I Died and Became a Hollow, But I Get Stronger by Being an Idiot Chapter 114: I Broke the Fancy Orb

It's finally my turn.

I step forward, grinning ear to ear. Ti for to ascend, get those fancy white Arrancar robes, maybe a slick Hollow hole sowhere cool like my palm or shoulder. But the second I move close to Glasses Aizen, I feel it — that twitch in his brow, that uneasy edge to his perfect little smug face.

He steps back, lifting a hand. "Stop."

I blink. "Eh? What's the problem, Glasses Aizen? Scared I'll outshine you?"

He frowns. "Your… presence is problematic."

Gin chuckles from behind him, still leaning on his sword. "He ans your passive skill, boss. It makes folk around ya a lil'… dim, y'know."

"Wait — you serious? You scared you'll turn into an idiot like my dog?"

Aizen's brow twitches again. "I prefer to avoid unnecessary risks."

I look over at Gin, wagging my brows. "C'mon Gin, help your captain out. Bring that glowy ball over here."

Gin imdiately shakes his head, his permanent grin stretching wider. "Ah, no can do, partner. I like my head the way it is. Don't fancy bein' a droolin' idiot for the rest of my days."

I puff up my cheeks. "You cowards! Fine, I'll do it myself!"

Before anyone can stop , I snatch the Hōgyoku off its little floating pedestal. The mont my fingers wrap around it, I feel it — like liquid fire pouring through my veins, hot and cold at the sa ti. My system instantly freaks out.

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

Unknown energy detected. System attempting to identify…

System Error. Data breach… SYSTEM GETTING HACKED…

My head swims. Text and numbers explode in front of my eyes like fireworks on crack.

[CURRENT EP: 12,080,000 / 1,000,000,000]

Then—

100,000,000 EP

100,000,000 EP

100,000,000 EP

I stagger back, my vision filled with nothing but cascading numbers.

"Oi oi oi — this is too fast—!"

Gin whistles. "Well now, that don't look healthy."

Aizen crosses his arms, frowning. "The Hōgyoku wasn't ant to be handled so recklessly."

"Too late for that, captain Aizen," Gin grins.

Another wave of numbers.

100,000,000 EP

100,000,000 EP

I can barely breathe. Reiryoku rushes through like a dam breaking. My mask starts cracking. I can feel it — the evolution, the shift in power. My bones burn, my skin tightens. It's… exhilarating. Terrifying. Absolutely my kind of thing.

More notifications.

[CURRENT EP: 1,012,080,000 / 1,000,000,000]

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

Congratulations! EP cap reached. Evolution Available.

[Evolution Available: Vasto Lorde → Arrancar]

A beam of energy shoots up from the Hōgyoku, illuminating the room. I hear Yammy sowhere cheering like an idiot. Grimmjow curses under his breath. Szayelaporro's probably taking notes. And Idiot Aizen no Aizen Jr… well, he's barking excitedly like, "Go, Master! Go!"

But then, a thin crack snakes through the Hōgyoku's surface.

I blink.

"Oh… oh crap…"

I hold it out toward Aizen. "Uh, boss? Captain? My bad. I think I broke your magic orb."

Gin howls with laughter. "Aww, now ya did it!"

Even Tousen scowls from a distance. "How irresponsible."

Aizen sighs, stepping forward with that cool, disapproving-dad face. "I can repair it. The Hōgyoku is resilient."

I grin weakly. "You sure? 'Cause I don't wanna pay for this if it shatters."

"Do not speak," Aizen says, plucking the Hōgyoku from my hand. "You've done enough damage for one evening."

I open my mouth to respond — but the room tilts, my body burning as my mask shatters, reiryoku flooding out of . I can feel my new form taking shape.

Before the world goes black, I manage one last grin. "Thanks, Glasses Aizen… You're not so bad… for a smug bastard."

Then darkness swallows .