Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 1726: Everyone in Place (Part 1)

"Hehehe, did you feel that?" The man with long crimson hair resembling a spiky mane grinned widely. He was sitting in one of the seats reserved for the Fingers, which offered the best view of the arena.

Next to him, on a simpler seat, sat a girl with long black hair falling in sharp spikes. Her face was pale, with large dark circles under her eyes.

"Hmm... I noticed that too, boss. One of the fighters has arrived at the arena. He or she... just spoke with the judge."

"Yeah, he decided to head to the arena chamber. Well, that’s for the best. We’ll find out everything when the time comes."

The young man sitting to his left glanced at his watch. "Speaking of which, there’s only half an hour left. Everyone’s already here."

His gaze turned toward the arena.

More than 90% of all the seats were occupied, whether they were for ordinary monsters or for more influential ones like the Fangs, Thorns, and Fingers.

The remaining seats were filling up quickly; in just 10–15 minutes, there wouldn’t be a single seat left, and those who wanted to watch the fight would have to stand in the back, which, however, wasn’t so bad, since they’d still be able to see the fight.

The man crossed his arms over his chest, gazing at the stone throne towering above all the spectator seats. Next to the throne were two more chairs, more modest, but still special compared to the others.

These were the seats for the judge and their two assistants. Usually, this role is taken on by two Thorns from the Finger’s pillar.

The assistants rarely intervene in the fight or make any decisions. They are observers with enhanced authority, ensuring that nothing and no one disrupts the course of the battle and that the rules are not broken.

Tap.

Leerna set aside an empty coffee cup with a knowing smile as she looked at Es’aha. Despite the influence Es’aha possessed, now she looked down, fingering her fingers with warmth in her gaze.

"Well, well, all it takes to make the great Finger blush is the hope of her loved one’s return."

Es’aha’s face flushed red as she slammed her hand on the table in indignation.

"Shut it! I treat him like... like a son! You don’t know how much I want him to stay in my pillar as he used to! Do you even know where he goes in search of his silence?!"

Leerna smirked.

"Yeah, to the cores, right?"

Es’aha gulped; even for the Fingers, this was not something they could ignore. Unlike the Frenzied Shards, which were largely just a resource for talented monsters, the cores posed a far greater threat tied to the nature of the Hollow Lands.

"Agh... His power makes him practically immune to their influence. He doesn’t go mad from those eerie cries; he finds peace in them."

"Either way, there’s nothing you can do about it. If he prefers to spend his time at the Pit, you won’t stop him. I know you’re hoping he’ll return to your pillar or at least stay in the Hollow Lands, but I don’t know what would have to happen during the battle for Zin to change his mind."

Es’aha bit her lip. She had nothing to say since she knew Leerna was right.

"Alright, there’s almost no time left; I’m going to get ready. Don’t forget to take your place, though..." Leerna turned toward the window. "Huh, you can watch the battle from here if you want. I wouldn’t mind."

Es’aha took a deep breath, leaning on her hand.

’Leerna is right. I should enjoy the fight and accept that after this, Zin will return to his dark, quiet fields. At least, I’ll see how he fights and what he’s achieved during this time. That’s something.’

...

There were only twenty minutes left until the fight began. However, even though the judge was already preparing to take her seat, the second fighter was still in the same spot as five hours ago.

Adam’s eyes were closed; he was practically asleep, hearing nothing but a slight tremor running along the surface of the floor as a new surge of energy headed toward the Bone Lakes.

All this time, Sarka had stayed with Adam, but they had already spent over an hour in silence. She didn’t mind; she knew Adam had to be at his peak to defeat his opponent. And she wanted to enjoy every moment she had at the Bone Lakes.

Step. Step. Step.

Muffled footsteps sounded from the side, causing Adam to slowly open his eyes.

"How much longer are you going to rest here? The fight is about to start! Everyone’s already gathered in the arena, the only one missing is you, the first fighter." Kaerno smirked, looking at Adam.

However, Adam’s gaze was not directed at him but at the woman standing next to him. Unlike Kearno, who was wearing only his loose, torn clothes, she wore a black robe, quite narrow, fastened with five large buttons.

She had long blue hair tied in a ponytail and round glasses behind which were her large blue eyes.

"What is that?" Adam pointed at the woman, or rather, at the hanger in her hand that she was holding in front of her. A set of clothes hung from the hanger.

"Huh, Adam, it’s rude to point at others. This is Kaexa; she’s my assistant and one of the Thorns of my pillar."

Adam frowned. "You know I didn’t mean that, right?"

At that moment, Sarka noticed them, but before she could say anything, Kaexa gave her a stern look. Her gaze made Sarka flinch and quietly drift toward the shore.

Kaerno shrugged and pointed at the hanger. Even folded up, it was clear this wasn’t some austere coat like Kaexa’s, but clothes resembling Kaerno’s robe.

"You’re going to fight in the arena, so you need a suitable outfit. I’m sure you’ll like it."

Adam raised an eyebrow.

"Can I refuse?"

Kaerno looked at Kaexa and then at Adam.

"No."

"Agh... I see. Well, I hope you have good taste."

"You have to."

Now, there were only fifteen minutes left until the fight, and the moment had come for Adam to return to the Hail Passage, where his journey through the Hollow Lands had begun.