The mask Shin had been hiding clearly no longer had an owner. Its cracking and disintegration had been inevitable sooner or later.
But because Nel threw a fit, the blame for its shattering was laid entirely on Pesche and Dondochakka. With no other choice, the four decided their top priority was to search for another mask.
Dondochakka still harbored doubts about Shin, though only regarding his hidden strength. As Nel had said, Shin had just saved them, if he truly had ill intent, the chaos of the last battle would have been the perfect chance to kill them. Since he hadn't, they were still alive. That alone was proof enough.
Realizing this, Dondochakka dropped his suspicions and focused on the search.
Hollows died constantly in Hueco Mundo, and shattered masks were everywhere. On the surface it seemed easy to find one. But to find a piece similar enough to Shin's old one, that was another matter entirely. His appearance couldn't change too drastically, or it would raise questions the next time he faced the fracción.
Sensing Shin's unease, little Nel tugged at his finger as she searched. "Shin, don't be sad. We'll definitely help you find one…"
Pesche quickly added, "I remember a sand dune to the north. Buried around there are plenty of masks. We'd have options, much better than searching aimlessly here."
The three others agreed it made sense. But between them and that dune lay the entirety of Las Noches. To reach it, they'd have to make a long detour.
So Shin donned a temporary mask and set out with them.
They hadn't gone far when trouble found them.
Focused on moving quickly, none of them noticed a shallow pit forming beneath their feet. The pit sank deeper, expanding outward at an alarming pace until, in the blink of an eye, it became a massive whirlpool of flowing sand.
This was the power of Rudobōn, Overseer of White Sand, one of his many techniques. Acting on Szayelaporro's orders, he intended to drag them all down into the Forest of Menos. Though he never revealed himself, the strength behind his sand manipulation was terrifying.
Within moments, everything within a hundred meters was pulled toward the vortex's core. Shin's group included.
"Aaahh! Nel's scared!" she wailed, swept around in the churning current.
The ambush was too sudden. None had been prepared. In seconds they were all scattered by the rushing sand.
Shin could have escaped easily with a few Sonído steps. But near the heart of the vortex, Nel was flailing helplessly, her tiny hand reaching toward him again and again. She coughed on mouthfuls of sand, unable even to cry for help.
Pesche and Dondochakka had already been swept far to the other side, powerless to reach her.
With no choice, Shin abandoned escape and dove headlong into the current, forcing his way toward her. The closer to the vortex's center, the fiercer the pull, but Shin caught Nel by her clothes, lifting her high above him as he sank with her in his grasp.
The whirlpool was like an endless funnel, the surface now impossibly far above. Then suddenly, the ground gave way completely.
They plunged through the bottom of the vortex, falling straight down.
Pesche and Dondochakka hit first, collapsing one atop the other in a tangled heap.
Shin, however, cushioned Nel like a precious bundle, landing lightly with her cradled safely in his arms. He set her down gently, patting her back until she spat out the sand clogging her throat.
Then, in turn, Nel pulled at his robe and brushed away the grit covering him, cheeks flushing as she muttered, "Shin has to be clean like Nel too~"
"Uh… shouldn't you check our surroundings first?" Pesche's voice broke the tender moment.
They looked up, and froze.
Countless eyes were staring down at them.
They had landed in the heart of a Hollow encirclement.
Shapes of every size loomed around them, ordinary Hollows, towering Gillians, and even cunning Adjuchas, all packed together. Normally, the Menos Forest was vast and its inhabitants scattered. For so many to cluster here, right where they'd fallen, it could only mean one thing.
They were being herded.
"Sorry, but since you've come to the Menos Forest, don't expect to leave alive!" an Adjuchas sneered.
"Heh. Dondochakka, looks like they really underestimate us," Pesche smirked.
"Mmhm! Then let's give these little punks a free lesson!" Dondochakka rumbled.
At the Adjuchas's command, a wave of Hollows surged forward, beasts and monsters of every form charging in a thunderous tide.
Pesche drew his sword. Dondochakka hefted his spiked club. They planted themselves side by side, shielding Shin and Nel behind them.
The onslaught was overwhelming. Nel stamped her feet, clutching Shin's arm with both hands. "Shin, Shin, Nel wants to cry!"
He looked down at her round face, then scooped her up in one arm, pressing her head against his shoulder and patting her gently. "Don't be afraid."
A roar split the air as the first clash erupted.
The initial attackers were weak, un-evolved Hollows, easily felled in single strikes. Pesche and Dondochakka cut them down with ease, their skill turning the enemy's numbers meaningless, for now. But the assault never ceased, wave after wave pressing closer.
If this continued, numbers would crush them. Shin knew he had to act. Just then, a familiar chime rang through his mind.
[Ding~ Random mission triggered. Bonus reward available. Mission: Collect fifteen sets of N-rank or higher attributes within one hour.]
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150 P.S = 1 Extra Chapter