Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1683 1683: Sword Field (Part 1)

They faced no obstacles in converting this field into a deadly ambush. The Dark Knight or the Frenzied Shard might have bided their time until Adam and his companions crossed the single pathway, then unleashing their utmost strength against them.

Indeed, the fight might not have concluded right then, yet with the foes holding the upper hand, at least one member of their team—be it Adam or another—would surely have suffered injuries.

Yet the Dark Knight took no such action. He stayed put, anticipating their arrival. He knew they would eventually reach this spot, driven by their need for the Frenzied Shard, much like every creature in the Pit.

All craved a piece of that immense power, though only a handful ever claimed it.

At times, the Frenzied Shard proved the toughest ordeal itself, the ultimate test that could break the spirit of any who sought to seize it.

However, that wasn't happening here. For these four, the greatest challenge lay with the third servant, and the Dark Knight's overwhelming aura signaled this unmistakably.

"Prepare for combat!" Loargh shouted, sweeping his arm wide. "Every bit of energy from this shard and the prior servants now surges within this knight! Never drop your vigilance, not even for an instant!"

Flames swirled fiercely around Vyora as Sarka mirrored her. None had activated their Hollow Mark so far. First, they needed to gauge the enemy's strength and abilities.

Something peculiar in the Dark Knight's aura fluctuations drew Adam's sharp attention as he observed closely.

'What's your take? Just how powerful is this guy?'

Through Adam's inner space, the Silver Weaver fixed a piercing gaze on the Dark Knight.

'Stay on high alert. His aura... it far exceeds what his power level should allow.'

The Silver Weaver went on:

'I vividly recall your clash with that towering fellow—Larth, wasn't it? Right, him. Like those other two scum, he held Fang status. From all we know, this knight isn't a Fang, yet… his aura dwarfs Larth's by a wide margin.'

Adam had picked up on that anomaly too.

'Like Kaerno pointed out, ranks mean little. True power is what counts. Even so, if his aura rivals Fang-rank beasts… why hasn't he earned his Hollow Mark?'

Doubts swirled. Every one of them harbored a storm of questions.

Yet time to unravel them all was a luxury they lacked.

Rattle. Rattle. Rattle.

The Dark Knight rose gradually amid the metallic clamor of his armor, yanking his sword free from the earth. Even upright, his cape dragged endlessly, shrouding the entire field.

Loargh, Vyora, and Sarka snapped into fighting positions at once. Loargh and Sarka took the forefront, with Vyora holding the rear.

Having clashed repeatedly in past battles, they perfectly understood each other's roles in the formation.

"You…" A rasping voice echoed from the Dark Knight, dark mist seeping from his helm. "You arrived fully aware of the peril ahead. Such courage borders on recklessness."

"Agh?" Adam blinked in surprise. "He speaks?"

This shouldn't have shocked him for a beast of such might under normal circumstances. The earlier two servants, however, had remained mute. They weren't awakened monsters.

'He resembles Loargh, Sarka, Vyora, and their kind far more than those prior servants. Among the three, he stands as the sole awakened one. Yet… why pick servitude here over consuming a lesser Frenzied Shard, gaining a Hollow Mark, and aligning with a pillar?'

In his time within the Hollow Lands, Adam had grasped the local hierarchy.

Achieving Fang status brought a monster vast privileges. It towered above Thorns and Fingers, and soared even higher over other Elders, Black Threat Monsters, and the frail.

'He pursues a hidden purpose.' Adam's brow furrowed intensely.

This realization chilled Adam more than any prior threat.

'He deliberately guards this specific Frenzied Shard. For whatever motive, it promises him more than the Fang rank his strength demands...'

Truth be told, Adam misjudged slightly.

The Dark Knight required the Hollow Mark to claim Fang rank. But judging purely by raw power, Adam's assessment held true.

Loargh appeared to have reached the same conclusion.

"Declare your name! Why delay absorbing this shard? You possess the strength for it!"

For a prolonged moment, the Dark Knight stood motionless before pivoting toward Loargh.

"I reveal my name solely to allies or peers. You qualify as neither."

Glancing over his shoulder, he gazed at the Frenzied Shard. Occasionally, the amber stone quivered. Though the three Fangs and the mysterious Phantom posed a massive threat, it harbored no desire to flee. The Frenzied Shard trusted its servant to defend it.

"I made a contract, and I will fulfill it. I always keep my word."

Loargh was about to speak more, but the Dark Knight's raised sword silenced him.

"Enough, the young Fangs and… a guest from distant lands. You came here to fight and take the Frenzied Shard. I will not let you do that."

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

Suddenly, darkness erupted from his sword, surging upward into the void.

"But I must warn you." He caressed the black flowers. "The only way out of here is to become graves among these beautiful, yet lonely flowers."

Vyora whipped around sharply as a colossal shape flashed in her eyes.

The enormous special giant sword, equal in size to the others, plummeted from the heavens, crashing between the two ruined swords and sealing the sole entrance and exit with its ebony blade.

She swallowed nervously, spotting their group's reflection in the razor-sharp edge.

"Hah."

Loargh grinned as white lightning bolts crackled across his body.

"No need to scare us. This is a 1 vs. 4 fight! You don't stand a chance!"

The Dark Knight aimed his sword at Loargh.

"We'll see."