Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 1729 1729: Rules and Five Minutes

Every fighter had to meet with the judge before the match began. It was a standard rule, and Adam was no exception.

Slowly, Leerna turned as her green eyes gazed at Adam from a distance.

Step. Step. Step.

In a confident stride, she approached Adam, studying him with her piercing gaze.

”Are you Adam Vinter?”

”Yes.”

Her eyes scanned his tattered clothes. His robe was almost identical to Kaernoʼs.

”Interesting. He actually wanted to project his will through you. It would be a shame if you lost.”

”What are you…”

Before Adam could finish, Leerna held out her hand as her expression turned stern.

”You are a foreigner, so I will personally repeat the basic rules for you. You will begin fighting only after I give the command. This is not a fight to the death. You may wound each other as brutally and bloodily as you wish, but as soon as I see that the next attack could kill one of you, I will immediately stop the fight.”

Adam narrowed his eyes.

”What happens in that case? Who decides who gets the victory then?”

Leerna smirked. ”Trying to be clever? Most of the time, itʼs more than obvious who won, but even if we run into some complex situation, my assistants and I will vote.”

Adam glanced at the two girls left behind and turned back to Leerna.

”Got it. Anything else?”

”Yes. This doesnʼt apply directly to you, but the first five minutes of the fight are special. Itʼs the only time when spectators can place bets on the fight.”

”Huh?” Adam was confused. ”Why is it done this way? Shouldnʼt bets be placed before the fight starts?”

Leerna grinned.

”Because the risk, and therefore the reward, is significantly higher. A lot is known about you, but not about your current strength. The last two months of your life are a mystery even to someone like me. Someone has done a good job of keeping that under wraps.

”So, if spectators were to place bets before the fight starts, it would simply be a bet on luck. Thatʼs true for your fight with Zin and for many others, but with the first five minutes, itʼs different.”

Leerna leaned forward as a golden glint of greed reflected in her eyes.

”That will be much more interesting. Some will decide to bet right at the start, others a minute later when one of the fighters starts losing, but in just ten seconds, everything could change! Whoever makes the best analysis wonʼt just earn twice as much, theyʼll earn ten or even twenty times as much! Well, or you might just get lucky. Thatʼs a possibility too.”

However, Adam still didnʼt share her enthusiasm. It seemed strange to him.

”Are you saying you use money? For what? I havenʼt seen a single store here.”

Leerna glanced at Kaexa, letting her answer.

Kaexa coughed. ”In the Hollow Lands, they donʼt use the money youʼre used to from the Citadel, but money still exists, and those who place bets do so not to buy food, but to acquire territory and the lakes with ponds at the Bone Lakes.”

”I see. In that case, I have one last question.”

”Yes?” Leerna raised an eyebrow curiously.

”What do I get if I win?”

She smirked as her eyes narrowed.

”Isnʼt that obvious? As the judge, Iʼll reward you with Fang status. Then, you can do whatever you want. For the monsters here, itʼs a step up the career ladder, and for you, itʼll be a ticket to freedom.”

Leerna licked her lips.

”Although… considering that Kaerno came up with all this, maybe youʼre hiding something else, young man.”

Adam gulped.

He didnʼt want anyone to find out that the blood of Queen Elisa was in his inner space. He was sure it would cause a lot of trouble.

Well, he didnʼt know that three monsters already knew about it. Adam tried to hide it, but it couldnʼt escape Kaernoʼs gaze.

Leerna waved her hand dismissively.

”Either way, head to your chamber. Kaexa will escort you. The battle will begin in the next few minutes. When you hear my voice, step into the arena. Your opponent is already waiting for you.”

Step. Step. Step.

Leerna walked forward as the two others followed her.

Adam, in turn, lowered his gaze.

ʼZin… He arrived much earlier despite having fought against the three strongest unranked monsters here? Thatʼs not good.ʼ

Tap.

Kaexa touched his shoulder, causing him to turn around.

”We have to go.”

”Yes, youʼre right.”

…

A minute later, Adam found himself in a simple chamber with nothing but a table and a chair in the corner. A long tunnel led out of this room, connecting to the arena.

Here, the fighters waited to be called into the arena, so there was no need for much comfort.

Kaexa didnʼt go inside. She nodded and turned to leave.

”Wait.”

”Hmm? She glanced over her shoulder. ”Is something wrong?”

Adam was sitting on a chair, his fingers folded together.

”Yes. Did Kaerno say anything about me? What are my chances of winning?” ”

”I canʼt answer that because I donʼt know anything about it. Master Kaerno didnʼt share his opinion on your fight with me.”

Adam smiled bitterly.

”I see. But what about you? Youʼre one of the Thorns. You must know much more about this place than Sarka. Will I be able to defeat Zin?”

Kaexa wasnʼt obligated to answer. She could have simply turned and walked away, but still:

”Youʼre on the same level. Youʼre a K4-Phantom, and heʼs a Black Threat Level monster. Itʼs not the same as fighting a Lord Level monster. Any K4-Phantom has a chance to kill a monster of that level.”

Adam turned to her.

”What a slippery answer.”

”Ghm.” She coughed. ”If I were placing a bet before the fight and it mattered to me, I wouldnʼt bet on your victory.”

”Huh,” Adam chuckled darkly. ”Thanks for the honesty.”

Kaexa nodded and walked away as Adamʼs gaze turned toward the dark passageway leading straight to the arena.

As soon as Leerna takes her seat on the throne, the fight will begin, and thereʼs less than a minute left until then.

ʼAlright, show me what youʼre capable of, Zin.ʼ