"All… all of us advance to Gillian?"
Sombravida's declaration stunned the Hollows gathered before him — even Jacain.
For every one of them to evolve into Menos-class Hollows…
That meant Sombravida would surrender his own priority of advancement and risk facing multiple unstable Gillian transformations — any of which could attack indiscriminately if consciousness was lost.
"My… my king… are you serious?" Inora stammered.
If Sombravida intended to use Jacain's power to secure safer hunting grounds, that would be strategic.
But to help everyone evolve?
If not for Sombravida's calm expression, she would have thought him mad.
Except for Jacain, any of the remaining Hollows might lose themselves during evolution. That meant Sombravida could face several newly formed Gillians — creatures tens of meters tall, driven purely by predatory instinct.
An elite-class Hollow confronting even one Gillian alone was perilous.
Several in succession would be suicide.
Sombravida shrugged lightly.
"Do I look like I'm joking?"
Unlike the others, Sombravida valued this alliance deeply.
Since becoming a Hollow, he had endured silence, instinct, and isolation. Conversation with beings capable of thought felt… rare.
Even without a heart, something inside him stirred.
More importantly, he needed knowledge — experience from Hollows who had survived Hueco Mundo far longer than he had.
And he wanted to witness evolution firsthand.
"If there are no more objections," he continued, "we move. Jacain's time grows short."
The Hollows exchanged stunned glances — not from distrust, but disbelief.
Then, one by one, they knelt.
"We obey Your Majesty."
Without further ceremony, Sombravida reorganized the group and followed the path of the newly evolved Gillian.
Their journey had become a pilgrimage toward evolution.
Learning the World of Hollows
Not long after they began traveling, Sombravida spoke:
"Inora."
"Present."
"While we travel… teach me about Hollows."
She paused, then understood.
Most Hollows born in the Human World never reach Hueco Mundo. Many remain bound to the living world, devouring souls. Only a fraction cross the dimensional boundary, and fewer still can tear open Garganta to enter Hueco Mundo.
Sombravida was an anomaly.
"What would you like to know, my king?"
"Start with classification."
"Yes, my king."
She began:
At the lowest level are beast-type Hollows — instinct-driven predators that rarely develop intelligence.
Above them are standard Hollows, many humanoid or monstrous, possessing limited awareness.
Beyond them stand enhanced Hollows capable of higher adaptation and survival.
And above all:
Menos-class Hollows.
She explained the stages:
Gillian (Menos Grande) — massive, black-cloaked giants formed through aggregation and fusion of countless Hollows. Most lack individuality.
• Adjuchas — evolved Menos that regain intelligence and individuality. Far smaller, but vastly stronger.
• Vasto Lorde — exceedingly rare, human-sized Menos with power rivaling Soul Reaper captains.
Legends also spoke of supreme rulers of Hueco Mundo, but such beings were scarcely understood.
Sombravida listened carefully.
Her description aligned with what he remembered — but the experiential details were invaluable.
The Forest of Menos
"Let me explain the Forest of Menos," Jacain rumbled.
"As far as I know, three major Menos forests exist — north, central, and south. Gillians instinctively travel toward them, drawn by dense reishi and evolutionary opportunity."
Sombravida frowned.
"Aren't Adjuchas found deeper within Hueco Mundo?"
"Yes, my king," Jacain replied.
"But not all Adjuchas immediately depart for the inner domains. Some remain near the outer regions, hunting Gillians and ruling vast territories."
Sombravida fell silent.
Any Hollow capable of reaching Adjuchas possessed intelligence and lethal adaptability.
If such beings ruled the forests, entering them blindly would be suicide.
Jacain continued:
"The Menos Forest is vast. Most Adjuchas remain near its deeper regions. Gillians often battle each other on the journey inward, and some evolve before reaching the core."
"Upon reaching the core, paths through the reishi sands lead toward inner territories."
Weak Hollows occasionally slip through unnoticed.
"Are they not slaughtered immediately?" Sombravida asked.
"Not always," Jacain said.
"The inner domains are vast. Weak reiatsu does not always attract attention."
Sombravida nodded slowly.
Hueco Mundo was not merely hostile — it was immense.
Months on the March
Months passed.
The group crossed numerous territories.
Small forests lacked sufficient prey to sustain them, forcing relocation.
Whenever resistance arose, Jacain's Cero annihilated opposition.
Few Hollows below Menos class could withstand such pressure.
Eventually, Geese returned from scouting.
"My lord, fifteen kilometers ahead lies a large forest. No Menos-level reiatsu detected."
Sombravida nodded.
"Jacain, does the route to the Menos Forest pass through it?"
"Yes, my king."
"Then this will be our first base."
He turned.
"Jacain — move directly through the forest. Suppress your reiatsu."
"If five or more high-level Hollows converge, use Cero."
"Once central territory is reached, release absorption pressure to clear lesser predators."
He turned again.
"Inora, Feslina — with me."
"The rest remain outside until signaled."
They advanced.
Hours later, they stood atop a cliff overlooking a vast pale forest.
Countless faint reiatsu signatures drifted below.
Several rivaled Sombravida's own.
He smiled faintly.
This place could sustain them.
The Final Escort
"Jacain."
"Yes, my king."
"This will be your final battle with us. Are you ready?"
Jacain bowed.
"My king… I regret I can only serve this far."
Sombravida shook his head.
"You were the first companion I met in Hueco Mundo."
"We survived death together."
"If fate allows, we will meet again in the inner domains — as Adjuchas."
Jacain's voice deepened.
"I will reach Adjuchas… and await your arrival."
The Hollows knelt.
"We will live up to our king's expectations!"
Sombravida waved dismissively.
"No dramatics."
"Jacain. Inora. Feslina. With me."
"The rest — hold position."
Their path forward was set.
Evolution awaited.
And beyond it…
Hueco Mundo's true hierarchy.