Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1691 1691: The Wrong Mark (Part 1)

The Dark Knight stood as a mighty foe, leaving both Adam and Loargh unsure about which strikes would land on him.

Yet Sarka's furious onslaught against him turned out devastatingly successful.

Who can say?

Perhaps if Sarka possessed greater endurance and the Dark Knight was already debilitated, the clash might have wrapped up mere moments earlier.

Her talons shredded much of his armor, laying bare his gore-soaked, laceration-filled torso—though the helmet held the utmost significance.

Curiously, beneath the Dark Knight's helmet lurked no horrifying monster's maw, but the visage of an awakened being, much like Loargh, Vyora, Sarka, and countless others.

His countenance matched the battle-hardened warrior perfectly: chiseled, commanding features paired with profound, exhausted eyes brimming with unyielding resolve for his purpose, all framed by a grim smirk.

Scarlet blood drenched portions of his ebony hair. The jagged locks adhered to his brow as the crimson fluid seeped between his dark eyes, now ignited by an amber blaze.

Loargh had believed in their victory from the battle's outset.

Tough spots arose when the Dark Knight countered their most potent techniques, but step by step, triumph loomed closer.

Strike followed strike, injury piled on injury, alongside skills that sapped the Dark Knight's strength.

This unfolded just as Loargh anticipated in a showdown with such a formidable guardian of one of the biggest Frenzied Shards he'd encountered.

No trace of dread showed in his stare. He understood the Dark Knight's downfall was inevitable.

Yet… one shift drained all color from Loargh's face.

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

Reality quivered, distorting near the Dark Knight's blade. The metallic scabbard crumbled away, unveiling its genuine amber edge.

Furthermore, the weapon pulsed with the intense force of the Frenzied Shard, as though forged straight from such a crystal.

"N-No… How is this possible?"

Vyora's words shook as her eyes widened in shock.

All of them fixed their gaze on the symbol etched into the blade. Like denizens of the Hollow Lands, they recognized the Hollow Mark's appearance.

In an instant, they comprehended the Hollow Mark adorned this sword.

Adam alone hadn't yet fathomed the threat's full scope.

He spotted the Hollow Mark too, yet one detail baffled him.

'Hold on… If he bears the Hollow Mark already, why chase this Frenzied Shard? He could've claimed it or another ages ago, rather than serving as its watchman.'

But moments later, Adam detected another anomaly that gripped his heart in terror.

'Wait, wait, wait. Why in blazes does his Hollow Mark sit on the sword instead of his flesh?'

He glanced at Loargh, Vyora, and Sarka, recalling how every Hollow Mark bearer displayed it on their form—be it shoulder, torso, spine, or elsewhere.

Their ashen expressions hit him then. Loargh's look impacted him deepest.

Loargh balled his fists hard, veins throbbing across his face as though channeling every ounce to suppress panic.

"Agh, looks like you never saw this coming?"

The Dark Knight rubbed his temple, shaking his head deliberately.

"Can't fault you there. Encountering an idiot like me these days, just six years shy of the World Wipe. Heh, what a novelty."

A weird sensation washed over Adam.

The Dark Knight lay grievously hurt and blood-drenched, yet he'd unveiled staggering might.

What nagged at Adam was the enemy's demeanor in speaking.

'No haste to strike, no rage whatsoever. Zero sign of loss in his gaze. Meanwhile...' Adam eyed Loargh, Sarka, and Vyora. 'These three shake in terror, and I can't fathom the reason!'

Step.

Adam advanced. He sensed a dire, crucial shift had befallen their group, though its nature eluded him.

"Loargh, why stare at him so? What's the issue with that sword?"

But Loargh offered no explanation, uttering just:

"That's irrelevant now. Damn it! Adam, we need to flee—immediately!"

His gaze flicked wildly, seeking any rift or shadow's weakness in the gloom. He craved an opening.

'My pace can carry us away! Just spot the path!'

"Hah, he's clearly plotting an escape."

The Dark Knight shrugged carelessly.

"Relax. I'll explain their terror. It'd be unfair to battle on without grasping the peril."

Whoooosh.

The Dark Knight lifted his sword, directing it toward the edge.

"Look here, my sword bears the Hollow Mark, yet I possess none myself. No trace whatsoever of the Frenzied Shard's energy exists anywhere on my body."

His fingers traced the blade's keen edge.

"Truth be told, Adam, I could've claimed the Hollow Mark ages ago to join the Fangs. You'd never dispute my strength qualifies, even sans my sword."

Adam nodded in agreement. He and his companions had witnessed the Dark Knight's formidable power up close. Few Elders or Fangs could match him in single combat.

"Why?" Adam's fists clenched even harder. "Why reject the Hollow Mark despite the opportunity?"

"Quite straightforward." The Dark Knight's eyes deepened intensely. "I allowed my sword to devour the prior Frenzied Shard. This lets me harness such immense power without the Hollow Mark on me."

The Dark Knight then aimed his sword straight at Adam.

"I seek to claim two Hollow Marks simultaneously and surge directly into Thorn Rank. That's my sole objective."