anime worlds: I'll get stronger by drawing cards!

"Get out of the way!"

Rukia Kuchiki urgently shouted.

She had firsthand experience with this Hollow's brutal attacks.

When she was struck earlier, even after attempting to defend herself, a single blow had rendered her incapable of fighting.

If it had been Chiba Akira instead, he would likely have been smashed into a pulp.

"What the—!"

But in the next moment, her pupils constricted.

Chiba Akira had raised his left hand to intercept the attack as it came down.

Crack, crack, crack—

A strand of cold air emerged from his palm, and in the blink of an eye, an ice shield began forming, layer by layer, until it solidified.

Just as the ice shield was completed, the humanoid Hollow's massive fist landed.

Boom!

A thunderous impact resonated through the area.

Amazingly, the ice shield withstood the devastating blow, remaining completely intact.

"This... can't be..."

Rukia was stunned by the sight.

As one of the rare wielders of an ice-element Zanpakuto in the Soul Society, she immediately recognized that this shield was no ordinary construct. It wasn't just its incredible resilience; its creation had used a remarkably small amount of spiritual energy.

How had he done it?

Even she couldn't imagine such a feat, let alone perform it.

And wait—wasn't he human? How could he manipulate ice?

Before she could fully process what she'd seen, Chiba Akira countered.

"Shatter," he calmly murmured.

As the word fell from his lips, the ice shield shattered into fragments, which shot outward with alarming speed, engulfing the Hollow's arm.

Crack, crack, crack, BOOM!

The Hollow's encased arm broke apart, splitting into countless shards of ice and scattering into the air.

So... when Chiba Akira had said "shatter," was he referring to the Hollow's arm, not just the shield?

"My... my arm!"

The humanoid Hollow stared at the empty space where its arm once was, stunned into silence.

After a long moment, rage overtook its features, and it roared furiously at Chiba Akira.

"Damn it!"

"How dare a mere human destroy my arm? I'll crush you!"

It swung its remaining arm wildly, aiming to pulverize Chiba Akira into a bloody paste.

"Hey, hey~ Is that all you've got?" Akira mocked. "I expected something more interesting, honestly."

In the blink of an eye, a sharp icy blade materialized and sliced cleanly through the Hollow's body.

For a moment, time seemed to stand still.

Then, a cut extended diagonally across the Hollow's torso, from its left shoulder to its waist.

Crash!

Its upper body slid off its lower half and fell heavily to the ground.

This time, there were no icy explosions, just the razor-sharp strike of an ice blade that had risen from the earth and cleaved the creature in half.

Boom!

The Hollow's mangled remains collapsed onto the ground as its life force flickered and faded.

Task "First Kill" Complete!

Reward "SR-Grade Zanpakuto Card" has been sent to your system inventory.

With the Hollow's demise, the system notification echoed in Akira's mind. Warm energy flowed through him, and the system interface opened before his eyes.

Chiba Akira

Age: 16

Race: Human

Attributes:

Strength: 12

Agility: 14

Endurance: 12

Intelligence: 20

Abilities:

Spiritual Energy Manipulation (N)

Growth UP (SR)

Ice-Ice Fruit (SR)

Inventory:

Holy Grail (SR)

"SR Item Card"

Daily Draw Opportunity x1

Evaluation: Below average.

"Still below average, huh?" Akira remarked wryly. "The system sure has high standards."

As he noticed his newly received task reward, Akira decided to claim it immediately.

"System, use the SR-Grade Zanpakuto Card!"

The system's notification rang out:

"Congratulations, Host, for obtaining 'Zanpakuto - Yanluo Mirror Classic (SR)'!"

Akira froze for a moment as a card materialized in his hand.

Yanluo Mirror Classic? He recognized this name.

As a transmigrator, Akira was familiar with this incredibly powerful Zanpakuto.

Its unique ability allowed it to replicate the powers of other Zanpakuto. It could even simultaneously mimic multiple abilities.

However, he recalled certain limitations:

It consumed an immense amount of spiritual energy.

Its usage depleted the wielder's soul irreversibly.

It couldn't fully replicate top-tier Zanpakuto (e.g., Ryujin Jakka, Kyoka Suigetsu) or unique growth-based blades like Zangetsu.

Eager to learn more, Akira examined the card's description:

Yanluo Mirror Classic (SR):

Effect: Can replicate Zanpakuto's Shikai and Bankai.

Notes:

Mimicking another Zanpakuto consumes large amounts of spiritual energy.

Upgrading to SSR grade removes limitations on Zanpakuto replication.

Upgrading to UR grade enables full mastery and integration of mimicked abilities.

As he absorbed the card's details, Akira felt his excitement mount. This weapon had incredible potential, far beyond what he expected. With this Zanpakuto in hand, his path as a transcendent warrior was only beginning.