Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1664 1664: The Attack – the Failure

"Well, well, it seems our dear Phantom wasn't impressed by our main force," Sarka purred, cupping her cheeks in her hands. "What do you think of that?"

In contrast to Sarka, Valleyn refused to rush into judgments. She carefully studied Adam's reaction along with his stance.

"If that's true, then it spells trouble for Larth. He hates losing, much like all of us. But there's one thing I know for sure."

Sarka cocked her head. "Hmm?"

"With the whole pillar and Master Kaerno observing the battle, Larth will unleash every bit of his ability—and then some."

Sarka merely shrugged in reply, her eyes on Adam's weapon.

"Yeah, no doubt about that. Still, I wish I were in his position. Damn it, I should've taken patrol duty today instead of him!"

Step. Step. Step.

Larth advanced with deliberate slowness. Each step made the energy around him quiver. At this moment, his entire demeanor radiated absolute confidence in triumph—except when it came to his foe.

"Come on, I know this battle means a lot to you," Adam remarked. "Prove you're worthy of your rank."

Instantly, Larth disappeared, materializing to Adam's right. This burst of speed far surpassed anything he'd displayed earlier.

For a brief instant, his ghostly afterimage lingered where he'd stood before dissolving.

SLASH!

The spear sliced through the air, smashing into Adam from the left. His gaze stayed locked forward, as though he hadn't reacted in time.

Yet, right at the critical second, a dark blade materialized in front of his head, intercepting the swift spear.

A powerful shockwave exploded behind Adam, hurling sand and broken bones everywhere, yet he emerged without a single mark.

This marked the debut of Adam's new needle in real battle. He'd trained extensively against Tron in the Sky Cube, but this felt entirely different.

'After fully integrating the black flash and acquiring the Dark Energy, the Silver Weaver evolved. His enhanced power… That's exactly what I require at this stage.'

Sparks erupted from the colliding blades, yet Adam's expression stayed serene, almost thoughtful.

This infuriated Larth deeply.

How could he showcase his strength when his rival didn't treat him with gravity?

"You… Your bodily power impresses, Adam Vinter, but you've no clue what the Hollow Mark can truly do!"

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

The white orbs floating behind him shook violently, unleashing a storm of rays toward Adam.

His pupils widened, mirroring the glaring light of the incoming danger.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

Ray after ray pounded the earth, compelling Adam to dodge or deflect every one.

Whenever the five orbs behind Larth spun, fresh volleys fired out like from some enchanted gatling gun.

Nevertheless, none managed to harm Adam.

"That's a formidable assault. Anyone frailer in my spot would've been obliterated by those rays ages ago. But…" He twirled his spear to parry yet another. "'I possess the velocity to counter it!'"

But right then, Adam fixated solely on the rays, missing the shift in Larth's stare.

The pupil in his left eye constricted while the grid glowed brightly, locking onto Adam as the sole mark.

Smoothly, Larth lifted his spear, aiming it directly at Adam as his energy whirled around him like a tempest.

Clang! Clang!

Adam fended off the final two rays, his attention snapping back to Larth—but too late.

"Agh?"

Larth thrust ahead, his form quaking as it split into numerous ghostly silhouettes charging in a line, set to impale Adam's heart with the spear.

Sarka grinned slyly, while Valleyn tensed up, anticipating terror or alarm in Adam's eyes.

Yet… astonishingly, he revealed something utterly else.

Kaerno's eyes briefly expanded. "Oh, how curious."

Larth streaked forward in a direct path toward Adam, he and his swarm of ghost images poised to deliver a devastating strike at breakneck pace.

However, Adam's face bore only revulsion—the sort a true artist might feel toward a pathetic knockoff masquerading as the genuine article.

This intricate feeling registered instantly with everyone but Larth, too absorbed in his onslaught.

Whooooosh!

A rush of wind brought Larth face-to-face with Adam as every ghost image struck one spot. His array of spears—only one authentic—stabbed into Adam's chest just above the heart. A last-second step back spared him death.

Larth's eyes intensified as he nodded to himself.

'Perfect, Adam Vinter. I don't require a variety of skills to beat you. A single strike channeling my mark's utmost might suffices.'

Blood spurted from Adam's chest, crimson droplets suspended briefly in the air, catching Larth's smug look.

'Now you grasp our true power. You are-!'

His mind halted abruptly upon meeting Adam's stare.

'W-Why?' Larth's chest tightened, chills crawling over his flesh. 'Why does he regard me like scum?! He's merely a Phantom, isolated in these vast wastes! Hemmed in by foes alone!'

The force hurled Adam away, his back crashing against a nearby bone jutting from the soil.

A hush descended briefly. No words broke it, save the breeze and Larth's labored breaths.

Crack.

Adam stood up, squeezing the bone behind him until it snapped in his grasp.

"You…" His glare at Larth turned shadowy and threatening. "What the hell was that? Don't you feel shame displaying such trash?"

Larth swallowed hard.

"What are you even saying?"

Tap.

Adam released his hold, letting the needle drop from his fingers.

Suddenly, his aura transformed, dark mist seeping from his form.

Instantly, Larth paled. Valleyn and numerous other pillar monsters shared the shock.

"Well then."

Adam snarled while black gloves adorned with red-eyed emblems materialized on his hands.

"In that case, I won't hold back. If you're imitating something, get it right. That display was total garbage."