Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 1718 1718: Silence of the Abyss

Sarka didn't deny it or make excuses. She simply froze as if she'd seen a ghost or recalled a nightmare. In fact, to some extent, that was exactly what had happened.

"It seems you've forgotten about the most dangerous unranked monster?" Adam turned to Sarka.

After a few moments, she shook her head, slowly coming to her senses.

"No, that's not it. I completely forgot about that one. It's not that I don't think he's strong enough or that I wanted to hide it from you, just…"

Adam raised an eyebrow. He was caught off guard by how uncertainly Sarka spoke of this fighter.

"Just, I don't think there's the slightest chance he'll fight, especially at the Grim Court. I can't remember the last time I heard about him. All I know is that he hasn't been in the Hollow Lands for several months, or even longer..."

She stroked her shoulder as goosebumps ran across her skin.

"He goes to the Pit and spends days and weeks there. He's in no hurry to return to his pillar, even though his pillar is the largest blade pillar in all the Hollow Lands!"

Adam narrowed his eyes.

"You said it was him. What is he doing at the Pit?"

However, Sarka merely shook her head apologetically.

"I'm sorry, but I don't know anything about that. Really, you shouldn't worry about it. He's never been interested in simple battles or the Grim Court. This news won't make him come back and change his mind. It won't affect him the way it affects Batar, Narha, Kelya, and the others."

'I see,' Adam thought. 'She's afraid of him. But Sarka is a powerful monster. She's much stronger than Larth, even though they're both Fangs. Still, Batar, Narha, and Kelya are above them, but… she speaks of them as strong warriors, while that one monster makes her voice tremble.'

Adam leaned forward, his gaze as serious as ever.

"Thank you, Sarka. You've helped me."

"Did I?"

Adam nodded deeply.

"Sure. But before we finish, tell me something else."

"Hmm?"

"What's his name?"

Sarka gulped.

"R-Right... Sure! I'll tell you!"

Glancing around as if afraid someone might hear her, she leaned forward and whispered:

"His name - it is…"

…

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

The core trembled, the amber flame enveloped it, while pulses ran through the black roots.

Usually, no one ventured this far into the Pit, especially into the zones shrouded in dark mist. Such fields were forbidden zones. They lay too far away, and the path to them was fraught with danger.

Still, right now, there were two beings here, two monsters on completely different levels of power, but only one of them was interested in this encounter.

One living creature was already too many for this place, and two was an unheard-of rarity.

Slowly, Es'aha descended to the ground. The currents of wind surrounding her trembled because of her aura.

When her feet touched the ground, she turned toward the core as her gaze momentarily grew serious.

'It's stable, as it should be, but still, it's too dangerous. These zones are off-limits for a reason! No one should be here! Ever! Until the time comes to take action!'

Unlike the carefree Kaerno, Es'aha was a serious leader. She believed that for the sake of their lands, for their home, it was necessary to follow the rules. She did so and expected the same from others.

She did this not because those who broke the rules could harm their lands, no, but because their lands harbored places that were far too dangerous and destructive secrets.

She stared at the core, clenching her fists tightly.

'Even I, even I can feel how this thing is trying to get into my head! How it's trying to warp my mind!'

In fact, if there were a Fang or even a Thorn here, the first thing they would do is try to get out of this place as fast as possible. They would fight for their lives, but not with their weapons or bodies, but with their minds, and with every moment they spent here, their chances would grow slimmer.

Only such powerful monsters as Es'aha, Kaerno, and the other Fingers could stand near the cores without suffering from their influence.

Still, the young man had been sitting on a flat rock for quite some time, staring at a single point - the red apple.

He hadn't gone mad and wasn't dead. Perhaps his mind and heart were now calmer than Es'aha's.

Although… That wasn't right. Es'aha could turn this young man into nothing with a wave of her hand. In terms of power, they were from different worlds.

She would never do that. She was willing to do anything to get this young man back into her pillar, but even she couldn't force him to do it.

Es'aha tried. Time and again, she came up with something new, but eventually she gave up, accepting this strange situation for what it was.

'Maybe... Maybe Kaerno is right. This is my only, no… This is my best chance!'

Step. Step. Step.

Regaining her regal posture and confident stride, she approached the young man, stopping to his right.

"Zin, I want to talk to you." Es'aha's voice rang out.

Apart from the trembling core, cracking roots, and gusts of wind, it was the first sound in several hours.

Slowly, the young man turned toward her. Her figure was reflected in his unusual, amethyst eyes. Her gaze could strike fear into most monsters in the world, but Zin looked at her without emotion.

He glanced behind her, then stared at the red apple again.

"Go away. I have no reason to go home, not now."

His voice was light, carrying no resentment or anger. In this blighted place, he felt most at ease.

Es'aha had expected such a response, but this time she wasn't going to give up.

"I have news for you. Talk to me."

He continued to look at the red apple.

Es'aha clenched her fists as she decided to take a chance:

"Zin, Silence of the Abyss! A Phantom, Adam Vinter, challenges you to a fight at the Grim Court!"

Strangely enough, he turned around, showing the same calm expression as before. But something in his gaze had changed - something that gave Es'aha hope.