Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1603: Secret of the Battle (Part 2)

"What is this?"

Adam swallowed hard.

'Could that truly be Ramilo?'

His thoughts confirmed it was indeed Ramilo, a direct outcome of his shift in form, yet his gaze refused to accept the sight.

'He's not just altered; he's missing his tail, and those claws plus the bulk of his muscles... Damn, just how powerful has he become?'

Ramilo gradually pivoted, his massive blue eyes capturing the images of Adam and Alexia within them.

"Take a good look. This wasn't what I planned to reveal during our initial encounter, but... this fool forced my hand."

'Ah, I get it...' Adam mused to himself. 'His looks aren't the only change; his mood has shifted as well, hasn't it? Though, if he'd kept up the wisecracks in that shape, it would've been downright terrifying.'

Alexia remained silent; much like Adam, astonishment gripped her at Ramilo's ability to undergo such a change.

"Fine, Zargos, let's wrap this up. We'll depart from the Primal Lands in mere moments, and I have no desire to draw eyes in the Dead Lands."

Zargos offered no resistance. He simply extended his arms broadly, as vivid crimson fires blazed fiercely, mirroring in his amber gaze.

"Come on, strike!"

Crack!

A fragment from the stone slab hurtled aside while Ramilo surged ahead. Within the dimness, he positioned himself directly before Zargos at an astonishing velocity, and Zargos, regardless of the dire circumstances, maintained his grin.

A gleam streaked over Ramilo’s claws as icy blue power coursed through his palm. This wasn't some skill; he adhered to the guidelines, yet the might behind this blow could shred Zargos apart.

Nevertheless, Zargos made no move to evade.

"Excellent! That's the kind of swiftness I expected!" Zargos shouted, raising his palms defensively before him.

The azure claws met the scarlet shield, yet Ramilo had vanished, launching his assault at Zargos from the rear.

"You should've fled when I offered the opportunity!" Ramilo’s claws aimed directly at Zargos’s throat.

Zargos whirled about, deflecting Ramilo’s wrist away. The frozen talons sliced mere inches from his eyes.

"I arrived with a clear purpose, and I'll fulfill it! Watch me! I'll claim what's mine!"

Ramilo's brow furrowed. He uttered no further words, his pupils contracting as he entered complete predator state.

Slash! Slash! Slash!

In the ensuing seconds, Ramilo and Zargos traded a relentless barrage of blows. However, unlike earlier when Zargos effortlessly delivered searing hits on Ramilo, causing agonizing scorches, the tide had turned completely.

Zargos found it hard to counter Ramilo’s onslaughts. At times, he lacked the moment to guard or push back the hits, leading to fresh gashes on his arms or torso. Yet, Zargos still held a shot at triumph since he avoided letting Ramilo target his face or throat—his weakest areas.

"Your thoughts?" Adam inquired, observing their clash intently. "Stripped of their powers, these guys are still incredibly formidable. If Vaarh or I ended up in their midst, we'd turn into diced flesh in an instant, sliced with pinpoint accuracy."

Silvana gave a wry grin.

"You're exaggerating a bit. If a K0 or K1 Phantom witnessed your bout with Vaarh, they'd react the same way."

Adam's eyes tightened.

"True, but that's beside the point. As the saying goes, there's always a greater force out there. Still... do you think Damien could ever face something like this? That someone exists in this realm mighty enough to make Damien hesitate to approach?"

Silvana went quiet, the response all too clear. Strength possessed boundaries, and until Adam neared that boundary, he held zero hope of halting the World Wipe.

What action could he take against the First Star and Last Star?

Crack!

Ramilo’s fist hurled Zargos backward, though he planted his feet solidly without tumbling far.

"That's far from everything!"

Instantly after, Ramilo materialized before Zargos, poised to seize his skull and conclude the skirmish.

That proved his error.

In spite of the danger, Zargos advanced, evading the lethal claws at the final instant. Blood spurted from his neck, but the inferno swiftly cauterized it into a minor mark.

"Now it's my move! You, frightening ancient feline!"

Clutch!

Zargos seized Ramilo by the throat, compressing his quivering sinews. Ramilo found no way to break free; he could only witness the scarlet blaze travel along Zargos’s limb, set to incinerate him entirely.

Ramilo's sole recourse lay in deploying his powers, but... would he violate the code?

A choice loomed before him.

Tap.

Abruptly, Zargos patted his shoulder and bent close.

He murmured words meant solely for Ramilo's ears, causing Ramilo’s eyes to bulge in disbelief.

The instant that followed saw Zargos, rather than igniting Ramilo, hurl him ahead toward the earthworm's forefront.

Ramilo’s spine crashed against the stone slab, imprinting a severe burn across his torso.

He made no effort to rise, despite possessing the strength to do so with full exertion.

Step.

Adam and Alexia lifted their gazes to meet Zargos’s amber eyes, brimming with triumph and intrigue.

He had accomplished his aim.

"Damn it!" Adam burst out while attempting to bolt.

"Stay put."

Blazing chains ensnared Adam, halting his motion.

His confrontation with Zargos had concluded, allowing him to unleash his powers on Adam, who was utterly outmatched. Their strengths operated on separate tiers.

"You! You wouldn't dare!" Alexia cried, charging at Zargos with a storm of strikes.

With a faint smile, he parried every one of her blows using a single hand before clasping her wrist.

Alexia’s eyes expanded. She couldn't fathom failing to even graze him. He had handled her like a mere youngster!

"As I mentioned earlier, I won't injure you."

Whooooooosh.

He flung her aside, where she landed beside Ramilo.

Next, Zargos gripped the fiery chains, hoisting Adam as if he were mere baggage.

He glanced back over his shoulder, casting Ramilo a final stare laden with multiple implications.

Puff!

Amid a burst of flame, Zargos vanished.

He had secured his objective.