Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 1725 1725: The Decision After the Fight

Apart from the two fighters, the judge was the only other participant required to begin the Grim Court.

Even if the judge was familiar with the fighters, they still had to meet. This was necessary to follow the rules.

Only after the judge approved the two fighters and heard their intentions could the Grim Court begin.

Usually, the judge met with the fighters several days or even weeks before the start of the Grim Court. After that, an announcement was made, and monsters interested in the fight headed to the arena at the specified time to watch the battle.

Sure, sometimes things happened faster, much faster.

If both fighters wanted it and the judge didnʼt object, the Grim Court could begin the very next day. When the fight was interesting enough, there were no problems attracting an audience even on such short notice.

But… organizing the Grim Court in just a few hours?

That was an incredible rush and too much of a hassle. In 99 out of 100 cases, the judge would simply refuse to participate and make the fighters wait at least one or three days.

In fact, it wasnʼt uncommon for two fighters to want to fight as soon as possible. They had a conflict, so they wanted to settle it right here and now. With that mindset, they went to the judge, but no judge was willing to change their schedule for the sake of two fiery fighters.

The fighters could argue and complain all they wanted. They had no way of influencing the judgeʼs decision since all the judges were the Fingers.

Still, Leernaʼs arena was already filling up with spectators, even though just a few hours ago she hadnʼt even suspected sheʼd have to oversee the fight.

In any other situation, she would have refused, just like all the other judges. But when Esʼaha came to her and Kaerno sent his men to deliver a message, Leernaʼs options became severely limited.

In fact, even the pressure from these two was not an order for Leerna. After all, she, like them, was a Finger and possessed immense power and influence.

The main problem for Leerna was the fact that one of the fighters was Adam Vinter, a Phantom, which was a great rarity in the Hollow Lands.

This attracted the attention of hundreds of monsters, and dozens immediately headed to her Hail Passage to secure their seats.

Now, she was under pressure not only from Kaerno and Esʼaha, but also from the spectators.

Leerna had no choice, even though she didnʼt like it.

Some judges loved their work. They were ready to hold fights in their arenas every day, but Leerna wasnʼt like that.

She couldnʼt give up her Hail Passage. This privilege, and in her case, a heavy burden, automatically passed to her along with the Finger status.

Unfortunately for Leerna, who had hoped to spend the day in peace with a cup of coffee, this wasnʼt the end of it, for now a second fighter had appeared.

Step. Step. Step.

Zin walked forward slowly, feeling confident and at ease in the presence of the two Fingers.

”Will you be the judge of my first fight?” He asked, looking straight into Leernaʼs eyes.

ʼHell, it really is him,ʼ Leerna thought. ʼKaerno, you sly old snake. At what point did you get the idea to bring this monster here?ʼ

”Yes.” Leerna nodded. ”I take it your decision is final?”

”Sure. I wonʼt leave until I get what I need, and that wonʼt happen without a fight against Adam Vinter.”

Zin looked back as his gaze drifted toward the window.

They were now in a room carved directly into the rock, offering a view of the arena, Leernaʼs Hail Passage, which, like all the others, lay deep underground.

If the Bone Lakes were the first underground level, then the Hail Passages, specifically the arenas for the Grim Courts, were another level below.

”I donʼt see him.” Zin narrowed his eyes. ”My opponent, Adam Vinter, hasnʼt he arrived yet?”

Leerna shook her head.

”No, but donʼt worry about it. If Kaerno is involved, heʼll show up sooner or later.”

She glanced at him over her shoulder.

”If you want, you can stay with us or head to the arena gates. Iʼll call you when the fight starts.”

Zin nodded.

”I donʼt want to get in your way. Iʼve waited a long time, so Iʼm ready to wait a little longer.”

Saying nothing more, Zin headed for the exit, and soon his back disappeared into the darkness.

”Wait!” Esʼaha exclaimed, standing up.

”Hmm?” Zin turned to her, confused.

Esʼaha sighed deeply, placing her hand on her chest.

”Zin… After the fight, maybe youʼll stay in my pillar? Just like before? At least for a little while?”

Leerna, who had been watching from the sidelines, took a quiet sip of her coffee.

ʼPoor girl, sheʼs trying so hard to bring him home. She must realize that Zin isnʼt interested, though…ʼ Leernaʼs gaze darted toward him. ʼWhat on earth is he interested in? He gives me the creeps even though heʼs at the Elder Level. What will he become when he becomes a Lord?ʼ

Reaching the Lord Level was a far easier task than becoming a Second Rank Phantom. Still, it was a great achievement, and few monsters were capable of attaining that power.

But when it came to monsters like Zin, no one had any doubt that it would inevitably happen.

In fact, Leerna and the others were convinced of the opposite:

ʼIf he hadnʼt spent so much time on his own business, God knows what heʼs up to, he would have already reached the Lord Level. Agh, when you have that kind of talent, nothing else matters to you anymore, right?ʼ

While Leerna grumbled to herself, Zin pondered a reply for Esʼaha.

”I donʼt know.”

Esʼaha caught her breath.

”I came here to fight. I have no reason to stay in your pillar.”

Esʼaha had nothing more to say.

”I see…” She lowered her head as her gaze quickly filled with sadness.

Step.

Zin stepped forward as his voice rang out once more:

”Out of respect for you, I will make my decision after the battle is over.”

Leerna smirked as she took another sip.

ʼWell, well, even glaciers are melting, arenʼt they?ʼ