Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 1711 1711: Single Fighter (Part 1)

Less than ten minutes had passed since Valleyn carried out Kaerno's order, and news that Adam Vinter would be participating in the Grim Court had spread throughout the Hollow Lands.

Several Pillars already knew that he had arrived in the Hollow Lands and was currently under Kaerno's protection. But for most, this remained unknown, and the news of the Grim Court was not something they were prepared for.

Naturally, many felt the urge to fight him, but soon, the excitement faded from their faces, and their eyes went blank for a moment.

They realized this wasn't just any battle but the Grim Court, meaning only unranked monsters could participate.

But… most of the unranked monsters knew they didn't stand a chance against Adam. They knew about his battle against Larth and the reputation he held beyond the Hollow Lands.

After Valleyn announced that Adam would be participating in the Grim Courts, news of him spread like wildfire. Every monster in every corner, even the farthest pillar, now knew of his presence here, as well as his past achievements.

So, eventually, the news reached those very unranked monsters Kaerno had spoken of.

BAM! BAM! BAM!

A massive fist slammed into the heavy steel column, leaving a deep dent time and again.

The tall man with broad shoulders and a muscular back repeated the same move over and over, driving his punch into the steel column before him. His bare torso was bare, and wide pants covered his legs.

His eyes were green like a wild beast's, and his light hair fell to the middle of his back in spikes like a lion's mane.

Despite his rather aggressive appearance, the man remained calm and composed. Time and again, he assumed his stance to deliver the next strike.

Step.

A footstep sounded behind him, and the man turned around.

The woman in a long white robe stood to the side. From her aura alone, it was obvious that she far surpassed the man in strength. Still, she looked at him not as a weakling but as a warrior who had finally awaited his moment.

"Batar, have you heard the news?" the woman asked calmly.

Before answering, Batar took a step back and landed another punch.

Bam!

He took a deep breath and nodded.

"Yes. Adam Vinter. He has come to our lands and intends to participate in the Grim Court. I understand that the judge has already been notified and the Hail Passage has been chosen?"

The woman nodded, keeping her hands clasped in front of her waist.

"Correct. All that's left is to find a fighter."

"I see… Boss, have you decided that I'll be one of the volunteers?" Batar smiled bitterly before quickly landing another punch.

No emotion showed on the woman's face. She was confident in her words.

"Am I mistaken?"

Batar turned around, flashing a wide grin.

"Of course not. It's Adam Vinter! Hahaha, I still can't believe it's true. But… I have one question for you."

"Hmm?"

"After he went to the Primal Lands, little is known about him. Sure, I already know he absorbed a powerful Frenzied Shard, but I just want to be sure of my decision."

Batar's green eyes grew deeper.

"Is he strong enough to give me a worthy fight?"

Before answering, the woman's gaze turned to the more than a hundred steel columns standing in the area before Batar.

"Yes. You treat every opponent with respect, but at the same time, you don't think anyone stands a chance against you. That's arrogant, and that's exactly why you've never once fought in the Hail Passages."

Batar chuckled and shrugged.

"Well, it seems I was right. I was waiting for the best of the best. I doubt anyone equal to Adam Vinter will come to our lands until the next World Wipe."

Then, Batar stretched, thinking about the battle that lay ahead.

"Hey, boss, when's the fight?"

"At dawn. But, Batar, you understand that, right?"

Even though she spoke cryptically, Batar easily understood what she meant.

At the same moment, he glanced to the side, as if expecting something.

Right now, they were in the far reaches of the Hollow Lands. It was a place where not even the outlines of the pillars were visible in the distance. It was a perfect place to train in silence, or… for something more sinister.

Whooooooooosh!

As if out of nowhere, a dark flash appeared in the distance, streaking across a hundred meters in the blink of an eye to land right in front of Batar.

With a smirk on his face, Batar lifted his chin, dodging the long blade that was meant to slice through his chest and sever his head in a single, precise slash.

Did the woman see the attacker? Sure, she was far stronger than Batar and that dark flash, but this battle was beyond her level. She had no right and saw no point in interfering. By doing so, she would only harm both sides.

"Well, well, Narha, I knew you'd be the first." Batar grinned as the girl with long black hair jerked back.

Unlike Batar, who looked as though he'd spent his whole life training high in the mountains, alone with his spirit and nature, Narha was very different from him.

The tight, black clothes covered her body like an assassin's. The mask hid the lower half of her face, making her bright blue eyes seem even more piercing. In her right hand was a long katana made of white bone, a weapon sharp enough to kill even someone like Batar with a single slash.

"Go away," Narha said dryly. "Leave this fight to me."

Scratch. Scratch. Scratch.

Batar scratched the back of his neck.

"Are there other options? Maybe we could go on a date instead?"

Narha raised her katana, pointing the sharp tip directly at Batar.

"No. I must be the one to win this Grim Court, and nothing else will do."

"Agh."

Batar sighed deeply.

"That's a shame to hear. Though I suppose I should have expected that, right?"