Chapter 92: Interlude – Return of the Eater

Chapter 92: Interlude – Return of the Eater

“Silly little dear, take care of yourself.”

As the obsidian butterfly fluttered, Kazuya’s message filled with warmth echoed within Apacci’s consciousness. Her heart fluttered, mimicking the butterfly floating before her.

‘So sweet.’

She turned to the other Hollow beside her. The olive-haired arrancar in an elegant kimono. Sung-Sun had taken a liking to the traditional Japanese clothes.Upstodatee from n(0)/ve/lbIn/.(co/m

“Are you free now?”

Sung-Sun had postponed their departure for two sunrises. The Snake Princess had found a new passion in visiting the library these days, digesting books of different genres. Apacci, too, felt a shade of melancholy with Kazuya’s departure, else she’d have yanked Sung-Sun back to Hueco Mundo without delay.

“Alright, let’s get you fat with souls. You’ll become...” Sung-Sun trailed her voice, a mischievous smile on her face. “A Fatso Lorde!”

An awkward silence flowed between them.

“I’m not fat,” Apacci grumbled. “You’re just skinny.”

“Skinny or fat, it matters naught. My beloved treasures me. Only his opinion matters.”

Apacci’s words couldn’t put a dent on her steel-like confidence.

“It only happened because I let it happen,” Apacci said, hinting at the favor she did for Sung-Sun. “I didn’t think you’d pull it off... you’re so shameless, Sung-Sun.”

Sung-Sun smirked. “All is just in the fight for survival.”

“Why are you comparing your romance to survival?”

“It is a matter of life and death for me...” Sung-Sun gazed at her blankly. “I would have killed myself if he didn’t accept me. Being with Kazuya is the same as breathing to me.”

Apacci's brows knitted together at Sung-Sun’s words. Was she truly speaking the truth, or was it just another one of her games? The slight twitch at the corner of Sung-Sun’s mouth did nothing to resolve her confusion.

Apacci shook her head and opened a rift to garganta using Descorrer. “Come.”

“Only Kazuya, my husband, can make me cum.”

As much as she abhorred death, there was little hope for her survival in a clash of this magnitude. She still would take a stance and fight for her life.

‘I’m not suited to be a Hollow.’

It was already a miracle she had survived this long without killing a single Hollow.

Apacci rubbed the back of her head. To attain Vasto Lorde status, she needed to devour souls and control her wild instincts. But she hesitated when it came to the woman before her. The centaur-esque Hollow hadn’t budged even after Sung-Sun's ominous revelation, even though she was facing two Hollows above her league. As if she had accepted her death.

Nelliel stirred echoes of Apacci’s past within her. While she wasn’t proud of her former cowardice, those moments of weakness were cherished memories. After all, they led her to meet Kazuya.

Apacci let out a sigh. “Are you protecting those weaklings?”

Nelliel’s eyes widened behind her Hollow mask. “No,” Nelliel said, shaking her head. “This intimidating Reiatsu around us has helped me avoid many potential battles. I simply wish for this place to act as a safe haven for weaker Hollows.”

Nelliel wasn’t fond of lying but protecting her little friends was more important than bearing the guilt of deceit.

“Wow,” Sung-Sun exclaimed. “Indeed, this place is sacred, for our husband became an Arrancar here. This Reiatsu you feel belongs to him.”

Nelliel gulped nervously. She had witnessed the Vasto Lorde they referred to, and even sensed his confrontation with Barragan. He was at a level of power she could never aspire to emulate. “R-Really? Who is he?”

“Who he is doesn’t matter,” Apacci growled. “I don’t care if you want to protect someone. I’m going to kill you and eat you.”

Sung-Sun giggled and tugged at Apacci’s shirt. “You stopped hesitating when you thought she might fall for our husband, you jealous creature.”

Apacci dodged Sung-Sun’s gaze. “I did not! What even gave you the idea?”

“Fufufu, you’re so possessive.”

Nelliel watched in silent astonishment as the two Hollows, whose intentions were to eat her, started a playful banter. Behind the annoyance of Apacci, she could see how close she was to Sung-Sun.

‘They share the same mate. It’s natural they’ll be close.’

In contrast to their camaraderie, Nelliel felt a sharp pang of solitude. Her little Hollow companions lacked the ability to converse, leaving her feeling lonely more often than not.

Sung-Sun eventually refocused her gaze back onto Nelliel, her eyes softer now. “Apacci, just look at this adorable lady. She doesn’t want conflict like our Harribel-sama. Let’s just leave her alone and go to the Menos Forest.”

“Ugh, fine,” Apacci accepted with a grunt, her finger pointed accusingly at Nelliel. “But on one sole condition. Fight me.”