Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 1702: Lack of Power

The absorption of the Frenzied Shard took Adam by surprise. He didn’t know what to expect in the first place, but he thought it wouldn’t be any different from any other resource.

After all, he wasn’t a monster and couldn’t obtain the Hollow Mark.

But the Blood of God had a different opinion on the matter. The Hollow Mark was inaccessible to Adam, yet the energy of the Frenzied Shard could still be useful to him.

Perhaps right now, he would be able to absorb the Blood of God and fulfill the second condition for the Third Grand Star.

"What? The Blood of God will force the Evolution Tree to accept it?" Adam muttered, confused. "What does that mean?"

Soon, he got his answer.

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

The amber-blood flowing within the bubble began to move faster as soon as it coalesced into a single powerful vortex that resembled the tip of a spear or even a drill.

The bubble shuddered as the vortex glowed brightly and slammed with full force directly into the Evolution Tree.

RUMBLE!

A rumble spread throughout the inner space as the first amber cracks appeared on the white bark of the Evolution Tree.

Usually, when something harmed the Evolution Tree, Adam felt it immediately. It was the core of his power, so even a simple scratch would echo as pain in his heart.

But now, none of that was there.

All Adam felt was excitement.

"When the Blood of God appeared here, the Path Construct reported that it was too powerful. But now, with the frenzied shard’s energy, my Evolution Tree is capable of accepting this power, right?"

Adam still didn’t know where the Frenzied Shards had come from or what was the source of their power. But he understood quite well how the Hollow Marks worked.

The Hollow Marks allowed the monster to use power not yet available to it. They were a glimpse of its future potential.

"Hah, if I were stronger, there wouldn’t be any problems absorbing the Blood of God. Now, with the frenzied shard, I’ve achieved a similar result, haven’t I?"

The vortex continued to spin, and every time the blood bubble trembled, the vortex crashed into the Evolution Tree, attempting to shatter its bark.

With each strike, more cracks appeared as shockwaves spread outward, shaking the inner space.

But, gradually, the vortex calmed down and broke apart into the blood flows that, as before, began to move inside the bubble.

[The Blood of God does not have enough power to merge with the Evolution Tree.]

[The problem stems from an external source.]

[The Blood of God needs a sharp pulse for the final push. This must be done while the Blood of God is still relatively stable.]

The mechanical voice of the Path Construct rang out, causing Adam’s joyful expression to turn grim.

"Agh? What does that mean?"

He glanced at the Evolution Tree.

"I hope it’s not you, right?"

[No.]

Now, the Evolution Tree spoke to him. The Path Construct had done its job.

[You should have seen this, Adam. I wasn’t resisting. The problem isn’t with me, but with you.]

"W-What?!" Adam clenched his fist with a menacing look. "First, the Blood of God was too strong, now it’s not strong enough. What does this have to do with me?"

[Well... Perhaps I didn’t express myself clearly. But the point is, I won’t be able to absorb the Blood of God until you help us both. Neither I nor this blood has enough power for that.]

Adam crossed his arms over his chest.

"Rgh? What do you want me to do? Maybe I should hit you along with this vortex? How does that plan sound?"

[Hah. You can try, but I doubt that’s exactly what will help you. You have to do the same thing you did when fighting that knight.]

"Hmm?" Adam tilted his head in confusion. "What do you mean?"

His battle against the Dark Knight was difficult, but he didn’t feel any changes in the inner space.

[The longer you fought, the more intense the pain became, and the higher the stakes rose, the faster the flows moved within this bubble. I’m sure that if it weren’t for this battle, a single Frenzied Shard wouldn’t have been enough to reach this point.]

Adam’s gaze fell on the amber cracks in the white bark. They hadn’t disappeared anywhere, because the Evolution Tree didn’t want to remove them.

[Either way. Everything is going according to plan.]

"Plan...?" Adam gave him a questioning look.

[Yeah, I think Gladius and Xyrea were expecting something like this. I mean, everything fits perfectly. At the Hail Passage, another battle awaits you, for the right to become one of the Fangs and, ultimately, to escape the Hollow Lands.]

For a moment, Adam froze. Then his eyes flashed, and a sly smirk formed on his face.

"You’re overestimating them. Even with all the knowledge they have, they couldn’t have known I’d come to this very Frenzied Shard, but I like the way you’re thinking. So one more battle and I’ll get it all at once? Power, freedom, and a Fang rank?"

[I hadn’t thought of it that way, but yeah... I think you’re right.]

Suddenly, the Evolution Tree’s tone turned more serious.

[However, Adam, you’d better hurry. You’ve been busy exploring the Hollow Lands and fighting at the Pit, so you didn’t sense it, but this blood... It’s not your enemy, but it’s a time bomb, and you’re running out of time, especially now.]

Adam glanced at the blood bubble, watching the frenzied flame covering the moving flows.

"I see." He nodded. "Are you saying that by absorbing the Frenzied Shard, I lit the fuse on this bomb?"

[I guess so. But... This isn’t your first time, is it?]

"Tsk. Unfortunately, you’re right."

Before leaving, Adam looked at the top of the Evolution Tree and at his Initial Gene. He nodded, thanking the Silver Weaver and Lone Blaze for their help before returning to the real world.

It was time to return to the Hail Passage, the place where his journey in the Hollow Lands had begun.