Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 1995: Durand, the Death Arm

The True Lords were unstoppable. They were the strongest monsters among the billions currently living, and many True Lords lived long enough that, over the course of their lifetimes, more than a trillion monsters of all levels and species were born and died.

The Befallen Crown had the most True Lords. They were both under its command and part of the leadership of the strongest and largest faction in this world.

Aside from the True Lords of other factions, the only things that could stop them were the Second Rank Phantoms, and one of them was standing right in front of Durand at that very moment.

“You know, I’m impressed,” Durand’s voice rang out. “This is the first time I’ve seen the Citadel react so quickly. It seems you really don’t want to lose Adam Vinter, do you?”

The girl waved her hand dismissively.

“They were just lucky I happened to be nearby, that’s all. But what’s lucky for Adam is unlucky for you, you freak!” the girl exclaimed as her eyes flashed. “You made a mistake when you decided to attack one of us!”

Durand narrowed his eyes.

As a True Lord, he wasn’t afraid to fight a Second-Rank Phantom. Well, if it had been Damien instead of this girl, he would have hurried back to the Dark Shore. But he didn’t know who this girl was.

‘Hmm… Why don’t I know who she is? Though it doesn’t really matter. Her aura is rather strange, but not particularly strong. It’s at the level of the Twelve Branches at most. I’ll be able to handle her, though I’ll probably end up with some wounds.’

For Durand, that outcome was acceptable. To find and kill Adam, he would need no more than 3% of his power. Considering that Adam was currently seriously wounded and exhausted, Durand would need even less.

“What’s your name?” Durand asked.

“Tsk.” The girl clicked her tongue. “I knew right away you weren’t a gentleman. Do you even know what manners are? You should have introduced yourself first!”

Strange as it may seem, Durand accepted her criticism.

He touched his chest and said:

“My name is Durand, the Death Arm. I came here to kill Adam Vinter, but you already know that, since you’re here for the same reason. Now, your turn.”

The girl rolled her eyes.

“Pfffft! The Death Arm? What a silly title. I’d be ashamed to go around with one like that.”

Durand shrugged.

“I don’t think the thousands of enemies who have died by my hand would agree with you. And, unlike you, at least I have a title. Something tells me that for someone like you, that matters.”

“Yeah, sure.” The girl waved her hand dismissively.

For some reason, she didn’t take him seriously. She spoke to him as if he were several ranks below her, even though that couldn’t be the case, after all, he was a True Lord.

“My name is Kamora. I’d tell you more about myself, but you’re not my type.”

“Hmm?” Durand tilted his head and blinked slowly. “What’s wrong with me? I’ve heard a lot of things said about myself, but this is a first.”

“Pffft! Do you think your sharp features and pale complexion make you a heartthrob?”

Kamora pointed at him.

“Your eyes – they’re like those of a half-dead fish, devoid of light and interest. I don’t like that.”

Durand nodded.

“I see. Well, there’s nothing I can do to change that.”

“Oh, there’s something else,” Kamora added.

“Hmm?” Durand raised an eyebrow.

Kamora smirked.

“You’ll soon be a cold corpse, just as dead as your eyes!”

Tremble.

Durand’s aura burst forth, and the dark flame billowed in all directions.

He had heard enough to make a decision. But, not wanting to waste time or risk injury, he decided to give Kamora one more chance.

“Get out of my way, and the Befallen Crown won’t find out about this. The Citadel won’t be able to save Adam Vinter’s life. We can’t allow another Second Rank Phantom to appear, you should understand that better than anyone.”

Kamora scratched the back of her head with an awkward smile.

“Yeah, I’ve noticed that your intentions are more serious than usual this time. Someone at the very top is afraid of Adam’s abilities, aren’t they? Otherwise, they wouldn’t send a True Lord to hunt down a K4-Phantom.”

Durand narrowed his eyes. Kamora’s nonchalance was making him increasingly wary.

“Does that mean no?”

Kamora grinned.

“No.”

“Glad to hear it.”

Durand assumed a fighting stance as the dark flame surged into his hand, taking the shape of a long, slender blade.

“If, while hunting Adam Vinter, I also kill a Second Rank Phantom, that’ll be good news for the Befallen Crown and the whole world.”

Kamora shrugged.

“I’m afraid many wouldn’t agree with you. But go on – try if you can.”

Durand’s gaze grew colder. His green eyes, like emeralds, fixed on her.

“Oh, defeat isn’t something I’m used to.”

Tremble.

Durand’s frame trembled as, in the next moment, he found himself right in front of Kamora. Where he stood, the gusts of wind swirled into a whirlwind because of his speed.

Kamora, for her part, was still looking straight ahead, as if she didn’t see that Durand was already in front of her.

SLASH!

He swung his dark blade from top to bottom, intending to cut her in two.

“Ah?”

At the last moment, Kamora’s silhouette became a blur as she appeared one step to the right. This differed from Durand’s technique, and that of many other fighters, but her speed was no less impressive.

The dark blade swept forward, cutting through the gusts of wind and heading toward the Gray Sea. Even before the blade reached the surface, the pressure split it in two as powerful waves rose from the left and right.

Kamora calmly observed the aftermath of his slash before nodding.

“Not bad, but now it’s my turn.”

Durand was ready for an enemy attack, but… what he saw was different from what he expected.

Kamora’s right hand trembled as it transformed into a massive, red, monster-like fist.

BAM!

Before Durand could react, her fist slammed into him with full force, sending him flying toward the distant clouds.

“Ha! One to zero in my favor!”