Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1667 1667: Frenzied Shards (Part 1)

"Frenzied Shards?" Adam blinked several times in confusion.

Kaerno nodded.

"With a few rare exceptions, these are what allow the monsters here to gain our unique power, the Hollow Mark. If you want to take part in the battle at the Hail Passages, you need to find these shards. To do that, you need to go to the Pit."

Scratch. Scratch. Scratch.

"You know, you seem to be explaining everything clearly, but I still don't understand a thing. Why is everything so complicated and confusing? Why can't I just go out and fight someone strong and leave this place?"

Kaerno waved his hand dismissively.

"Because there's no place for a mere monster at the Hail Passage. They can come here as spectators, sure, but not as fighters aspiring to become one of the Fangs, if we're talking about that level."

A few moments later, Adam rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"I think I'm starting to get it. To participate in a battle at the Hail Passage, a monster must have the Hollow Mark, and you can only get them through these Frenzied Shards?"

A light appeared in Adam's eyes. He hoped he had finally figured out how everything worked here.

But when he looked up at Kaerno, the light faded away.

"Not quite, but you're close." Kaerno shook his head. "The Hollow Mark isn't a prerequisite for participating in the battle. Though it's worth acknowledging that here, in the Hollow Lands, if you don't have a mark, you have, to put it mildly, little chance of becoming a Fang."

Then, he pointed at the maids.

"They don't have the Hollow Marks, but each of them is a capable warrior. They were at the Pit and returned from there alive. They interacted with the Frenzied Shards but failed to create their Hollow Marks. Perhaps one of them will take that risk again, and this time they'll be luckier, who knows?

"The point is, since they withstood the energy of the Frenzied Shards, they're worthy of fighting at the Hail Passage. Sure, with their level of power and without the Hollow Marks, they don't stand a chance against someone like Larth, someone who's ready to become the next Fang. But they can fight in the arena, unlike you."

Adam nodded, pondering his words.

"I see. So it all starts with the Pit and these Frenzied Shards? If I find one and withstand its energy, then I'll be able to take part in the arena battle, right?"

Kaerno smirked.

"Yes. But don't think it'll be that easy. Many who go to the Pit suffer critical wounds or die. Others return empty-handed. Those who manage to find the Frenzied Shards often can't handle their power and fall into wild madness. Obviously, nothing good awaits them. Sooner or later, someone will put an end to their rampage.

"There are only two positive outcomes. The first is a case that happened with my maids. They found a Frenzied Shard, were able to withstand its power, but they couldn't transform that energy and desire into something greater. They couldn't obtain a Hollow Mark. The second is that you get a Hollow Mark. A long time ago, this exact scenario happened with Larth."

After listening to him, Adam shook his head with a bitter smile.

"Come on, you don't need to scare me like that. All you had to do was tell me to find the Frenzied Shards and deal with their energy. I won't get the Hollow Mark, but I'll get permission to fight in the arena. Have I understood everything correctly?"

Kaerno rested his head on his hand.

"Unlike the monsters living here, this is new information for you. The others and I know about this, but you don't, which is why I explained everything to you in detail. You won't get the Hollow Mark, that's true, but I think even for you, the Frenzied Shards might prove useful."

"Wait… I understand what my goal is, but let's say I find a Frenzied Shard and withstand its energy. How will you and the other monsters know that this has happened? How do you know that your maids had successful contact with the Frenzied Shards?"

In response, Kaerno waved his hand dismissively.

"It's very simple. It's all about its energy. It's not a separate energy type like Ancient Energy or Dark Energy, but it leaves a mark on your aura, forever. I think you felt something unusual when you first saw Larth's Hollow Mark, didn't you?"

Adam nodded, recalling the events of their first meeting.

At that very moment, Kaerno raised his hand, giving an order to the maids.

"Show him this."

Without hesitation, all four maids released their auras. The multicolored lights filled the hall as Adam's eyes turned toward their flames.

With difficulty, but he saw how rare flows trembled within their auras even though the maids remained calm. They didn't even open their eyes, simply carrying out their master's order.

"Yeah, this power is as if they have a tiny fraction of the energy that might only be accessible to them in the future when they become stronger. I sensed something similar from Larth's mark, but in his case it was far stronger."

Kaerno lowered his hand as the maids withdrew their auras.

"That's the whole point. If any of them could match Larth, they wouldn't just receive a Hollow Mark, they'd become a Fang."

Adam leaned back in his chair, watching the slowly swaying chandelier.

"There's a hierarchy everywhere, but here, in the Hollow Lands, you've delved into this matter with particular interest, right?"

He noted before looking at the maids.

"The Black Threat monsters, the Elders, those who withstood the Frenzied Shard's power, those who received the Hollow Mark, and ultimately those who became a Fang… You know, all of this sounds like a huge pile of bullshit!"

The two maids opened their eyes wide, exchanging glances. They couldn't believe anyone was speaking to their master in such a tone.

"Hahahahaha!" Kaerno laughed out loud. "I didn't come up with all this! Though there is some truth in what you say."

Then, a gleam flashed across his eyes.

"But, I think it's time to talk about the Pit. I have an interesting proposal for you."

"Hmm?"