Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1657: Thunderous Voice (Part 2)

Just like every monster that had dwelled in this world for centuries, Larth understood the art of defeat. He recognized it as a vital segment of his path, and even when victory eluded him, he leveraged it to grow stronger.

His practical outlook allowed him to embrace this reality, or maybe it was due to his composed nature.

Yet this time, nothing of the sort applied.

He found it unimaginable that he'd been beaten by a Phantom who had embarked on his journey less than two years back. Even worse, it all unfolded in only a handful of clashes!

Tap.

Adam let go of Larth’s spear, gearing up to retreat. To him, the battle had concluded, yet Larth viewed it differently.

"You... I can still keep going..." A guttural voice, nearly a bellow, erupted from Larth’s throat.

A spark ignited in Adam’s eyes.

"No. You have nothing left to show me. Even if you have some ability, I have a way to counter it. Though..."

His stare turned shadowy as a somber aura cloaked him.

"If you want to die, then I’m ready to do it. You should be grateful that I’m not trying to kill you even though you attacked me first."

But Larth paid no heed to these words anymore. This marked a rare moment where his feelings overwhelmed him—a scenario that spelled trouble not only for himself but for many others.

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

His presence intensified as a glow erupted from his shoulder.

’Agh?’ Confusion gripped Adam as he eyed the tattoo emerging on Larth’s shoulder. It was absent earlier.

Furthermore, Larth’s aura kept swelling, inching toward a potency that would daunt even Adam.

"Wait, what the hell is going on here?" Adam retreated a step, poised to unleash his powers. "Is this his trump card? But why didn’t he use it before? Did he not want to, or couldn’t he do it?"

Crack.

Larth rose to his feet, gripping his spear in one hand, while thick energy seeped gradually from his tattoo.

This energy belonged to Larth, yet it exceeded his normal limits, as though he had extracted part of it and boosted it manifold. This trump card originated from Larth himself, not some outside source, but Adam sensed it was far from commonplace.

He had encountered nothing similar among monsters from distant territories.

’Shit, I don’t know what this is, but it looks like things have gotten really serious now!’

Twitch.

Adam’s fingers jerked as shadowy energy rushed to his palm. He prepared to call forth his needle, demanding a fitting counter to Larth’s ultimate move.

Nevertheless, Queen Elisa’s blood lurking in his inner realm remained utterly unresponsive.

"You... Adam Vinter." Larth snarled. "I’ll show you what it means to be one of the Fangs!"

His tattoo quivered as he extended his arm, locking eyes fiercely on Adam.

Abruptly, a profound, commanding voice boomed from the skies.

"Enough."

One word sufficed to hush the immense area and halt both fighters in their tracks.

Neither Adam nor Larth could budge. Their forms locked rigid, too wary to shift even slightly for fear of provoking that voice.

Gradually, Adam swiveled his head. This basic motion demanded more resolve and grit than many of his prior fights.

’If that bull was so scared of Larth, then who the hell is this?!’

A man no taller than Adam floated mid-air, descending leisurely to the earth. His complexion gleamed pale as fresh parchment, eyes serene and dark, with lush hair cascading to his shoulders.

Unlike Larth, he lacked towering stature or bulk, draped not in a grand cloak but in frayed black garments like an oversized, worn robe with baggy sleeves.

Even at rest, his aura sent Adam’s pulse pounding—not with thrill, but raw terror—and Larth fared no better.

In truth, Larth trembled more intensely, for unlike Adam, he recognized this figure.

The man lifted his hand, curling two fingers midway.

Instantly, the oppressive force dissolved, letting Adam and Larth breathe freely once more.

"Agh... Agh... Agh..."

Step.

The man advanced, his silhouette blurring. He materialized beside Larth in a flash too swift for Adam to track, merely a fleeting shadow.

"Larth..." His eyes dropped to the shoulder, to the still-glowing tattoo. "Don’t you know the rules?"

With a gentle brush, the man quelled the tattoo’s light. It dimmed swiftly, then the pattern faded entirely from Larth’s skin.

Yet his contact persisted.

A shockwave coursed through Larth, hurling him rearward.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

After slamming into the sandy terrain multiple times with his back, Larth crumpled down, but he refused to remain prone. Ignoring the agony from Adam’s prior strike that had mangled his back, he staggered upright, hobbling in return.

"Master Kaerno, please forgive me..." Larth gritted his teeth, dropping to one knee.

His head hung low in true remorse. "When I realized how strong this Phantom was, I decided it would be right to use the Mark against him. He would have been a worthy opponent, but I was wrong!"

Curiously, Kaerno inclined his head. To him, Larth had endured sufficient chastisement—for the moment, at least.

His attention now shifted to the battle’s other contender.

"What about you, young man? Don’t you want to tell me how a K4-Phantom ended up here? And..."

His sight drifted to Adam’s knees, then lifted back to his gaze.

"Judging by your bewildered look, you don’t know where you are or who is standing before you."

Once more, Kaerno blurred away and rematerialized directly before Adam. The shrouded moon loomed behind, deepening the abyss in his dark eyes.

"I’ll give you only one chance, young man. Tell me your thoughts and who sent you here. Perhaps... In that case, I won’t have to throw you into the Pit."