harleyscars Chapter 12 Vampires
Chapter 12 Vampires
"In this day and age, it's indeed quite difficult to find someone like that." Nigu Cai Cang, unaware of what had transpired between the two, simply replied normally.
In this era, death is a perfectly normal thing.
People die every day in Soul Society, and in large numbers.
How many people can Muzan Kibutsuji eat in a day?
Mixed among these dead, you can't tell anything at all.
"If you're not in a hurry, you can stay here for a while," said Nikotsu Saizo.
"I'll ask my old friends and see if they know anything about vampires."
"Thank you for your help."
Li Lin eventually agreed to stay at the shrine.
After all, Unohana Yachiru and Gyokotsu Saizo are both heroes of Soul Society and prominent figures. With their help, the search efficiency will be greatly improved.
Li Lin had no reason to refuse.
Although the shrine is dilapidated, the main buildings still exist. Behind the main hall is a row of simple wooden guesthouses, which, after a simple cleaning, are barely habitable.
The air was filled with a mixture of old wood, dust, and faint incense, and it was so quiet that you could hear the rustling of the wind blowing through the old window paper outside.
Unohana still hasn't left, and she's going to spar with Tsugikuni En in the future.
While they were waiting for news, the Ryudoji family was far away in the Seireitei.
The deepest, darkest room in the Ryudoji residence, the Seireitei.
This was a windowless room, with only an oil lamp casting a dim, bluish light that barely dispelled a small patch of thick darkness.
Ryudoji Takehiko stood like a statue in the center of the room, his gaze piercing through the half-open door, fixed on the sunlight streaming into the corridor outside, which he found incredibly blinding.
His face was shrouded in shadow, but his excessively pale skin was clearly visible even in the dim light.
His originally robust physique seemed even more lean and wiry, yet it exuded an inhuman coldness and hardness.
Since putting on that stone mask, all my ailments have disappeared, and the feeling of surging power has indeed returned, even stronger than before!
but……
The price was that he could never touch the sunlight again!
This morning, with the ambition to regain control of the family and announce his return, he prepared to step out of his room to receive the cheers and worship of his people.
However, just as his toes touched the stone slab outside the door, bathed in the golden light of the morning sun—
"laugh--!"
It felt like a scorching hot iron being pressed against ice and snow; a searing pain instantly exploded from my toes!
He looked down and was horrified to see his feet rapidly turning black and carbonized in the sunlight, turning into ashes that fluttered down!
It wasn't burned by flames; it was more like it was melted directly!
Exclamations of surprise came from the tribesmen standing around, their reverence instantly replaced by horror.
Ryudoji Takehiko immediately retreated back to his room, his heart pounding as he realized something.
Although he recovered his health, he became a monster who could only cower in the darkness!
This discovery nearly drove Ryudoji Takehiko to madness!
He gained a healthy body, not just to become a rat in the gutter who could only survive in the dark!
What he wants is to rule!
He wants to rule the Soul Society and the Soul Society!
What ruler cannot live in the sunlight?!
How could he accept the worship of the masses in the darkness? How could he enjoy the cheers of the people?
Most importantly, he even developed a desire to devour other souls!
Just like Xu, when he saw his own people, he felt a surge of desire to devour them!
"Ugh—!"
He suddenly clutched his head, his fingernails digging deep into his pale skin.
If the price of recovery is to devour soul and flesh, he will not hesitate, but if it means never seeing the sunlight, then what difference is there between that and death?
Rage, fear, resentment, desire... all sorts of emotions tightened around his heart like poisonous vines.
Ultimately, the berserk instinct, imbued by the mask and closer to the void, temporarily overwhelmed reason.
"Find him! Find him for me!" Ryudoji Takehiko suddenly looked up and roared into the darkness, his voice distorted with rage: "If we can't find that man... you'll all die! All of you die!"
The roar echoed in the dark, sealed room, filled with a frenzied ferocity. The tribesmen outside the door fell silent in fear and hastily retreated.
After he finished everything, he was panting heavily, and then he suddenly realized that his anger just now was caused by the power of the void.
He remembered that back then, the mysterious man had indeed said that wearing this mask would grant him the power of the void, so...
So, was the mask I wore before just a fake?
Who exactly is this person?
It can even make a Shinigami Hollowfied?
The Hollowfication of the Grim Reaper, a term never heard of before, was actually happening to Ryudoji Takehiko.
He also knew that the Soul Society would absolutely not allow such a thing to happen.
Once others find out that they have become Hollows—no, merely gained the power of Hollows—the consequences for themselves and the Ryudoji family are self-evident.
He originally intended to announce his return to everyone, but now he could only hide in the darkness, forcing the Ryudoji family to keep his awakening a secret.
Damn it, damn it!
Ryudoji Takehiko looked at the light that was within reach outside, but dared not reach out his hand; the scorching sunlight became a deadly poison.
His pale face twitched, filled with resentment and bitterness.
"Looks like you failed too."
Suddenly, a calm, emotionless voice rang out abruptly from very close behind him.
Ryudoji Takehiko felt his hair stand on end!
He didn't even sense any spiritual pressure fluctuations, nor did he hear the slightest footstep!
But like a ghost, someone sneaked into the secret room he thought was absolutely safe!
"Who goes there?!"
Instinct beat thought; Ryudoji Takehiko turned around instantly, his Zanpakuto already drawn from its sheath, drawing a chilling arc of light as it slashed straight at the source of the sound behind him!
I must never let anyone see me like this!
No matter who it is, kill them without mercy!
The blade is sharp enough to cut through metal and split stone.
however--
"bite."
A soft, crisp sound, somewhat eerily clear.
Ryudoji Takehiko's sword stopped.
It stopped in front of a finger.
It was a pale, slender finger, and it was just an index finger that was casually and lightly placed against the side of its temple.
The Zanpakuto, powerful enough to cleave steel, struck the side of the index finger squarely, failing to penetrate even an inch, and not even leaving a trace of white.
What?!
Ryudoji Takehiko's pupils shrank to pinpoints, his eyes widening in disbelief. His full-force strike had been blocked by a single finger?!