Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 1917: A Battle One Can’t Back Down From

“Kalyso?” Adam muttered to himself as he narrowed his eyes.

This wasn’t the first time a monster had decided to challenge Adam. But… Kalyso was different from all the others for one simple reason:

“He is a Lord. A Baron, to be precise. I can sense it, but…” Adam’s eyes drifted to the three heads lying at his feet. “If he was able to kill them, that means he’s far from being a weak Baron. In fact, he’s most likely quite close to the Viscount level!”

Sure, Adam was ready to fight Breydar, who was a Baron, but that was supposed to happen after Adam obtained the Bottomless Void and grew stronger.

Kalyso’s appearance and challenge to a duel weren’t part of his plans.

In fact, it would have been easier for Adam to fight the three Befallen Crown members that Kalyso had killed than to fight Kalyso himself.

“Not only did he kill them, but he managed to conceal his presence so well that I didn’t notice him. I didn’t sense his aura, even though I was searching for it diligently. And…” Adam grew wary. “I don’t see a single wound on him! How is that possible?”

Naturally, Kalyso noticed Adam’s reaction. He understood everything from Adam’s gaze and smiled slightly.

Step.

Kalyso jumped off the ledge, landing on the surface.

“Oh, it seems you’re already considering the worst-case scenarios?” Kalyso smirked before waving his hand nonchalantly. “But I must assure you that there’s no need for that.”

Adam was confused.

“Agh? What does that mean?”

Kalyso’s eyes flashed.

“I’m challenging you to a fight, Adam Vinter, but I didn’t say it had to be a deadly duel. The loser is whoever can no longer fight, that’s the only situation in which a fighter can admit defeat.”

Adam frowned.

‘Huh, he played it sly. If it weren’t for that condition, I would’ve just given up right away, but he probably wouldn’t have let me do that anyway, right?’

True, Adam usually didn’t shy away from fights and was more often the one seeking them out and starting them. But this wasn’t one of those times.

Perhaps he was just minutes away from obtaining the Bottomless Void.

All he had left to do was head to the location of the white spot and find his final condition.

Fighting a Lord wasn’t part of his plans, and Adam sensed that Kalyso wasn’t just an ordinary monster.

“So, what do you say? Do you agree to my terms?” Kalyso asked. He treated Adam with respect, as an opponent rather than an enemy or his target.

Adam smiled bitterly, gradually accepting the situation for what it was.

‘Ah… I should have guessed it wouldn’t be that simple, right? If it weren’t for him, the Befallen Crown would have attacked me. Either way, I’d have had to fight.’

“You’re asking me if I’m ready to fight, but it doesn’t seem like you’ll accept a refusal, does it?”

Kalyso scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

“Sorry, but when I found out you’d arrived at the Gray Sea, I couldn’t contain my excitement! You have no idea how hard it was for me to wait for you here and not get in your way while you were using the Vibrating Stone!”

He clenched his fists.

“I just can’t walk away empty-handed after all my anticipation!”

“I see.” Adam nodded. “I expected this, but I suppose I should thank you for what you’ve done. You killed three Lords just to fight me, right?”

Kalyso nodded several times vigorously.

“Of course! Those bastards wanted to attack you three against one! What’s more, they wanted to kill you! The Befallen Crown isn’t interested in fair fights. They only care about their own gain and territory.”

Adam narrowed his eyes. ‘It seems Ergander was right. Many monsters actually dislike the Befallen Crown. Maybe it’s even a good thing that he’ll be my opponent.’

Sure, if Adam had the choice, he’d prefer not to fight at all. But, unlike the Befallen Crown, Kalyso was alone and wasn’t trying to kill him.

“Fine, I agree. Where will we fight?” Adam asked, assuming a fighting stance.

Kalyso looked around.

“Well, I thought I’d just go ahead and attack you right here, but that would be disrespectful to everyone who comes here to fight us. If we fight at full strength, we’ll definitely destroy this sphere and bury the Vibrating Stone under the debris.”

Then, Kalyso pointed back over his shoulder.

“I suggest we use the entire Fallen Amber Sun area as our arena, except for its center. How does that sound?”

Adam shrugged.

“Fair enough.”

Strange as it may seem, they then walked out together through the main passage, descending from the ash-covered hill.

Adam could try to escape north, toward where the white spot was located, but he wasn’t sure if that would work.

He didn’t know exactly where the Bottomless Void was or what that area looked like.

‘He’ll definitely chase after me if I do that, and I’ll hardly have a single free minute to find the Bottomless Void. That definitely won’t be enough. I’ll have to fight him.’

“Kalyso.”

Adam suddenly said as they moved forward at a leisurely pace.

“Yes?” Kalyso turned around with a bright smile.

“Why do you want to fight me? I mean, you’re a Baron, would you really be interested in defeating a K4-Phantom?”

For some reason, Kalyso burst out laughing:

“Hahahahaha! Are you trying to talk me out of it? Clever, but you won’t succeed!”

“Agh?”

Kalyso took a step to the side, pointing at Adam.

“You’re no ordinary K4-Phantom. I know it, you know it, and every monster who’s been paying attention to what’s been happening in the world over the past few years knows it!”

He continued:

“You’re right about one thing. I’d never challenge an ordinary K4-Phantom to a fight because I’d know I’d win quickly and it would be boring, but you’re a completely different case! Very soon, you’ll become a Second Rank Phantom! I can feel it!”

A few moments later, Adam nodded in understanding.

“Got it. You want to defeat a future Second Rank Phantom?”

“Exactly!”

A glint flashed across Adam’s eyes as his aura intensified.

“In that case, I’ll show you what I’m capable of. This will be my last battle before the barrier.”

…