Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 293: Midnight Crystal (Part 18)

Adam touched his earbud about to ask Silvana something, but she beat him to it, knowing what he was going to ask. Not because she wanted to show how she could anticipate his thoughts, but because she didnʼt want the Golden Light squad to hear his question.

ʼIgno Ant King is indeed a dangerous monster, not enough to become a disaster and turn this place into hell immediately after birth, but still extremely hazardous. If you want your and Katrinʼs hunt for Scarlet Pyromancer to be successful, I would advise you to help them.ʼ

Silvana continued:

ʼHowever, not for free. Have them pay you 35%. Donʼt settle for less. Press your authority, after all, you are the strongest among them, and... Katrin is also a more than capable Phantom, donʼt forget that.ʼ

Oskar wanted to say something in addition to his fiery speech, but he stopped, for Adamʼs look had changed dramatically. Silvanaʼs instruction helped him decide how to proceed.

Step. Step. Step.

Adam jumped off Giant Rogoʼs head and slowly approached Oskar, leaving a footprint on the ashes.

Oskar was not only big and muscular but also tall. His height was over two meters tall, so Oskar looked down on Adam from top to bottom. However, he didnʼt feel in charge at all.

”40% of your reward for destroying the Igno Ants Nest and weʼll help you.” Adam said seriously, looking serenely at Oskar.

”Although...” Adam muttered not letting Oskar speak, ”Iʼll have to ask her consent first.”

Adam turned to Katrin, showing that her word mattered more to him than Oskarʼs decision.

Katrin waved her hand.

”Well, it wonʼt be good if, during the hunt for Scarlet Pyromancer, we get attacked by the Igno Ant King because they canʼt handle it.”

Erla, Lero, and Osana frowned at her arrogant statement but didnʼt say anything. In any case, it was Oskar who had the last word and decision.

Oskar sighed heavily, scratched the back of his head with a frown, and said:

”Fine! There are four of us, two of you, so 40% will be quite fair considering we get help from you personally. But!” Oskar exclaimed, pointing at Adam, poking him in the chest, ”For that extra 7%, I demand that you obey me as your leader!”

Adam shrugged.

”Sure, just tell me everything in detail again.”

So they all headed towards Igno Ants Nest, which was getting smaller and smaller as the Giant Rogoes were slowly burning it down.

Oskar was talking about 7% because there were six of them. So if they were to split the reward equally, they should each get 16.6%, so Adam and Katrin should only be asking for 33%.

...

Whooooooooooooosh.

Oskar swung his massive sword, chopping up several ants in his path.

”Watch out!” Lero exclaimed as an ant appeared behind Oskar, about to sink its powerful jaws into his back.

Crackle.

Katrinʼs staff came crashing down on the antʼs head, nailing it to the ground. Before the ant could regain consciousness she brought the staff down once more, blasting the antʼs head into chunks.

Lero gulped.

In his mind Katrin was Adamʼs support, he didnʼt understand how she could be so bloodthirsty and cruel.

”Basically, we have to destroy not only the Igno Ants but anyone who wants their resources. Thereʼs a small chance that by using the resources prepared for the king, some monster will be able to evolve.” Oskar uttered, leaning on his sword for a brief rest.

Adam nodded, looking around.

They had made a deal thirty minutes ago, and in that time they had destroyed all the monsters, all the ants on the east side.

In the beginning, when the Igno Ants had brought him and Katrin here, he had thought that soon the Igno Ants would lose, but that hadnʼt happened so far.

The Igno Ants, up to now, had successfully defended the north, south, and west sides of their Nest against the Giant Rogoes.

Moreover, ten minutes ago, near the Giant Rogoes, Horned Red Lizards, Purple Threat Level monsters, and White Book began to appear. They werenʼt as strong as Giant Rogoes, but they still ranked Top-88 among all Purple Threat Monsters and were stronger than the ants.

Red Lizards had long horns on their heads, two narrow amber eyes, and elongated jaws with long tongues. They had a tough black hide covered in protective plates and thick red veins running through their thick tails, conducting dense flames.

However, they had not yet engaged in battle. They ran between the Giant Rogoesʼ legs before disappearing into the ash, like in sand. The Red Lizards were waiting for their time, they didnʼt want to rush. Their goal was to sneak into the Igno Ants and take their resources.

”Yeah, but it seems like there wasnʼt a strong need for our intervention. There are more and more different monsters appearing here every minute.” Adam muttered, raising his gaze upwards.

For some time now, a multitude of black birds with broad wings and sharp red beaks had been hovering over the area. They were slowly planning, watching the surroundings intently with their four eyes positioned at their sides.

These were the Dark Loohoes. Besides their beaks, each Dark Looho had a deadly weapon - their claws that could burst into flames at will. Not only were the claws sharp enough to tear Red Lizards apart, but they were also hot.

An ordinary Dark Looho was rated as a Top-66. Given that they were gradually growing in number, they posed a danger to anyone under their broad wings.

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Oskar smirked, shaking his head.

”Hmm? Did I say something wrong?” Adam tilted his head in confusion.

”Well, you think the Igno Ants are losing, donʼt you? I hate to disappoint you, but Igno Ants arenʼt stupid monsters. They work like a well-coordinated machine, so they were prepared to be attacked by everyone around them.”

Then, Oskar pointed to the northern passage - the one closest to where they were and the most damaged.

Three Giant Rogoes were standing in front of the northern passageway and many long horns were visible from under the ash near their feet. The Red Lizards were ready to break into the anthill as well.

Whooooooooooooosh.

Several dark flashes flew out of the holes of the northern side, using their massive mirrored wings to achieve lightning speed.

In a heartbeat, five shadows pierced Giant Rogoʼs head, blasting it apart. Then, they rose high up looking at the defeated enemy and anyone who dared to attack their Nest before the king was born.

These were the Igno Ant Guards - the main defenders of the Nest