Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 359 Midnight Crystal (Part 84)

”What is that creepy ability...? Is that her Nexus...?” Katrin muttered in disbelief, staring at Nessaʼs transformation.

Nessaʼs veins swelled like Resonance, all her muscles tensed like steel, her pupils changed their color from black to amber and her hair became much thicker, reaching to her waist with its sharp tips.

Her fangs and claws grew longer, like deadly blades with one purpose - to kill and tear apart any enemy in their path.

Adam, Silvana, and Magnus were the only ones who had seen this transformation before. This time something was different, showing that Nessaʼs body was already fully accustomed to such a change.

Amber energy emanated from Nessaʼs body like streams of vapor, slowly developing in the void.

Magnus hadnʼt fully explored this special ability yet, for no matter what he did, he was unable to get Nessa to enter her battle form in the lab.

He realized that it took something special, some kind of critical situation for Nessa. Something like that simply could not be accomplished in the safe conditions of the lab. So, he had stopped his attempts, concentrating on improving Nessaʼs control over her powers.

But, now he could finally see progress that didnʼt depend on him or Nessa. It was happening naturally, the first time Nessaʼs body was just trying to figure out how to use the energy, how to make Nessa stronger so she would win.

Now, however, things were completely different.

Nessa had found the right catalyst for her, she couldnʼt bear to get such a humiliating stare from Plague Reaper. Then, her body realized it was time to act.

”Well, well, looks like it took her a lot less time to reach the peak of her power this time.” Adam muttered looking at Nessa with a slight sadness in his gaze.

He wanted to go into Resonance, to get a little more powerful, but he couldnʼt do it. It was a process that couldnʼt be controlled though... Adam was afraid of something that might come along with Resonance.

ʼEven if I could enter Resonance, then...ʼ Adam muttered inwardly, glancing at his hands, his fingertips trembling slightly while electric shocks ran through them.

ʼWould my body be able to take it? Osana wasnʼt kidding when she said I was at my limit. If I activate Resonance, how long can I last before I collapse? A minute? Maybe even less?ʼ

Adam shook his head. He didnʼt want to think about it too much since it hadnʼt happened yet.

Never before had Adam fought when his squad had supports.

Then, Adam lowered his gaze to his chest, where Leroʼs red magic circle still shone brightly.

”Tsk... It shouldnʼt be like this... Phantomʼs abilities shouldnʼt live longer than Phantom himself... Itʼs not right.” Adam gritted his teeth as the scene of Plague Reaper killing Lero appeared before his eyes, in just one move, in one powerful stomp.

The life of the Phantom, though a young one, was over in an instant.

It pained Adam to think how much a man like Lero could have accomplished in his life if it hadnʼt been cut short in Fume Cathedral.

”No... It doesnʼt matter now. Lero, Erla, and Oskar... they died, but I can still fight for my life.”

With a deep sigh, Adam looked around the entire battlefield, first looking at Nessa who was slowly rising from the ground, then at Katrin and Osana standing next to Fume Cathedral.

Whether they all survived or died depended on one thing: could they kill Plague Reaper? So far the situation was not in their favor, since Plague Reaper had already killed three of their mates, and all they had accomplished was for Plague Reaper to start fighting with his weapon.

Adam scratched the back of his head.

”Well, last time I and Nessa fought against each other, so now itʼs our turn to be allies, right?” Adam smiled bitterly, kneading his arms before the next round.

In many places in his body, a muffled pain reverberated, Adam didnʼt show it but he felt every Plague Reaperʼs blow successfully reaching its target.

In a way, this pain was even pleasant as Adam realized that Plague Reaper felt the same. They failed to seriously injure each other, but their faces often clashed fists.

ʼHey, Adam, hi. This is Nessaʼs Operator.ʼ Refesa said suddenly, tapping into his channel.

ʼWhat, how did that happen!ʼ Silvana inwardly exclaimed in disbelief.

She listened intently to what Adam was muttering under his breath and wanted to say something, she needed to motivate or encourage him somehow, something that would boost Adamʼs morale.

Silvana knew that thoughts of dead mates were not something to keep in mind during a dangerous battle.

But... in a matter of seconds, someone had just infiltrated her channel and there was nothing she could do about it.

”Hmm? Who are you, whose voice is that? Nessaʼs Operator...? Itʼs not like sheʼs Pha...” Adam said before abruptly stopping when his eyes went wide filling with realization.

ʼGood. You stopped just in time.ʼ Refesa nodded approvingly, ʼMy name is Refesa and I am a scientist like Magnus. Iʼm talking to you so you can work with Nessa. I donʼt know what sheʼs capable of in this form, but if you attack Plague Reaper relentlessly, sooner or later his defenses will come down.ʼ

Adam nodded.

”Yeah, thatʼs exactly what I was going to do.”

Magnus standing next to Refesa cast a puzzled look at her.

”Hey, Adam isnʼt some rookie, why would you tell him something so trivial? Anyone knows that in a situation like this, you have to fight and attack quickly, itʼs obvious!”

Refesa smirked, casting a sly glance at Magnus.

”Oh, I just wanted to meet you. By the way, his Operator better work on defending her network, I was able to hack it in less than a minute.” Refesa chuckled softly, savoring her small victory.

She imagined Silvanaʼs face, who was in a rush trying to figure out what had happened and how Refesa was able to do it so easily.

Unlike Riska, Tronʼs Operator, Refesa had no permission due to her higher level of access. She simply hacked into Silvanaʼs channel.

Magnus gripped his chin thoughtfully.

”Why? You hacked her, yes, but you donʼt carry a threat. Who does Silvana have to protect her network from?”

Refesa sighed before directing her gaze downward.

”Well... Given Adamʼs history once he reaches K2-Level heʼll want to head to the Lower Ring. Iʼm sure with his personality heʼs sure to run into trouble and as you know Phantoms and Operators are all over the Citadel, not just the Upper Ring.”

Magnusʼs eyes widened for a moment, realizing that Refesa was right, it was inevitable in his situation.

Then, he shrugged returning his gaze to the screens.

”Right now, heʼs not in the Citadel, heʼs in Dead Lands. He must survive first, then let him do what he wants.”

Step. Step. Step.

At the same moment, Nessa sprinted forward, hurtling through the wind currents at breakneck speed.

Plague Reaperʼs calm face frowned slightly, he could sense that Nessa had changed completely.

Whoooooosh.

Nessaʼs silhouette blurred, turning into a shadow before appearing in front of Plague Reaper.

Plague Reaperʼs hands quickly grasped the scytheʼs long hilt, going to block Nessaʼs long claws.

But...

As soon as he did so he heard electric charges raging behind him.