Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 1720 1720: The Unknown Sound (Part 2)

Zin had unusual interests.

It all stemmed from his curiosity about various sounds. His mind and ears were his greatest blessing and curse.

That was precisely what had brought him here, in the middle of nowhere. He sat on a flat rock before a trembling core that could drive even the Lords mad, but not him.

He heard the cries emanating from the core. Unlike others, they were not muffled for him. Moreover, instead of amplifying its effect on him, it did the opposite, granting him silence and calm amidst the empty field.

Still, that didnʼt mean Zin wanted to spend his whole life amidst silence or melodies that others found eerie.

No, he was always ready to hear a new, unusual sound, but for many years now, this had been a problem he couldnʼt solve.

”I see…” Zin touched his temples. ”This time youʼre right, Esʼaha. It doesnʼt matter whether Adam Vinter loses or wins, after that, heʼll leave the Hollow Lands, and the blood of Quin Elisa, the resource that makes him stronger, will vanish. Thatʼs the only positive outcome for him.”

Although Zin might have seemed strange at first glance, he was, above all, a high-level monster. It wasnʼt difficult for either him or Esʼaha to figure out what Adamʼs goal was based on his actions.

Esʼaha nodded.

”As you know, the battle against Adam Vinter has caught the attention of every unranked monster in the Hollow Lands. Everyone understands that such an opportunity wonʼt come along again anytime soon. However, none of them know about Queen Elisaʼs blood. They want to defeat him because it would be a unique achievement that no one else could replicate.”

None of this mattered to Zin, which was clear from his expression. He didnʼt need to prove anything or defeat anyone. That wasnʼt what he wanted.

But if he wanted to hear about Queen Elisaʼs blood, he would have to fight Adam Vinter.

After a few moments of tense silence, Zin nodded and looked at Esʼaha.

”When does the fight start?”

”Three oʼclock.”

She had spent a lot of time preparing and getting here.

”Which Hail Passage will the battle take place in?”

”The northern one, in the central section.”

Without saying a word, Zin rose from the flat rock as a thick layer of dust fell from his pants and the lower edges of his coat.

ʼDamn it,ʼ Esʼaha bit her lip. ʼDid I pull it off? Did I finally do it? Ah… Zin, youʼre finally coming home.ʼ

”Do you need my help?” She asked, trying to maintain the serious expression of a ruler. ”Youʼll have to go through the entire Pit. That will take a long time.

I can help you.”

Zin turned to her over his shoulder.

”Hmm? Strange to hear that from you. If you were a stranger, I wouldnʼt be surprised, but you know better than anyone that I can handle this on my own.”

Step. Step. Step.

Without fear, Zin headed forward toward the core.

Instinctively, Esʼaha reached out her hand in an attempt to stop him.

ʼNo.ʼ

She didnʼt continue.

ʼHe wonʼt be hurt. Iʼm sure that maddening sound is nothing more than white noise to him.ʼ

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

The black roots quivered, wrapping around Zin but not touching him. They feared him, for he had ignored them.

Stopping right in front of the core, Zin turned and took the red apple from the top of one of the roots.

Then, he stepped aside as the roots parted, clearing a path for him.

”Iʼll miss this place. But itʼs time to move on.”

He paused, glaring at Esʼaha.

”Will you watch the battle?”

In response, she placed her hand on her chest and smiled warmly.

”Of course. To see you in battle at the Grim Court. Itʼs a dream come true.”

”Well, thatʼs your business.”

Zin shrugged and brought the red apple to his mouth.

CRUNCH!

With a loud crunch, he bit off a piece.

At the same moment, his body trembled as complete silence hung in the air.

No, that wasnʼt what Esʼaha felt. It wasnʼt silence around her, but nothingness. All sounds had vanished as if she were in the void.

Blink.

She blinked as Zin vanished.

A few moments later, the sounds returned as powerful gusts of wind swept past Esʼaha, ruffling her crimson hair.

…

TREMBLE!

A solitary tremor rippled through the Hollow Lands. It was almost imperceptible, but a man sitting on a rock and reading a book smirked.

”Well, well…” Kaerno hummed as his eyes filled with triumph. ”So she did it? She managed to persuade him? Huh, Iʼll have to thank Gladius and Xyrea when I see them. If it werenʼt for them, weʼd never have gotten such an intriguing fight.”

Clasp.

Kaerno closed the book, stopping on the tenth page, and stood up, perched on the sharp peak of the rock.

”Heʼs already here. Adam doesnʼt know about it yet, though he doesnʼt need to, heʼll see everything in the arena. But…”

Kaerno fell silent as a broad smirk spread across his face.

”For some, this will be an unpleasant surprise.” He shrugged. ”Nothing to be done about it. The strongest wins.”

With a satisfied smirk, Kaerno vanished, heading toward the Hail Passage. The Grim Court wouldnʼt begin for several hours, but he had to secure the best seats in advance.

He and Esʼaha were the only ones who knew just how unique this battle really was.

…

At the same time, the three main contenders for the Grim Court were battling each other.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

A barrage of blows from Kelya rained down on Batar as he used his energy to defend himself. With difficulty, but he managed to do it.

They were ready to continue their clash when a sharp blade, aiming to cut the two of them in half, flashed before their eyes.

”Damn it!”

Simultaneously, Kelya and Batar leaped aside from Narhaʼs blade, which met only gusts of wind.

”Tsk.” Kelya snorted. ”Stop trying! You donʼt stand a chance.”

Narha turned to her. ”Beat me first.”

The next clash was about to happen in the next moment, but something made them freeze.

Step.

Just one step. That was enough for all of them to turn in the same direction, their eyes widening in shock and fear.

Batar gulped. ”No… How is this possible...”

They stared at Zin, who was holding a perfectly intact red apple before him with a calm expression.