Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1670 1670: The Big Pit

The woman stammered, "S-Secret?"

Kaerno gave a nod.

"Indeed. You must have felt it already. You've observed him from a distance all along. His aura… it feels odd, and it's not merely because he's nearing his next evolution—something more is at play here."

Actually, the woman had reached the identical realization, yet just like Kaerno, she remained puzzled about the cause.

"Could Gladius have any connection to this? If that's the case… Master Kaerno, we absolutely must ensure no harm comes to him!"

Her worry made perfect sense. The very last thing they could afford was a Phantom as powerful as Gladius unleashing fury on their pillar. Such a disaster had to be prevented no matter what.

Kaerno lifted his hand, silencing the woman immediately.

"We've aided him plenty already. Should he fail against the Pit, lose in battle, or… succumb to the Frenzied Shard, it proves he lacked the strength for this realm. The weak receive no vengeance. That much I know for certain."

His eyes shut as the wind rushed by, savoring the crisp gusts.

"Continue observing him from afar. Actually, focus your efforts on Sarka instead. Someday, that fierce little beast will match your power."

The woman bowed low.

"Y-Yes, Master Kaerno."

Her figure shivered before she disappeared.

…

Throughout much of their trek, Adam and Sarka raced to outpace one another, though they recognized when to halt the play.

As the vast gray dunes and pillars faded from sight behind them, they eased their pace. Several kilometers forward, only void stretched out—or so it appeared to them.

The Pit loomed near. Adam sensed it clearly, yet something else caught his attention too.

"Hey, Kaerno mentioned that pillars split into two kinds, with his housing his followers and underlings. So, did you choose to join Kaerno and his group?"

Sarka grinned widely while nodding.

"Yep. Initially, I had to thrash a couple of his guys, but once he witnessed my power, he welcomed me instantly!"

"Why though? Why pick his pillar? Why head to the Blade Pillar over the Dome One?"

Sarka's face abruptly grew annoyed, bordering on haughty.

"Because those guys are dull, smug jerks! Picture Larth, but amplified fivefold! That's your average beast at the dome pillars."

"Hmm?" Adam looked puzzled. "Any particular cause? Does the pillar top's form play a role?"

Kaerno hadn't brought up unique traits for the factions when explaining them.

Sarka shrugged in reply.

"Beats me? It seems the beasts craving combat and growth that route flock to Blade Pillars. Perhaps the towers make the difference—with Gray Watchers there, you overlook massive expanses, offering endless fight chances. Like the one you spotted on ours."

A scowl marred her features as she eyed the closest dome pillar.

"Those fools? They act like geniuses! Tsk, rather than battle and evolve, they cower beneath their dome, steadily gathering energy and drilling endlessly. The worst part? Potent beasts lurk among them. Damn! How do they pull that off?!"

Adam gave a nod.

"Blade pillars house fighters who seek foes via towers to grow stronger, then. Meanwhile, dome pillars operate otherwise—they gather energy, train, and stay hidden unless needed."

"Does the dome-shaped top bolster their defenses somehow?"

Teeth clenched, Sarka replied, "Absolutely. While our pillar suits Gray Watchers and scouting best, their domes form unbreakable strongholds."

All at once, Adam burst into brief laughter.

"Hahahahaha."

"Argh? What's funny about that?"

Adam shook his head.

"Nothing much. It's clear your side faces fierce rivals. Logical with just two factions around. Still, I'm relieved a Gray Watcher from your group discovered me."

"You bet. Master Kaerno shared wine with you. At a dome pillar, boredom would've killed you already!"

"Hahahahaha! You're probably correct."

Their chat might have dragged on, but chit-chat time expired.

Expressions shifting, they halted. Mere steps away lay the brink, like a stellar colossus had slashed the land asunder with a blade.

Yet this marked no conclusion to the Hollow Lands, nor the world—nowhere close.

"This the Pit, then?"

Sarka positioned herself next to him. "Yes."

Before them sprawled ruins across dozens of kilometers: skeletons of ancient slain beasts amid crumbled stone, plus relics from distant realms—toppled trees rivaling mountains, rusted sky-piercing spires now dust-shrouded, giant mirrors beside colossal arms embedded in earth.

Where Tarnished Lands formed sprawling shanties of Dead Lands teeming with perils and beasts, this spot—as its title implied—formed a colossal chasm amassing all the world's vanished treasures.

Step.

Sarka advanced to the precipice's lip. Bits of sand and stones tumbled down the sheer incline.

"Years back, right here, I claimed my Hollow Mark. After that, I battled relentlessly till I claimed a Fang rank."

Adam surveyed the Pit without spotting anything special. Scarcely anything ordinary existed there, though.

"No Frenzied Shards visible right now, I assume?"

A smirk played on Sarka's lips.

"Naturally not. Think it's simple? Let's go—we need to draw them out."

"Agh?"

Ignoring his surprise, Sarka leaped from the ledge, forcing his hand.

'Fine, better than perishing to your queen's blood. Gotta move fast!'