Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1713 1713: Invite Him (Part 1)

Narha and Batar were not the sole unranked monsters possessing sufficient power to join the Grim Court and overcome many of the Fangs.

Presently, following the declaration that Adam awaited his challenger at the Grim Court, a multitude of confrontations were erupting across the Hollow Lands.

Admittedly, in comparison to the vast numbers of Elders and Black Threat Level monsters, there were few combatants on the level of Batar and Narha. Nevertheless, they were not unique.

As Kaerno had articulated, these unranked monsters were divided into various classifications, each with distinct reasons for their lack of an official rank. In his estimation, one of these categories stood notably above the rest.

Only the most conceited, self-assured individuals would expose the full capabilities of the monsters residing in the Hollow Lands to a Phantom, precisely like themselves, who had journeyed from the Citadel.

One such monster now stirred, suspended by a weighty chain.

"Hehehe."

The young woman, adorned with long brown hair and captivating amber eyes, let out a soft giggle. She detected the subtle vibrations of two distant auras.

Whooooosh!

With a leap, she detached herself from the chain. In buoyant spirits, she sprang towards the staircase that traced the wall's perimeter, heading directly for an unassuming door.

The door swung open as the girl emerged, her gaze sweeping across the deserted corridor. This place at the summit of the pillar had always been this way.

"Hey." A deep, resonant voice emanated from the side, prompting the girl to turn.

A woman of middle age stood partially obscured by shadows, resting against the wall. She was clad in a brief white robe that ended as abruptly as her short-cropped hair.

"The boss requested I ensure you were informed of everything. Have you received the latest intelligence?"

The girl lightly touched her lips, tilting her head.

"Adam Vinter has arrived within our domain. Given the recent surge of auras in this vicinity, something significant must have transpired, correct?" she inquired.

The woman nodded firmly, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Kelya, Adam Vinter shall be participating in the Grim Court. Master Kaerno has made the announcement. As far as we understand, Adam Vinter is currently situated at the Bone Lakes, recuperating and making preparations for the contest."

Kelya's eyes blinked several times.

"Did Master Kaerno remain with him?"

The woman gave another deep nod.

"That is correct."

Instantly, Kelya's cheeks puffed out, her expression reflecting clear displeasure.

"Tsk. So, I will be unable to descend and spring an ambush upon him beforehand. How vexing."

The woman cast a discerning glance her way.

"What are your intentions moving forward? The boss surmises you will not forgo such a golden opportunity, despite your earlier assertion that the Grim Court matches up to the Lord Level are merely a waste of valuable time. Is this accurate?"

Kelya responded with a smirk. "Well, were it merely some unranked monster akin to myself, I would likely remain confined to my chambers. However… given that it is Adam Vinter himself, I find I simply cannot let this event pass me by."

"Hmm? Do you harbor such a strong desire to vanquish him?"

Kelya took a few deliberate steps forward, her head bobbing subtly to an internal rhythm.

"Not precisely. I cannot permit anyone else to claim the triumph over him that rightfully belongs to me. Although you have imparted this information, it seems you still fail to grasp its true significance, do you not?"

The woman found herself momentarily speechless. She struggled to recall the last instance Kelya had exhibited such behavior.

'She… Could she be serious? But what exactly is she referring to?'

Click.

Kelya snapped her fingers, and in the blink of an eye, she stood directly before the woman.

"We do not regard the Fang rank as something particularly special or worthy of our consideration. If it were, we would have engaged in combat at the Grim Court ages ago and secured that designation for ourselves. After all, it is hardly a secret that our strength surpasses that of most Fangs."

The woman narrowed her eyes.

"And? How does the act of defeating Adam Vinter differ from achieving Fang status through more conventional pathways?"

In a sudden shift, Kelya's composed demeanor fractured, replaced by a wild glint in her amber eyes, accompanied by a smile radiating sheer delight.

"In every conceivable way. Scarcely any among us will attain the Lord Level before the impending World Wipe, and the same holds true for the Phantoms residing here. Most assuredly, the confrontation with Adam Vinter represents the sole significant battle awaiting us, rendering the stakes exceptionally clear."

She moistened her lips, anticipating a packed arena and a fierce, bloody engagement.

"Whoever emerges victorious against Adam Vinter shall ascend to become the paramount among us. The victor's ideology will be enshrined as the dominant and supreme doctrine."

A shiver coursed through the woman. Despite her elevated standing within their hierarchy, subordinate to their Finger, she invariably felt a profound chill whenever Kelya adopted such a fervent state.

"I comprehend. This represents an unparalleled opportunity: either you triumph over Adam Vinter, or you forfeit this chance indefinitely. There exists no alternative."

"Precisely!" Kelya exclaimed with evident joy. "You have finally grasped the essence of it!"

Whoooosh!

Kelya executed a sharp turn, her expression transforming once more, now conveying an aura of coldness and grim determination, saturated with malice and cruelty.

"Tsk." She started gnawing on her nails, a grimace of dread on her face. "But, as long as there are others who fancy themselves worthy of confronting Adam Vinter, I won't be alone in my pursuit of that position!"

Trembling. Trembling. Trembling.

Kelya's imposing aura quivered, emanating amber lightning that coalesced into magnificent wings.

In an instant, she burst forth from the blade pillar, her trajectory aimed eastward.

Batar and Narha occupied the opposing direction.

Kelya detected their presences first, as they ranked among the most formidable monsters she was acquainted with. However, her current objective was to eliminate the lesser, unranked monsters who might impede her progress when the time came for the Grim Court's commencement.

She resolved to deal with the weaker threats beforehand. Although their auras weren't as radiant as Batar and Narha's, she could distinctly perceive each one – every single one of her rivals.

The woman observing this spectacle from the periphery could only offer a resigned shake of her head.

"Sigh. I cannot fathom Kaerno's intentions, but I pray Kelya proves to be the most significant complication in today's Grim Court. He… He ought not to venture any deeper."

She cast a final glance at the distant amber streak and then proceeded towards her chambers. Her task here was concluded, and a comparable situation was unfolding at numerous other pillars, each hosting at least one unranked monster.