Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 1656: Thunderous Voice (Part 1)

Clang!

At the clash, Adam and Larth were sent flying in opposite directions. A slight scratch remained on Adam’s wrist, while a wisp of smoke rose from Larth’s spear. He hadn’t been prepared for an opponent with such a powerful body, but at that moment, Larth was thinking of something else entirely.

"Adam Vinter...?" Larth frowned, lost in thought.

He said nothing for a while before shaking his head.

"I haven’t heard that name before. Judging by your smirk before the strike, for some reason, I was supposed to know it. But that’s not the case." Larth narrowed his eyes. "This is the first time I’ve heard your name, just as this is the first time you’ve heard mine."

Strangely enough, this caught Adam off guard. It wasn’t his fault, but over the past few months, ever since he’d become quite strong and the First Star had taken notice of him, all the powerful monsters knew or had at least heard of him.

Larth didn’t possess the same level of power as monsters like Morok, let alone Ramilo or Saegar with Kenward, but he could easily defeat most of the Elders Adam had fought against before.

"Oh..." Adam was speechless. "I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I didn’t expect this."

Seeing Adam’s reaction, an idea occurred to Larth. "Let me ask you something before we continue our fight. We don’t have much time, but I can’t let this pass."

"Sure, go ahead."

Larth’s expression darkened. He was afraid to hear the answer to this question, but couldn’t contain his curiosity.

"How long have you been a Phantom? How many years have passed since you got the Spark?"

Adam scratched his cheek. He couldn’t take this question as seriously as Larth.

"Hmm... About a year and a half, though it’s been a little longer. In a few months, it will be two years since I killed my first monster and received the first gene."

A shiver ran down Larth’s spine as cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

Only now did he realize that standing before him was one of the rarest types of Phantoms.

’So this is one of those gifted Phantoms that, despite a low energy level, can evolve quickly? He’s not the only one, but... compared to the events of 200 years ago, there are dozens fewer of them.’

Adam, like all Phantoms of his level, knew that now was the worst time to evolve and progress, since there was little energy in the world in anticipation of the next World Wipe.

However, unlike Larth, Adam hadn’t witnessed what had happened a hundred, let alone two hundred, years ago. Larth knew full well that during those periods, the number of battles and great warriors on both sides was significantly greater than it was now.

Still...

’Even two hundred years ago, during the most active decades, only a small fraction of the Phantoms or monsters could reach such a level of power in just a year and a half. Now it’s possible as well, he and others are living proof of that, but... It’s such a rarity.’

"Hey."

Adam waved his hand.

"Are you here? What are you thinking about?"

Larth snapped out of his reverie and smiled faintly.

"Please forgive me. Sometimes, I spend too much time thinking. We must hurry, so I’m ready to return to battle."

Whooooosh!

Without hesitation, Larth lunged forward. In a single leap, he found himself right in front of Adam, gripping his spear tightly with both hands.

In a wide slash, he brought his massive weapon down on Adam, cutting through the gusts of wind in his path. Larth’s tactic was simple, he intended to overwhelm Adam with his superior speed and strength, so he would most often secure quick victories at the start of the battle.

However, he hadn’t yet realized that Adam hadn’t used a single ability yet.

Why?

It was simple: Adam saw no need for it, and the Blood of God, holding his Evolution Tree hostage, hadn’t reacted to it either.

The answer was obvious, Larth was certainly not the kind of opponent who could make him stronger.

Clang!

The back of Adam’s hand slammed into the spear’s shaft, blocking the heavy weapon. Larth’s pupils narrowed as he couldn’t believe it.

Soon, Adam’s palm, slamming directly into his solar plexus, was reflected in Larth’s eyes.

BLAST!

The sheer power generated enough momentum to send Larth flying more than ten meters to the side.

Even with all his experience, Larth could barely drive his spear into the ground to even slow his momentum.

Crack!

With a crunch of bones, his frame bent as he planted his feet on the ground, holding onto his spear with one hand while his back was at a strange angle, almost touching the ground.

One breath, that was all Larth needed to assume a stance and return to the fight.

"Agh...?"

His heart skipped a beat as a shadow fell over him. The faint light from the eclipsed moon was barely enough to reveal Adam’s figure looming over him in the darkness.

Still, Larth could clearly see Adam’s blue eyes and his clenched fist brimming with ancient energy, purple currents coursing along his hand.

Adam raised his hand to strike.

"You wanted an official battle? I’ll give you what you want."

TREMBLE!

The sand pillar rose twenty meters as a tremor rippled across the ground. The dune tops quivered. The most unstable collapsed, sliding down, and the receding sand exposed the nearby bones.

Only after a few seconds did the dust settle, revealing Adam and Larth’s figures.

Larth’s hands trembled as he struggled to hold his spear aloft, where Adam’s strike had landed. His cloak was torn to shreds, as was his back, which had borne the brunt of the shockwave.

His expression was frightened and wary, and his teeth were grinding from the force he was putting into his grip.

A pool of blood had already formed beneath Larth, but it was nothing compared to what would have happened had the blow landed directly.

Adam, in turn, maintained a calm, determined gaze.

"I don’t know what your title means, but it seems you’re not the one I was looking for, am I right, Larth, one of the Fangs?"