Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1920: Failure of the three hunters - chance for the gray darkness

Adam knew what the Arcs were, they were the weapons of the Lords, just as the Nexuses were for the Phantoms, but in most cases, he’d only seen them from a distance.

He had never had to fight anyone who used their Arc.

’Maybe this fight wasn’t such a bad idea after all? Kalyso isn’t trying to kill me, so this is sort of a final test for me, right?’

Step.

Adam stepped forward, gripping his crimson needle tightly.

’Come on, show me your Arc.’

Adam didn’t say anything, but Kalyso could tell everything from his expression.

"You won’t be disappointed!"

The bright light burst forth like an explosion of the sun, forcing Adam to shield his eyes with his hand so he wouldn’t be blinded.

The next moment, when Adam opened his eyes, he saw an astonishing scene.

The ground near Kalyso was ablaze with a golden flame. Even the grass in that area couldn’t withstand the light.

But what caught Adam’s eye were the two gauntlets on Kalyso’s hands. They were made of a dark-amber material, like sun-baked bronze, with sharp edges layered in several tiers.

The main feature of these gauntlets was the two glass spheres on Kalyso’s hands, within which, as if under a dome, there was a dense golden flame, like compressed suns.

The two tiny suns trembled slightly, filling his gauntlets and him with great power.

"What do you say?!" Kalyso exclaimed, waving his hands. "Judging by your bewildered look, it’s clear you didn’t expect our weapons to be so similar, did you?"

"Tsk."

Adam clicked his tongue.

"I have gloves, and you have gauntlets. Tell me, did you do this on purpose?"

In response, Kalyso shrugged, but a sly smile played across his face.

"I didn’t choose my Arc, it happens naturally, but I knew your current Nexus was gloves. That’s true."

In response, Adam released his needle as its sharp tip plunged into the ground.

Crack.

Adam cracked his knuckles as he pulled his fist back to strike.

"To be honest, I didn’t want to fight right now, and I still don’t. But I realize it’s impossible to change your mind. So, since we’re in this situation, how about we see whose fist is stronger?"

Kalyso’s eyes flashed. It was the best offer he could have hoped for.

"You’re proposing a straight fist punch? Hah! I’m ready!"

Tremble!

Kalyso’s fist trembled as he gathered the light energy into a single point. Adam did the same, though he used his own energy, saving the Ancient Energy and Dark Energy as trump cards.

A glint flashed across their eyes as their bodies trembled simultaneously.

In two flashes, amber and crimson, they crashed into each other, causing the entire area to tremble.

A pillar of crimson-and-golden flame shot high into the sky as a shockwave spread hundreds of meters in all directions, even beyond the borders of the Fallen Amber Sun’s territory.

...

Whoooooosh.

The man racing through the Light Field at high speed frowned.

His blue eyes, which had been shining brightly in the shadows, narrowed as his gaze turned forward. Now, he was moving at high speed straight toward the Fallen Amber Sun and would arrive there shortly.

"What is this? Two auras of such power..."

The man fell deep in thought as he gradually began to understand what was happening.

’One of them must belong to Adam Vinter, but... what about the second? None of these three possesses such power or a similar element...’

A few moments later, a sharp glint flashed across his eyes as he frowned.

’Adam Vinter has never fought against the three hunters sent to capture him, has he? Otherwise, I would have sensed the aura of at least one of them. No matter how talented Adam Vinter is, there’s no way he could have killed all three of them stealthily. They would definitely have fought for their lives.’

Whooooooosh!

At that very moment, powerful gusts of wind swept toward the man, causing his eyes to widen.

He felt ripples traveling through space, making his black coat and shoulder-length gray hair flutter.

"Did the shockwave reach this far?"

He was in shock, but quickly regained his composure.

"But... It’s not that bad. If it had been an Ascended Lord, I would have sensed it. Moreover, it’s not even an Earl. Perhaps it’s a Viscount or a very capable Baron who is about to evolve. Yes, that seems more likely."

The man’s thoughts continued. He realized that this was his chance to carry out the mission entrusted to him personally by the highest ranks of the Befallen Crown.

Unlike the three Lords Kalyso had killed, he was not a mere servant, but a full-fledged member of the most powerful faction in the world.

’It seems the Befallen Crown isn’t the only one who wants to get rid of Adam Vinter. Well, that was to be expected. Now, it’s clear to me what I must do.’

The gray-and-black currents surrounded the man as he moved significantly faster, drawing closer to the Fallen Amber Sun.

’I must reach the location before this unknown Lord kills Adam Vinter. I’ll kill that Lord and capture Adam Vinter alive! This is the best possible turn of events, and I must take advantage of it!’

The Befallen Crown had perhaps the strictest hierarchy in the entire world, but there were reasons for that, as well as a worthy reward for each successive rank.

Anyone who faithfully served the ideals of the Befallen Crown was willing to do anything to climb higher in the hierarchy, to get closer to the pinnacle of the entire world.

...

Unfortunately for Adam and Kalyso, neither of them knew what was happening far away.

They were completely focused on their battle.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

Adam swung his crimson needle as Kalyso parried every strike with his amber punches. Now, with his gauntlets, he had practically limitless energy thanks to the two suns.

"You’ll have to use your other trump cards if you want to defeat me!" Kalyso exclaimed, knocking Adam aside with his next punch.

Adam bounced off a rock, landing to the side as he immediately braced for the next attack.

Kalyso was ready to continue, but... something made his eyes widen.

"Agh? What’s going on?" Adam was confused. Unlike Kalyso, he hadn’t felt anything yet.

"ADAM!" Kalyso shouted as he lunged forward. "RUN! TO THE TOP!!"

Completely at a loss, Adam raised his head only to see the gray dragon descending upon him with its jaws wide open, like grim lightning striking from the heavens.