Makoto's mind was made up. He had bought time, secured a single safety net, and rested his spiritual body.
Any further delay was a waste of his most precious resource: Time. The System Transport Key was the objective, and the Arrancar Research Ward was the only path.
"Rely on the data, not direct confrontation,"
He declared, gripping his Shikai.
Makoto approached the new portal.
The white, sterile light seemed to hum with contained, powerful Reiatsu.
He activated Observe one final time before entering.
Observe: Intermediate Dungeon: Arrancar Research Ward - Quarantine
Danger Level: High (Warning: Highly specialized, armored enemies.)
Enemies: Modified Arrancar and Artificial Hollows. Focus on Cero (Reiatsu beams) and high-speed combat.
Drops: Tier 2 Soul Fragments, Silver Coins (High drop rate), Reiatsu Potion (Minor), Stat-Boosting Consumables (Low Drop Rate).
Objective Advice: High INT and Dexterity are key. Exploit weaknesses ruthlessly.
He stepped through the gate.
Makoto materialized into a simulated, sterile white laboratory.
The air was cold, and the sound of buzzing equipment was unsettling.
[BATTLE START!]
He immediately spotted two enemies: fast-moving, black-armored figures with partial masks—Modified Arrancar.
He activated Observe instantly.
Observe: Modified Arrancar (Quarantine Model)
HP: 150
Reiatsu: 650 (Focuses Reiatsu into attacks)
Threat: Extreme. High speed, Cero attacks.
Weakness: Reiatsu Conductors on the elbow/wrist armor (1.7x damage multiplier).
Makoto's Shikai, Shikkan Tōki, pulsed with a sharp blue light, having identified the precise weak point.
He knew he couldn't survive a direct hit.
He chose a target and executed a dazzling, high-speed maneuver, combining the maximum speed of his Flash Step (Shunpo) LVL 3 with his high Dex (22) and AGI (19).
The first Arrancar raised its arm to fire a Cero.
"Analyze the defect, Shikkan Tōki!"
Makoto whispered, using his Shikai command.
He didn't aim for the Arrancar's body; he aimed for the faint, glowing seams on its elbow.
Slice!
The precision of the Shikai, combined with the Calculated Hit passive, was devastating.
[-54 HP! (30 Base Damage x 1.7 Multiplier) - Critical Hit!]
The Arrancar stumbled, its Cero fizzling out.
Makoto didn't slow.
He applied Data Disruption (MP Cost 10) on his next swing, driving the blade deep into the same point on the opposite arm.
[-45 HP! Target inflicted with Stat Reduction (Reiatsu -10%) for 3 turns.]
The second Arrancar charged, forcing Makoto to disengage, but the first one was already crippled, its Reiatsu output temporarily damaged.
The second Arrancar was slightly slower, giving Makoto an opening to use Observe on it, confirming the same weakness.
Makoto used a rapid series of low-cost Flash Steps to lure the second Arrancar past the first, buying himself a crucial second to re-engage the first, weakened enemy.
He finished it off with two final, brutal strikes to its Reiatsu Conductors.
[+150 EXP!]
He immediately turned, his Gamer's Mind MAX maintaining his focus as the second Arrancar unleashed a Cero.
Makoto had already calculated the trajectory and flung himself out of the blast zone with a desperate Flash Step.
The Cero scorched the white floor where he had stood.
He engaged the final Arrancar, using the same tactic: precision strikes targeting the weak points, amplified by Shikkan Tōki.
The fight was intense, draining his remaining Reiatsu and forcing him to rely on his final Healing Potion (Minor) just to stop the tremors in his hand from spiritual exhaustion.
[+150 EXP!]
[Item Acquired: Silver Coin x4!]
[Item Acquired: Tier 2 Soul Fragment x1!]
[Item Acquired: Reiatsu Potion (Minor) x1!]
Total EXP Gain: 150 + 150 = 300 EXP.
Current EXP: 5 + 300 = 305 / 400 (Toward Level 6).
Makoto collapsed against the wall, chest heaving.
The sheer power of the enemies was terrifying, but the loot was exactly what he needed.
He instantly consumed the new Reiatsu Potion (Minor).
Reiatsu Potion (Minor) consumed!
Effect: Instantly restores 100 Reiatsu and provides a temporary +5 MAG buff for 10 minutes.
He checked his status.
===Status===
Level 5
HP / Reiatsu 100 / 220 (420 Max) EXP 305 / 400 (Toward Level 6) Pow 14
End 17
Dex 22
AGI 19
MAG 14 (+5 Buff)
INT 24