Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1708: Scary Scar

Sarka possessed no shame, unconcerned by the presence of Kaerno and Adam nearby. The moment Kaerno suggested entering the water, she stripped herself bare and plunged into the lake without hesitation. Kaerno merely kept his lower garments, revealing his torso, a choice Adam mirrored. While Adam could tolerate much, Sarka's boundless energy was proving to be too much for him. Soon, all four were immersed in the water, with Adam’s gaze fixed on Kaerno.

"Mr. Kaerno... would you mind explaining what that is?" Adam gestured towards a ghastly scar on Kaerno's shoulder. He wasn’t surprised to find scars on a powerful being like Kaerno; it was an expected, almost inevitable, consequence of their existence. However, Kaerno's case was peculiar. Adam mused, 'His entire body is free of any mark, save for this one. It's as if he's never faced a life-or-death confrontation, except for this instance...'

"Hmm?" Kaerno looked down at his shoulder. "Are you referring to this?" On his right shoulder was a substantial scar, etched with the imprint of seven sharp fangs and the formidable jaws of a beast that seemed capable of severing the limb and pulverizing bone. Surviving such an attack was, in itself, remarkable.

Adam nodded. "Indeed. To be frank, the mere thought of the creature that inflicted such a wound sends shivers down my spine." Strangely, Kaerno simply offered a dismissive smile and a wave of his hand. "Oh, don’t give it a second thought. That was ages ago. But you are mistaken about one thing."

"Hmm?"

Kaerno's smile widened, a sharp glint appearing in his eyes. "That scar wasn’t inflicted by some other monster or Lord. It was a Phantom, Adam. One of your own kind." Adam's expression faltered for several moments. He was aware that Phantoms capable of contending with a being like Kaerno existed within the Citadel; otherwise, the Befallen Crown would have long ago annihilated it. They certainly possessed formidable entities that could match Kaerno's strength.

But Adam couldn't comprehend one detail: "Huh? A Phantom caused that? But why does it look like a bite from fangs and jaws, not a blade or a spike? Why isn't it a burn?" Observing Adam's bewilderment, Kaerno struck the water, sending a splash across his face, seemingly snapping him back to attention. "Relax. That particular Phantom fights by your side, and it was a clean battle. I learned a great deal that day."

"Pffft!" Valleyn scoffed. "Boss, you make it sound like a mere spar. From what I understand, you were practically at death's door then." "Well, each of us has faced dozens of near-death experiences. I don't see anything particularly noteworthy about that." Sarka, typically spirited and vocal, puffed out her cheeks, fixing her gaze on Kaerno. "Tsk. If there are Phantoms in this world that can wound you, Boss, how am I ever supposed to surpass them?"

Kaerno shrugged. "Who can say? But let's set the past aside. Adam." Kaerno directed his attention back to him. "How does the water feel? You should be experiencing some relief by now." "Huh?" Adam blinked a couple of times. He had been so engrossed in the Bone Lakes, the Valley, and Kaerno's scar that he had completely forgotten his purpose for being there – to recuperate before the Grim Court. "Come to think of it..." Adam murmured, examining his hands. "Yes. I am feeling considerably better. At the Citadel, I only achieved such effects within healing pods, and even then, it was only when I was significantly weaker."

Until a Phantom reached K3-Level or higher, the Citadel's advanced technologies remained effective enough to mend even severe injuries. However, beyond that threshold, a Phantom had to resort to alternative methods. These could involve acquiring valuable resources from the Dead Lands or employing more aggressive tactics, such as consuming Regenerative Monsters. Adam himself had utilized this method on multiple occasions, which is how he had regenerated his lost arm. "But these Bone Lakes. Hah." Adam grinned. "That's an entirely different league. What exactly is in this water? Where does such potent healing power originate?" Before Kaerno could respond, Sarka provided her characteristic explanation: "Pfffft! Isn't it obvious? This water is absolutely packed with the remains of deceased monsters!"

Valleyn slapped his forehead in exasperation. "Damn it, Sarka. That's hardly the most eloquent way to put it!" "What? But it's the truth!" Kaerno halted their exchange by raising a hand and turned back to Adam. "I despise admitting it, but Sarka is correct." "I'm always right!" she declared, before Kaerno continued. "Regardless, battles are a constant occurrence in the Hollow Lands, particularly among the dormant monsters. They all yearn to shed their masks, fighting to achieve the awakened state, just like us."

"Unlike the contests held between the blade and dome pillars, these confrontations are bloody, brutal encounters, not mere sparring sessions. Consequently, the outcome is invariably the same: a victor emerges, and a life is extinguished."

Adam inclined his head, absorbing the information presented.

"I understand. So, these bone trees draw sustenance from the life force of the monsters that perish above?"

Kaerno affirmed with a nod.

"Precisely. This energy is then channeled to their roots, eventually seeping into the lakes and ponds in a perfectly refined and transmuted state. It ceases to be the decaying essence of a corpse and transforms into a pure, restorative elixir, so to speak."

He then gestured, indicating the far reaches of the Bone Lake.

"Indeed, the Bone Lakes span an area nearly equivalent to half the Hollow Lands. We are currently situated within a secure region, the portion governed by the pillars. However, in areas beyond their control, untamed monsters roam. They engage in combat mirroring the surface world, thereby providing an additional source of sustenance for the Bone Trees."

"Hah, that sounds exceptionally harsh. You reap all the rewards while others fight and meet their demise."

Kaerno spread his arms expansively.

"Such is the way of existence. We have all occupied their position at some point."

Adam gave a solemn nod, his demeanor shifting to one of greater gravity.

"Very well, it will require considerable time for me to fully recuperate, even in this sanctuary. Pray tell, inform me about the Grim Court."

A fleeting, somber glint appeared in Kaerno’s eyes.

"Certainly. I am eagerly anticipating this confrontation, you understand?"