Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 953: Essence of the Invitation

A single lightning strike was enough to change the course of the battle and turn the great serpent into a creature on the verge of death.

Rishaʼs eyes went wide, watching as countless electric shocks ran through the Inferno Serpentʼs body. This time, the scales were powerless. The electric discharges continued to attack until they turned the scales into dust, stabbing straight into the Inferno Serpentʼs flesh like hundreds of blades.

The Inferno Serpent tried to defend himself, his only option was to use energy and lava, he did both. However, against Adamʼs strike everything was useless.

The moment the Inferno Serpent let all 72 thorns on Adamʼs wreath fill with power, the battle was over.

It is unknown how many monsters were near the Inferno Serpentʼs cave, but everyone who felt Adamʼs aura at the moment of the attack quickly hid in their burrows or fled away from the epicenter of the battle.

”Holy shit...” Risha caught her breath, looking at the shattered edges of the lake, lava flowing along new paths paved by purple thunder.

Soon, her gaze filled with disbelief, not because of Adamʼs strength or the effects of his Foundation Artifact but of the Inferno Serpentʼs resilience.

The great monster collapsed into the lava, its scales charred, the flesh burned, and blood pouring out of his massive body from numerous torn wounds. But, the Inferno Serpent continued to breathe, slow and heavy, his heartbeat keeping him alive.

Tap.

Adamʼs feet touched the ground as he collapsed to one knee.

”Gha!”

A stream of blood rushed from his mouth, pouring out of the hot ground in front of him, while the black wreath broke apart into particles, into vanishing ash without a trace.

In a way, Adam had done what Moira and Lone Blaze wanted simultaneously.

The Wreath of Hope provided him with a single but devastating strike of unprecedented power, moreover he himself was free to determine its form and purpose. The method of activating this artifact was like a specific battle mode.

And, the price for such an artifact was not only in the deprivation of two former abilities but also in the powerful recoil, piercing through Adamʼs entire body to the depths of his heart.

”Fuck...” he wheezed, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth. ”That was stronger than I expected, in every way...”

It was well known to every Phantom that energy was not the only factor limiting how many times a Phantom could use his abilities.

An important component was the strength of the ability. In the beginning, when a person was just becoming a K0-Phantom, even using the First Order twice in a row was a great burden.

Adam had long since passed that stage, like all Phantoms that moved forward to true strength. His heaviest ability was the effect of his past artifact. The last time he used it twice in a short period, his left arm turned into a bloody mess.

A lot of things happened since then, he become a K3-Phantom and already opened three lesser gates. Now, he could easily use his past artifact two or even three times with minimal damage to his arm.

But... Use the Wreath of Hope twice?

Adamʼs body couldnʼt take it, his heart would either stop or explode.

However, a single-use was more than enough to turn even an S4 monster into ashes.

Well, the Inferno Serpent was stronger than the others, which wasnʼt a surprise.

Step. Step. Step.

With slightly trembling legs, Adam headed forward, approaching the stunned Risha.

Adam glanced at the Inferno Serpent, his left eye was slightly open, watching his enemy.

”Hah... Is this guy still alive? This is fucking unbelievable!” he smiled bitterly shaking his head.

Risha gulped.

”Yeah...” she nodded uncertainly. ”We have to finish him off! Right now!”

She realized that Adam was too exhausted to keep fighting. She had to finish the job.

In any other situation, she wouldnʼt have been able to even scratch the serpentʼs scales, but now the Inferno Serpent was hardly able to attack her back.

Her aura grew stronger as she pulled out the Revelation Ring and was ready to rush into the fray - slay a serpent and sever its head from its long body.

Tap.

Before she realized it, Adamʼs hand fell on her shoulder, stopping her.

”Wait, do you want to take my prey from me?” his heavy voice rumbled.

Risha flinched. She knew she had acted wrongly, especially under the rules of the Lower Ring.

Then, Adam smirked weakly.

”Hah, calm down. I donʼt really have the strength to keep fighting, and neither does he,” Adam pointed at the Inferno Serpent. ”However... I canʼt kill him before I learn something.”

Stumped, Risha tilted her head. ”Hmm? What the hell are you talking about?”

Saying nothing, Adam walked to the edge of the lake and kicked the ground with his last strength.

It was enough for a piece of rock to break off, becoming a small island, right in front of the Inferno Serpent.

At the next jump, Adamʼs silhouette was reflected in the serpentʼs single eye. They were both exhausted, as well as ready to have a conversation, the tough one.

Whooooooosh.

Risha quickly appeared on the shore, ready to attack the Inferno Serpent at any moment.

However, Adam was not going to fight. He showed it with his whole appearance as he sat down on a rock with his hand on his knee.

Then, he stared at the Inferno Serpent. ”So... You have two choices. Either I kill you and come back as the proud winner over an S4 monster, especially one as strong as you, or... you tell me your plan.

”What did you want to gain by calling us here with your aura?”

With a heavy sigh, the Inferno Serpent shifted his gaze to Adam from the bubbling lava.

”Hah... I wanted to tell you about this much earlier... It was my mission, but... by taking my eye you pissed me off a lot you little bastard...”

Adam only shrugged his shoulders.

After that, the Inferno Serpent wheezed. ”The Fallen Ring Castle... straight to my master...”

”Master?”

”Hah... Thatʼs an S5 monster for you... Young Phantom...”