Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 2000: The Second

Adam had already seen the True Lords fight once, or almost. Back then, one True Lord fought a multitude of Lords from the Befallen Crown.

This happened when Adam first arrived at the Dark Shore. He met Kenward, the first Lord, and that Lord turned out to be a True Lord as well.

They set off for the Soaring Chain Islands, where a new series of problems awaited Adam. Many Lords from the Befallen Crown tried to kill him. It was the first time he had faced this threat.

But Saegar, Kenward, and Wilfred saved him.

Well, Saegar did most of the work back then because the battle took place on his territory, and he had to protect his people and islands.

That day, Adam realized just how powerful the True Lords were. One alone was enough to kill many Lesser Lords and Ascendant Lords.

He saw what a single True Lord could do, and he also caught a glimpse of a Second Rank Phantom in battle.

However, he had never witnessed a full-scale battle involving a Second Rank Phantom. He had seen what Damien, Frida, Wilfred, or Gladius were capable of, but those were all isolated attacks, actions, or glimpses of their auras.

If it hadn’t been for the incident at the Soaring Chain Islands, Adam wouldn’t have seen what the True Lords were capable of either.

Perhaps it was precisely because of that incident that Adam decided to go watch the battle between Kamora and Durand.

He was still far from their level, but to some extent, he was just one step away from their powers.

“They… Their auras are so strong. I don’t know how long it will take me to gain the same power, but all Second Rank Phantoms and all Lords have one thing in common: they are all Second Circle Creatures.” Adam looked ahead as he approached the battlefield.

True, right now, Adam was closer to a White Threat Level monster than to a Baron. Sure, he was stronger than the Barons, but he didn’t have the same capabilities as they did because he was still a First Circle Creature.

“Silvana, how much longer until we get there? You sense auras better than I do,” Adam asked with a calm expression.

Silvana narrowed her eyes to better see the ripples traveling through the air.

“I think about five more minutes. We should see them very soon. Although… if there’s active combat going on between them, they might be moving quickly from one place to another.”

Adam nodded.

“I see. So we won’t have to wait much longer.”

He didn’t know what to expect, but for some reason, Adam was certain that coming here had been the right decision. It was what he had to do if he wanted to become stronger.

…

Meanwhile, the battle between Kamora and Durand continued.

“Huh, so you can regenerate?” Kamora smirked, looking at Durand’s shoulder.

Just as in her case, it wasn’t standard regeneration, but it was pretty close. Durand directed his energy toward his shoulder, recreating it from the dark flows.

“Don’t you think that’s a bit hypocritical of you?” Kamora grinned. “All it takes is a single touch for you to direct your death energy at an enemy, yet you can regenerate as well.”

Durand narrowed his eyes.

“It just means I’ve taken care of my weaknesses and strengths, that’s all. And what about you? What kind of power is that?”

His gaze grew darker.

“You’re not the first opponent I’ve faced with devouring abilities, but I’ve never seen such a hungry aura before. Your aura is ready to devour anything, even death energy.”

Kamora shrugged with an innocent smile.

“This is my power. I have nothing more to say. And what is that?” She pointed at Durand’s scythe. “Couldn’t you have come up with something more original?”

Durand swung his scythe, his eyes radiating confidence in his actions. He didn’t let Kamora’s questions and taunts get to him.

“This is my Arc. Like everyone else, I received it when I became a Lord, and to me, it’s a special weapon. This scythe is a reflection of my power.”

Kamora gave him a mocking glare.

“Hmm? How will it help you if your death energy doesn’t work on me? Even if a god and death themselves stood before me, I would still devour them. What can you possibly set against my hunter?”

For the first time during their battle, Durand smirked in response.

“Huh, do you think all I can do is spread my death energy? I’m afraid you’re underestimating me. Death energy is capable not only of corrosion, but of powerful attacks as well.”

He pointed his scythe at her.

“You can regenerate and devour my death energy, but you’re not immortal, otherwise, you wouldn’t have regenerated your hand.”

“Wow, you’re a real tracker!” Kamora gave him a thumbs-up.

Durand rolled his eyes.

“You can have as much fun as you want. I have no intention of losing. After all, I still have to catch Adam Vinter after I’m done with you.”

Kamora leaned forward as she smiled, revealing all her shark-like teeth.

“Come on, show me what you’re capable of.”

Tremble.

Gray energy covered her hands as two wings sprouted from her back. One wing resembled that of a demon or a bat, while the other resembled the wing of an ancient bird with sharp, amber feathers.

Durand frowned.

“You’ve reached the very top, and this is the power you’ve chosen? It’s disgusting. You’re not a monster or a Phantom. You don’t even look like a hybrid. You’re a mutant at best, but I’d simply call you an abomination.”

Kamora didn’t respond. Instead, she transformed her legs as well. They turned to stone, with grooves through which the wind rushed at high speed.

Durand grew wary.

‘Wings and legs like that? I see. She wants to win this round with speed. Fine, I can handle that.’

Slash!

Durand swung his scythe.

It was a simple horizontal swing that left a dark line in the air.

In the blink of an eye, the space between him and Kamora was split apart.

The slash cut through everything in its path. Less than a fraction of a second had passed since Durand’s swing, but that was more than enough time for Kamora to vanish from her spot.

She had been moving fast before, but now her speed had reached a whole new level.

She appeared to Durand’s left as her fist came crashing down right at him.

“Fast,” Durand noted as he blocked her punch with his scythe. “But that’s not enough.”

Kamora’s eyes flashed.

“I’ve only just begun!”

BAM!

Her next strike sent Durand flying as she lunged after him.

Durand remained calm, knowing that this victory wouldn’t come easily, but he was confident that, of the two of them, he would be the one left alive, eventually.

…

A few minutes after the active phase of the battle between Kamora and Durand began, Adam got close enough to the battlefield.

“That’s…”

Adam’s eyes widened as he saw two figures fighting in the distance.

“It’s them!”

Silvana grew alert. Now they were in their line of sight, and it wouldn’t be long before Kamora and Durand spotted them.

In fact, it had already happened.

Tap.

Kamora and Durand paused in the middle of their clash as their eyes turned toward them.

They were both surprised by what they saw.

Adam Vinter was right there. Durand could reach him in a matter of seconds and kill him, completing his mission for the Befallen Crown.

Kamora had other thoughts.

Someone like Frida would say he was an idiot for taking such a huge risk, but Kamora just smirked.

“Oh, now I understand why they value him so much. He’s actually important to the entire Citadel.”

Tremble.

Their frames trembled as they moved a safe distance apart from each other, while simultaneously closing in on Adam.

Kamora gave Durand a long look before turning her gaze to Adam.

“You’re Adam Vinter, aren’t you? Sorry, but this is the first time I’ve seen you.”

Adam smiled bitterly. For some reason, he immediately sensed that Kamora was someone he could rely on.

“Yes, that’s me. I wanted to watch your fight. That True Lord…” Adam glared at Durand. “He came for me, right?”

Kamora nodded.

“Yes, you’re right. The safe thing to do would be to get as far away from here as possible, but it seems that’s not your style.”

Adam shrugged.

“Guilty. I couldn’t resist my curiosity.”

“Hahahahaha!” Kamora laughed while Durand plotted how to get to Adam.

Then, Kamora stared at Durand as her aura burst forth with such force that he had to look at her.

“Hey, dead fish, I don’t have time to play games with you anymore. I can’t lose face in front of the junior.”

“Hmm?” Durand raised an eyebrow. “What does that mean?”

Instead of answering, Kamora ripped off her jacket.

A powerful gust of wind made her hair flutter as Adam and Durand’s gazes focused on a single point – Kamora’s right shoulder.

On her shoulder was a tattoo, just a single number – “2.”

“I think I should introduce myself properly.”

Kamora smiled confidently.

“I am Kamora, Second Knight of the World End.”