Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1674 1674: Flower is not a problem

Frenzied Shards chose their protectors using just one standard: pure power.

Indeed, the frailer minions moved quicker than others, since their job involved scouting far-off lands, yet in the end, those servants needed the ability to shield the Frenzied Shard from all dangers.

This could explain why the second servant varied so much from the initial one.

Near the enormous clock loomed a huge carnivorous bloom, its lengthy thorny tendrils twitching like tentacles. The bloom's crown formed a sealed bud of five crimson petals, stretched long with razor edges. A soft amber glow pulsed from its core, mirroring the light in the first servant's gaze.

Yet what truly startled Adam wasn't merely the enormous plant, but over a dozen mobile roots positioned beside the second servant. Every root boasted a humanoid shape, extended limbs and legs, plus a head shaped like an unfurled violet blossom ringed by thorny petals.

Adam squinted, fixing his gaze on a particular animated root. A weak amber fire flickered in its torso, akin to the second servant's, though pale and subdued.

"Hold on. Are they linked to the Frenzied Shard as well? All of them?"

Sarka folded her arms across her chest.

"Everything revolves around that massive carnivorous bloom. Eliminate it, and its underlings will collapse. Anyway, to reach the Frenzied Shard, we must take out every servant."

Right after her statement, Adam gestured toward the first servant.

"And what of this guy?"

Sarka narrowed her eyes, making the first servant shrink back in terror. He retreated a step, disregarding the agony in his shattered leg.

"In other circumstances, I'd have finished him off ages ago, but since I'm aiding you, I'll honor my promise."

Her stare bored into the first servant.

"Scram and stay gone. Show your face again, and I won't tear your arm—I'll take your head!"

No second warning was needed for the first servant. Instantly, his form quivered, and he vanished into the distance.

Adam dropped low, observing the second servant. The colossal bloom swayed its crown side to side, braced for attacks from any angle.

"You're not thinking of questioning this servant too, are you?"

Sarka flashed a sly grin.

"You know, I might, but it probably won't be required."

"How come?"

"Frenzied Shards seldom possess over three servants. Extra minions demand more energy from the Frenzied Shard to sustain them. Thus, three marks the usual limit. Given the first one's solid strength and this one's formidable look, I'm certain."

Astonishment crossed Adam's features.

"Didn't you drop the first one with only a handful of strikes?"

"Ha, I'm simply overpowering! Still, I'll concede others could struggle against him!"

Adam gave a wry smile. "Got it. So we just shred this bloom apart? How do we pinpoint the Frenzied Shard's location?"

Sarka responded with a broad grin.

"That's precisely it! If my guess holds and this is the second out of three—and I'm never wrong—the Frenzied Shard hides close by. Once the bloom releases the shard's energy, we'll detect its path."

"Sure, but it won't be just the Frenzied Shard waiting, will it?"

Sarka nodded firmly.

"The third servant will guard it. I wish I could claim an easy win, but no such luck. Beyond this beast's might, we each outmatch any servant, lacking Hollow Marks or even Fang rank."

"Does it boil down to the Frenzied Shard's power?"

"Naturally. Hard to put into words, but… it's this eerie, elusive sensation. Like glimpsing your future self and seizing strength beyond your current grasp."

Crunch.

Adam cracked his knuckles, loosening up for the clash.

"Do we strike from afar or rush in?"

"The second option. I bet you pack destructive blows like mine, but I'd rather not attract notice."

"Eh?" Adam blinked. "Because of the Frenzied Shard?"

"Exactly. They're perilous, with low odds of gaining a Hollow Mark, yet invaluable prizes. Plus, monsters chase Frenzied Shards post-Hollow Mark for boosts—the shard's effect reshapes your aura toward superior might."

Regardless of the risks or difficulty in claiming such a prize, it remained a prize, drawing inevitable hunters.

"Enough chatter. Time to fight."

"Fine by me. Combat's my specialty."

"Hah, we share that trait."

Blue flames erupted from Sarka's hands and shoulders while a shadowy aura cloaked Adam.

As his black needle materialized in his grip, both their bodies shivered.

With blistering speed, they surged ahead, black and blue streaks slicing over the drab ground, weaving past crumbled pillars, barreling toward the golden clock.

Within an instant, the second servant detected their presences.

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

Its petals quaked as the second servant unfurled its bud in a horrifying bellow:

SSSSSSSCCCCCCRRRRRRHHHOOOO!!!!

A mix of savage beast roar and soul-piercing wail from a specter.

Adam scowled but pressed on.

The animated roots mobilized too. No more idle like statues, they lunged forth, eager to battle the intruders despite the glaring power gap.

Adam eyed them briefly, then locked onto the massive bloom.

'Those tendrils first. My needle lets me handle them quicker than Sarka.'

He prepared to leap, yet something halted him, drawing his gaze skyward. Sarka and nearby monsters reacted identically.

"What the…?"

A flaming meteorite mirrored in Adam's stunned eyes, swelling bigger with each second as it hurtled downward.