Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 1748: The Sound of the Past and the Future (Part 2)

Zin got what he wanted. He had no intention of spending eternity listening to Queen Elisa’s heartbeat or the flow of her blood, but he didn’t mind spending a few weeks or even months in this space.

After all, due to the nature of Queen Elisa’s powers and the situation, no more than a minute would pass in the real world during that time. Such a pause was more than acceptable for the spectators in the arena.

He wanted to memorize that sound, examine every single beat, and take in the entire melody as it flowed past him, existing simultaneously in the past and the future.

It wasn’t a calm melody like in the far reaches of the Pit, where Zin could spend days sitting on the rocks before the cores. But he needed a little more time.

It seemed that nothing could stop him.

His opponent now lay on the ground with his face shattered by powerful blast punches, a gruesome wound on his shoulder held together only by his threads, and a gash on his chest that exposed his heart to the outside world.

Thump!

However, a sharp, dull sound interrupted Zin’s immersion.

He hurried to find out the cause, and to his shock, it was Adam and the blood bubble hovering before him.

Zin’s eyes widened as an electric shock ran through his brain as he realized what was happening.

’Wait, is this Adam’s inner space? And... what is that bubble in front of him?’

In search of an answer, Zin looked at Queen Elisa off to the side and then at Adam.

His pupils shrank as he stared at the blood bubble.

’Is this... Is this the blood of Queen Elisa? It’s this bubble that’s making that sound, r-right?!’

Zin tried to make sense of what was happening, but very soon, he had no time left to think.

Step.

Adam stepped forward, staring intently at the blood bubble. Right now, in the real world, he was unconscious. Zin’s last punch had been strong enough to fling his mind right here.

”But that’s exactly what I was waiting for, isn’t it?” Adam stared at the blood bubble, waiting.

He could see what was happening on the left side. He knew Zin was here and that he would certainly try to stop him.

On the right side lay the rest of his inner space. His Evolution Tree was severely damaged. Numerous cracks ran through the great white bark, and most of the tree was depleted.

It seemed that this was exactly the moment Adam had been waiting for. Now, his Evolution Tree was damaged, which meant that this void had to be filled by the blood bubble. At least, that was the plan agreed upon by the Silver Weaver and Lone Blaze.

”However, now I realize that it wasn’t me who was supposed to become weaker, but this blood...”

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

The blood bubble was trembling violently. Its edges were slamming in different directions, creating the sensation that countless impacts were occurring inside and that it would explode very soon.

That won’t happen.

Adam knew this because, from the very beginning, it was he who was supposed to destroy the blood bubble, not the other way around.

”Still, if not for this battle, if not for Zin’s powerful attacks, that bubble wouldn’t have become so unstable.”

For a moment, Adam glanced to the side, looking at the bewildered Zin, who couldn’t decide what he should do: keep listening to the melody or stop Adam?

”Well, it’s time to put an end to this.”

Adam stepped forward as his energy gathered in his hand, taking the shape of a long white blade trembling with power.

”He got what he wanted. Now it’s my turn.”

The moment Adam raised his blade toward Zin, everything became clear.

’If he destroys the bubble now, the sound will disappear along with it!’

The realization struck him like a thunderbolt as he sprang into action.

At tremendous speed, Zin raced through the darkness, all to stop Adam. Zin didn’t know if Adam was aware of him, but it didn’t matter. He couldn’t let Adam do this, not now.

”No! Stop!” Zin shouted at the top of his lungs.

Adam didn’t turn toward him, but he acknowledged Zin.

”There is no other way. But now that I know why you’ve decided to fight me, I’m sure I can give you something even more unique. You just have to wait.”

Adam’s hand trembled as he brought down the white blade.

”NO!!!”

The white blade plunged into the blood bubble as a bright light swept through Adam’s inner space, blinding Zin.

He saw nothing but the light from the flash as soon as he stopped hearing the flow of Queen Elisa’s blood.

At the same moment, Zin was thrown back into the real world as he was forced to open his eyes.

To his horror, he realized that neither in Adam’s blood nor in his heart was there anything left of Queen Elisa. Adam had completely absorbed the energy contained in Queen Elisa’s blood and no longer needed her blood.

Clench.

Zin clenched his jaw tightly, his teeth grinding with rage as he stared at Adam, who was still unconscious. His eyes were closed, and blood continued to flow from the open wound on his chest.

”You... Selfish BASTARD!!!” Zin shouted with all his might.

His voice, amplified many times over by his Hollow Mark, echoed throughout the arena, causing all the weaker Fangs to tremble with fear. Those in the nearest spectator stands, without even realizing it, suffered serious injuries. Streams of blood flowed from their ears.

”Gha... Gha... Gha...”

Zin’s breath was heavy and hot, full of fury. He clenched his hand into a fist, dirt caking under his nails.

Ironically, Zin, who had been trying to find rare and unique sounds, was now experiencing something even rarer. He couldn’t remember the last time he had been truly angry.

All he wanted now was to tear Adam to pieces for taking this treasure from him.

”It’s your own fault... You forced me to do this!” Zin growled, raising his hand to attack.

Tap.

At the same moment, he felt something touch his left shoulder. His eyes darted to the side, widening in shock.

Adam’s hand, clad in a red, composite glove, was resting on his shoulder.