Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1579 1579: First Fish

"Gha..."

As the Old Horn breathed out, hot air escaped while his gray eyes brimmed with fury and shifted to red.

"You woke me up for a mere K4-Phantom? Even a worthless Baron among the Lords could handle that! DAMN IT! I ought to have smashed that artifact ages ago to prevent crap like this from ever occurring!"

Everyone familiar with the Old Horn knew his fiery temper well. He could erupt in anger instantly, yet cool off with equal speed.

"Looks like you missed what I said. This K4-Phantom isn't ordinary. It's Adam Vinter."

The Old Horn rubbed behind his ear.

"Uh... right, I've caught wind of him before. Ha, I've been eager for him to grow powerful enough for a real showdown. Still, that doesn't explain why I'm needed. Liliane could wipe him out with a single flick of her wrist. What's my role here?"

The woman let out a deep sigh.

"Are you trying to make me beg? Stop acting like you missed the news of that embarrassment the watchers suffered months back. Over a dozen Lords perished, yet Adam Vinter made it back to the Citadel unscathed."

"Pfffft!" The Old Horn scoffed, as though her words were absurd. "Naturally he escaped! Wilfred and two other True Lords guarded him! If he's got that same crew this time, we can drop this talk immediately!"

The woman's tone grew more piercing.

"Quiet down. He's only got one girl with him, another K4-Phantom just like him. Both are worn out from the fight. Plus, our intel says they're holed up with a local hunter."

The Old Horn arched a brow.

"A hunter? Ha, good riddance that scum vanished from here decades ago. I still get chills recalling his piercing, crystal gaze. Brrrrh! Total nightmare!"

The woman recognized whom the Old Horn meant, yet she dismissed it as irrelevant. She was certain no such powerhouse lingered in the region.

"So, what's your answer? Will you back Liliane? You might not lift a finger, but I need assurance the operation succeeds."

The Old Horn smirked, interlocking his fingers.

"Alright. Count me in. Now, about my reward... Well... I was heading to that special spot anyway. You get what I mean, don't you?"

Indignation flashed across the woman's face.

"You believe I'll easily secure your entry to the star? Though, with Adam Vinter captured alive, it could work. Just... Get it done!"

She fell silent as the crimson drop vanished.

"Tsk. Cut off without a proper goodbye?" The Old Horn tossed the crimson drop away. "Fine... I'll just track Liliane's aura and tail them."

Silence.

For a brief spell, silence enveloped the cave, with only dim light seeping through fissures illuminating the Old Horn's chest.

A wide smile soon spread across his features.

"Adam Vinter, huh? If he's such a big deal, surely someone's shielding him, eh? Ha, fingers crossed, or I'll die of boredom!"

...

Two distinct forces prepared to hunt Adam, seize him, and eliminate Alexia along with the hunter aiding their recuperation from the grueling clash.

What occupied Adam in that instant?

Tap.

With a worm on the sharp hook, he flung the bobber into the lake using a broad arc. He gripped a hefty fishing rod made from durable timber, substituting regular line with threads from a monstrous creature.

Though Adam lacked full specifics, he grasped that numerous formidable beasts had fallen to craft this rod. Given Goen's immense power, those beasts surpassed Adam's own capabilities.

At present, he employed their remnants to master fishing, a skill entirely new to him.

"Solid." Goen nodded steadily. "A strong flow runs through here—one surface river and two submerged ones merge into this lake before cascading over the falls. The water's energy concentration is intense, drawing plenty of fish and aquatic beasts."

"Got it. Ideal spot for a seasoned angler."

Goen gave a casual shrug.

"Spot on. Once I sensed the lake's vast energy, I chose to exploit it. The Primal Lands hold countless wonders, but this unassuming lake ranks among the top fishing havens."

Alexia perched close by, legs folded, her expression brimming with interest.

"So, what's the next step? I've glimpsed fishing only a handful of times on television."

"We wait now." He gestured at the bobber. "When a fish nabs the bait, Adam must respond fast and yank the rod his way. Speed is key, or the catch slips free, end of story."

Goen clapped Adam's shoulder.

"No rush, but failure means I'll hold onto that embarrassment forever."

Adam scowled.

"Hey, what's that supposed to imply? Shouldn't you be encouraging me?"

"A tasty meal—that's your drive." He eyed the partially devoured serpent. "Today's covered, but I'm game for your tomorrow's haul on the menu."

Adam wondered if he'd pull it off. As a potent Phantom, fishing remained foreign to him. He understood the basics, yet experience was scarce.

Luckily, he had company in the endeavor.

"Adam! Check it!" Silvana cried out, every bit as engaged in the activity as he was, though discreetly so.

The bobber trembled, signaling the bait had been seized.

Adam's eyes sharpened as he tugged the rod sharply inward.

His swiftness and power sufficed to haul a large fish, edged with razor fins, from the depths.

"WHOA!" Alexia burst out like an excited kid, gawking at the enormous, flattened fish that soared from the lake.

Yet her delight swiftly ebbed away.

Rows of jagged teeth revealed it as a piranha variant, far from any feeble specimen.

Its maw clamped shut repeatedly in quick succession, sliding up the line directly at Adam.

The piranha loomed before his face when Goen materialized to the side.

Calm as ever in his gaze, he lifted his hand and smashed his palm squarely onto the giant fish's skull.

THUMP!

Dazed, the piranha tumbled down at Adam's feet.

"Impressive for a beginner's attempt, quite impressive indeed."