrección form, their Reiatsu levels weren't too far apart.
"So you're Queen Jaws," Nel eyed her. "You look pretty strong. I'm here to challenge you."
"Vasto Lorde-sama, my friends are injured. I must treat them first. I can't accept your challenge right now," Harribel shook her head.
After driving away the Blackshark King, she had begun healing her companions—only for two more strangers to show up.
"You've got guts, just like Little Leopard," Nel raised an eyebrow, her interest in Harribel growing.
Unlike most Hollows who lost their will to fight upon learning she was a Vasto Lorde, Harribel showed no such fear.
"I'll heal your companions for you—on one condition: you fight Nel," Nanatsuki said.
He examined the injuries of the three Hollows on the ground. Treating them would be simple for him.
Kaidō, the healing art of the Shinigami, worked on all spirit bodies—including Hollows.
"You can heal them?" Harribel asked, surprised. She had assumed Nanatsuki was a Hollow with some special ability, and didn't think too deeply.
"If you can heal them, then I'm willing to fight."