Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1728 1728: The Second Fighter

Zin was a notorious monster within the Hollow Lands, held in a peculiar regard by other Black Threat Level monsters like himself.

They were all considered rivals, each vying for dominance. These included the Elders, the Fangs, and the unranked monsters, who often surpassed the rest in power. However… Zin had ascended so far above them that, over time, a sense of unworthiness began to creep into the minds of others, making them feel incapable of achieving greater strength.

This phenomenon, whether among humans or monsters, was strikingly similar.

Sarka and the other Fangs could reasonably accept the existence of monsters stronger than themselves in the Hollow Lands, or that they weren't the absolute strongest Fangs. They understood this reality and felt it was something they could work towards improving.

But… Whenever Sarka or any other monster uttered Zin's name, an immediate silence would fall upon the group.

His immense power was recognized by all, yet its true extent remained a mystery. While no one dared to provoke his ire, the burning question persisted: could they ever hope to surpass Zin?

Therefore, should Zin meet defeat at today's Grim Court, it would undoubtedly herald the dawn of a new era for every Black Threat Level monster.

Sarka was no exception.

"Well, well, what dark aspirations you harbor," Kaerno chuckled, his fingers tracing his jawline. "But your desire for this outcome stems from more than just practical considerations, doesn't it?"

Step.

Sarka gracefully rose, emerging from the water. Her nakedness was irrelevant; all that mattered now was her gaze, which intensified with every passing second, growing increasingly malevolent.

"I wish to witness his downfall, for the spectacle will be magnificent. It will eclipse the fall of a star, as in this instance, the abyss itself shall plummet."

Kaerno smirked. "It appears your faith in Adam far exceeds mine. I did not anticipate such conviction."

"No," Sarka corrected, shaking her head. "I cannot assess their strengths with your precision, but this is my heart's desire, and I pray for its fulfillment."

Kaerno leaned closer, their foreheads nearly touching.

"In that case, Adam must become the granter of your wish for this to transpire."

She offered a slight shrug.

"That is a possibility."

"Good."

Abruptly, Kaerno's demeanor shifted. He turned and delivered a sharp slap to Sarka's posterior, not with affection, but with the sternness of a father chastising a wayward child.

Ouch!

"What in the blazes?!" Sarka whirled around, her hand instinctively going to her stinging backside, her face flushed with a mixture of rage and humiliation.

Kaerno folded his arms resolutely.

"You are indulging in your thoughts for far too long. The battle commences in merely five minutes; we must make haste."

"Grh! Fine!"

...

Whoooooosh!

Simultaneously, Adam and Kaexa were rapidly traversing the Hollow Lands. The colossal pillars flanking them receded swiftly into the distance, and lesser elements like rocks and bones transformed into streaks of mere blur.

"We are nearing our destination," Adam projected internally, his eyes catching sight of the cave entrance ahead.

He recalled this location vividly; it was where he had faced his inaugural opponent in the Gray Lands—a common bull monster adorned with a bone mask. It was also where Larth and the Gray Watcher, who had been observing him from the outset, made their appearance.

'Kaerno mentioned that even if I had faltered upon awakening, the guards would have merely ejected me. Perhaps that holds true for the common monsters here, but they would undoubtedly have reacted quite differently towards me.'

"Hey," Kaexa's voice emerged, glancing towards him. It was the first time she had spoken during their journey.

"Y-Yes?"

"You are aware of your adversary's identity, are you not?"

Adam exhaled a deep, weary sigh.

"Zin. When Sarka spoke of him, her complexion turned ashen."

Kaexa provided a confirming nod.

"There are valid reasons for that. I comprehend your need for this confrontation, and its importance to Master Kaerno, so I shall impart a single piece of counsel."

"Hmm?"

Kaexa's gaze fixed forward, her eyes radiating a chilling intensity.

"The longer the engagement, the greater your prospects of victory will become. Regardless of the hardship, you must never relinquish your resolve."

Adam's eyes narrowed. "I do not know the meaning of surrender. You are well aware of that. Surely, you have already amassed all available intelligence concerning me."

"Indeed, that is my function. However, you fail to grasp the magnitude of your opponent. Sarka informed you of Batar, Narha, and Kelya, correct?"

"Yes, according to her assessment, they are the three most formidable unranked monsters present."

Kaexa's voice resonated with sharp clarity.

"Zin confronted them approximately an hour ago. He vanquished each one without sustaining a single injury, a stark contrast to Batar and Narha, who could scarcely remain upright. Employ every advantage at your disposal if necessary.

"Only by shattering Zin's perceived reality into countless fragments, by demonstrating to him that his invincibility is an illusion, will you stand a chance. Furthermore, utilize your weapon. I cannot fathom your prior hesitation, but you must cease concealing your Nexus; it represents too significant a risk."

Adam offered a wry smile.

"Thank you..."

Yet, Adam's mind was occupied with far more intricate deliberations.

'Tsk, she presumes I'm concealing my Nexus? Well, I have some unwelcome news for you, Kaexa; my weapon is currently unusable!'

This reality was not lost on Adam. He recognized it as a significant impediment given his current circumstances, but unfortunately, he was powerless to alter it.

To absorb the Blood of God and consequently regain command of his weapon, he would need to engage in combat until his Evolution Tree accumulated sufficient power to enable it.

'In any case, no alternative presents itself. I must either vanquish Zin, or the very blood of Queen Elisa will instigate my demise.'

Whooooooosh!

Abruptly, they pivoted with astonishing swiftness as Kaexa's grasp tightened on Adam's shoulder. Propelling them forward at a breakneck pace, they navigated past monolithic stone columns and plunged into the encroaching darkness. Beyond this point lay an intricate labyrinth of tunnels that descended far into the earth.

This deviation was not a direct route to the arena; Kaexa harbored a secondary objective.

Tap!

Their rapid transit ceased before a grand archway, marking the threshold of an expansive hall. Within, three figures awaited: two young girls and a single woman.

The girls were attired in immaculate white robes, indicative of considerable expense. However, their attire paled in comparison to the woman's resplendent robe, adorned with striking, sapphire-hued spikes embellishing her shoulders.

Kaexa propelled Adam onward with a gentle shove before straightening her stance.

'Judge Leerna, I have successfully delivered the second combatant!'

Adam's eyelids fluttered.

'So, she is the judge? I comprehend… It is almost time for the contest to commence, is it not?'