Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1679 1679: Sword Wall

The second servant proved far stronger than the initial one. This outcome matched precisely what Sarka had anticipated, offering the optimal means to pinpoint the location of the final servant.

Step.

Loargh advanced forward. Swirls of ash from the scorched living roots drifted about him, yet his stare remained locked entirely on the amber energy streams gradually flowing from the debris of the enormous flower.

"So, are we simply going to track the trail?" Adam questioned, drawing near. Sarka and Vyora trailed behind him. Left to their own choices, they would have clashed right then and there.

Loargh nodded. "Yes. But even upon facing the third servant, caution is essential. We cannot allow the final servant to monopolize our focus."

"Hmm?" Adam looked puzzled. "Why?"

Vyora positioned herself to his left.

"Because our foe won't just be the third servant, but the Frenzied Shard itself. Remember, every servant pulls power straight from the shard, and without servants, countless monsters couldn't endure its influence."

"That's not everything." Sarka flicked her hand casually. "Likely, once the Frenzied Shard senses our strength and our intent to claim victory, it will pour all the power from the first and second servants into the third."

Adam nodded thoughtfully, his expression deep in contemplation.

Despite the cautions, he perceived no real danger.

What did it matter how powerful the third servant became, even if there were originally four?

Three were the Fangs, the mightiest Elders of the Hollow Lands, and Adam lagged not far behind—after all, he had vanquished Larth, another Fang.

"We need to press onward." Adam peered into the horizon, his blue eyes darkening intensely. "I yearn to behold the Frenzied Shard. I crave to grasp what granted you such extraordinary might."

Vyora grinned slyly while sweeping her hair back with one hand.

"Hah, don't envy us! It's hardly our doing that you're human, with power like that forever out of grasp."

"No."

Adam's icy tone spun Vyora around.

"Monsters and humans share more similarities than you think. At Lord Level, you even gain a personal weapon. Yet one thing you'll never possess."

He pressed his hand to his chest, eyes boring into Vyora.

"Ultimately, you'll stand isolated, but not I, for I possess my eternal companion."

A chill coursed through Vyora's frame as she gnawed her lip.

"Pfffft! I trust in myself and my strength! That suffices to crush any foe."

Slap!

Sarka smacked Adam's back with a wide smile.

"Well done. Whenever that wench gets riled, it lifts my spirits!"

"Argh?" Vyora gritted her teeth furiously. "What did you say? You're merely a savage beast who lucked into power!"

Before their spat could boil over, Loargh intervened.

"Easy now. No cause for battle among us. After we topple our shared adversary and sap the Frenzied Shard's might, we'll settle the treasure's ownership via fair duel, per our prior pact."

"Tsk. My tolerance has limits!" Vyora stomped, whirled about, and marched toward the amber stream. One more instant beside Sarka, and she'd lash out.

Sarka responded by mocking her with a tongue stuck out.

Loargh showed no reaction and pursued Vyora. It appeared he foresaw this exact friction between them, whether in the Hollow Lands or the Pit.

'How peculiar,' Adam observed. 'In other realms, these two would have ripped each other apart ages ago. The local factions being rivals, not outright foes—that holds true, doesn't it?'

Step. Step. Step.

They proceeded steadily for some time, at an easy pace. The amber radiance from the second servant glowed dimly yet consistently. With persistence, they'd soon uncover the third servant's position.

The golden clock and meteorite crater lay far astern, though the clock's immense scale kept it visible afar.

Crunch.

A brittle concrete chunk shattered beneath Adam's foot as they halted at the cliff's brink.

The amber stream mirrored in Adam's eyes while his sight traced it ahead until it stopped.

"Wait… You don't mean that-?"

Loargh nodded gravely, hands clasped behind. "Indeed. We must head straight there."

All four eyed the colossal swords plunged into the earth, encircling tightly like an arena. Each bore age's marks, dust cloaking their hilts. Some edges were notched, others fully corroded.

Though matching the golden clock in scale, their multitude overlapped seamlessly, sealing off any entry for outsiders.

"Precisely where the third servant lurks."

While Loargh stayed composed, Vyora scowled deeply.

"Damn. Is that the Frenzied Shard's lair? This wasn't in my plans!"

"Lair? What's that?"

Sarka gestured dismissively. "Chill. Nothing scary here. Frenzied Shards vary in strength, some mighty, some feeble—no shock there."

"That…" Loargh faltered. "That's an extreme understatement. Adam, a 'lair' type signals a formidable Frenzied Shard, potent enough to forge its own fortress or arena. Each shard crafts it uniquely."

Adam blinked, scanning about. The amber path pointed directly at the sword barrier.

"So normally, they just rest amid rubble or in some cavern nook, not erecting a massive sword wall?"

"Precisely. Ordinary Frenzied Shards lack such capability."

"Hah."

Adam rested hands on hips.

"Does that imply the third servant outpowers others at its tier?"

"Regrettably, yes." Loargh conceded.

"Hah!"

Sarka crowed gleefully, clapping Adam's shoulder.

"Perfect! Let's charge in! We'll smash that fiend!"