Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 1544 1544: Only One Way Out

The Frost Oasis was not some unique place that had been waiting hundreds of years for Adam and Alexia to arrive.

It had been a place for trials for many years, perhaps hundreds of years, or maybe even several thousand.

Both wild monsters and the Phantoms and Elders came here.

As a result, only one outcome awaited them all - death.

So far, neither Adam nor Alexia knew why the azure tree absorbed the lives and blood of other creatures, and whether it was somehow connected to the Ancient Voice, the dragon head, or the pond.

But they had no choice but to try to destroy it, otherwise, in addition to failing their conditions, death awaited them.

Perhaps Adam and Alexia underestimated the magnitude of the threat they were about to face, which was evident from Alexia's shocked face.

"W-What?" She gulped, looking at the man in black tattered clothes who had easily stopped her icy sword just by clasping the blade between his palms.

To do something like that required not only superior precision and speed but also terrifying strength.

Still, even that was not the limit.

Crack. Crack. Crack.

Cracks ran across the blade as the great sword shattered into icy fragments that flew past the man's face.

Then, his frame trembled as he found himself right in front of a shocked Alexia in the next moment.

With this attack, she had hoped to destroy the azure tree, but instead she faced the long-dead Phantom who was now fighting against her!

'Wait, wait, wait, this isn't supposed to happen this way!' She crossed her arms in front of her as a shadow fell over her.

BAM!

The man's fist slammed into Alexia, sending a wave of pain through her body. It felt like a human fist had hit her arms, but it was a red-hot hammer weighing dozens of tons.

The impact threw Alexia aside with such force that before she knew it, her back slammed into the barrier covering the pond and dragon head.

"Gha!" She grunted in pain, but she didn't have time for that because her opponent was already in front of her.

The man, his face hidden in shadow and his eyes empty, swung his fist for an attack that was clearly powerful enough to wound Alexia critically.

Alexia didn't have time to react.

The only thing she could think of at that moment was:

'Shit! My trump cards! I have to use them, or—!'

Tap.

There was a light click to the side as the tip of the black staff slammed into the man's jaw.

The shockwave caused a ring of air as the man flew sideways.

However, unlike Alexia, who didn't have time to regain her balance, the man easily bounced off the nearest rock and landed on his feet.

"Silvana, I wasn't imagining things, right?"

She nodded deeply.

"Yes. It seems that the azure tree cannot force the dead to use their abilities, but their physical attributes are the same as when they were alive, or at least 80-90% of that."

He narrowed his eyes, staring intently at the man who was slowly walking away, circling them like a patient but deadly shark.

The azure tree summoned many other creatures, most of them monsters, but this was the only Phantom.

The man's aura was tainted and inaccurate due to the entire situation, but Adam felt that standing before them was not an Elder or Lord, but a Phantom, someone who had been far stronger than them in life.

If this Phantom were at his power peak and could use his abilities, it would be the end for Adam and Alexia.

But, given the situation, they had a chance to win.

"What are we going to do?" Alexia asked, wiping the blood from her mouth.

Adam slung his staff over his shoulder.

"I'll try to fight him and see if I can do anything to him alone. You should take care of the rest. If we join forces and defeat him, but are exhausted, the hundreds of monsters that this tree will summon will simply tear them to pieces."

As always, Alexia wanted to take on the most difficult challenge herself. In this, she and Adam were alike.

She didn't argue and just waved her hand.

"Alright, I'll deal with these weak bastards. After all, the last strong guy was mine. Although... it was disappointing. I killed that demon with just one hit."

Adam frowned.

"Yeah, your attack was impressive. But, it doesn't look like something like that will work against him."

Step. Step. Step.

Adam stepped forward, showing the man that he was his opponent.

The man glanced at Alexia, who was heading off to fight the monsters, and nodded slightly. He was fine with those conditions.

"Go ahead, attack!" Adam pointed the black staff at the man.

The man stared at Adam for a moment, studying him, before turning and heading towards one of the monsters.

'Agh? What is he up to?'

Apart from its powerful body, the main feature of this monster was its long black horn, which looked like a spiral spear.

Step.

The man stopped in front of the monster and, without hesitation, grabbed its horn.

The monster's eyes widened when it realized what the man was about to do, but it was already too late.

Crack. Crack. Crack.

With no pity in his eyes, the man ripped the horn from the monster's head, basically killing it.

Sure, they were all already dead, but as long as the azure tree remained intact, they were temporarily brought back to life.

Slash. Slash. Slash.

The man swung a few times to get a feel for the weight and shape of his weapon, which was clearly familiar to him.

This was bad news for Adam.

'Hah, so a spear? No, it's more like a lance. Shit, looks like I'll have to see my own attack performed by someone else,'

The man moved away from the dead monster and stood opposite Adam, like two knights awaiting the start of a battle.

Someone had to make the first move.