Chapter 209: Hollow.

Chapter 209: Hollow.

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[Adam C. POV.]

My day off.

The soft hum of Karakura Town enveloped me, with the streets bustling in their usual, rhythmic manner. Children playing, vendors selling their goods, and the distant chatter of school students, it felt oddly comforting, all things considered.

What can I say?

Having been in this world for a few months now, the ordinary became familiar, almost nostalgic.

The sun cast long, stretching shadows as I wandered through the streets, lost in my own thoughts. It was in this seemingly mundane moment that a chilling sensation pricked at the base of my neck, making my senses go on high alert.

The atmospheric energy shifted, the air growing colder, heavier.

A reiatsu, dark and foreboding, wafted through the air. Instinctively, I turned, my eyes landing on a ghastly apparition – my very first Hollow.

"Hm,"

The creature was grotesque, its mask a contorted mockery of joy and despair. Its body was an amalgamation of twisted limbs, an embodiment of corruption. Yet, as my eyes laid on the beast, and I felt its spiritual pressure, I was... unimpressed.

This was the threat that had made so many souls quiver in fear?

He was as scary as a cat on a wheelchair.

The Hollow, seemingly confident in its intimidating form, drew closer, each step echoing with an eerie echo. "A fresh soul, ripe for the taking," it hissed, its voice a guttural whisper.

Its beady eyes assessed me, mistaking my calm observation for fear. "No need to be afraid. It'll all be over soon."

A smirk formed on my lips.

The irony was almost laughable. Here was this creature, born from the darkest of human emotions, thinking it had the upper hand on me, someone who had faced far more potent threats.

I tilted my head, scrutinizing its form. "You know, for all the tales and warnings, you're not quite what I expected," I remarked casually.

He honestly wasn't.

I had faced stronger monsters in the forest near Magnolia, most Vulcan's were stronger than this.

I shook my head at the thought. Erza would scold me from thinking this way, my world or not, Fairy Tail didn't leave anyone behind if they could help it.

"Maybe I can get some ice-cream?" I muttered; it was hard budgeting especially when Urahara didn't pay me.

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[Kisuke Urahara. POV.]

The underground chambers beneath my shop are a sanctuary of sorts, away from prying eyes and unsuspecting souls. It's a place where the veil of charm and humor can be lifted, replaced by unvarnished seriousness.

Today is one such day when that levity seems far removed. Yoruichi sits across from me, her feline form now replaced by her human one, her gaze as penetrating as ever.

"So," she starts, her eyes never leaving mine, "what do you make of him?"

"Adam," I murmur, setting aside a sheaf of notes and arcane diagrams. "He's an enigma, that's for sure."

"Is that all? An enigma?" she prods, a faint smirk crossing her lips.

I chuckle. "Ah, Yoruichi, you know me better than that."

She leans back, her eyes half-closed, clearly waiting for a more substantial analysis.

"He's powerful," I continued, "unusually so, and I can't yet determine the origin of his strength. It's almost as if his soul carries the vestiges of something ancient, something that goes beyond the common spiritual entities we know of."

Yoruichi raises an eyebrow, intrigued but not surprised. "A wild card, then?"

"More than that. A key, perhaps, to something better left hidden," I reply, my eyes drifting toward one of the esoteric seals etched into the walls. "Especially from someone like Aizen."

Her eyes narrow at the mention of the name. "Do you think Aizen knows about him?"

"If he doesn't yet, he will soon," I say with a grim certainty. "And if Adam's soul truly holds something ancient and potent, we can't afford for Aizen to manipulate it."

"Are you suggesting we intervene?"

I hesitated for a moment, considering our options, "Let's keep observing him, for now, shall we? After all, we don't yet know which side of the chessboard he belongs on."

She sighs, knowing that the lack of clear knowledge often brings us to this point—hovering between action and inaction.

"Very well," Yoruichi agrees. "But remember, Kisuke, sometimes the pawns can change the entire game."

"I know," I murmur, picking up my notes again, but not before giving Yoruichi a final, thoughtful look. "That's exactly what I'm afraid of."

After all, I was almost certain, that Adam was a part of the Soul King.