Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 1669 1669: Sarka

Although it wasn't without its challenges, Adam figured out what he needed to do and how the Hollow Lands were organized.

Kaerno told him everything he was interested in and even more, everything except the most important thing...

No matter how hard Adam tried, he couldn't learn more about the Frenzied Shards. The source of their power, where they came from, and what lay behind them remained a mystery to him, and he wasn't sure he had the strength right now to uncover those secrets.

Step.

Adam walked through the high arch, the exit leading outside the blade pillar.

He could have stayed here much longer and properly prepared for his journey to the Pit. Kaerno had given Adam permission to stay at his pillar for as long as he wanted.

However, he didn't know that Adam's time was actually limited.

'I don't know when, but if I don't figure out how to absorb Queen Elisa's blood, I'll be in serious trouble. Though, everything's fine for now. This blood gives me plenty of time.'

Tap. Tap. Tap.

A few minutes later, hurried footsteps sounded from behind, echoing through the first floor of the pillar.

At the same moment, a petite figure leapt out of the darkness, landing to Adam's right.

His eyes fell on a girl with white, spiky hair and large blue eyes. Her wide grin, revealing her sharp fangs, reminded him of a piranha or a little monster.

"Hey! I finally got to meet you!"

She exclaimed joyfully, then extended her hand to him.

"My name is Sarka! Nice to meet you!"

Adam smiled, returning the handshake. "Adam. Adam Vinter, to be exact."

"Master Kaerno said we're heading to the Pit. Do you want to find a Frenzied Shard?"

"Yes." Adam nodded deeply. "As I understand it, this is the only way to take part in the battle. I won't be able to get the Hollow Mark, but a trace of the Frenzied Shard will remain in my aura, right?"

"Ughum."

He turned toward the north, casually scratching the back of his head.

"I could say I'm worried, but it seems you're one of the strongest in this pillar, aren't you?" Adam remembered that Kaerno had told him about Sarka.

Strangely enough, instead of accepting the praise, Sarka began shaking her head vigorously from side to side.

"No! No! No!" She crossed her arms. "There are several Thorns in our pillar. I don't stand a chance against them! Also, Master Kaerno is very strong! It even annoys me that I can't do anything to him!!!"

Adam touched his temples. In some ways, Sarka was starting to remind him of Alexia, and he wasn't sure if that was good news or bad.

"Agh, Sarka, of course I don't mean the Lords. Among the other Elders and Fangs, like Larth, you're pretty strong, aren't you?"

"Hah! Yes! I'm very strong!" She stood before Adam, scanning him from head to toe. "If it weren't for Master Kaerno's order, I would've attacked you long ago! I'm so eager to find out what else you're capable of and…"

Suddenly, she knelt at his waist and took his hand, touching his fingers.

"H-Hey…" Her voice trembled, and a hungry look appeared in her eyes. "Before we set off, can I eat your finger? Pretty please? Just your pinky would be enough for me!"

What shocked Adam was Sarka's gaze, her big, round eyes waiting for his decision.

'Shit, this isn't a silly joke, does she actually want to do this?'

"No," Adam replied sharply, pulling his hand away. "My fingers aren't a snack. Looks like I should've asked Kaerno for a different partner who doesn't have issues with her head."

"Oh, come on." Sarka bit her finger. "We both know you wouldn't do that."

Adam raised an eyebrow.

"Why?"

"Because you'd be bored. If Valleyn were here, you'd march in silence straight to the Pit, like two soldiers."

Adam smirked. "Yeah, that sounds boring as hell, but at least it's safe. Right?"

She waved her hand, getting up from the ground.

"Pfffft, you've let me down. Next time you want to eat my finger, don't expect me to agree."

Before Adam could answer, she turned and pointed north.

"We'll run ahead, follow me. Don't react to other monsters or the Gray Watchers. They might be watching us from other pillars, especially the dome ones, they love that, but it's unlikely anyone will attack us."

"Got it," Adam's expression grew serious. "Will all the trouble start at the Pit?"

Sarka gave a sly wink.

"You'll see for yourself."

With a final nod, their frames flickered as they vanished, heading north in two flashes. It seemed as though they were running into the void, toward the dark sky at the edge of the world, but the Pit wasn't as far away as it might have seemed.

Whooooooooosh.

A gust of strong wind swept through the blade pillar, picking up speed between the spires and surrounding the single tower rising at the very center.

Kaerno, sitting on the edge of his pillar, gazed into the distance, while the wind ruffled the black tips of his hair.

"Master."

A calm, cold voice sounded from behind him. The woman, whose figure was hidden in the shadows, stood not far from the ruler of their tower, the sole Finger here.

"Are you sure about this? Considering who sent him here... We could have made an exception. We could have sent him straight into battle at the Hail Passage or even guided him through the barrier."

Kaerno smiled faintly, his serene gaze watching Adam and Sarka as they ran. It hadn't been a minute since they'd started racing each other.

"Are you afraid of Gladius's wrath?"

The woman gulped. "Y-Yes, but it's not just about him. You know who this demon works with… I would never want to face Gladius in battle."

Even though she was one of the Thorns, her voice trembled. Fear gripped her heart at the mere thought that such a battle was possible.

"I see. I don't blame you for that. But he chose this place for a reason. If they believe in this young man so much, who am I to deny myself the show?"

His eyes grew darker.

"I'm curious to see what happens to him next and what secret he's hiding. What about you?"