Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1693 1693: Weapon Transformation

Hollow Marks enabled monsters to shift into battle forms, bestowing fresh powers and capabilities upon them.

This power wasn't invincible by any means, yet without her Hollow Mark, Sarka could never have inflicted such heavy damage on the Dark Knight. Under no other conditions could she have made even the slightest advance in the strength required for that feat.

Maybe only beasts like Vyora, armed with their ultimate aces, might pull off something comparable, though it seemed improbable since even her strike powered by the Hollow Mark failed to truly harm the Dark Knight.

However, the Dark Knight himself lacked a Hollow Mark—his sword possessed one.

At this moment, the sword had triggered its Hollow Mark at the Dark Knight's command.

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

A mighty burst of amber energy erupted, fierce winds howling alongside it.

"Damn it!" Loargh yelled, throwing up his hands to shield himself. "We gotta figure out an escape from this place, or he'll slaughter us all!"

"B-But!" Vyora's voice quivered while she gaped at the Dark Knight, his figure wrapped in an amber glow. "There's no escape from here! You know it too!"

Sarka alone refused to yield to defeat. Gritting her teeth, she struggled to stand firm.

Nevertheless, exhaustion and deeper injuries plagued her more than the rest.

As the Dark Knight now released his sword's full might, their predicament turned grimmer than ever.

His black eyes, revealing their natural hue, gleamed through the dense amber blaze as the Dark Knight grinned.

"No need to fret. You battled fiercely. Sadly for you, you've encountered a foe far beyond your league. Eventually, most fighters reach this grim end!"

FLASH!

In a dazzling flash, his sword's blade expanded, mimicking a massive spearhead with its wide edges tapering to a lengthy guard that curved sharply at the end.

The hilt extended, featuring a pointed end and solid foundation, allowing the Dark Knight to swing it freely with one or both hands.

This Hollow Mark belonged not to the Dark Knight, leaving him without rightful access to its strength.

Yet his sword couldn't halt the process. For ages, the Dark Knight persevered until both attained their aims.

Whooooooosh!

A torrent of potent energy surged as the amber flames cloaked the Dark Knight, crafting multiple fiery rings: one atop his neck and shoulders, three per arm, two per leg, and a massive one spanning his back.

No longer did the wild glow from the Frenzied Shard flicker in his eyes, and valid causes explained this shift.

SLASH!

A casual hand swipe from the Dark Knight birthed an amber edge that severed the unseen energy link forever binding him to the Frenzied Shard.

"I'm sure you grasp that once I claim the power from these four, you're next on my list!"

A pleased grin lit the Dark Knight's face as he surveyed the area, the Frenzied Shard quaking in his wake—not from rage, but sheer terror and despair.

Stripped of its loyal servant, the Frenzied Shard faced woes far graver than mere abandonment.

"Agh…" His eyes scanned the peaks of the colossal swords. "Good luck finding defenders bold enough to rush here for you. Ha, time won't be on your side anyway."

Shaking his head, the Dark Knight advanced.

Calmly and steadily, he closed in on Adam and his companions, his smile brimming with assurance and eyes calm as still water.

Terror clutched their hearts—he felt it keenly—yet he refrained from taunting them.

Victory was already his, the Dark Knight knew, satisfying his spirit completely.

"Before we start, one thing intrigues me."

Loargh scowled. "What do you mean?"

His sword thrust toward them from the Dark Knight.

"Will you resist, or just stand there for the kill? No fight from you, and I swear—it'll be swift."

STOMP!

The ground quaked as Sarka slammed her foot down.

"SHUT UP! Want me dead? Beat me fair first, you scum! Rules apply to all! We're monsters!"

Adam caught the Dark Knight's glance. "Well, not everyone here, but I see your drift. Seems the others side with you."

His gaze sharpened.

"Fine then. No whining later about my warning."

Step.

Forward lunged the Dark Knight, his velocity this time eclipsing all prior displays.

Not every ounce of the sword's might flowed to him, yet the amber blaze amplified his prowess ingeniously.

Whoooooooosh!

Instantly, he materialized before Sarka, a subtle smile playing on his lips.

"Argh…?"

Disbelief widened Sarka's eyes.

Instinct drove her to retreat a step—proximity to him spelled peril.

SWING!

With his face remaining stoic, the Dark Knight slashed his blade upward, eyes locked on Sarka's stunned expression that rapidly contorted in burning agony.

Severed from her body, her right arm spun aside, splattering blood over the dirt and parched grass.

'H-How? I barely noticed anything!' Sarka cried out in her mind as the Dark Knight advanced with yet another step.

His fist balled up hard while he bent forward.

'Wait… So now he's using the power he was supposed to have from the Hollow Mark in the first place?'

Yet Sarka lacked the moment to reflect, for the Dark Knight's fist barreled right toward her.

Desperately, at the final instant, she shoved her left arm out to fend off the blow.

'Tsk! Try to beat me with just that! I've withstood punches far stronger than these!' Sarka roared inside her head.

Crackle!

Right then, a crackling noise erupted, chased by the gruesome snap of breaking bones.

Sarka's eyes bulged wide as her arm warped into an unnatural bend, flesh and skin splitting open.

'He… He broke my arm?'

Whoooooosh!

Hurled sideways by the force, Sarka crashed back-first into the sword wall.

The Dark Knight nodded before pivoting toward the others.

"So? Who's next?"