Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 1730 1730: The Judge’s Voice and the Emerald Clock

All the spectator seats at the northern Hail Passage were already taken. This was hardly surprising, given who was set to fight in the arena and the fact that the match was due to begin in just a minute.

The gates opened as the noise died down. Leerna walked ahead while the two girls followed her.

"Well, well, we've finally made it here, huh?" Kaerno leaned on his hand, with one leg crossed over the other.

Strangely enough, he was sitting in a regular seat, while Sarka sat next to him in a large, comfortable chair reserved only for the Fingers.

He didn't mind it. He had come here to watch the fight. Any seat where he was comfortable would do for that purpose.

"Whoa! Is that the judge?" Sarka's wide eyes sparkled with amazement.

"Hmm?" Kaexa, who was sitting to her left, raised an eyebrow. "This isn't your first time in this Hail Passage, is it?"

Sarka sat up straight.

"No, but… She looks so cool! I want to be the judge too! Damn! I want my own arena!"

"Hah, you know what you have to do for that. Become one of the Fingers, and you'll get your own Hail Passage."

Sarka puffed out her cheeks. "It's not that easy!"

"Huh, that's your problem."

Step. Step. Step.

Leerna's footsteps echoed as she sat down on her stone throne. Immediately after her, her assistants took their places to her right and left.

Now, at the northern Hail Passage, a multitude of powerful monsters had gathered, but only Leerna and these two had the right to influence the course of the battle in any way.

"I'm sure this came as a surprise to all of you, just as it did to me."

Leerna's voice rang out as no one dared even whisper. Everyone knew that after her speech, they would see the fighters.

"However, many of you know this was to be expected, for today in my arena, at the Grim Court, Adam Vinter will fight! You all know what a talented young man he is, having arrived here straight from the Citadel! He has absorbed the Frenzied Shard and is now ready to fight and win to become one of the Fangs!"

Leerna stretched her hand forward as emerald energy surged outward, forming a massive clock above the arena.

"The first fighter - Adam Vinter! Step into the arena!"

Her voice echoed throughout the Hail Passage, carrying far beyond the hall's walls.

Adam was far away, but he heard everything clearly.

'This isn't the first time I've had to fight in the arena. It brings back memories of when I fought Fromund. But this time, my opponent is of a completely different class, right?' Adam thought before getting up and heading toward the tunnel.

He didn't rush, moving at his own pace. Without him, the fight couldn't begin anyway.

Step. Step. Step.

Soon, the muffled sound of bare feet echoed from the western gate as Adam's silhouette emerged from the darkness.

All eyes immediately turned to him.

Sure, most monsters knew what he looked like, but as Leerna had said, that information was two months old.

Now, Adam looked different, possessed new strength, and even his clothes were not what the spectators expected from a Phantom.

Es'aha, who was sitting on the other side of the arena, snorted and glanced at Kaerno's side.

"I can't believe he did that. What the hell is that? It's as if it's not a Phantom, but his son!"

Kaerno merely smirked. He was pleased that everyone had noticed Adam's robe.

Adam, in turn, looked around and raised his head.

The stands didn't interest him much. At the Colosseum at the Citadel, the scale was even greater, though there were ordinary people there rather than powerful monsters.

'Is that a clock?'

Leerna nodded as she continued. Adam's task was to enter the arena and nothing more, for now.

"The first fighter is in the arena, so I call the second! Show yourself!"

This time, her announcement sparked puzzled whispers among the spectators.

"Agh? Wasn't she supposed to call out the second fighter's name?" someone asked, confused.

"Yes, did she forget to do that?"

"No, the judge couldn't have made such a mistake. Maybe it's..."

Step. Step. Step.

Clear footsteps echoed from the east side, silencing all the whispering.

Kaerno grinned widely, for he was one of the few who knew who was about to enter the arena.

Like Adam, Zin was in no hurry. He wore his old black coat and boots, unlike Adam's bare feet.

'Is that him...?' Adam muttered to himself, staring at Zin's unusual amethyst eyes.

Now, Zin's hand didn't hold his usual red apple, which made Kaerno chuckle.

'Does he not consider Adam a worthy opponent, or does he want to test him first? Well, maybe his arrogance will finally be his downfall.'

Silence.

For a moment, silence hung over the arena.

Everyone knew Adam would be fighting one of the unranked monsters, that was one of the rules. The spectators had their guesses, some thought it might be Batar, others bet on Kelya or even Narha.

However, even those who thought of Zin's name immediately dismissed the idea as nonsense. It simply couldn't happen!

"No fucking way…" The man with crimson hair leaned forward in disbelief. "It's Zin, it's him!"

"Unbelievable!" someone exclaimed, jumping to their feet.

"Zin… the Silence of the Abyss! Is he going to fight in the arena?!"

"This has never happened before! What's so special about this Phantom?!"

Adam, who was watching the sheer rapture in the stands, could do nothing but smile bitterly.

It wasn't the first time he'd encountered such a reaction.

"Any thoughts?" Adam asked, staring intently at Zin.

Unfortunately, he still couldn't get in touch with Silvana, but he wasn't completely alone.

'Yeah…' the Silver Weaver's irritated voice rang out. 'I don't sense any aura from him, but given their reaction… Well, things are looking very bad.'

'I see.'

"SILENCE!" Leerna's voice boomed across the arena, silencing everyone.

She stood up and pointed her hand at the emerald clock.

"You came here for victory. Whoever is the last one standing in the arena will acquire the Fang rank!"

Click.

Leerna snapped her fingers as the emerald clock sprang into motion.

"Begin!"