Chapter 10: A Proposal


    <span style="font-weight:400">Kazuya''s experiment unfolded as anticipated. The three Adjuchas'' transformation into Arrancar culminated in disaster and their demise—a disheartening yet logical oue. Expecting unnamed NPCs to subdue their primal instincts and then seal them into a weapon was just begging for disappointment. What he hadn''t foreseen was Harribel''s arrival, her attention piqued by the explosive surge in Reiatsu.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Nheless, he remained unfazed by her current formidable appearance.


    <i><span style="font-weight:400">‘A Vasto Lorde. Her Reiatsu is weaker than me?’</i>


    <span style="font-weight:400">It seemed she had achieved her Vasto Lorde rank not long ago. Otherwise, her Reiatsu would surpass his by a big margin.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Putting on his most charming grin, he threw out a friendly wave. “Bonjour, Mademoiselle. Pardon me for disturbing your rest.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">In the presence of a withering Hollow, his formal greeting looked sinister. His melodious voice, like a choir of angelic bells, didn’t help his case either. His presence screamed red gs, but Harribel, caught in Adjuchas’ deaths, failed to recognize any.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“What happened to these Hollows?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“They attacked us out of nowhere. When they couldn’t beat me, they started tearing their masks.” He rubbed the back of his head with a feigned, helpless smile. “The rest is history.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">"Why would a Hollow tear their mask?" Harribel wasn''t swayed by his sweet voice and posed a valid question. She turned to Api, who seemed on edge. "Is that what happened?"


    <span style="font-weight:400">Her distrust in Kazuya and trust in Api couldn’t be more obvious. She’d rather believe Api whom she had observed for some time than believing aplete stranger.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Faced with Harribel’s question, Api found herself stuck between a rock and a hard ce. Kazuya lied to Harribel without so much of a flinch as he was responsible for cracking the three Adjuchas’ masks with his fists. He did it without a change in his expression as if all the pleading those Adjuchas meant nothing to him.


    <span style="font-weight:400">He was ruthless and vicious like a devil, resembling the Hollows who wanted to devour her.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Her first impression of him couldn’t have been farther from his true face. She also understood the essence of his ‘experiments’: using others like a fodder to test the sess of Arrancarization.


    <i><span style="font-weight:400">‘Are you willing to do anything for power?’</i>


    <span style="font-weight:400">Stealing a nce at him, she noticed his neutral lips but gleaming eyes, urging her to act. He wanted her to take a stance—either lie for him or betray him and side with Harribel. The decision might dictate her life from here on out.


    <i><span style="font-weight:400">‘This jerk!’</i>


    <span style="font-weight:400">She gritted her teeth, frustrated at his obvious attempt to back her into a corner. “Yes. They lost their minds to find a Vasto Lorde nearly as powerful as their master, King Barragan.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Reading Harribel’s intention was much easier than predicting the intricate schemes brewing inside behind his sinister mind. In spite of it all, she refused to betray him! He had saved her life and helped her in recovering her Reiryoku. While she wouldn''t say it out loud, the past day had been the most fun she had in her lonely life.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Getting Api’s confirmation, Harribel didn’t push the matter any further and regarded Kazuya with aposed gaze. “King Baraggan sees all Vasto Lorde as a threat to his authority. He wille after us, eventually to recruit us into his Espada ranks. You two should keep moving… stay away from Baraggan’sckeys.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Barragan saw all of Hueco Mundo as his yground, everyone a piece for him to use and discard. The Espada under him was just more tools to do his bidding. Harribel, on the other hand, loathed the very thought of sacrificing anyone. Two powerful people with contrasting beliefs were bound to sh, even if she harbored no intentions of challenging his authority.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Why should we trust your words?” Api questioned Harribel’s goodwill with sharp eyes. “Fuck this King Barragan. Kazuya will p his head off.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">"Cough. Cough." Kazuya tried not tough but ended up coughing. He cleared his throat and rubbed her head. "Excuse me, Api. I''m a day-old Vasto Lorde and King Baraggan has been in power for centuries. His army alone can drown me in their spit. By me, I mean us. We live and die together now, Api."


    <span style="font-weight:400">Api’s eyes widened at the thought of an army of Gillian, Adjuchas, and Vasto Lordes. Her vivid imagination set her head spinning. “You''re right…”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“You’re so hot-headed. The quote ‘Think before act’ is to teach impulsive Hollows like you.” He sighed and smiled at Harribel. “King Baraggan will me me for his subordinate’s deaths. I don’t think I can fight him and his looneys by my lonesome. What should I do? How do I protect Api now…?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">His Aspect of Death simply wasn’t efficient enough to fight Barragan at this stage. Besides, he needed an excuse to invade Harribel’s group and slowly bring them to his side.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Did he actually took King Baraggan as a threat, though?


    <span style="font-weight:400">Absolutely not.


    <span style="font-weight:400">He always had the option of jumping to the Living World and changing his race to human or going to Soul Society as a normal soul and hiding among weak souls like a little bitch. The vast amount of choices didn’t leave threats in Hueco Mundo… Except for Aizen who was fated to take over Hueco Mundo.


    <i><span style="font-weight:400">‘Fuck Aizen.’</i>


    <span style="font-weight:400">Api’s throat produced a low, guttural growl reminiscent of an agitated canine. <i><span style="font-weight:400">‘This maniptive bastard! He is acting helpless now.’</i>


    <span style="font-weight:400">Harribel''s aqua green eyes widened ever so slightly, her gaze fixated on Kazuya. A kaleidoscope of emotions danced within her eyes, each one fleeting and impossible to decipher. She hesitated, then inquired in a soft voice, “Did you say you''re one day old?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Kazuya was momentarily perplexed by Harribel’s unexpected question. He nced at Api for reassurance before refocusing on Harribel. “I am. You can ask Api.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Api nodded in his support, confirming his lifespan. “I found him half buried like a day ago. He didn’t even know how to control his Reiatsu or that he is a freakin’ Vasto Lorde!”


    <span style="font-weight:400">As Api confirmed Kazuya''s statement, Harribel’s eyes took on a soft glow. “You cane with me…”


    <span style="font-weight:400">His hand flew to cover his gaping jaw. Harribel’s open offer dictated two choices — agree or disagree. Yet the spark of hope in her eyes desperately pleaded for him to agree. Even the always calm Kazuya felt a shiver. Harribel’s behavior wasn’t natural, not by a long shot. She looked way too eager to invite him as if it wasn’t their first time meeting.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Something was extremely wrong, an unease gnawed at his mind. Yet he couldn’t point out the reason for this feeling.


    <i><span style="font-weight:400">‘She changed after I said I’m one day old. That’s extremely sus.’</i>


    <span style="font-weight:400">Taking a deep breath, he nodded and smiled. “The more the merrier, they say. Us weak ones gotta stick together.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Api nearly choked on his ridiculous im. “You and weak, ptui. If you’re weak, then everyone in Hueco Mundo is an ant.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Little Api learned to be sarcastic. What a terrifying development.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“All thanks to you, rascal. All thanks to you…”


    <span style="font-weight:400">He chuckled and saw Harribel staring at him. “I am Kazuya, by the way. This is Api. What about you?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“...Tier Harribel.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“That’s a unique name if I ever saw one. Mind if I call you Harribel?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Harribel shook her head. “Follow me.”


    <b>***</b>


    <span style="font-weight:400">Kazuya and Api followed Harribel to her base, their footsteps silent like shadows on the moonlit ground. As expected, two Adjuchas were sitting in the cave, staring at him. The snake''s slitted eyes flickered with curiosity and amusement, while the lioness growled, openly expressing her hostility. Her reaction was as if Kazuya was the malevolent being that killed her loved ones.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Cyan Sung-Sun giggled. “Oh no, Harribel-sama brought a man home.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“That’s all you have to say?!” M Rose roared at her friend for being too nonchnt. They recently alluded to Kazuya being a bad guy who would attack them on sight. Now he and hispanion stood before them as Harribel’s guests. “Why aren’t you asking anything about him?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">The snake ignored M Rose’s yells and waved her tail at Kazuya and Api. “Hello there, neers.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Api pointed at Sung-Sun then M Rose with her feet. “Hey, it’s Harribel’s full squad. I’m Api.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Sung-Sun’s tongue darted out of her mouth for a fleeting second. “I’m Cyan Sung-Sun. This ill-tempered puppy is Franceska M Rose.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“They got first andst names?” Api whispered to Kazuya. “We’re the only ones without it.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Sorry, it’s just you.” Kazuya smiled at Sung-Sun. “I’m Kazuya Ishihara.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Sung-Sun nodded, eyes crinkling as though she was pleased. “Your voice is soothing. You’ll be an excellent singer or storyteller.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“I don’t have memories to derive any story from,” he said with a sigh, fully taking the role of an adolescent. He could feel an oppressive air settling in the cave, so heughed. “I have a few amusing tales about Api. Would you be interested?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“I’d love to hear them!”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Don’t sell me out!” Api cut in with a fiery retort. “Wait, I don’t have any embarrassing moments. Do I?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">He crossed his arms and grinned. “You just made one.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Sung-Sunughed. “You fell for it.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Harribel watched over the three with a stern look. Kazuya and Api meshed well with Sung-Sun. Then again, Sung-Sun was cunning enough to act friendly to anyone regardless of their personality.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Meanwhile, M Rose blinked her eyes as the rest of the party interacted like they were old acquaintances. The new members adapted to their group like they belonged there, while she felt like aplete outcast as if she was a fish out of water.


    <span style="font-weight:400">She despised this feeling.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Kazuya nced at M Rose, clearly understanding the reason for her silence. He disturbed their group dynamic with his presence. “If I make you anxious… should I leave?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">M Rose stared at him in barely concealed surprise. The one who hadn’t forgotten her was also the source of her chaotic emotions. His polite apology certainly caught her by surprise, its effect further enhanced by his soft voice.


    <span style="font-weight:400">M Rose released a tame roar before looking away. “I’m not berating Harribel-sama’s decision. She won’t do anything that will harm us.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Kazuya responded with a nod and a soft smile. M Rose seemed like another tsundere Hollow, but with more ferocity than Api.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“I legit forgot she existed,” Sung-Sun whispered. “Geez, M Rose. Be more refined. Let’s start with a simple introduction.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“I-Introduction?” M Rose stuttered for a second and sat down like an obedient puppy. “I’m Franceska M Rose. My hobbies are tearing Hollows and kicking heads around. I also like sharpening my ws!”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Her introduction left everyone speechless. M Rose’s gaze drifted from face to face as she wondered about the effectiveness of her introduction.


    <span style="font-weight:400">He pped with an innocent smile, breaking the silence. “That was wonderful.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“...”