Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 956: Unwanted Authority (Part 2)

Baffled, but the Inferno Serpent was going to listen to Adam. Somehow, his original goal was to find a Phantom strong enough to fix his dire situation.

With a shiver running through the lava lake, the Inferno Serpent slowly turned around, moving towards the river in the distance - the only way forward and out of the lake.

”Wait!”

Rishaʼs shout reached their ears, yet the Inferno Serpent did not stop, only Adam turned around.

”Hmm? Go back to Orel. Iʼm sure your big brother is worried about you. Weʼre all like that...” his gaze deepened. ”I realize you donʼt want to come with me, so I wonʼt force you. Youʼd better leave now before the monsters come back. Many ran away from our battle, Iʼm sure of it.”

There was no reply. Risha gritted her teeth clenching her fists tightly.

She realized that Adam was right. The best thing for her to do was to go back and think about her next steps.

But... Why?

Risha didnʼt know the ins and outs of the Upper Ring, but she knew that the Phantoms at the Lower Ring progressed much faster. However, her speed and Adamʼs was no comparison.

Crackle.

Pushing all thoughts away, Risha leapt forward bouncing away from the only island.

”Fuck! I said wait!” Risha shouted, struggling to grab onto the Inferno Serpentʼs tail.

The Inferno Serpent glanced over, a smirk showing on his face, insidious and kind at the same time.

”Hah... girl, looks like youʼre not as cowardly as I thought. But are you sure about your decision? Itʼs not too late to go back.”

Risha didnʼt say anything, she just looked down at the broken scales of the serpent.

Bump.

The Inferno Serpent stopped abruptly at the slope, and Risha fell over in shock.

”Iʼm serious,” the serpent wheezed. ”Itʼs all clear with that young man. He chose one path to power - through battles against stronger opponents. Thatʼs what almost all monsters and many Phantoms do. However, it is not a path for everyone, dangerous and bloody.

”You are no match for me. Against an S5 monster, you donʼt stand a chance much less. If you want to go to the castle to achieve your goals, fine. But, if itʼs just your stupid whim then you better go back or youʼll only face a nameless and meaningless death.”

”Pfffft!”

Risha snorted.

”Stop being so dramatic. Youʼre even worse than my brother! Iʼm not going to fight against your master, Iʼll leave that task to that psycho,” she nodded her head in Adamʼs direction. ”I just donʼt see the point of going home.”

”Hmm?” Adam raised an eyebrow.

”Agh...” Risha sighed heavily. ”Look, I went here to show you the Cave Grid, and what did I end up accomplishing? I shamefully lost to some S3 monster and with my mouth open, shivering with fear watched you fight against an S4 monster.”

With a brief pause, she leaned forward, caressing the Inferno Serpent on his scales.

”You grew stronger before my eyes - I remained just as weak. If I return home I will not become stronger, I am not satisfied as a resident of the Lower Ring and the Red Bears member.”

Adam and the Inferno Serpent exchanged a glance. At that moment, they looked like two old friends, if only for a second.

”Hah, thatʼs your business,” Adam waved his hand, patting the spot next to him. ”Have a seat. We have a long road ahead of us and hopefully a very interesting story.”

The Inferno Serpent was partially submerged in the lava, only the top of his head poking out.

”You wonʼt be disappointed... Adam Vinter... You guessed a lot of things though. Not only do I have to serve a stronger monster, but my folk...”

A wave of shock passed over Adam and Rishaʼs faces, and a surge of lava rushed over the edge as their descent down the river began.

The Fallen Ring Castle was farther away than they could have imagined. If they were at the Dead Lands, they would have to travel to the far side of the Wild Lands, more than an hourʼs flight in the fastest fighter.

...

At the same time, another cookie broke in Orelʼs hand.

Hygon grinned widely. ”Hahaha! Orel, did you see that? Lorana, you owe me now! I told you they would both agree to his offer!”

Lorana rolled her eyes and touched Hygonʼs NEP. The screens flashed as a hundred thousand came into Hygonʼs account.

”Youʼd think something would change in your life from that money.”

”Hah, of course not!” Hygon slapped the table. ”The money is just a nice bonus! The most important thing was to be right!”

Watching Adam and Risha, Orel nodded slightly. ”Well, I have to admit that I was wrong too. I thought only Adam would agree. I didnʼt expect that from my sister. It was a reckless decision and rather stupid.”

”Hehehe...” Hygon leaned forward, a dangerous gleam running across his eyes. ”Isnʼt that our slogan? Iʼd do the exact same thing if I were them. No! I wouldnʼt even hesitate and go straight to punching that S5 monsterʼs face!”

”Oh, god...” Lorana shook her head disapprovingly. ”Do you even hear what you? How are you even still alive?”

Not about to stop, Hygon turned to her, but Orel beat him to it.

ʼHygon...” he muttered. ”Can you do me a favor?”

Suddenly, Hygon became serious. He changed completely in the blink of an eye.

”You want me to keep an eye on them?”

Orel leaned on his arm. ”Something like that. Only for my sister. Adam Vinterʼs fate is in his hands.”

Lorana frowned. ”I thought you trusted your sister. Do you think they canʼt handle it? Iʼm sure at the right moment Risha will open the third lesser gates.”

”Thatʼs not the point... Weʼve all heard that serpent, and I donʼt know what S5 monster weʼre talking about. The Fallen Ring Castle... Arenʼt the serpent folk ruling there? I donʼt like it... I donʼt like it when I donʼt know something.”

”I wouldnʼt want to be your sister. Too much control,” Lorana lit a cigarette.

”Shut up. I just love her. Iʼm her brother after all.”