Gabriel looked at the orb in his hand—not really an orb, but the transfigured soul of Barragan. This was his prize as the victor.
With this, alongside Ifrit's fire, that weird scientist's rebirth ability, and all his other busted powers, Gabriel would now gain access to Respira. He was an ever-evolving Hollow—anyone he consumed, he would gain their power.
He could even fuse Ifrit's flames with Respira, creating fire that not only burned hot but negated durability, a flame that was essentially fire and death combined.
Hellfire, one might even say.
Without hesitation, he opened his mouth and swallowed it whole.
The effect was instantaneous.
A tidal wave of energy crashed through his body, reshaping him at a fundamental level. His Reiatsu pool quintupled in an instant, so overwhelming that the very air around him twisted and cracked under the pressure.
His Hollow mask, which had been on his face for the last nine months, completely shattered, breaking away from his face. Only his horns seemed to remain.
And for the first time in nine months... Gabriel looked human again.
Curly black hair cascaded down his shoulders, framing his olive-toned skin. His eyes, still glowing with that predatory yellow hue, now held an undeniable sharpness—like a beast that had ascended beyond its nature. The remnants of his mask had not disappeared entirely; instead, they reformed into two curved horns arching from his forehead, shaped in such a way that they resembled a crown.
Well, he had just defeated a king, so he guessed it wasn't that big of a deal.
He had transcended his limits as just a Vasto Lorde... going from a baby Hollow to what he was now—the whole process had taken nine months.
Going from a basic Hollow to this? Yeah, it had been one hell of a journey. Sure, he speedran the Hollow route, but he didn't care. He was strong now—strong enough to protect his wife.
But he wouldn't get complacent.
Barragan had shown him exactly what complacency did to a man.
Gabriel refused to let that happen to him. He would train every day if he had to. He would gain more strength.
Enough to protect the ones he loved.
And now that he looked human again...
"I have skin again," he mused. He glanced further down.
"...And a dick."
A slow grin spread across his face.
"...I'm finally gonna smash my wife."
But he was butt-ass naked, his meat hanging out for the world to see. Luckily, there was no one nearby.
...
'I don't remember it being this big.'
Well, he wasn't gonna question it. Who would complain about being hung? Not like he was gonna let everyone see his privates, though.
Walking toward Barragan's corpse, Gabriel calmly stole the king's clothing. He needed it more than him—it wasn't like a dead man had any use for it.
As Gabriel put on the robe, he altered it using his control over souls, shifting its design. It was now all white, with the symbol of a demon on the back.
He had claimed the throne.
And, honestly? The drip suited him.
Now, it was time to go home and take care of the very important business waiting for him.
That bed back at their cave? Yeah, it was made extra durable for a reason.
Gabriel glanced at his Hollow hole—it was still there, outside his body.
Hm.
With that, he began walking, heading toward the battlefield where the remnants of the battle still raged.
The second he arrived, the battlefield fell silent.
His golden eyes scanned the people below, and without a word, he tossed Barragan's jewelry to the ground.
Then, he threw down the man's crown.
"Barragan is dead."
The loyalists of the fallen king reacted with pure, undiluted rage.
"You dare to claim such a thing, wretch?!"
"You lie! Our king is absolute! You—!!"
Gabriel, not in the mood to deal with a bunch of dick riders, simply unleashed his flames, imbued with Respira.
The moment the fire touched them, they ceased to exist.
Instant death.
Gabriel raised his hand in the air.
In the next second...
Every single Hollow that had died on this battlefield—their very souls—began rushing toward Gabriel, joining his body as if he were the Grim Reaper, as if he were claiming their souls for himself.
And thus, Gabriel's power grew once more.
So many souls. So much power.
His potential was truly terrifying.
His gaze turned cold as he looked down at the remaining forces below.
"Your king is dead. Do you wish to lose your life and follow him to the grave?"
His eyes softened only slightly when they landed on his group, but they returned to their icy sharpness immediately after.
Then, one by one...
They knelt.
Every last one of them.
And in unison, their voices rose.
"ALL HAIL THE NEW KING!"
"ALL HAIL THE KING!"
Gabriel blinked.
He tilted his head, looking behind him.
Yeah.
There was no one else there.
"...Wait."
He was the new king?
Since when? he doesn't remember filling out a form wanting to be king and last he checked he and Barragan were not related so they got the wrong guy.
A/N All Hail the king