Director Ishida, this is already the tenth person to die in an inexplicable accident, and it seems that the number of deaths keeps increasing," said a young nurse to Ishida Ryūken, who was standing by her side.
"Is that so? Understood."
Ryūken replied with an expressionless face, though his hands holding the documents of the deceased tightened, betraying the inner turmoil he would never show on his face.
Again, the same cause of death? What exactly happened that day? Could all these deaths belong to half-blood Quincies? —he wondered silently.
"Director Ishida, I've heard that several bodies have also been found in different places, and the state of the corpses is extremely similar. Please, we must find the cause of these deaths. If it's a virus, it would be terrible," the nurse said with concern.
"I understand. I will personally perform the autopsy shortly and try to discover the cause of death."
Ryūken put down the papers and prepared to begin his work.
It was not the first time in the past month that he had performed an autopsy. And in every body, he found a strange substance, in greater or lesser amounts. He named it "Silver."
But he still didn't know whether the "Silver" caused the deaths of these people, or whether it only appeared after death. Only by carrying out more and more autopsies could he begin to unravel the mystery. Ryūken believed this firmly.
Yewe, I must uncover the truth behind your death… he thought, frowning, as he gripped the scalpel tightly.
"As I suspected, this body also has 'Silver.' If I'm not mistaken, he was also a Quincy."
As the autopsy progressed, Ryūken noticed a peculiarity.
"The concentration of Silver is far too high, several times greater than the others… What does this mean?"
When he finished, he read the file once more: the deceased was named Amamiya Miyako, 24 years old, died on June 17th, 200x, found at his residence.
What was so special about this man that the concentration of Silver was so high? He would have to investigate further.
Meanwhile, in Amamiya Miyako's house, a hazy figure lay on the floor, eyes shut, brow furrowed, teeth clenched, hands twisted like claws, showing extreme pain.
Pain, despair, helplessness… a surge of negative emotions shook him until suddenly he sat bolt upright.
"Where am I?" he asked, looking around the room.
Why don't I appear in the mirror?
Standing before the glass, he was stunned. Just a moment ago, he had been working late, resting briefly at his desk… and the next, he had awakened in this unfamiliar place.
He tried to explore the room: he couldn't leave, couldn't touch anything. And in the mirror, he couldn't even see his own reflection.
Did I die suddenly? This feels far too much like being a ghost… he thought bitterly.
The only thing he knew was that the owner of the house was called Amamiya Miyako. The cluttered desk and the spilled glasses on the floor proved it.
Suddenly, the wind outside began to howl. Along with it came heavy footsteps, growing closer and closer. The man peeked out the window, then immediately pulled his head back.
What he saw in the darkness froze his blood.
What is that monster? Why is it here? Where the hell am I?
He held his breath to keep quiet. Outside, a black beast covered by a white bone mask was slowly advancing toward the house. In its chest was a hollow void.
Wait… a hole in its chest, a white mask…? That's a Hollow! Then this place must be the world of Bleach!
A deep emptiness filled his stomach. This world was far too dangerous: a mere human could die caught between the battles of Shinigami and Hollows. And he was clearly in a spiritual state. If he was devoured or corrupted, his fate would be worse than death.
He had no belief in being some kind of all-powerful protagonist. Becoming a Hollow would only mean devouring and devouring until turning into a Gillian, the weakest form… little more than a husk.
And he didn't notice that while he was lost in thought, the Hollow had already pressed its face against the window.
"Found you… delicious… food…"
The creature spoke haltingly as it opened its jaws.
The man felt his mind go blank. The Hollow smashed a claw against the glass, and the crash snapped him back to reality. Instinct for survival overwhelmed fear, and clumsily crawling, he pulled away from the window just before being seized.
He backed into a corner, only to see the huge creature barely managing to squeeze a claw inside the room, inching toward him.
How ironic… so young and I'm already about to die a second time… or worse, turn into a Hollow. That would be worse than death.
He shut his eyes and waited, resigned.
But in that instant, a whistling sound cut through the air.
When he opened his eyes, he froze in shock: the Hollow's body was pierced by multiple bluish projectiles, resembling arrows. Within seconds, it began to disintegrate.
Looking out, he saw a man with silver hair and a white suit, standing on top of a lamppost, holding a blue-and-white bow.
"What a surprise, you're still alive in spirit form."
The newcomer spoke calmly. It was Ishida Ryūken.
I'm saved. I never thought I'd run into Ishida Ryūken… Then this must be Karakura. But I'm still just a soul… how am I supposed to survive like this?
He recognized him instantly: silver hair, white suit. Relief washed over him, though it was quickly followed by worry—how could he possibly remain alive in this world in such a state?
"Sir, can you tell me what's happening? Why did that monster attack me? What's wrong with me in this condition?"
He asked from the window.
Ryūken put away his bow and leapt down from the lamppost into the room.
Walking in the air? That's like flying… could that be the Quincy technique, Hirenkyaku? he thought, astonished.
Ryūken scanned the room, detecting no Quincy spiritual trace, but he was convinced the man before him carried that blood in his veins.
"Amamiya Miyako, there is no doubt: you are dead. You now exist only as a soul."
Ryūken answered coldly.
"The monster from earlier was a Hollow. They are also souls, but corrupted and malevolent, devouring the living and other spirits."
So I really am dead… what misfortune.
He let out a deep sigh.
Wait… Ryūken called me Amamiya Miyako. Does that mean I'm the original owner of this house? That poor wretch? And how does he know my name?
Amamiya Miyako stayed silent. There were too many questions swirling in his mind.
"I want to ask you a few questions," Ryūken said.
"Please, Ishida-san, if it's within my power to answer."
"Before you died, did anything unusual happen to you? Do you know what caused your death?"
Miyako thought hard. He couldn't recall anything concrete, but deep inside, there remained intense feelings: pain, helplessness, a nearly maddening desire to go on living. It was like an echo of his original self.
"I can't remember clearly, but I know I suffered greatly, I felt immense despair, and an indescribable craving to live. That feeling still lingers vividly within me. Everything else… has been erased from my memory."
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