The portal opened, but this time it was different. Allen didn't enter fully conscious; instead, he closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep. Were it not for his absolute trust in the system, he would never have accepted such a risky move.
Allen hated losing consciousness at this level, which wasn't surprising, given the constant threat that something might happen beyond his control.
Cold, silence, darkness... but then there was warmth and light... Allen seemed to be moving at high speed, or was it more accurate to say everything around him moved rapidly?
It was as if Allen was present at the origin of existence, and it was intriguing because this world had a different origin than the Big Bang often described as the beginning of many worlds.
In the beginning, everything was one. It was hard to describe that mysterious place where the laws of reality and existence had such an odd shape. It didn't seem like an optimal place for any form of life. Yet one day, an entity appeared before Allen's eyes in that singular world.
That entity seemed to sense something and turned to look at Allen for a second, or maybe it was just an illusion, as Allen "didn't exist" at that moment. The entity resumed what it was doing and submerged itself into a sort of lake, proceeding to split the world into three parts. One world resembled the human mortal realm everyone knows, another was a place of eternal night, cold and desolate, and the last was brimming with spiritual energy.
The scene changed, and it felt as if day and night were spinning too fast around Allen.
Soon, Allen's consciousness began to return, and everything before him became a blur.
...
[Allen, you can wake up now...]
It was cold but not too much, with slightly uncomfortable light.
'Am I sitting?'
Allen considered countless possibilities and even thought that when he regained consciousness, he might be a child or even a baby. But no, Allen had his body as it should be... perhaps a bit younger, like a seventeen-year-old rather than nineteen.
"It's a joy to see you awake, Your Majesty…"
The pleasant voice of a man reached Allen's ears, further rousing his awareness.
Allen opened his eyes slowly and saw a young and very handsome man, with long golden hair and green eyes. This man was dressed in white, but the important thing was that he was kneeling, though only on one knee, a gesture that Allen immediately recognized.
"Your Majesty?"
"Yes, it's an honor to have you awake, Yhwach-sama..."
Allen's eyes widened at the name he was called. His gaze fixed on the man who had addressed him.
"Jugram... Haschwalth…"
"It is an honor that Your Majesty knows my name..."
"..."
Clawn Crown was covering Allen's body with a protective mantle as he regained consciousness, seeming to have been guarding him for quite some time. The dolls also started to regain their awareness within the inventory.
Allen sat on a throne, silently watching the man who waited patiently for him to process the situation.
'Is this Bleach...?'
[Yes, host... although I am as surprised as you are that this situation has occurred…]
...
...
...
**(The World of Bleach)**
For many years, there has been a question: what happens when a person dies? Is there life after death, or does everything simply end?
In this world, that question has an answer. Humans possess a soul, and when they die, the soul leaves their body and roams the world.
In appearance, it retains the look of the person before death, though invisible to most people. Souls don't lose their memories or consciousness, which means they can see their loved ones mourn at their funerals. Unfortunately, no matter how much they wish, their voices can't reach their family and friends to console them.
Of course, this state isn't normal. A soul can't exist for too long in the physical world without severe consequences. Each soul has a chain on its chest, which once served to connect the body and soul. However, for the dead, this chain is merely a countdown.
As time passes, the chain shortens until it disappears... and then something terrible happens to that soul. A hole appears in the soul's chest, and it deforms, turning into a monster with a white mask. This monster loses its consciousness and starts devouring other souls to grow in power.
These monsters are called Hollows, and they even have their own realm called "Hueco Mundo." But to prevent this or to fight the Hollows, there is a special existence called Shinigami (Death Gods).
They move across cities, leaping through the sky in black clothing that resembles ceremonial yukatas from temples. These men and women have two main tasks: guiding the souls of the dead to the spiritual world where they can rest peacefully and purifying the souls that linger too long in the physical world and become Hollows.
The Shinigami, or Death Gods, aren't gods in the traditional sense. They are souls with a vast amount of spiritual power that allows them to remain in the physical world without adverse effects. Most were once regular human souls who died and were sent to the spiritual world, better known as the "Soul Society," where they developed their spiritual energy enough to be chosen for the noble role of Shinigami. Others were born directly in the Soul Society, as, although it might be hard to believe, it is possible to have children as a soul, though these children are born without a physical body and will never experience a human life cycle.
In this divided world, a stable balance exists. Humans in the physical world. Shinigami and Souls in the Soul Society. Hollows in Hueco Mundo.
That's Bleach in summary, focusing on an Orange-haired teenager with high spiritual power named Kurosaki Ichigo, who, through strange circumstances, ends up gaining the powers of a Shinigami...
However, every story has its complications...
Throughout history, Shinigami weren't the only ones capable of fighting Hollows. There were also others called Quincy, whose origins were quite complex. In short, they were humans with high spiritual power, capable of seeing and fighting Hollows without losing their physical bodies.
But there was a fundamental difference between Shinigami and Quincy. The latter did not purify corrupted human souls... they destroyed them completely.
This broke the balance of the world, as the destroyed Hollows did not go to the "Soul Society" or "Hueco Mundo"; they simply disappeared.
Such a thing was unacceptable to the Shinigami, who viewed the Quincy as an aberrant and unnatural existence. And to some extent, they were right... humans would eventually die and become souls, remaining that way or becoming Shinigami and, whether they wished it or not, sometimes becoming Hollows. Eventually, they would die again and reincarnate as new humans.
But the Quincy disrupted this cycle...
Understanding this, it's easy to see why a friendly relationship was impossible, leading to a relationship of hatred that ultimately sparked a war... and in every war, there is a victor and a loser.
The Quincy were the losers. They, along with their king and progenitor, were nearly driven to extinction and forced to hide in a separate dimension, where they waited a long time to eventually seek revenge.
...
Allen finished reviewing the summary in his mind. He couldn't believe it. When the system mentioned he would become part of the world, he never imagined it would be as the Quincy King, the progenitor... Yhwach is the final antagonist of the main canon.
Allen couldn't believe it... he looked at Jugram Haschwalth, a pure-blooded Quincy who held the highest position among the Quincy, being Yhwach's right hand and even assuming leadership in his absence.
'No... wait...'
Allen felt a sense of unease since Jugram had called him Yhwach-sama...
'Girls, are you awake...?'
2B – Ready for anything, Master...
Artoria – That was a very strange experience...
Esdeath – I feel like we were asleep for a long time.
Nokotan – *Yawn* Good morning~
Bocchi – G-good morning.
Makima – I must say, it was an interesting experience. Now, where are we, Master?
Rebecca – Tsk, to be honest, I was hoping we'd appear in the middle of a fight... but this is interesting too.
Harley – Daddy, I'm sleepy~
'Don't worry, but stay alert. Depending on the situation, we might have to fight all the Quincy here, and there are many of them...'
Nokotan – Nuh-uh... but that man called you majesty... why would we have to fight if you obviously took the place of their king~
'It's just a feeling...'
[Host, if you want to avoid problems, it's better to refrain from using any power unrelated to spiritual abilities… Cursed energy seems acceptable in this world.]
'System, I can feel a new force...'
[That is the power you've gained in this world. If you have the confidence to fight with it, feel free to test it...]
Allen was restricted, so fighting alone against such a powerful army was impossible, but with his dolls, he could at least escape this dimension and head to the human world or the Soul Society.
'Let's hope it won't come to that...' thought Allen.
...
Back in the throne room, where the floor seemed to glow, but the ceiling was as black as a new moon night, Allen watched Jugram in silence, the tension growing between them.
Allen's hunch wasn't unfounded. Jugram observed Allen carefully while remaining silent, seemingly analyzing him as he waited for Allen to assimilate his situation. However, there was already a lack of warmth in his eyes. For Jugram, Yhwach was the sun and the earth, his king, his lord, his everything. This silent gaze, despite showing respect, was not one that the most loyal Quincy would use with his king.
Allen looked at his own clothing, the same he usually wore: a black shirt, dark gray pants, and black boots, which contrasted with Clawn Crown, which was often a white cloak, cape, or trench coat, sometimes adorned with metallic attachments here and there that looked like parts of light armor.
His physical appearance was only a couple of years younger and unchanged from how he looked at that age, except for his hair and eyes, which had taken on a more platinum-gray hue since his battle with Void.
What made Allen most suspicious was that the system could confirm he was human, and Yhwach was not. Consequently, Allen could say one thing with certainty.
"I am not Yhwach..."
Artoria, 2B, and Esdeath were the first to tense up and react. If necessary, Allen would have to fight his way out of there against all the Quincies, including "Sternritter Grandmaster" Jugram Haschwalth... and the strongest Quincies.
Jugram didn't seem surprised by Allen's statement; he remained silent, still on one knee.
A short answer came from that expressionless man. "Yes..."
"Who am I...?"
Allen wasn't referring to who he was himself, since he knew he was Allen Walker, and that hadn't changed, but rather who Allen Walker was to the people of this world.
Jugram's expression didn't change. He was a man over a thousand years old and very difficult to read.
In a tone devoid of emotion but full of sincerity, Jugram spoke, "You are not Yhwach-sama, but you are Yhwach-sama..."
Allen frowned, not understanding what he meant.
Seeing Allen's confusion, Jugram decided that a picture was worth a thousand words. "May I stand?"
Allen was even more confused. Jugram was loyal to Yhwach, so why was he showing this respect if Allen wasn't him? Allen hadn't done anything to earn it, so it could only stem from his true identity.
"Go ahead..."
The man stood up without showing the slightest hostility, then raised his hand and placed it on his chest. "May I show you something that will resolve your doubts?"
Makima – Even if he's just pretending, someone of his caliber could be a very useful piece... use him as a disposable pawn.
Esdeath – This guy thinks he can trick you... it's better to put a collar on him and make him crawl on the floor...
Allen put on a blank expression after hearing the recommendations from the duo of sadistic girls. 'I'm not going to do something that unpleasant...'
Harley – Rebecca-chan, what's wrong with those two?
Rebecca – They're classic "S" women; they enjoy tormenting others, but at the same time, they dislike them... hahaha, who are they fooling? Deep down, they're both "M"...
Esdeath – Want me to test the thousand cuts torture on you to see if I'm submissive or not?...
Makima – It looks like my servile attitude made a certain vulgar **** think she could say whatever she wanted about me...
Both Esdeath and Makima acted submissive, but only because their opponent was Allen, and they were under punishment. However, neither of them had changed their personality, and they wouldn't let anyone else treat them that way.
Bocchi – How scary...
Rebecca – HUH?! TRY ME, YOU B***
Rebecca, with her similarly violent temper, only calmed down around Allen and her sisters, but she still didn't get along well with Esdeath and Makima due to past actions.
Allen frowned. 'Stop fighting; this is neither the time nor the place...'
The three women obeyed, noticing the genuine irritation in Allen. Allen hated it when someone tried to manipulate his fate, and he was starting to feel that sensation again, like when he appeared in Kung Fu Panda.
Artoria emerged from the inventory and sat on Allen's shoulder.
Artoria – Calm down, Allen~...
The goddess' words were like a spell that permeated Allen's ears like sugary honey.
'Don't worry; I'm fine...'
Artoria – This Jugram guy is strong, but that lack of personal will gives him away. He acts loyal out of obligation, not his own will... you need to know why he's loyal to you in the first place.
'You're right, Artoria... thank you.'
Artoria caressed Allen's cheek and returned to the inventory.
Nokotan – Allen, be careful. My horns are detecting danger everywhere...
'Since when can you do that, Nokotan?'
Nokotan – Who knows...
'...'
...
There was no point in delaying the mystery. Allen stood up and walked toward Jugram, and they both left the room. There were windows where the darkened sky was clearly visible.
As a side note, the stream had already started, but the system needed time to adjust the broadcast due to unforeseen events that occurred when entering this world as part of it, so for a while, people would only be able to watch, not comment.
Upon leaving the room, Allen could feel many people with interesting presence
Allen closed his eyes slightly, 'So this presence is from people named Quincy. They feel like humans but there is something inside them that makes them different.'
After losing the war against the Shinigami 1,000 years ago, the Quincy decided to escape the Human World to the Seireitei. Once there, the Quincy used Reishi (spiritual energy) from their surroundings to create a space within the "shadows" called Schatten Bereich (German for Shadow Realm). Once the Quincy did this, they decided to call their new army the Wandenreich.
Allen breathed concentrating to feel how his body absorbed the energy of the environment. 'This place is full of spiritual energy... that should be called Reishi in this world.'
In this world, spiritual power goes by several names.
Reishi – Used when spiritual energy remains in a natural form like particles in the air. In the Soul Society, even buildings are made of Reishi.
Reiryoku – The spiritual energy within a spiritual body like a Shinigami.
Reiatsu – The spiritual pressure of Reiryoku when released. It's equivalent to unleashing ki in Dragon Ball, Haki in One Piece, or Chakra in Naruto.
The Quincy fight differently from the Shinigami. They manipulate Reishi to create weapons or launch attacks. Needless to say, being the final villains of the canon, their power was very strong, and their abilities were quite incredible. Above all, Allen was in the middle of their territory... so it wasn't a walk in the park.
Of course, if Allen was "Yhwach" in this world, far from being enemy territory, this would be his own home. But realistically, Allen didn't believe that was possible.
They both walked down a large, empty hallway...
It was odd, but there was no nearby presence. Allen observed the man's back, 'Jugram must have driven everyone away... he has that authority.'
Allen squinted as he looked at the "castle."
Wandenreich's base was a large ice castle, or possibly crystallized Reishi. The castle had a thick ice base, with a long staircase leading to the interior of the structure. It also featured a series of thick columns supporting various levels of the castle.
There was another level above this, supported by thinner columns. Two curved structures surrounded the castle, leaning toward each other to form an arc. This place where the Wandenreich resided was called the "Sun Gate."
Jugram stopped in front of an apparently empty wall and then touched the surface, which lit up with blue veins that connected to the wall...
A hidden door appeared before Allen.
"This way..." Jugram's voice still carried respect, so he didn't seem like an enemy for now.
[Allen, the system is not able to decide who you will be born as or where, but I can decide to make it a safe place for you until you wake up; the system did not intervene when Yhwach brought you to this place because there was no threat to you.]
'I see then I will trust this guy for now....'
Allen felt as if he'd only been asleep for a few minutes, but who knows how long he'd truly been sitting on that throne.
...
The room was protected by powerful barriers capable of warping space. One would wonder whether finding the Schatten Bereich (Shadow Realm) or this room was easier.
Allen stepped forward, feeling a strange foreboding that something was amiss...
It was a room similar to the previous one, with a black ceiling and a floor that glowed on its own, but at the center floated a huge crystal...
Allen and many viewers in the Chat recognized that crystal, as they'd once seen it containing the Spirit King, the being, god, or entity that divided the original world into three.
However, what was before Allen wasn't the Spirit King.
"Jugram?" Allen muttered with a serious expression.
"That is correct, Yhwach-sama... our lord and progenitor... is dead."
Inside the crystal was Yhwach's body. Allen's gaze darkened; someone or something had killed Yhwach before he arrived in this world...
===
A/N: The first chapter of the arc has a lot of information, sorry 🍷🗿
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