Just as Sombravida had predicted, the four Adjuchas that entered the cavern did not escape their fate.
After Jekain sealed the interior space, Nel intercepted them at close range. By the time Sombravida arrived, one low-tier Adjuchas had already fallen beneath Nel's spear.
None of the remaining Hollows escaped.
They became nourishment.
"My King, ten of Pyromon's Adjuchas have been eliminated," Jekain reported.
"According to prior intelligence, his remaining subordinates are limited."
Sombravida nodded.
"Then it's time to harvest."
Strategic Orders
"You return to camp."
"I'll reconnoiter personally."
"When we regroup, Jekain — mobilize at least ten Adjuchas to harvest Gillian resources within Pyromon's territory."
"Use summoning calls to draw Gillians away from our borders into controlled zones."
"Meanwhile, assign remaining units to develop special-ability Gillians and lesser Hollows."
"We will soon hold additional territory."
"Do not conserve resources. Prioritize advancement."
"Even if it exhausts them."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Lord Sombravida, I will accompany you," Nel said.
Sombravida shook his head.
"My abilities favor solitary infiltration."
"Nel — return with Jekain. Begin guiding Gillians from Pyromon's lands toward our sector."
"When you see my signal flare, prepare for a full assault."
"Yes, my lord. Be careful."
Sombravida vanished.
Within the entire Forest of Menos, fewer than one in ten Hollows could detect him when fully concealed. Even if discovered, his spatial displacement allowed instantaneous withdrawal.
Infiltration of Pyromon Territory
Sombravida advanced alone into the core of Pyromon's domain.
Gillian numbers were lower than expected.
Had Pyromon exhausted resources during expansion?
Sombravida ignored the question and proceeded toward the region of densest reiatsu.
The lord's seat.
Pyromon's Council
Hours later, Sombravida arrived within range of the lord's gathering.
Inside the territory core, a subordinate reported:
"Lord Pyromon, the reiatsu of the unit we dispatched has vanished."
"The residual trace matches Yin Feng's faction."
"And the two sudden high-intensity signatures resemble his subordinates — Eswain and Neliel."
"They appear to have concealed their true strength."
Pyromon's eyes narrowed behind his mask.
"So they are the assassins."
"We have lost too many Adjuchas," another subordinate said cautiously.
"Only six remain."
"You suggest… requesting assistance?" Pyromon's tone sharpened.
"We should seek alliance support," the sensory Hollow said.
"Now that the instigators are identified, joint extermination is logical."
Another subordinate objected.
"Our relations with Gatmont's faction remain hostile."
"If we accuse them now, our allies may doubt our motives."
"These assassins operate beneath Gatmont's protection."
"We lack credibility."
Pyromon considered.
"…Then we request aid under another pretext."
"Report an ambush by the Wind Whisper faction."
"Request reinforcements."
"Chiantlis, you will go."
"Yes, Lord."
Sombravida Intercepts
Sombravida tilted his head slightly.
Convenient.
He followed.
Moments later, pale gold reiatsu flared in the distance.
Then vanished.
"Ace Sombravida!"
Pyromon's roar shook the territory.
"After him! Kill that bastard!"
He and his remaining Adjuchas pursued.
Signal to Attack
Two pale-gold Cero flares burst high above the forest canopy.
A signal.
Nel Mobilizes
"That is Lord Sombravida's signal."
After hours of preparation, more than ten Adjuchas under Sombravida's command activated summoning calls.
Half the Gillians from neighboring territories began migrating toward Sombravida's controlled region.
Estimated yield: three thousand Gillians.
"Lord Nel, do we attack?"
"Yes."
"Leave several to guide the Gillians."
"The rest — with me."
Resounding Sonído bursts echoed through the forest.
Sombravida's Tactical Delay
Sombravida could have assassinated Pyromon directly.
But five mid-tier Adjuchas together posed risk even to him.
Even with an ambush, he could eliminate two instantly.
The remainder would force a dangerous engagement.
So he chose control over confrontation.
After sending the signal, Sombravida concealed himself again.
Pyromon Arrives
Moments later, Pyromon arrived.
Two maskless corpses lay nearby.
"…damn it…"
His fists cracked.
"Gustav — lock onto him."
A blue spectral glow spread from the sensory Adjuchas' eyes.
A scanning wave spread through the air.
From the branches above, Sombravida observed carefully.
Then began compressing a concealed Cero.
Lock-On Ability
A pulse of violet light erupted.
The scanning wave condensed—
and outlined Sombravida's form.
The projection shot directly toward him.
"…damn."
Sombravida fired immediately and displaced backward.
Detection vs Concealment
The Cero detonated near Gustav.
Pyromon blocked with his arms.
The incomplete charge only scorched his hierro.
The violet lock remained attached to Sombravida like a shadow.
His concealment was broken.
"Kill him!"
Pyromon slammed the ground.
The terrain fractured as he launched forward.
Sombravida withdrew instantly using Sonído.
Suppression Fire
"Harassment fire!"
Two Ceros streaked toward Sombravida.
He twisted mid-step, barely avoiding them.
The blasts forced him to alter trajectory.
Pyromon closed distance.
"Continue!"
A yellow-brown Cero fired.
Sombravida raised Rift and cut open a spatial seam.
The beam vanished into the rift—
and re-emerged behind him, exploding across the plain.
Pyromon's eyes narrowed.
"Spatial manipulation… and invisibility?"
"In Hueco Mundo's outer regions… rare."
He advanced cautiously.
Encirclement
Void Bullets streaked outward, blocking Sombravida's escape vectors.
"Coward," Pyromon taunted.
"Growing through ambush and retreat."
"What blindness allowed Gatmont to keep vermin like you?"
"Yin Feng's faction… insects of the same nest."
Sombravida continued evading.
"As expected of a lord," he replied calmly.
"Your tactical coordination is impressive."
"Far superior to the mindless swarm of the Northern Forest."
Humanoid Adjuchas tended toward higher combat intelligence.
Their tactics reflected it.
But the harassment was relentless.
Sombravida's irritation began to rise.
From his perception alone:
Though the four subordinates were mid-tier, their reiatsu refinement was inferior.
Which meant—
this battle was not unwinnable.
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