Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1618 1618: Protection at Any Cost

Step.

The burly warrior advanced, his chest shielded by a white breastplate fashioned from jagged iron shards. This piece wasn't designed for mere defense; instead, it was the bizarre Arc that bestowed upon him absolute dominion over his golden blaze, potent enough to challenge even Zargos in his present state.

Morok remained the sole one who hadn't yet invoked his Arc, yet he refused to delay. Zargos had demonstrated that every passing moment in confrontation with him exacted a heavy toll.

"So you're boasting about your flames, huh?" Morok laughed. "Fine, then it's my turn to prove that no matter how brilliant the light, it crumbles before true darkness!"

A spatial ripple occurred as an amulet materialized in Morok's hand, depicting a beast's head that blended dragon and lion features, captured in a ferocious bellow with exposed teeth and a fractured horn.

Clutch.

Morok gripped the amulet firmly while it fastened around his neck, hanging securely.

Instantly, a surge of shadows erupted, blanketing the earth nearby. This darkness, acting like a sentient entity, crept over his form, quivering beneath the force of his presence.

The distant woman swallowed hard.

'Damn, is it really that bad? The boss seldom deploys his Arc. Normally, we four suffice. Curse Zargos and his entire lineage! They're just endless headaches!'

Zargos let out a hum.

"Hmph, excellent. Then I'll incinerate you and that shadow of yours alike."

Morok, shrouded in the veil of darkness with just his vivid green eyes piercing through, shot him a threatening stare.

"I anticipate no less, fool."

...

Tremble! Tremble! Tremble!

Merely moments after Adam and Merra descended into the basement, blasts and combat noises echoed from upstairs. The quakes reached even this depth, vibrating through the solid stone.

"Those are the beasts Zargos rescued me from, aren't they?" Adam inquired.

Merra affirmed with a nod. She edged nearer to the entrance. She realized they wouldn't need much time to pinpoint their location.

"Simply remain at my back. We're not aiming for victory, only to stall for time."

"Got it. Though I have to say, I'm growing weary of my inability to fight back. It's getting under my skin."

Adam shook his head. This marked his third visit to the Primal Lands, and fourth in total.

Crash!

A deafening impact resounded from the doors as Merra assumed a combat pose.

A pair of daggers featuring straight, triangular edges materialized in her grip, mimicking crimson glass that complemented her powers.

'They're approaching. Two Lords of the Sword Squad. I need to deal with this and gain us some moments!'

BAM!

The subsequent blow demolished the doors amid fierce wind blasts, hurling rock fragments toward Merra.

She held her position, an unseen crimson shield encircling her and halting each stone.

Whooooosh!

Without pause, a figure burst from the dust haze. Merra's gaze captured the extended katana edge hurtling directly toward her.

'I must evade!'

She leaped away just as multiple water droplets, lethal like bullets, loomed before her.

Tap!

Merra intersected her daggers ahead, forming a glassy shield.

The liquid projectiles collided with it, etching fissures into the red material, yet she endured the initial assault.

This sparked a grin on her lips. At last, she trusted her skills.

Step. Step. Step.

Gradually, the youth and the girl, floating just off the floor, stepped inside. Her pale spheres had already replenished, primed for another onslaught.

"A servant?" The youth arched a brow. "That's hardly what I anticipated."

"She's less vital than him!" The girl shouted, gesturing at Adam afar. "See! There he is! Adam Vinter!"

Adam detected their energies, yet oddly, dread didn't grip his soul.

He grinned and indicated the youth's missing right limb.

"What befell your arm, eh? Did somebody chomp it off?"

The youth scowled.

"Inquire of Ramilo about that. Though you'll never get the opportunity. We're seizing you immediately!"

'I understand. Zargos spoke true then. So they encountered Ramilo?' Adam pondered while eyeing the girl. 'She's unscathed, meaning no major clash occurred. Alexia is safe, but... how about myself?'

Whooooosh!

Lacking any reluctance, the youth and girl assaulted Merra from opposite flanks. Adam yearned to assist, but he couldn't. The power gap was immense.

Each katana flourish forced Merra to evade the wind surges and keen edge, while the droplets already veered her way.

"You ought to have fled, lackey!" The youth bellowed upon materializing in front of Merra.

Her vision filled with numerous slashes as she erected a shield, but delay proved fatal.

Crimson sprayed from the wounds on her arm, and Merra attempted to retreat.

"No! It's premature! I must endure more!"

"Escape is denied!" the young girl cried out as the pale spheres morphed into a lash, ensnaring Merra's feet.

BAM!

The girl yanked the lash, causing Merra's spine to collide harshly with the floor.

"Gha!"

She wheezed from agony as the youth loomed above, clasping his katana with a firm two-handed hold.

"It's over. Did you think it worthwhile?"

Slice!

Abruptly, the ghostly blade stabbed into the youth's arm, followed by one from the opposing angle. His expression showed more astonishment than hurt as he glanced at Adam.

"You..."

Merra's arms spasmed as she surged up, driving her daggers deeply into the youth's throat.

Blood poured from his lips as he stared at her in shock.

"Grh...!"

The girl's features twisted in fury.

"Now you're finished!" She bellowed while every water stream surged at Merra. She remained immobilized.

Adam, wielding the ethereal blades, jolted.

'Damn! Silvana! We can't let her do this!'

In an instant, a pale lance formed in his grasp, brimming with might, but the girl moved swifter. Within a blink, the pale torrents would shred Merra apart.

Crack. Crack. Crack.

Simultaneously, a quake and resounding snap boomed from overhead as an object smashed onto the girl, shattering the stone slabs effortlessly.

All Adam glimpsed was a fist anchoring the girl to the earth with overwhelming might.