Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1559: Return to Battle

'I have to take him down before his strength surges any further.'

Adam held Vaarh's complete focus in his stare.

'Should he reach the next stage, defeat is all that lies ahead for me.'

Next, his fierce look turned toward Alexia.

'This woman... She's built up some real strength. Yet, no matter her efforts, she doesn't scare me. She might put up a solid battle and even injure me, but falling to her? That's unlikely in any realm.'

Vaarch lacked Menax's raw aggression and Erada's untamed fury.

He scanned the chaos of the fight, seizing every chance to claim triumph and maximize his gains.

That approach had propelled him to his height of might, and he intended to reclaim it.

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

Vaarch's energy quivered while lightning bursts from the tempest coursed over his form, gradually bringing him down to the earth.

"Agh?" Alexia glanced upward, surprised that Vaarch chose to rejoin the fray from his safe perch.

Adam braced himself for combat, just like Alexia, who struggled to steady her thoughts. Her previous technique had drained her heavily, yet her presence remained potent.

Step.

Vaarch touched down while bending ahead and drawing his spear rearward, as if setting up for a swift charge akin to Adam's style.

"He's charging in!" Alexia cried out as sparks of electricity danced across Vaarch's body.

Oddly, this assault aimed not at Adam or Alexia; instead, his eyes targeted the beasts nearby.

Whooooooosh.

In an instant, Vaarch became a streak of white light, darting at breakneck pace between frozen figures, trailing pale afterimages.

Vaarch's velocity grew so intense that the metal boots on his feet glowed hot and reddened, yet he pressed on undeterred.

"What in the world... What is he up to?" Alexia muttered in bewilderment.

Adam's eyes tightened, and comprehension hit him moments later, but the moment had passed.

"Hold on, he's—!"

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Vaarch brushed the frozen forms with his palm and the spear's flat end. Each contact unleashed a mild jolt of electricity into the ice, too weak to harm the creatures within but sufficient to shatter the casing.

Given Vaarch's blistering speed, he shattered multiple figures each second, intent on liberating every trapped monster from its frosty prison.

Crack. Crack. Crack.

Shards of ice tumbled to the ground in succession, flying by Alexia's stunned gaze.

Indeed, Vaarch couldn't revive those slain by the glacial spikes. However, across the snowy field, over a hundred Black Threat Monsters lingered, their actions halted by mere frost.

"You d-damned fool! What's the point of this?!" Alexia bellowed in rage as icy gusts whipped around her.

"Stop!" Adam yelled, noticing Alexia gearing up for another frost seal.

"I'll finish him!"

Gush!

Blood gushed from Alexia's lips, staining the pristine snow ahead with vivid red.

Alexia possessed great power, but unleashing her ultimate technique back-to-back proved overwhelming for her.

Recovery demanded time, yet they lacked even a single minute.

Whooooooosh.

Brushing aside the snow in his wake, Vaarch skidded to a stop right where he'd begun.

"Gha... Gha... Gha..."

His breathing came in harsh gasps.

Steamy heat enveloped him, vapors lifted from his heated frame, and sweat dripped along his angular features.

Still, through the strain, he'd accomplished his aim.

"Rgh!"

"Rark!"

"Grhhh!"

The liberated horde of roughly a hundred monsters surged toward them. They followed Vaarch's commands no longer just out of obedience, but fueled by resentment toward Alexia for endangering their lives.

The skirmish had shifted from a 2 against 1 to 2 against 100.

With Alexia still regaining her strength, Adam's position worsened dramatically from moments prior.

"Damn it... I'm powerless here." Alexia pounded her fist against the earth, her teeth grinding hard.

Twitch. Twitch. Twitch.

Adam's fingers jerked as his pulse quickened, driven not by the thrill it often brought, but by mounting dread.

No escape presented itself from this trap. Slaying every beast would leave him utterly spent, easy prey for Vaarch's impending thunder assault.

'Adam, I'm set.'

Silvana's words echoed in his thoughts.

'Huh? What do you mean?'

Assurance gleamed in Silvana's expression.

'The Evolution Vein has fully taken in all the ancient essence I funneled to it. Whenever you require my strength, draw on it freely.'

Thump. Thump. Thump.

Dozens of creatures closed in, encircling them completely. Before long, Vaarch vanished behind the massive forms, shielded from Adam's view. Even unseen, Adam understood Vaarch would soon rally.

'He pulled this off because it benefits him more than hurling bolts from the sky. Got it... Then, I'll have to unleash my full arsenal.'

Step. Step. Step.

Adam advanced, his silhouette looming over Alexia.

"A-Adam?" She whispered, taken aback.

In reply, he extended his arms broadly as his dual-toned aura erupted in fierce flames.

"Relax, now it's my chance to back you up. Victory might not come immediately, but..."

His gaze grew shadowy, his tone turning icy.

"Once I've done what I'm planning, nothing here will survive."

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

A shake rippled through his aura, and Silvana materialized at his side.

"Hold off, Adam!" Alexia called, aware of his intent. "A single strike won't fell them all!"

He recognized that truth, which made this the perfect moment for the move.

The massive shears materialized before Adam and Silvana, though this time Silvana held still. She avoided the handles, remaining positioned behind Adam.

Clutch. Clutch.

Adam seized the ethereal shears by their grips and yanked them apart. The seam ruptured, sending the sections into his hold.

The enormous blades now rested in his grasp, fully subject to his command.