Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 948: Time for Changes

The defeats had long been Adamʼs partner and motivation to improve. The quick, almost instantaneous defeat of the Inferno Serpent was no exception to that rule.

Risha couldnʼt see Adam through the cloud of dust in the distance, but her heart beat faster while sweat ran down her forehead.

The Inferno Serpent paid no attention to her, he narrowed his eyes waiting for Adamʼs next move.

Suddenly, a calm, masculine voice sounded in Rishaʼs head.

ʼRisha, you need to wait for the right moment and escape. I know this is unacceptable to you, but neither of you stands a chance against the Inferno Serpent,ʼ the Glenʼs voice trembled. ʼI say this as your Operator, as your future partner... That monster is beyond your powers.ʼ

As soon as his words were spoken Risha gulped. In all the time she had been trying to connect with her new Operator, she had never heard Glen sound so desperate.

ʼWhat...? No, Glen, itʼs alright, at least I hope so...ʼ she muttered. ʼIf my brother sent Adam on a hunt for the S4 Monster, then heʼs up to the task!ʼ

She bit her lip, her eyes running from the monster to Adam. ʼItʼs clear with me, I donʼt have a chance against the Inferno Serpent, yet... But, as much as I donʼt want to admit it - Adam is much stronger than me. I guess it was just a failed attempt, thatʼs all.

Glenʼs uncertain voice echoed in her head again. ʼSo... Do you honestly believe that Adam will defeat the Inferno Serpent?ʼ

No reply followed.

Crackle.

Adam waved his hand, tossing the cobblestone aside.

”Tsk, that wasnʼt cool at all,” he grumbled, brushing away a trickle of blood flowing from the corner of his mouth.

ʼAre you alright?ʼ Silvana asked worriedly.

Adam slowly stood up, shaking the dust off of himself. ʼYeah... Something like that. But, so far I donʼt see how I can defeat this huge snake. Not that this is the first time, I just donʼt see any options at all.ʼ

His eyes narrowed, staring at the massive silhouette in the distance. The Inferno Serpent was in no hurry to go anywhere, he remained in the lake, watching Adam curiously with his sly amber eyes.

”I struck at full force, using energy and the Elemental Root. However, all I achieved was one pitiful crack on his countless scales. At this rate, it will take me a hundred years to break through his armor.”

The situation was difficult, but Silvana was not about to act pessimistic in front of her Phantom. It was her duty to help him find a path to victory.

ʼHmm... Petrification and powerful physical strength didnʼt work. Letʼs say the Inferno Serpent has good resistance to the elements, and the scales are a very sturdy defense. In that case, you have two options, either attack him with other abilities or aim for a more vulnerable spot.ʼ

Adam scratched the back of his head. ”Well, Iʼd like to use two options at once. His eyes... They piss me the hell off. Hopefully, he wonʼt mind losing one of them.”

Step.

At the same moment, Adam tore forward while silver threads covered his body, and an amber grid appeared deep in his right eye. He kept a few abilities as a trump card, but a needle appeared in his hand and the Stellar Resonance was activated.

ʼFine, letʼs see how durable he is. First Iʼll make him think Iʼm trying to break through his armor. If I use everything I have, I can probably do it.

ʼThen, when he focuses on defending his broken scales, Iʼll show him that the S4 monster is not the kind of opponent that can make me afraid, that can plunge me into despair!ʼ

A bitter smile showed on his face.

”Iʼll leave that honor to someone stronger.”

Whoooooooosh.

In a white flash, Adam found himself facing the Inferno Serpent again. Pulsations ran down his long needle, he was going to use the Infusive Energy Control as well.

The Inferno Serpent narrowed his eyes.

”How boring... Are you so stupid that you would try to attack in the same place? Only an idiot repeats a mistake twice!”

”No,” Adamʼs cold eyes grew deeper. ”Thatʼs the problem with all of humanity. We keep repeating our mistakes in hopes that this time something will be different.”

A wave of energy traveled down the needle, aiming for wide scales.

”The amazing thing is that sometimes it works. The whole world changes, people adapt, but the essence of humanity is constant.”

Thrust.

Three pulses moved off the impact point, shattering the scales into small shards. The Inferno Serpentʼs pupils narrowed, he didnʼt believe Adam was capable of doing that.

However, it was only a tiny step towards victory. Adam had a marathon ahead of him.

”You...” the Inferno Serpent hissed. ”So this needle is where your true power is?”

Adam didnʼt show it, but he was shocked that one shattered scale and a few cracks on the scales nearby was all he could accomplish.

ʼShit, when I used that attack against Reinz, I practically smeared him on the wall in a bloody stain. ʼTsk, that serpent is too big. All the force of my attack just scattered all over his huge body!ʼ

Suddenly, Rishaʼs shout rang out from the side:

”Adam! Look out! From above!”

Bam.

Before he could react, a tail in a whip came crashing down on him, throwing him straight to the bottom of the lava lake.

Risha gasped, her eyes filled with fear.

Sure, normal lava or red-hot metal was useless against a Phantom, especially a K3 one, but the lava lake at the Cave Grid was a different case.

For the Inferno Serpent, it was a warm bath of pleasant temperature, his scales distributing most of the heat, but Adam was small and vulnerable to fire.

Splash.

With an amber splash of red-hot lava, Adam jumped out, streaking along the Inferno Serpentʼs back.

Drops of lava dripped from his coat, one fell from the ends of his black hair, but the energy flowing throughout his body prevented any burns.

Another batch of scales flew off to the side, then, followed by another sweep of the tail.

Bam. Bam. Bam.

Risha was frozen in her place as if petrified. She could only watch as the huge serpent repeatedly threw Adam in different directions: into the lake, into the wall, and then tried to grab him and crush him in midair.

However, none of this could stop Adam even for a second. As soon as he plunged into the wall after another hit, he would immediately jump out and attack again.

ʼFuck... How does he do that?ʼ

Risha shuddered, her wide-open eyes reflected a white flash, attacking the huge monster in a desperate attempt to make some progress.

ʼI donʼt know how strong the serpentʼs attacks are, but... I couldnʼt have continued fighting after the first direct hit!ʼ

Risha actually knew the answer.

Adam was moving correctly, defending himself at the last moment and using energy control to minimize the effects of the tail strike. Figuring out what to do wasnʼt hard, but executing it was a whole other story.

ʼGood...ʼ Adam muttered internally. ʼHeʼs preparing to defend his body, trying to anticipate where Iʼll attack next. Then itʼs time to get serious.ʼ

Whoooooooooooooosh.

Not letting the Inferno Serpent guess his plan, Adam struck again.

”Not this time!” the Inferno Serpent exclaimed, gripping Adam tightly before his needle could reach the target.

The Inferno Serpentʼs eyes narrowed, scrutinizing Adamʼs expression, wanting to see only fear and panic in it. He tried to hold back, eager to see what else the human in front of him was capable of, but he was tired of repeating the same action.

”You managed to inflict more wounds on me than I expected, but... Now Iʼll just crush you like a bug!”

With a calm expression, Adam looked at the serpent. ”Was I not strong enough for your hidden assignment?”

Confusion was reflected in the Inferno Serpent.

”In that case, I will have to punish you for your arrogance. Itʼs usually humans who suffer from it, but it seems talking monsters are capable of it too.”

The flash blinded the Inferno Serpent - he was too late to see the path going from Adam to his right eye.

”NO!!!!” the Inferno Serpent roared, his instincts screaming at him about the impending threat.

In an instant, scarlet streaks of cuts covered the tip of the serpentʼs tail as Adam dashed forward finding himself behind his enemy.

First impulse. Second impulse. Third impulse.

With a shudder, the amber eye exploded, drenching the majestic creatureʼs head in its blood.

”ADAM VINTER!!!!”

The Inferno Serpentʼs furious roar thundered throughout the Red Zone, shaking the stone peaks and looming stalactites atop.

”YOUʼRE ENDED!”

Red energy traveled along the hundreds of scales, empowering him with strength unknown before.

Adam wasnʼt nervous, he prepared to fight, but before he could realize anything, three fiery flashes rained down on him.

Bam.

Flying a kilometer away, Adam smashed several rocks with his back before finally coming to a stop, lying in a pool of his own blood.

”Fuck... That hurt...” Adam wheezed with difficulty raising his fist. ”Maybe try again?”

Then, he remembered that his gravitational punch did not affect the serpent.

ʼNo... Itʼs useless. Shit! What if my remaining trump cards are useless too?ʼ

ʼThatʼs not an option, to win I need something else...ʼ

ʼI need a solution to my current problem.ʼ

He clenched his fist tightly, drops of blood falling on his face.

”Right now!”

At the same moment, a strange shiver passed through his Evolution Tree, resembling the smirk of a devious old man who finally waited out.

Then, without Adamʼs knowledge, energy began to condense around his artifact and the Elemental Root, while the third lesser gates started to vigorously rattle.