Chapter 3 - Am I Gonna Lose

When He Muyang arrived at his home and had a meal, he couldn’t help but remember what happened earlier. After sensing a pair of vigilant eyes monitoring him, He Muyang pretended to leave in order to let their guard down while secretly eavesdropping on their conversation.

“Swordsman of Kusajishi?” He Muyang chuckled, “Since when did I have such an awesome name? People seemed to afraid when they heard my name too. Hmm, this is not bad at all.”

“As for those lot…” He Muyang’s eyes suddenly became frightening, recalling what happened a few years ago.

On the same day he got his hands on the sword, he tried to find anyone who could provide him the information regarding his surroundings as he planned to go to Shin’ō Academy. He passed a few small villages along the way and only stumbled upon a few people. Almost all of them were outlaws who had to risk their lives just to put a little food on their table. After surviving several life and death battles, He Muyang clearly felt that his strength increased by leaps and bounds, and not just his battle sense. After each battle, He Muyang always felt some kind of force deep within him got stronger, which He Muyang believed to be Reiatsu.

At first, He Muyang complained that he had no golden finger whatsoever. He wasn’t even blessed with a crazy amount of Reiatsu or other kinds of early advantage that most characters who crossed another world had. He thought that God was unfair at first until the sudden and rapid increase in his strength after his first battle. Later he learned that the more dangerous the battle was, the stronger he got as a result. He once sustained a severe injury and got twice as strong afterwards, even though that was partly because he wasn’t that strong at that time, making He Muyang started to wonder whether he had Saiyan blood within him.

He Muyang made his way until he was now in the largest city in Kusajishi District, and he was basically invincible here after building up his strength along the way, but he made sure to keep a low profile. However, a guy named Makihara, thinking He Muyang was a perfect prey, decided to bring his lackeys to mug him. He Muyang tried his best to resolve it peacefully but to no avail as an inevitable fight broke out. He Muyang ended up killing Makihara and all his lackeys in a fit of rage, hence the name “Swordsman of Kusajishi.”

“Oh, beautiful sword, can you tell me your name?” He Muyang said to his sword as he wiped it affectionately as if caressing a woman’s soft skin until it was sparkling.

He Muyang hasn’t gotten that much stronger since he killed 100 people in a fit of rage at that time. Although in most people’s eyes he had become stronger, only he knew best that he simply could utilize his strength better than before, but he wasn’t any stronger, and Shikai was undoubtedly the next step to boost his power further, so he was desperate to learn his Zanpakuto’s name now.

After sheathing his sword, He Muyang leaned against the wall and closed his eyes while holding the sword. No one dared to actually sleep at night here in Kusajishi District since it was so dangerous that anything could happen if they fell asleep for even a second.

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Without anyone realizing it, a hole was ripped open in Kusajishi District, and powerful yet sinister Reiatsu surged wildly from the hole.

“Th… This Reiatsu…”

“It’s Hollow!!!!!!”

“Run!”

“Aaaah! Help!”

Sensing the powerful Reiatsu left everyone in a panic, especially those who have already seen Hollow with their own eyes since they knew the Reiatsu belonged to Hollow.

“Look at all these foods! It’s been a long time since I smelled this many delicious souls, as expected of Soul Society!” the Hollow that just ripped open a hole on Kusajishi District’s sky was intoxicated by souls’ tempting fragrance and rushed straight towards the crowd.

He Muyang sensed the Hollow’s Reiatsu the moment it ripped a hole in Kusajishi District. This was the first time he sensed a Hollow’s Reiatsu, and as he expected, it really was powerful and sinister.

“This Reiatsu is almost as strong as mine; I’m not sure I can defeat this Hollow. Although I have been through several battles and become stronger since then, there’s no telling how strong this Hollow is or just how many souls it had devoured. What should I do, fight or escape?”

While He Muyang was still busy considering his choice, the Hollow has already rushed to the crowd. Seeing the person that Hollow targeted would surely die if it got close enough, He Muyang had no time to dawdle around and quickly rushed forward.

“Clang!” The Hollow’s sharp claw met head-on with He Muyang’s Zanpakuto, igniting sparks in the process.

“I’ll take you on, damned monster!” He Muyang aggravated the monster on purpose even though he realized that the Hollow in front of him was stronger than him from exchanging blows earlier.

“Shinigami? Now that’s a delicious soul you got there. Give it up and let me tear eat that soul of yours!” the Hollow stuck out his tongue, excited by the thought of devouring He Muyang’s soul.

He Muyang sidestepped the Hollow’s sharp claw, and he was shocked when he noticed that the Hollow’s attack left a huge hole on the ground. If that one hit him just now, he might not be able to stand still right now.

He Muyang swung his sword with all his might, but the Hollow managed to block his strike. He then immediately ran to the woods while provoking the Hollow: “Catch me if you can, monster.”

“Aooooo ·······” the Hollow’s eyes flashed with fury, “You’ve done it now, Shinigami.”

The Hollow’s body turned into a shadow and followed He Muyang towards the woods.

“Swordsman of Kusajishi! he saved us and led Hollow away?”

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“This should be far enough. I don’t sense nearby: I’ll defeat you here.” He Muyang challenged the Hollow after confirming that there was no one nearby.

“Gā gā gā ga········Defeat me?” the Hollow laughed as if it just heard something funny, “Adelaide, Cohen Adelaide, you better remember that name. You’re pretty strong, Shinigami, but nowhere as strong as me. I’m just one step away from evolving into Gillian, and you’ll be the perfect stepping stone for that!”

“Just one step away from evolving into Gillian? Tsk, can I defeat this thing in my current state?” The look on He Muyang’s face instantly changed.

The Hollow had no plan to waste any more time and struck He Muyang head-on. He Muyang evaded the attack as all kinds of thought entered his head, but he wasn’t worried, “this is all you got? That won’t be enough to defeat me!”

He Muyang, who thought his opponent was no big deal, was surprised to find the Hollow in front of him turned blurry, followed by a sudden pain from one side of his body as he was sent flying while watching the Hollow reappearing behind him. He Muyang’s eyes widened in surprise: “That’s…Sonido! How can this be?”

“Sonído? What is that?” a voice said from He Muyang’s side. “I’m moving so fast that your eyes can’t keep up with my speed, that’s all. This is the gap between our strengths.”

The Hollow immediately struck He Muyang once again mid-air, sending him to the ground.

“Cough cough ~” The impact made He Muyang spurted a mouthful of blood as he fell to the ground. He shivered as he saw the Hollow approaching him slowly while drooling.

“Am I going to die just like this? I haven’t even been to Seireitei yet. I haven’t even seen one of the anime‘s characters yet, and I’m gonna lose to this mob? No way!” He Muyang roared as he looked at Hollow’s claw that was already right in front of him.

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