Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 1668 1668: Frenzied Shards (Part 2)

Adam had learned a great deal about the Hollow Lands and the local hierarchy from Kaerno. Everything turned out to be far more complex and convoluted than he had imagined.

Now, he had to consider not only his opponentʼs power level, but also scrutinize its aura. He had to know if there was a trace of the Frenzied Shard in its aura, if his opponent had a Hollow Mark?

But the most important question remained: what was his opponentʼs rank?

Sure, Adam had defeated Larth only after the latter had used his Hollow Mark, but that didnʼt mean he was stronger than any Fang or monster here.

”So, if I have to go to the Pit to find the Frenzied Shards, where is that place?”

In response, Kaerno pointed over his shoulder.

”To the north. You could say itʼs the farthest part of the Hollow Lands. The Pit is a massive place located significantly lower than the Hollow Lands, and for the most part, itʼs a huge dumping ground somewhat reminiscent of the Tarnished Lands, but here.”

”Huh… Just great, my two favorite territories in one place.”

With a mocking smirk, Kaerno raised his glass of wine. ”Glad you like it here so much.”

Adam rolled his eyes. ”Yeah, sure. Though I have to admit, things here are way more complicated than in the Primal Lands, even though compared to the Primal Lands, this is just an empty, lifeless field.”

”Thatʼs the way it is.”

With a heavy sigh, Adam stared at Kaerno.

”Alright, Iʼll head to the Pit to find a Frenzied Shard. Without it, no one will let me into the arena, and I wonʼt be able to get out of here, Iʼve already figured that out. But… The Frenzied Shards, what the hell are they?”

He leaned forward, folding his hands in a lock.

”If itʼs not another type of energy, but its influence is strong enough to alter your aura and even grant you new power, then it must be something special. Moreover, judging by the name, itʼs just a part of something bigger, isnʼt it?”

Kaerno listened intently to Adamʼs musings. A spark of curiosity flashed in his eyes.

Tap.

He set his glass aside.

”Iʼm afraid I canʼt tell you anything about that. All you need to know is that you must find a Frenzied Shard and withstand its power. Only then will you have the right to descend through the Hail Passage, straight to the arena.”

For a long time, Adam stared at Kaerno as if trying to learn more about it, but eventually gave up.

”Agh… I see. What about your offer? Do you want me to do something for you at the Pit?”

”Huh, interesting that you thought of it that way,” Kaerno chuckled. ”No, Adam, I donʼt need anything from you. In the Hollow Lands, thereʼs no task I couldnʼt handle on my own that would require your help.”

The corners of his mouth turned upward.

”Youʼre going to the Pit, but you donʼt know exactly where it is, nor what the Frenzied Shards look like.”

Adamʼs eyes widened as he realized where Kaerno was going with this.

”You need a temporary partner, someone strong enough to stand on equal footing with you, and someone who knows a dangerous place like the Pit well.”

”Pffft,” Adam snorted, leaning on his fist in annoyance. ”And, by some stroke of luck, you have the perfect candidate for this?”

”Of course!” Kaerno waved his hand. ”In fact, your paths have already crossed once. Her name is Sarka. Iʼm sure you remember her.”

”Hah,” Adam smirked. ”How could I forget? While everyone else looked at me, a Phantom, with curiosity, in her eyes, I was nothing more than a well-done steak on a plate.”

Kaerno raised an eyebrow. ”Is that a problem for you?”

”Nah. Sheʼs not actually going to try to attack me, is she?”

Strangely enough, Kaerno didnʼt answer right away.

”Well…”

He waved his hand from side to side, searching for an answer, though there wasnʼt a right one.

”She might, or she might not. It all depends on her mood. Iʼd advise you to keep an eye on her. Who knows whatʼll happen if you let your guard down? You could turn away and the next moment realize your handʼs already in her jaw!”

Scratch.

Adam scratched his cheek. He felt strange.

”You decided to send the most troublesome one with me? How strong is she, anyway? Wonʼt she cause any trouble?”

”You donʼt need to worry about that. You know sheʼs a Fang, right?”

Adam nodded.

”If you compare her to Larth, well… Itʼs a good thing heʼs not here.” Kaernoʼs expression grew serious. ”Sarka would beat him with one hand, and Iʼm not sure sheʼd be able to stop herself from killing him, even though theyʼre friends.”

From the description, Kaerno was planning to send a real psycho along with Adam.

Who was he to turn that down?

”Good. Larth is too boring. Maybe itʼll be more interesting with her.”

Kaerno smiled contentedly.

”Glad to hear it. Before you go, do you have any other questions?”

Adam thought for a moment, recalling everything heʼd seen in the Hollow Lands. Strangely enough, Kaerno had told him practically everything except for a few secrets.

”Yeah, you saw me fighting that bull at the very beginning, right?”

”Sure. The Gray Watcher saw it, so I did too. Why?”

”The mask. Is it just that kind of monster, or does everyone here have something strange? For some, itʼs a Hollow Mark, and for a weaker monster, itʼs a bone mask?”

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Kaerno tapped his hand a few times before answering.

”Itʼs all about the energy permeating these lands, in the Frenzied Shards, whose influence extends far beyond the Pit. It changed us, created the Hollow Marks, and forced the weaker monsters to adapt.”

He scanned the maids before settling his gaze on one of them. It seemed her aura was the weakest.

”Only by shattering its mask can a monster here become an awakened one. As with everything else, the general rules apply here, but there are our own peculiarities.”

Adam nodded deeply.

ʼThis place... The Hollow Lands are definitely hiding something.ʼ