Chapter 9: Enclose, Murciélago!
High-Speed Regeneration.
It was an ability possessed by some Hollows. Normally, a Hollow would discard this ability upon becoming an Arrancar to gain greater offensive power, but Ulquiorra had retained it. As long as Ren was still in his Take Over, any part of his body, excluding his brain and internal organs, could be regenerated in an instant. To him, an injury of this degree was no different from being unharmed.
"What?!"
"How is that possible?!"
"It actually healed!!"
Everyone who witnessed this was dumbfounded. The world of magic had all kinds of spells, but none of them had ever heard of magic that allowed for such rapid self-healing.
"You..."
Camille was deeply shaken. On top of this kid's terrifying speed, strength, attack, and destructive magic, he was also practically immortal. This was the first time he had ever encountered such a monster.
"Your magic... it must be some kind of 'Total Reflection,' right?" Ren asked, staring at Camille. After two of his attacks were sent back, he had a good idea of what his opponent's magic was.
"Not bad, kid. You guessed my magic after only two attacks. That's right! My magic is Total Reflection. It means that no attack, magical or physical, can touch me. But my attacks can hit you freely."
"What?! How can such a broken magic even exist!" Elfman couldn't believe what he was hearing. How were they supposed to defeat an enemy like that?
"Now you see the gap between us, kid. You're strong. Your speed, strength, attack power, and that unbelievable regeneration... they're all frightening. But you can't do a single thing to me. And you're using Take Over magic, aren't you? This must be the power of the being you've 'Taken Over.' Once your magic power is exhausted and your transformation ends, that will be the moment of your death! Hahahaha!"
Camille cackled madly. Killing a regular mage was boring, but killing a genius like Ren was different. He loved nothing more than killing geniuses; it was the only way to feel like he was the strongest genius mage.
Just then, Elfman charged forward, planting himself in front of Ren. "Don't you dare!"
Ren patted Elfman's shoulder. "Relax, don't worry. This guy is just full of hot air. 'Total Reflection' sounds unbeatable, but that doesn't mean he's unbeatable. If he was really that strong, he wouldn't be standing over there talking. He would have charged in and finished me already. And besides, while 'Total Reflection' is impressive, it can't be truly 'total.' Otherwise, you wouldn't have been reduced to a hunted dog, running from the Council."
Hearing this, Camille's tone turned frigid. "Hmph! You're a calm one, kid. My reflection does have a limit. If an attack exceeds a certain threshold, I can't reflect it. But do you really think you can break that limit? That last attack was your strongest, wasn't it? My own attacks can't hurt you right now, but how long can you last?"
"Three minutes," Ren replied without hesitation.
"WHAAAAT---?!"
Elfman was dumbfounded. Why would you just tell him that? Are you being too honest?
"Three minutes? Hahahaha!" Camille burst out laughing. "Kid, you'd better enjoy these last three minutes!" He had assumed Ren could last for half an hour, maybe even a few hours, but it was only three short minutes.
Elfman's expression turned grave. He had to make a choice.
"Ren, when the time comes, you run! Don't look back! I'll take him on!"
He was planning to use Take Over: Beast King. But if he did, he would likely lose his mind. A year ago, his lack of skill had forced a full Take Over, and he... he had killed his own sister, Lisanna. He couldn't kill another guildmate.
Just then, Ren's voice came out, flat and cold.
"Three minutes is more than enough."
Camille glared at him. "What did you say?!"
Ren ignored him. He raised his Zanpakuto, pointing it at Camille, and began to chant the release command in a low voice:
"Enclose, Murciélago!"
VMMMMM----!!
The sky instantly darkened. A terrifying Spiritual Pressure exploded from Ren.
"Uwaaah!"
Elfman was blown backward by the sheer force.
Droplets of black rain, formed of pure Spiritual Pressure, began to fall from the sky.
Everyone instinctively looked up.
"Black rain?"
Camille frowned. He was about to reflect the droplets, but he didn't sense any threat from them and let them be. The rain landed on his face. He was shocked to find it didn't have the wet feeling of water.
"This isn't real rain... it's liquefied magic power!"
Soon, the strange rain subsided.
Ren's form had undergone a dramatic transformation.
His clothes had changed to a long, white, form-fitting robe. The helmet fragment now covered the entire top of his head, complete with two long horns. His black hair was longer, and the tear-like markings on his face were wider and deeper. Most striking of all, a pair of enormous, demonic black bat-like wings had sprouted from his back.
This was the form of Ulquiorra's first-stage Resurrección.
Ren's body now emanated a horrifying pressure.
Seeing this new form, Camille's instincts screamed in danger. This... this guy reminded him of those monsters in the Ten Wizard Saints.
"Don't be alarmed," Ren said, his voice flat. His cold, green eyes stared at Camille as if looking at a dead man. "Ready your stance, tense your nerves, and do not relax for even an instant."
Camille was completely set off by Ren's words and his gaze. "Hah?! What nonsense are you spouting, you brat! You still haven't landed a single scratch on me, and you're telling me not to be alarmed?! You have less than one minute left! You're the one who should be panicking! Just wait! In one minute, I'm going to torture you to death!"
Ren said flatly, "One minute... is more than enough."