Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 262 : The Power of the Hybrid (Part 1)

What would happen if an ordinary human decided to fight a Phantom? In a fair 1 vs. 1, with no hidden conditions or advantages for either side?

Well, the answer was very obvious, the common man simply had no chance of winning. The only exception that became possible relatively recently thanks to exoskeletons was that a military man could win such a battle.

However, for this a lot of conditions had to be met - a military man, although a mere human, but not a civilian, knows how to fight, especially in hand-to-hand combat.

The exoskeleton enhances the strength of the military, as demonstrated to the public at the Scarlet Light Fair, several of them are capable of defeating a White Threat Level monster.

Thus, if one of the best military, wearing an exoskeleton, faces some Phantom rookie, a real youngster that hasnʼt figured out how to survive in this world yet, the military can win, thanks to confidence and tactics.

But... that was the maximum. No military man can defeat a Phantom who has been a Phantom for at least one month and is already used to his Nexus, abilities and instincts.

However... What about a hybrid?

Unlike the military and the Phantoms and even more so the common people, there was only one hybrid and it was in the Miracle Observatory under the auspices of Magnus Zephyr.

The exact power of the only hybrid - Nessa Zephyr, was known to a tiny number of people, literally almost nobody.

Adam was about to become one of them, for Nessa was attacking him right now, moving at an unexpected speed.

ʼOh, thatʼs impressive,ʼ Adam muttered internally as the dark shadow appeared in one place and another before coming right in front of him.

In a heartbeat, Nessaʼs foot, like a deadly spear cutting through the wind currents swung towards Adamʼs head with the clear killing intent. She was more than serious.

Initially, Adam wanted to dodge, he even took a step back following his mind, but then he listened to his instincts and realized that it was not necessary - he was able to block Nessaʼs attack.

Tap.

Adam held out his palm, stopping Nessaʼs kick in front of his face.

Whooooooooooooosh.

A light shockwave accompanied by air currents moved to the side, causing Adam to shift back a little, but he didnʼt lose his balance.

”Damn, youʼre really perfect...” Adam uttered with a serious look spending a glance at Nessaʼs leg, then moving to her eyes.

Magnus smirked as he waved his hand.

”What do you think? Maybe itʼs not what I expected, but if ordinary people or the military saw it, theyʼd be shocked.” Magnus clenched his fist with an excited smile.

Adam nodded deeply without rushing to judgment.

”Not bad, honestly it all happened too fast for me to have any expectations lined up, but Iʼm amazed. Over the last couple of months, Iʼve realized that while White Threat Level monsters can still be fought by military personnel in exoskeletons and the huge cannons on the walls can hurt them, the stronger monsters are simply invulnerable to all but the Phantoms.”

Adamʼs gaze grew more serious:

”Obviously I was wrong. Tell me straight up, whatʼs your maximum? How strong of a monster are you capable of defeating?” Adam asked, staring intently at Nessa, ”Itʼs higher than Green Threat Level, isnʼt it?”

Nessa didnʼt bother to answer, instead, she attacked once more, turning around sharply and bringing her other leg down on Adam, top to bottom.

Adam grabbed Nessaʼs ankle before stepping to the side and smoothly tossed Nessa aside. After Nessaʼs first attack, it was clear to him that Nessa was weaker than him, however... the difference between them wasnʼt disastrous.

Adam was almost convinced that if they had met before the events in Fall Hill Prison or before Eclipse in Bastion Radon, he would have lost to Nessa due to a lack of experience, mastery, and sharp instincts.

Nessa deftly bounced off the wall, landing perfectly on the ground, and quickly got into a fighting stance, ready to take the next strike.

”Fine, Iʼll answer you. According to the latest information based on the tests, I am currently capable of defeating the strongest Blue Threat Level monsters or fighting the weak Purple Threat ones.” Nessa replied completely seriously.

Silvanaʼs eyes went wide. As an Operator, she knew very well what would happen if such monsters faced ordinary people.

No... it meant something more, Nessa was stronger than K0-Phantoms, after all, their level was White and Green Threat Level monsters, nothing more.

”At this point...?” Adam was slightly puzzled, then he grinned with a bitter smile, ”I see... Well, even so, itʼs incredible. To have such power without being a Phantom. Even though Iʼm stronger, I still have a flame of envy for your body. Magnus wasnʼt lying, youʼre perfect.”

Nessa didnʼt answer anything, no emotion appeared on her face, it seemed that Adamʼs words didnʼt matter to her. However... someone here knew that wasnʼt true and to Nessa, it mattered a great deal.

”Hey, Nessa, how do you feel when someone strongly praises you? Adam got his might by going through a lot of dangerous battles, what about his fight against Thunder Demon, itʼs a masterpiece, isnʼt it?” Magnus smirked, expecting some sort of reaction from Nessa. He seemed to know more about this situation than the others.

However... even now, Nessa hasnʼt responded anything. She just looked away and only Adam could notice something - Nessa was blushing slightly.

ʼWhat...? She blushed, but why?ʼ Adam pondered in confusion, ʼBecause Magnusʼs words embarrassed her or because she got turned on for some reason...?ʼ

Clap.

Not letting this situation go any further, Magnus clapped his hands together, bringing everyone out of their trance and getting attention.

”Fine, youʼve already gotten a feel for what Nessa is capable of, but how about seeing it in practice?” Magnus grinned widely, pulling his phone out of his pocket.

A moment later, a massive drone flew into their room with a pod attached to it or rather a cage with a monster inside.

”Operator, come on, do your job and tell us about this monster.” Magnus smirked, looking at Silvana.

Silvana nodded as he looked at the monster.

Strangely enough, it was a Crown Type. The monsterʼs pale skin was almost invisible as it was covered in golden armor like some knight from the Middle Ages. The armor was simple in appearance, but powerful, providing decent protection and mobility.

In the gaps between the armor, golden waves of energy were constantly flowing, some of which were directed to the monsterʼs chest and back, as well as to the monsterʼs weapon, a massive lance that could pierce any target with enough power.

”Itʼs Golden Spearman, Green Threat Level, Red Book. Though White and Green Threat Level monsters donʼt have their ranking, that one is considered one of the strongest due to its skills and calculation.” Silvana gave out a detailed reply.

Magnus nodded.

”Yeah, you are right. Adam, step aside. Thereʼs no need for you to fight that monster because Golden Spearman is only here so that Nessa can show you what sheʼs capable of.” Magnus waved his hand.

Adam nodded, bouncing back and standing in front of Silvana.

At the same moment, the drone lowered the pod and Magnus opened it, letting the dangerous monster out.