Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 919: Red Bear

Neither Adam nor Silvana knew what the members of the Red Bears or the other major organizations at the Lower Ring looked like, but once they saw the girlʼs NEP, it was obvious to them.

The Red Bears members were in front of them. To a knowledgeable person, her look and bloodlust made this clear, but the engraving on her NEP was a distinguishing feature showing which of the four major powers she belonged to.

The muscular one and bearded man froze in wild fear. When they realized that Adam wasnʼt going to kill them, that it was influenced by his softness as Phantom from the Upper Ring, they saw hope.

But... now they had only one chance to survive - to run away.

Saying nothing, the muscular one and bearded man struggled to get up from the ground. Limping, they ran away, stumbling over every piece of debris.

It seemed that their brazen escape attempt had succeeded. The girl with crimson hair did not pay attention to them at all. Her eyes looked solely at Adam, glancing once at Silvana, immediately losing interest in her person.

Tap.

She jumped to the ground, deftly picking up the axe. With one hand she held a weapon that was as big as herself.

”A strong Phantom from the Upper Ring,” she pronounced with a predatory look. ”I donʼt remember this happening in a long time.”

Quickly, a torrent of energy ran through her axe, but Adamʼs instincts remained calm. He sensed she wasnʼt going to attack him, not now.

Sweep.

With a sweep of her hand, a crimson blade emerged from the axe, wiping out the two men who got in the way.

They had no chance to dodge or block her attack.

Silvana gulped. It seemed to her that the three thugs were violent, but...

ʼSheʼs a different matter altogether,ʼ Silvana thought. ʼShit, she just came in and killed those three. She didnʼt even twitch an eyebrow!ʼ

Like Silvana, Adam too realized that this girl was on a whole other level. Not only as a Phantom according to the general level system, but also as a resident of the Lower Ring, as the Dark Phantom who instilled terror in others.

But, Adam didnʼt feel fear. He had expected something like this.

Step.

Adam stepped forward, maintaining his cold stare.

”You... Those three were your enemies? Why did you kill them? And, who the hell are you?”

”My name is Risha! Nice to meet you!” she exclaimed in excitement, almost jumping up.

Then, she tilted her head, puzzled. ”Why did I kill them? What a strange question... They were in my way, and theyʼre not one of the Four Beasts, so their deaths donʼt carry any consequences.”

She glanced at the two bloody spots to the side.

”Just insects that decided to scatter when I arrived. I just squashed them, and that was it.”

Was it cruel? Was it inhuman? Was it immoral?

Sure, but none of that bothered Adam. After all, the Lower Ring wasnʼt a chaotic mess, it was a dark place operating by certain rules like everything else in this world.

”Pffft! What kind of excuse is that?!” Adam snorted irritably.

”Agh?”

”Those three attacked me, I defeated them, and you came and killed them! You did nothing but take my prey from me! Do you think thatʼs cool? Who gave you permission to kill them without my consent?!” Adam exclaimed, tightly clenching his fist. It seemed he was truly angry.

Suddenly, Risha flinched uncertainly. She was not surprised but felt ashamed of her actions.

”Hey... Sorry, alright? I thought you were going to let them go after you questioned them... Hehehe... Letʼs just forget about it?” Risha scratched the back of her head awkwardly.

Then, deciding that this apology was enough, Risha got into a fighting stance, her aura becoming much stronger.

”Letʼs not waste time on bullshit and fight! I came here for this, the Light Phantom!”

Rishaʼs legs twitched, but right before the jerk, she was left by Adamʼs gesture.

”Wait. As a genuine apology, I want you to answer me one question, then weʼll fight.”

She was about to interrupt her, but Adam preceded as his low voice rang out.

”Do it and weʼll fight to the death. Thatʼs what you want, isnʼt it?”

Rishaʼs eyes sparkled with delight. Not that she was going to let Adam live in the event of his defeat, but knowing that he too would be serious, she could be sure of the real, bloody fight she desired.

”Fine! Quickly ask me and letʼs get started!”

Adam jerked his head towards Silvana.

”My name is Adam, this is my Operator - Silvana. So, now that you know that - where is your Operator? And why donʼt you want to capture Silvana like those three idiots.”

”Hey!” Risha pointed at Adam with puffed-up cheeks. ”Thatʼs two questions! That wasnʼt our deal!”

Adam remained silent, his stern gaze piercing her.

”Tsk! Fine,” Risha stomped irritably on the ground. ”My new Operator is in a safe place now! Cute, smart, and capable guy! Thatʼs not what you should be thinking about!”

Adam and Silvana immediately latched onto one word:

ʼNew?ʼ he inwardly muttered. ʼAt the Upper Ring, Phantoms and Operators sometimes part ways, but ... somehow I donʼt think thatʼs the case here.ʼ

Adam already understood how the relationship between Phantoms and Operators at the Lower Ring worked, at least most of the time.

ʼLooks like she either bought her Operator, or was captured, or got it in some other wild way... Thatʼs actually barbaric, but Iʼm interested in something else,ʼ he narrowed his eyes, staring intently at Risha. ʼIf the Phantoms at the Lower Ring mostly get their Operators by force, how do they establish a bond? How do they build a relationship?ʼ

Adam glanced at Silvana.

ʼI canʼt imagine Silvana and I getting to this point if Iʼd used only force and domination on her. Thatʼs not how the Phantom/Operator bond works.ʼ

Then, Adam shook his head.

”So, are you going to answer my second question, or should I just run away and leave you without a fight like a loser?”