Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 2068: Different Eyes

Kogen Noukx, the head of the Noukx Family and also the youngest head of the Twelve Branches.

Adam had met Kogen only once, when he fought at the Moon Colosseum during The Rule of Power. After all, the Moon Colosseum was located in the ninth wing, which was the territory of the Noukx Family.

Back then, Kogen behaved mostly normally. He didn’t stand out in any particular way, but everyone knew that Kogen was crazy, at least when he wanted to be.

It was unknown whether he was born that way or became that way over time, but it didn’t really matter, because here he was.

Despite this, by all accounts, Kogen had a rather difficult and bleak life, even though he was a high noble. Sure, like the other nobles, he had no money problems, but no sooner had he come of age than a battle for the throne broke out within his family.

His uncle, Geradin Noukx, killed his father and then his mother. All of this was done with a single goal in mind, to become the head of the Noukx family, and Geradin succeeded.

He wanted to kill Kogen as well, to completely eliminate the main branch of the Noukx family and create a new one, but Kogen fled to one of the Bastions.

Just a few years later, having progressed at a breakneck pace, Kogen returned to the Citadel and unleashed a bloodbath throughout the ninth wing. Thousands of deaths among ordinary people and hundreds of destroyed buildings were the consequences of the battle between Kogen and Geradin.

This was the inevitable outcome when two Phantoms of such caliber fought in an urban setting.

In the end, Kogen emerged victorious. That in itself was major news, but the day after their battle, people weren’t talking about that, they were talking about what Kogen did after his victory.

The final blow that secured Kogen’s victory came when he ripped out Geradin’s eyes and, into the hollow eye sockets of his uncle, thrust his own severed arm, piercing Geradin’s brain with his bone.

And then... Then Kogen roasted and ate his uncle, right in the middle of the ruined Ninth Wing, before the horrified gazes of his family members.

Now, that very same person was walking through the banquet hall. One of the few people with whom Kogen had a good relationship was Erik.

"Kogen, you decided to come after all?" Erik smiled, stepping forward with his arms spread wide.

In response, Kogen rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, I had to. After all, for some reason, all you’ve done for the last three days is try to talk me into coming here. Congratulations, you succeeded." Kogen snorted in annoyance.

At that moment, a waitress, a young woman, approached them with another tray of champagne. Like all the other waitstaff, she knew who the people in front of her were, but one of her tasks was to remain calm.

Everyone at Radiant Branch was an important person, though... Kogen was also dangerous, and her stiff movements made it clear that she was afraid of doing something wrong.

"Hmm?" Kogen gave her a sharp look. "Why are you trembling?"

Before the waitress could say anything, Kogen took a glass from the tray, placed his soda in the empty spot, and, with a flat expression, slapped the waitress on the butt.

"Eek!" The waitress squeaked in surprise.

"Go find me something salty and crunchy if you’re so afraid to stand here. I have no desire to search for food in this maze of tables."

"Y-Yes!" She scurried off in search of something that might satisfy Kogen’s tastes.

Erik crossed his arms over his chest.

"Well, well, have you finally developed an interest in the beautiful part of our world?" Erik chuckled, glancing at the waitress who was already standing in front of the table, wondering which appetizer to choose so Kogen wouldn’t get angry.

Erik narrowed his eyes.

"Perhaps the day will come when I meet Mrs. Noukx? After all, you’re the sole representative of the main branch of your family."

As soon as Kogen heard this, he rolled his eyes.

"Don’t even start. I don’t have time for this."

He took a sip of champagne as his gaze fell on Skara. She didn’t say a word, but kept staring intently at Kogen the whole time.

"Oh, is this the future head of your family? Huh, Erik, so you finally found someone to pass this headache on to?"

Erik spread his arms wide with an innocent expression.

"What can I say? Skara has good potential. You can see that for yourself."

Despite Kogen’s attitude, he arrived at the Radiant Branch wearing his family’s ceremonial outfit. Though... if other families had to wear something like this to every event, many of them would feel uncomfortable.

It was a long, black leather coat with nine straps. The straps could be tied or left untied. In Kogen’s case, they were loose. His pants and boots were in the same style, black leather with lots of straps.

"Damn..." Adam thought. "He looks like an inquisitor. I wouldn’t want to be his opponent when he looks like that, especially if he’s angry."

Kogen held out his hand to Skara for a handshake.

Skara glanced at his hand and extended hers in return, but before their hands could touch, Kogen stepped forward.

Step.

Skara’s eyes widened when, instead of a handshake, Kogen clenched his fist and attacked Skara.

Her aura burst forth, but she didn’t have time to dodge as her eyes widened, staring at the fist frozen before her.

"Ah...?"

Skara blinked slowly, confused by what had just happened.

"Not bad." Kogen withdrew his fist. "But she’s not ready yet to become the head of the Wurhen Family."

Tap. Tap.

Erik patted Skara on the shoulder.

"Don’t worry. You still have time. Don’t take Kogen’s words to heart."

"S-Sure."

Then, Kogen’s carefree gaze fell on Adam.

"Oh, you’re here too. Good."

Without hesitation, Kogen did the same thing he’d done to Skara.

Adam didn’t dodge Kogen’s fist. Instead, he stopped his attack just in time, grabbing Kogen by the wrist.

After a moment, a glint flashed across Adam’s eyes - a green one.

For some reason, Kogen was impressed.

"Huh, that one... He’s ready."