Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 1662 1662: Fangs, Thorns, and Fingers

From the very beginning, Adam had realized that there was a true abyss in terms of power between Larth and Kaerno.

However, Adam didnʼt know exactly how great the difference was. Now, he was gradually beginning to understand just how powerful the monster standing before him was.

”You are a Finger? What the hell does that mean?” Adam muttered, puzzled. ”Why do you use such strange names? What does that mean?”

Despite the barrage of questions, Kaerno merely smiled faintly. He had expected exactly this reaction. After all, Adam was not from these lands.

”Itʼs not as complicated as it might seem at first glance.” Kaerno waved his hand, pointing at Larth. ”For example, Larth is a Fang. That means that even among the other Elders, heʼs likely to be the strongest. Itʼs sort of a subclass among the Elders.”

With a pensive look, Adam nodded.

”I see… Thatʼs true, Larth is quite strong, though I havenʼt been able to see everything heʼs capable of. What about the Thorns?”

Kaerno shrugged.

”You know that the Lords are divided into three main groups, right?”

”Yes. The Lesser Lords, the Ascended Lords, and the most powerful - the True Lords.”

”Only a representative of the Lesser and Ascended Lords can become a Thorn. There are two types of Thorns, named after their previous level: the Shallow Thorns and the High Thorns.”

Adamʼs expression grew serious.

”Are you saying that if a random Lesser Lord were to face a Shallow Thorn, the Lesser Lord would have little chance of survival?”

Instead of giving a direct answer, Kaerno smiled and asked his own question:

”What would happen if you and another K4-Phantom of your level met on the battlefield? Who would have a better chance of winning? Would your opponent be able to escape? Or would you have to run to save your own life?”

There were many questions, but the answer was obvious. Adam knew he would defeat most K4-Phantoms of his level. It wasnʼt arrogance or overconfidence. It was reality.

Sure, if he were to fight Tron in a deadly battle, there would be only one outcome, his death, since Tron was a level higher.

Kaerno waved his hand.

”Sure, thereʼs always an exception. If a Shallow Thorn were to face a genius from the Befallen Crownʼs ranks, I wouldnʼt be so sure of a victory for the monster from our lands, but even then, each fighter would have a chance.”

Adam was silent for a moment before nodding deeply.

”I see. So the Fangs are stronger than ordinary Elders. The Shallow Thorns are stronger than most Lesser Lords, and the High Thorns are stronger than most Ascended Lords. But…” He glared at Kaerno. ”What about the Fingers? It seems you stand at the very top along with a few others, donʼt you?”

Kaerno folded his arms behind his back, surveying the Hollow Lands.

”I make no secret of my status. As you should have already guessed, the Fingers are equal to the True Lords, the strongest monsters. However, unlike the Fangs and Thorns, things arenʼt so simple here.”

”Agh?”

With a bitter smile, Kaerno continued:

”The Fangs and Thorns are stronger than most Elders and Lords, but the Fingers arenʼt the strongest among the True Lords. To claim otherwise would be too arrogant and plain ignorance of the highest degree.”

He turned to Adam, a gleam flashing in his eyes.

”However, we didnʼt earn our rank for nothing. Overall, the Fingers arenʼt in the top 1% or top 10% among the True Lords, but weʼre stronger than half of them.”

Adam bit his lip. ”So if fifty Fingers and fifty True Lords were to clash, on average, the Fingers would come out on top?”

”If all other conditions are chosen at random, then based solely on the average strength of the Fingers, yes. But, hahaha, I canʼt imagine what would have to happen for a hundred True Lords to end up in one place on the battlefield.”

Larth, who had been standing to the side, turned pale.

”I donʼt want to know what could lead to that. That… That would be a real disaster!”

Scratch. Scratch. Scratch.

Adam scratched the back of his head with a slight frown. He was trying to process all the information heʼd received. Kaerno had told him more than heʼd expected.

”I understand that the Hollow Lands have their own rules, but not all the monsters here are Fangs, Thorns, and the Fingers, right?”

”Correct. The Hollow Lands are vast territories and regions, just like any other global part of our world. Among the many Black Threat Level monsters, there are quite a few Elders, just as in any other lands, but only a small fraction of them are the Fangs. As you already know, Larth is one of them.”

Adamʼs eyes narrowed.

”The strongest of the strongest? Well, if regular battles between the Phantoms were held at the Citadel, weʼd have come up with a similar system, too. Not all K3 or K4 Phantoms are equal, even if theyʼre on the same level. Thatʼs obvious.”

”Hmm. Iʼve learned a lot, but how exactly do you earn your ranks? Is it something like titles? Do the monsters around you see your achievements and decide if youʼre worthy of being called a Fang?”

Larth opened his mouth. He was ready to explain everything, but Kaerno stopped him with a sharp glance that faded away the next moment.

”I could tell you about it, but I think it would be better if I showed you everything.”

Step.

Kaerno stepped forward, finding himself right in front of Adam.

Tap.

Before Adam could even realize it, Kaernoʼs palm was on his chest.

”Agh?”

Confusion spread across Adamʼs face as a slight shockwave coursed through his body, throwing him backward.

Kaerno had no intention of hurting Adam. It wasnʼt even an attack. His goal was simple - to push Adam off the edge of the pillar.

Instinctively, Adam tried to grab onto something, but he was already in midair, and below him lay dozens of meters of space ending in the ground. He was about to fly all the way across the majestic pillar.

”Master…” Larth gasped.

Kaerno nodded.

”Go ahead. You can use the mark. Show our guest what a Fang is capable of.”

His eyes grew deeper.

”This will help him better understand the power our monsters possess, the very essence of our lands.”