Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 1663 1663: Hollow Mark

His conversation with Kaerno had been long and productive, so Adam could never have expected that, in the next moment, he would find himself in the midst of a fall. Kaerno had simply pushed him off the edge without offering any explanation.

The gusts of wind grew stronger by the moment, while the ground in the distance gradually drew nearer.

A dozen pairs of eyes followed him from the pillar, watching the unfolding scene with curiosity.

Sarkaʼs gaze was particularly intense. If she had her way, she would have leaped over the balcony and attacked Adam. She knew he wouldnʼt back down from this fight. She could see it in his eyes.

But she wasnʼt crazy enough to go against Kaernoʼs will. He had already chosen an opponent for Adam.

”Come on, show me what youʼre capable of, human…” Sarka licked her lips, looking at Adam as if he were a delicacy.

Only a few seconds had passed, but for Adam, that was more than enough to come to his senses and realize he had to stop his fall.

He didnʼt know how much energy there was in the Hollow Lands, but he assumed it was at least on par with the Primal Lands. Thus, falling from such a great height without any protective measures wouldnʼt go unnoticed by him as it would in the Dead Lands - no, he would sustain a serious injury.

Tremble.

Adamʼs energy surged into his legs as he prepared to slow his fall, but… something else caught his eye.

A bright flash erupted from the top of the pillar. A white-and-blue flame enveloped a figure who turned out to be none other than Larth.

Now, his gaze was completely different, and the tattoo on his shoulder was brimming with power. He no longer saw Adam as a victim or an intruder, but as an equal opponent.

It wasnʼt just that during their first clash, Adam had shown he wasnʼt weak, but also because of Kaernoʼs permission.

ʼIf Master Kaerno told me to use my mark against him, then without that power I donʼt stand a chance!ʼ Larth exclaimed inwardly before creating an energy blast behind him.

At tremendous speed, Larth crashed into Adam as they both plummeted to the ground at the base of the pillar.

Sarkaʼs eyes were wide open, watching the column of sand rise up from the crash.

SLASH!

A wide swing with a black flash sliced through the sand column, right down the middle. Then, the two figures flew off to the sides. Larth ended up closer to the pillar, and Adam stood on the opposite side.

Sarka bit her lip as she looked at Adamʼs weapon. The long, black, needle-like sword was in his firm grip, and his gaze was no longer relaxed or confused.

”Have you finally decided to use your weapon?” Larth said as his gaze shifted downward.

A wide gash was deeply carved into his chest, while several streams of blood trickled down.

Adam narrowed his eyes.

”Just like you, almost.”

He pointed at Larthʼs tattoo. Energy radiated outward, sweeping over Larthʼs shoulders.

”What is that? Why did Kaerno forbid you from using it during our first battle, but now everything has changed?”

Larth nodded.

”Yes. Master Kaerno understood it at a glance. It took me nearly losing the fight to realize that you possess a dangerous power. But now we are where we need to be.”

Larthʼs aura grew stronger, sending a chill down Adamʼs spine as Larthʼs eyes deepened and his tattoo trembled.

”Now, I will show you the power of the Hollow Mark. Watch closely, Phantom.”

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

Space trembled as a powerful energy flow burst forth from Larthʼs tattoo. The white-and-blue lines, like wide ribbons, covered his entire body, while part of the energy surged toward his head, legs, and arms.

Adam stood to the side, watching his opponentʼs transformation. He couldnʼt miss a single detail.

Larth was unusually tall, but now the ribbons seemed to be compressing his body, concentrating all his power into a smaller form. Hot steam poured out from his trembling muscles while his eyes remained closed.

His extremely long hair had become shorter, reaching down to his shoulders. Now, they glowed with a bright white light, full of energy that reminded him of Lone Blaze. Her form had something similar to this.

White gloves and boots woven from energy threads appeared on Larthʼs hands and feet. Behind him, five white orbs glowed, reflecting a metallic sheen.

When he extended his arm, the tattoo flashed one last time as a long spear appeared in his grasp. It resembled the one he had used against Adam in their first clash, but this spear was smaller, had a sharp tip with two blades instead of a round one, and, unlike his previous weapon, it was in physical form rather than just energy.

Then, Larth opened his eyes. The round grid was reflected in his left eye, mirroring not only Adam but the entire space around them.

The ribbons constricting his body vanished, as did the tattoo on his shoulder. But now, he had activated his Hollow Mark rather than deactivated it.

Adam frowned, studying Larthʼs new appearance.

ʼHow strange... He called it the Hollow Mark? It looks like a combination of the Solar Form, Arc, and Resonance. Tsk, did he really gain all that power just from his tattoo?ʼ

Sure, Adam could see the differences. He had fought Hybrids who used the Solar Form. Larthʼs transformation wasnʼt as radical as Anelezʼs or Eradaʼs. Everything except Larthʼs spear was his energy, though Adam felt it was a different level of energy, denser and stronger.

”Before we begin.” Adam lifted his chin, looking down at Larth. ”Let me ask you something. How much stronger have you become with your Hollow Mark?”

Step.

Larth stepped forward as a tremor rippled through the gray sand. The faint trail left by his spear followed him, as did the light from his flowing hair.

”Now, Adam, youʼll have to use everything youʼve got to stand even the slightest chance of winning.”

There was no arrogance in his voice. Larth believed what he was saying.

However, Adamʼs gaze did not waver.

”I doubt that.”

Larth clenched his teeth in inner rage.

”You will regret those words, arrogant human!”