A stone forest at the end of the gobi desert.
Here, rocks several and even dozens of meters high stood in the desert, forming a forest of stone.
This wasteland was rarely visited, but now, the sounds of explosions echoed from within.
The light of a Cero illuminated the stone forest. When the light faded, three Hollows lay on the ground.
They were Adjuchas-class Menos in the forms of a deer, a snake, and a lion.
Standing before them was a humanoid Menos that was entirely black except for its abdomen and mask, with shark fins on its waist and a fish tail.
This was Riel, the Black Shark King who ruled this area.
"I'll ask one last time. Where is the Shark Queen?"
Riel asked slowly, stepping on the large snake's head.
The gobi desert was the Black Shark King's territory. Although this stone forest was outside of it, in his view, it was still within his domain. But recently, a group of unwelcome guests had arrived.
The Black Shark King was unwilling to share his territory and had come to drive out or subdue this group.
However, when he arrived, he found that the Shark Queen was not here.
"I won't... tell... you..."
The large snake sneered.
"Hmph, quite loyal. I admire you. I can forgive your insolence and spare your lives. Come and be my subordinates!"
Riel increased the pressure of his foot.
But the large snake did not respond, remaining silent.
"Get off!"
Just then, a furious shout came from a distance.
A white figure shot over. The Black Shark King felt a strong pushing force from behind.
"BAM—!"
The rapidly approaching humanoid Menos kicked him in the back, sending him flying.
The one who had kicked him was a humanoid Menos covered in snow-white bone armor, its legs looking as if they were wearing white boots. Its right hand was a large fishbone sword, and a long white tail was connected to its back.
"Shark Queen!!!"
Riel pushed aside the rubble on top of him and roared in anger.
The one who had kicked him was the Shark Queen, Tier Harribel.
Powerful Menos like them who were active in an area for some time would be given a title by others based on their appearance.
Usually, such Menos were lords of their own territory.
Riel was very resistant to a Menos with a title coming to his territory.
"I have no intention of starting a conflict, but you should not have harmed my friends."
Harribel said coldly.
"Lady Harribel..."
The deer-shaped Hollow lying on the ground struggled to lift its head.
"Submit to me, or leave my territory!" Riel shouted, trying to drive her away.
"This stone forest should be unclaimed land."
Harribel frowned.
She had chosen this place for her new friends to settle because she had heard it was unclaimed.
Yet this Black Shark King had come and attacked them.
"This is my territory too!"
Riel roared angrily.
Harribel did not respond, instead using her actions to show him that this was not his land.
...
Riel limped away from the stone forest.
"I will tear her to pieces!"
He cursed.
He had lost the fight against the Shark Queen.
He had no choice but to retreat.
He planned to go and get his older brother, the Red Shark King, to help him take revenge.
Just then, he saw two figures walking towards him.
He didn't sense much spiritual pressure, but when he saw the mask on one of their heads, he froze.
He stole a glance at the other person. They were wearing a cloak, and he couldn't see their face, but he could see the lower half of it under the hood.
Riel instantly made a judgment: these two were not to be trifled with!
The ones he had run into were Sora and Nelliel, who had been looking for him.
"Are you the Black Shark King?"
Nelliel sized up the Menos she had encountered, seeing that it closely matched the description.
"Vasto Lorde! You can call me Riel!"
Riel showed a fawning smile.
He was just an Adjuchas, and there was an insurmountable gap between him and a Vasto Lorde. He didn't want to anger her.
"I heard you are the strongest in this area. I'd like to test my blade against you."
Nelliel said with a smile.
"Vasto Lorde, I am just a weak Adjuchas... how could I dare to compare myself to you."
Riel's throat bobbed as he struggled to speak.
A flash of inspiration struck him, and he added, "I was just defeated by an even stronger Menos. If you want to test your blade, you can find her!"
"That would be the Shark Queen, right? Did you lose to her?"
Nelliel became interested in the Shark Queen.
"Yes, that damn... that powerful Shark Queen is very strong, perhaps even close to the Vasto Lorde level. She would be the perfect opponent for you to test your blade against."
Riel eagerly encouraged Nelliel to go and find trouble with the Shark Queen.
"A stronger opponent is good too. You can go now."
Nelliel lost interest in the Shark Queen's defeated foe.
As soon as she finished speaking, Riel left as fast as he could.
"Professor, let's go find that Shark Queen!" Nelliel decided to challenge her.
"I've already sensed her spiritual pressure. She is indeed a good opponent for you," Sora nodded slightly.
The two arrived at the stone forest and saw the Shark Queen.
Sora found her appearance very familiar and immediately checked her panel.
[Tier Harribel]
Talent: S
Spiritual Pressure: Lv 88
Sora raised an eyebrow. This Shark Queen was indeed the future 3rd Espada, Harribel, who ranked the same as Nelliel!
At this time, Harribel had not yet evolved to the Vasto Lorde stage, but she was not far off.
Harribel was a very suitable opponent for Nelliel.
As long as Nelliel did not enter her Resurrección, the spiritual pressure gap between them was not that large.
"You must be the Shark Queen!" Nelliel sized up Harribel. "You look very strong. I am here to challenge you."
"Vasto Lorde, my friends are injured and need immediate medical attention. I cannot accept your invitation right now."
Harribel shook her head.
After driving away the Black Shark King, she had begun to treat her injured friends, only for two more strange Menos to arrive.
"You're just like the little panther, very courageous," Nelliel's eyebrow twitched.
She was becoming more and more interested in this Shark Queen.
Unlike other Hollows, who lost all fighting spirit upon seeing she was a Vasto Lorde.
"I will help you heal your companions, but you must fight Nelliel. How about it?" Sora spoke up.
He observed the injuries of the three Hollows lying on the ground. They were not difficult for him to handle.
A Shinigami's healing Kidō was effective on all spiritual bodies. Since Hollows were also spiritual bodies, it could be used to treat them.
"You can heal them?" Harribel was a bit puzzled, thinking this might be a Hollow with a special ability. She didn't think much of it and agreed. "If you can heal them, I am willing to fight."
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