Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1731 1731: Invisible Bullet

Leerna, serving as the arbiter, gave the signal for the commencement of the bout. She alone possessed the authority to issue such a command, yet the unfolding events rested entirely upon the contenders themselves.

The verdant timer began its count. Ten seconds had already elapsed since the fight's initiation, and a profound silence enveloped the onlookers. All awaited the first move, the initial engagement from either combatant.

Nevertheless, Adam and Zin remained stationary.

Their countenances displayed no discernible emotion, suggesting neither was poised for an immediate, stealthy assault.

This stalemate persisted until Zin's voice broke the quietude.

"You are aware that the initial five minutes hold a special significance, are you not?"

Adam offered a nod in agreement.

"Indeed. Is this the reason for your inaction?"

Zin responded similarly.

"Precisely. My participation in this contest is solely to fulfill my personal aspirations. The outcome holds no value for me beyond my own benefit."

A smirk of recognition played on Adam's lips. To his surprise, he found himself in accord with Zin's perspective.

"Hmph, are you not concerned that this stance will incite considerable anger from many?"

"Not in the slightest. My strength is sufficient. Should my adversary prove vastly superior, they would be on an entirely different plane. In such a scenario, employing my Finger would be a justifiable course of action."

Adam was on the verge of a retort when a bellow erupted from the spectator area:

"What in blazes is this?!" the broad-shouldered man exclaimed, shaking a fist. "Begin your fight! How am I to place my wagers if I have no clue regarding your capabilities, you scoundrels!"

Curiously, this outburst resonated with many present.

"Hear, hear!"

"Get on with it! Showcase your prowess!"

"You're here to win! What's the point of just standing there?!"

A significant portion of the crowd shared this sentiment. Yet, none of the Fingers in attendance, neither Es'aha nor Kaerno, uttered a word, nor did Leerna.

As the designated judge, Leerna held the power to halt the match, but she was unable to compel the fighters to engage. The progression of the bout and the ultimate victor were determined solely by the two individuals involved.

This situation appeared to have no effect on Zin, who remained utterly confident in his previously stated intentions.

"Zin, you possess a sanctuary here, do you not?" Adam inquired.

Surprisingly, Zin offered a simple nod, acknowledging the casual nature of the question.

"Affirmative. Like all the beings of my kind here, I have a designated pillar to which I can retreat at any given moment. I seldom utilize it, but the option remains available."

"I see. You know, my own home, the Citadel, is quite distant, and I have no such establishment here at present."

Zin gave a shrug. "That is to be expected. I likewise have no domicile within the Citadel. I am a monster, and you are a human; such distinctions are natural."

Scratch. Scratch. Scratch.

"Hahaha, indeed, you are correct; it was foolish of me to bring it up. However, you must admit, there are rather intriguing locales within the Hollow Lands, and I find myself disinclined to be perpetually reliant on the hospitality of others."

Zin's eyes narrowed slightly, sensing a shift in Adam's demeanor that he found unsettling.

"What do you imply?"

Instead of elaborating, Adam pivoted, his gaze now fixed intently on Kaerno, who observed the proceedings with palpable anticipation.

"Ho there, Kaerno, how about you share a twenty percent portion of your wager with me?"

Instantly, all eyes gravitated towards Adam, then to the Finger who, for reasons unknown, had chosen a common seating arrangement.

Kaerno chuckled, extending a single digit.

"Ten percent. And you do comprehend that I cannot place a bet without first witnessing the combatants in action, do you not? I require further data for a sound analysis, and..."

With a flourish, Kaerno glanced at his wrist, feigning a check of the time despite the absence of a timepiece.

"A minute and a half have already elapsed. Slightly over three minutes remain for the placement of bets."

Adam acknowledged this with a nod.

"Ten percent? Very well, I accept your terms."

A wave of bewilderment washed over the spectators, and this time, Zin found himself among the perplexed. Adam's intentions remained opaque to him.

Step.

Adam advanced, his form quivering with contained energy.

In the subsequent instant, he materialized directly before Zin, his fist cocked for a strike.

"Forgive me, but I harbor no interest in the profits derived from these creatures. Much like yourself, my motivations are entirely self-serving."

Zin's amethyst eyes widened momentarily as Adam's fist hurtled towards his face, mere inches away.

Step.

With a swift sidestep, Zin leaned his torso, deftly deflecting Adam's outstretched wrist with his palm. This redirection sent Adam's wild swing careening harmlessly over his shoulder.

Zin had employed no special abilities. His aura remained as composed as it had been at the fight's inception. It was pure, unadulterated skill and physical prowess, nothing more.

"Huh? He actually managed to block my blow?" Adam's gaze snapped towards Zin, who was already preparing a retaliatory maneuver.

In a single, fluid motion, Zin surged forward, his palm striking like a rapier into the center of Adam's abdomen.

The singular, precisely executed impact was sufficient to send Adam hurtling uncontrollably to the side.

"Gha!" Adam cried out in agony as he collided hard with the arena's barrier, but the assault didn't end there.

Any other adversary would have pressed their advantage, launching a rapid series of attacks to inflict further harm. Yet, Zin remained stationary, his arm extended forward.

'What in the...?' Adam's mind reeled with confusion.

Zin's middle finger and thumb met, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes as he performed a simple flicking motion.

This single, seemingly insignificant flick sent a ripple through the very air, creating an unsettling sensation deep within Adam's chest.

He couldn't comprehend what was happening. It felt as though an unseen projectile was hurtling towards him.

'Damn it!' The Silver Weaver's voice echoed within his thoughts. 'Duck, you fool!'

Only thanks to that urgent mental command was Adam able to narrowly evade by ducking to the side at the very last second. The sound wave, traveling like a bullet, whizzed past the left side of his head, leaving a minor, stinging cut along his ear.

Tremors!

A violent tremor then coursed through the arena, compelling Adam to turn his gaze.

The trajectory of the sound wave had carved a deep impression into the arena wall, accompanied by a network of wide fissures radiating outwards from the impact point.

Tap.

Driven by a desire to understand the nature of the attack, Adam stooped to retrieve a common pebble from the ground, closing his fist around it with considerable force.

'Argh?'

However, he found himself utterly incapable of crushing it, much like an ordinary human would be unable to pulverize a stone with bare hands alone.

Observing these events unfold from the sanctuary of his inner space, the Silver Weaver's expression contorted in sheer horror, his biting his finger until blood welled up.

'So, it's based on sound, is it? Bloody hell, we've never faced an opponent like this before!'

He ran a frustrated hand through his hair.

'This won't be an easy victory... Damn it all!'