Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1659: Blade Pillar

Adam trailed Kaerno and Larth for a while as they dashed across territories unfamiliar to him. In that period, no assaults came their way, which made sense since Kaerno now traveled with them.

‘Hmm, Larth named himself a Fang, and he’s obviously proud of that title. So then, who exactly is Kaerno? He’s clearly at the Lord Level, unlike Larth, yet it doesn’t seem to carry much weight in this place, does it?’

Apart from his two new companions, another matter troubled Adam. They had covered several kilometers behind Kaerno without pausing even once.

Yet the scenery around them remained unchanged. The gray sand-covered ground, dunes, massive bones, enormous pillars—all stayed the same in sight, along with the dark sky and its eclipsed moon.

‘Damn, how enormous is this realm? Where exactly did Gladius dispatch me—or rather, how in the world did Xyrea pull this off?’

Adam lacked precise knowledge of their method to bring him here, but curiosity burned within him to uncover it.

Only now did it dawn on Adam that Xyrea had deliberately deposited him at the cave ring. A basic teleport would have dropped him amid the gray desert, easy prey for some beast, but the cave ring offered total safety until he awoke.

‘Tch. Such an odd sensation. I’m not truly upset that Gladius and Xyrea aren’t my foes, but... I hesitate to label them allies. Why banish me to this spot? Even basic monsters could provide a solid challenge.’

Indeed, Adam vastly outmatched the bull, but any other Black Threat Level creature in its stead would fall to his single strike.

Besides, after recent events, Adam questioned Larth’s true strength, all tied to that peculiar tattoo.

‘Does Kaerno bear something like it? If so, why do only they wield such might? No other monsters displayed anything similar.’

Admittedly, energy-infused tattoos or those linked to abilities weren’t rare—monsters and Phantoms alike possessed them.

However, Larth’s tattoo radiated something extraordinary, stirring doubts about Adam’s odds in a fight.

"We’re almost there."

Kaerno’s resonant voice yanked Adam from his reverie as a massive pillar’s silhouette emerged afar. It resembled the rest but stood grander, topped with sharp spikes cradling a soaring tower at its heart—one of this land’s two pillar varieties.

"Is that the pillar you call home?" Adam inquired.

Kaerno gave a nod. "You’ve noticed already: pillars split into two kinds. We approach the Blade Pillar. The other is Dome Type."

"I assume differences go beyond looks?"

"Indeed. Two factions rule everything here: Blade Eclipse and Dome Eclipse. Your affiliation decides your pillar."

Adam arched a brow.

"Just two factions over such vast lands? Frequent clashes between you?"

Curiously, a faint grin crossed Kaerno’s features.

"Relations here differ from elsewhere. We’re neither foes nor friends—call it ‘competition.’ Minor scuffles arise naturally, but they seldom grow beyond skirmishes between a pair of monsters."

Adam blinked repeatedly, struggling to accept it. "So in this hellish realm, you battle to grow stronger and share techniques?"

Larth averted his gaze with a sour scowl.

"You spew utter rubbish! It’s far graver than that! Your cluelessness astounds!"

Yet Kaerno responded far differently to Larth’s complaints.

"Hahaha! Harmless as you paint it wouldn’t displease me, Adam. Deadly clashes occur occasionally, like anywhere in our world. But certain zones ignite true rivalry between factions."

Adam’s eyes sharpened.

"Those odd abyss and cave rings? They plunge deep. I stuck to the surface, too wary to descend. Though..." He glanced at Larth. "I had no shot anyway—they ambushed me instantly!"

"Yes." Kaerno affirmed with a nod. "But you’re not ready for such places. Venturing there promises only agony and shame—at best."

"I get it..."

Adam held further questions. Answers awaited at the Blade Pillar, he knew.

Nearer still, Adam spotted details: the pillar wasn’t barren or sleek as first glance suggested.

Its exterior revealed window-like openings, spiraling stairs winding its full height, and faint ridges segmenting it into tiers.

These weren’t sleek modern designs or a grim dungeon, but something in between.

"Hmm, so the mightiest monsters gather at these pillars?" Adam pondered. "Makes perfect sense. Nothing else exists here. Underground cave rings might hide chambers, but these stand as the sole abodes."

"Adam." Kaerno called out.

"Y-Yes?"

"Usually, unaffiliated monsters or ones at your strength can’t enter without clearance, much less ascend to the peak. But you’re exceptional. Phantoms seldom reach here, and young talents like you? Unheard of."

Adam dipped his head in acknowledgment. Limits would bind him here—he grasped that. Beyond the Citadel lay alien grounds. Lacking Goen’s raw might to carve a shelter anywhere, peace eluded him.

‘Well...’ Adam gazed skyward at the looming eclipsed moon. ‘Time to uncover this place’s secrets. Answers surely lie within this pillar.’