Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 1719 1719: The Unknown Sound (Part 1)

There were far more monsters than humans, and they, too, possessed talents. However, not all talented individuals were equal.

The difference between the most talented person among a hundred others and one in a million was as vast as an abyss. That is precisely why others described them with a multitude of different words: talent, genius, prodigy, and so on.

All of this was necessary to distinguish talented, strong individuals from one another, creating a hierarchy even among the best.

However, for some, this simply wasnʼt enough. Some individuals werenʼt the strongest or most talented, yet their uniqueness instilled fear in othersʼ hearts. Not because this person threatened them, no, but because everything about this one was a dark, terrifying unknown.

Zin was exactly such a monster.

He rarely fought. Most monsters in the Hollow Lands, especially not the Lords, had never seen him in battle. Still, they all feared him. No one wanted to face him, let alone speak of him.

Perhaps this was one of those cases where the stories and tales about the fighter were more vivid and impressive than the fighter himself, but no one dared to test that or question it.

”Phantom?”

Zin muttered.

”Adam Vinter?”

He paused for a few moments.

”I donʼt know that name. Iʼve never heard of this Phantom.”

Then, Zin turned away, continuing to stare at the red apple.

”Go away. I told you, Iʼm not interested.”

”B-But!”

Before Esʼaha could say anything else, Zinʼs calm tone cut her off:

”I canʼt imagine a single sound, scream, or cry of joy that would be new to me. This Phantom canʼt show me something I havenʼt heard before.”

In fact, Esʼaha couldnʼt argue with that. Even if Adam was stronger than most other Phantoms, he was still a Phantom, a human with emotions. In many situations, he acted just like other people.

That wasnʼt a bad thing, but it couldnʼt pique Zinʼs curiosity.

”If I canʼt hear anything new, then whatʼs the point of my leaving here?”

He asked before abruptly continuing.

”Esʼaha, can you hear that?”

She gulped.

”What are you talking about, Zin?”

In response, Zin pointed to the core, to the trembling black roots, swaying with every gust of wind.

”The cries of thousands of souls in this core. Once upon a time, it would have been too painful to hear, but now, after so many years, it has turned into a melody that soothes me like nothing else. Here, in the silence amidst the madness of the frenzied flame, it is much calmer than at the pillars.

”I have nothing against our lands. This place is my home just as much as your pillar, Esʼaha. But if I have the chance to stay away from the sounds of battle, explosions, and lightning strikes, I will take it. Iʼve heard all this more than ten thousand times already. Thatʼs enough.”

In any other situation, this would have been yet another of Esʼahaʼs failures. She would have tried again, Zin would have ignored her, and Esʼaha would have left.

But not this time, and the only reason for that, oddly enough, was Kaerno.

”You… you old, cunning snake. Does Adam know about this? Does he know that without your interference, I wouldnʼt have succeeded? Does he know that youʼre aware of his secret?”

”Hm.”

Esʼaha coughed as she gave Zin a serious look.

”I know that, Zin. After all, this isnʼt my first attempt to bring you home. But this time, I have something to offer you.”

However, he ignored her. He didnʼt believe it was true. He couldnʼt imagine something he hadnʼt heard yet.

”What about a heartbeat, Zin? Would you be interested in hearing it?”

Zin turned to her.

”I hope youʼre not talking about yours. Itʼs a calm melody, but a familiar one. Iʼve heard the heartbeats of babies and the elderly, of cowards and heroes, and of murderers and victors. You and the other Fingers possess terrifying power. Do you really think the heartbeat of some Phantom could compare to that?”

”Yes.”

Esʼaha stated confidently, which confused Zin. She wanted to bring him home to her pillar, but she never lied.

”What does that mean, Esʼaha?” He narrowed his eyes.

”Youʼre right. Compared to monsters like me, Adam Vinter wonʼt be able to show you anything extraordinary. Iʼd think the same if I were you. That was the case until Kaerno came to me.”

Zin raised an eyebrow, still confused.

Esʼaha continued as her voice grew quieter, as if she feared someone might hear them.

”I donʼt know why or how it happened, but right now, the blood of Queen Elisa flows through Adam Vinter. I donʼt mean the bloodline, heʼs not her son or a relative. No, her blood is in him, and through that, youʼll be able to-”

Zin was quicker: ”Iʼll be able to hear her heartbeat. The heart that exists outside of time... That sound, I canʼt even imagine it.”

For the first time during their entire conversation, emotion flashed across Zinʼs face. His eyes widened in disbelief.

”Her heart, her blood. Yes… It might work if theyʼre actually connected. Do you know how this happened? How long has he had this blood?”

Esʼaha shook her head.

”Like I said, no. In fact, Iʼve never met this Adam Vinter, but Kaerno did. He saw it in him, and I assure you, that bastard is hard to surprise.”

She continued:

”As for the timing. I canʼt be sure, but I think thatʼs exactly why Adam Vinter is in such a hurry to take part in the Grim Court.”

”The blood…” Zin muttered, staring into space. ”Her blood is too powerful. It will tear him apart if he doesnʼt absorb it, and for that… for that, he must evolve.”

Esʼaha smirked, anticipating her victory after hundreds of failures.

”Yes, and his favorite way to progress is through deadly combat.”

”Agh?” He looked up.

Esʼaha stepped forward.

”Either you fight him and hear the blood of Queen Elisa flow, or someone else will become his opponent, and this chance will be lost. Forever.”