Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 1664 1664: The Attack – the Failure

”Well, well, it seems our dear Phantom wasnʼt impressed by our main force,” Sarka purred, resting her cheeks on her hands. ”What do you think of that?”

Unlike Sarka, Valleyn was in no hurry to jump to conclusions. She analyzed Adamʼs reaction and his posture.

”If thatʼs the case, then itʼs bad news for Larth. He doesnʼt like to lose, just like the rest of us. However, thereʼs one thing Iʼm certain of.”

Sarka tilted her head. ”Hmm?”

”Now, knowing that the entire pillar and Master Kaerno are watching the fight, Larth will show everything heʼs capable of, and even more.”

In response, Sarka shrugged, looking at Adamʼs weapon.

”Yeah, thatʼs for sure. Still, Iʼd like to be in his shoes. Damn, I shouldʼve gone on patrol today instead of him!”

Step. Step. Step.

Larth moved forward slowly. With every step he took, the energy surrounding him trembled. Right now, everything about him spoke of his confidence in victory, everything except his opponent.

”Come on, Iʼm sure this is an important fight for you,” Adam said. ”Show that you deserve your rank.”

At the same moment, Larth vanished, reappearing to Adamʼs right. This speed was significantly faster than what Larth had shown before.

For a split second, his ghost image remained at his previous spot before fading away.

SLASH!

Cutting through the wind, the spear slammed into Adam from the left. His eyes were still fixed ahead, as if he hadnʼt had time to react.

But, at the last moment, a black blade appeared before his head, blocking the fast spear.

A shockwave erupted behind Adam, sending sand and shattered bones flying in its wake, but he himself didnʼt even get a scratch.

In fact, this was the first time Adam had used his new needle in actual combat. Heʼd had plenty of practice against Tron at the Sky Cube, but this wasnʼt the same.

ʼWhen I fully absorbed the black flash and gained the Dark Energy, the Silver Weaver changed. His new power… Thatʼs what I need at this level.ʼ

Sparks flew from the two clashing blades, but Adamʼs face remained calm, almost pensive.

This annoyed Larth to his core.

How could he demonstrate his power if his opponent didnʼt take him seriously?

”You… Your physical strength is impressive, Adam Vinter, but you have no idea what the Hollow Mark is capable of!”

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

The white orbs hovering behind him trembled at once, a barrage of rays crashing down on Adam.

His eyes dilated, reflecting the bright light of the approaching threat.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

One ray after another slammed into the ground, forcing Adam to retreat or block each shot.

Every time the five orbs behind Larth rotated, a new burst of fire erupted as if from a magical machine gun.

Still, it wasnʼt enough to wound Adam.

”Thatʼs a powerful attack. If someone weaker were in my place, those rays would have reduced them to nothing long ago. But…ʼ He swung his spear, blocking another ray. ʼI have enough speed to react to this!ʼ

However, at that moment, Adam was too focused on the rays and didnʼt notice how Larthʼs gaze had changed.

The pupil of his left eye narrowed as the grid filled with light, seeing only Adam as a target.

In a fluid motion, Larth raised his spear, directing it straight at Adam, as all his energy swirled around him in a hurricane.

Clang! Clang!

Adam blocked the last two rays as his gaze finally returned to his opponent, but it was already too late.

”Agh?”

Larth leaned forward as his body trembled, transforming into a multitude of ghostly images moving in a straight line, poised to pierce Adamʼs heart with his spear.

Sarka smirked, and Valleyn braced herself, expecting to see fear or panic in Adamʼs eyes.

But… to their surprise, he displayed a completely different emotion.

Kaernoʼs eyes widened for a moment. ”Oh, how curious.”

Larth moved in a straight line, carving out a path for himself that led straight to Adam. He and his multitude of ghost images were about to inflict a critical wound on Adam at tremendous speed.

However, on Adamʼs face there was only disgust. It was the kind of look that could only come from a creator who saw a pitiful imitation of his masterpiece trying to pass itself off as the original.

It was a complex emotion, but one that was understood in a split second by everyone except Larth, who was focused on his attack.

Whooooosh!

With a gust of wind, Larth found himself right in front of Adam just as all his ghost images simultaneously attacked a single point. His multitude of spears, only one of which was real, pierced Adamʼs chest, just above his heart. A single step back at the last moment allowed him to escape the fatal wound.

Larthʼs gaze grew deeper as he nodded inwardly.

ʼThatʼs it, Adam Vinter. I donʼt need many different abilities to defeat you. One attack that reflects the full power of my mark is enough.ʼ

Blood gushed from Adamʼs chest as countless crimson drops hung in the air for a moment, reflecting Larthʼs confident gaze.

ʼNow, you understand where our strength lies. You are-!ʼ

His thought was cut short the moment he saw Adamʼs gaze.

ʼW-Why?ʼ Larthʼs heart clenched as goosebumps ran down his skin. ʼWhy is he looking at me like Iʼm a lowlife?! Heʼs just a Phantom, alone in these endless lands! Surrounded only by enemies!ʼ

The impact threw Adam aside as his back slammed into the nearest bone protruding from the ground.

Silence fell for a moment. No one spoke, and only the wind and Larthʼs heavy breathing could be heard.

Crack.

Adam rose from the ground, clenching the bone behind him with such force that it cracked in his grip.

”You…” He stared at Larth with a dark, menacing gaze. ”What was that? Arenʼt you ashamed to show such disgrace?”

Larth gulped.

”What the hell are you talking about?”

Tap.

Adamʼs grip loosened as his needle fell from his hand.

Then, his aura shifted, and dark mist began to pour from his body.

In an instant, Larthʼs face turned pale. The same reaction awaited Valleyn and many other monsters in the pillar.

”Well then.”

Adam growled as black gloves bearing red-eyed symbols appeared on his hands.

”In that case, I wonʼt spare you. If youʼre trying to copy something, do it properly. What you showed was a complete failure.”