Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1566: Blood and Fool

Vaarch's statement wasn't made without purpose.

He regarded all his adversaries with a sense of honor. Adam fell under that same principle, which led Vaarch to refer to him by his actual name.

However, at this moment... he merely labeled him as a mere human.

'Damn, he's spot on.' Adam tightened his fists, grasping the implication hidden in Vaarch's remark.

In contrast to Vaarch, he lacked the ability to draw in the strength of a slain being just by ending its life. Although what Vaarch performed on the creature didn't restore him fully to his maximum power, it offered substantial aid in his current predicament.

Thanks to her fresh power, Alexia had taken down roughly a hundred beasts, yet an equal number managed to evade that doom and got liberated from their frozen prisons by Vaarch.

The area held plenty of beasts, allowing Vaarch to pull off this maneuver repeatedly.

Eventually, the creatures would sense the need to flee, and not even the urge to claim some essence from the two formidable Phantoms or the Frost Oasis could keep them lingering, though that realization remained distant for now.

Truth be told, this single move—Vaarch's capacity to directly siphon energy from a monster's core—essentially sealed the outcome of their battle.

Adam found himself out of options.

His sole remaining chance rested on fulfilling one of the two requirements for the Third Grand Star, since the essence from the Winding Fragment still roamed freely within him.

Yet he possessed neither hints nor support from others. Alexia and Silvana had exhausted their efforts, while Vaarch pressed on with ruthless tactics to secure triumph.

Step.

Vaarch advanced, with shadowy energy enveloping his fists.

"Quit overthinking, Adam."

That command snapped Adam's eyes open wide, yanking him from his reverie into the harsh present.

"If even in this dire moment you can't devise a plan, then you've already exhausted every possibility. Embrace your destiny and battle until your final breath like a true fighter!"

Crack.

Ice shattered beneath Vaarch's heavy footfall as he charged ahead.

Adam raised his arms defensively just as Vaarch's punch collided squarely, hurling him backward.

Desperate to create distance from Vaarch, Adam seized an icy spire and veered sharply to the right.

But...

BAM!

Vaarch had anticipated it, positioned there with his fist ready, smashing directly into Adam's face.

Blood gushed from Adam's nostrils while his vision wavered from the devastating impact, on the verge of blacking out.

Before crashing down, his gaze sharpened again, only to catch sight of Vaarch looming overhead.

His fists balled tight, descending upon Adam like an iron mallet.

Tap.

Adam's hands struck the surface as he executed a backward somersault, narrowly dodging Vaarch's assault.

A burst of snow erupted upward, accompanied by a explosive shockwave.

Screech!

Adam skidded over the frozen terrain, halting close to another spire. His stare locked onto Vaarch, who casually shook snow from his palms and approached with deliberate steps.

'What's my next move?'

That question dominated Adam's thoughts.

'Do I simply evade his blows forever? And... what if I slip up? How long until my stamina fades? One solid hit from those fists, and I'm done.'

Adam's eyelids fluttered as his surroundings started to haze over, shadows creeping in at the borders.

He neared exhaustion. A couple more strikes from Vaarch, and the bout would conclude for him—and far from favorably.

"GRH!"

The snarl from nearby forced him to whip his head around.

The dark wolf, far deadlier and stronger than its pale counterparts, stood poised to consume Adam. Once Vaarch wrapped up with him, the beast would seize its share.

When lesser hunters acted this boldly, it served as yet another sign that Adam's position had deteriorated beyond repair.

"I get it..."

His raspy tone echoed as he switched his focus from Vaarch to the dark wolf, which lingered back without advancing, though its teeth gleamed exposed. It awaited the perfect instant to clamp down on Adam's throat.

"Hah, so it's devour or be devoured, isn't it?"

The dark wolf's gaze briefly expanded, almost as though it comprehended the grim undertone in Adam's final words.

Thrust.

Blood sprayed forth as Adam's hand plunged into the dark wolf's torso.

The creature barely had time to respond before Adam yanked his arm free, extracting the still-pulsing heart of the dark wolf.

"Gr-Gh!"

The dark wolf struggled feebly, but such an act from Adam lay beyond its expectations. Phantoms weren't meant to resort to this.

Thump.

The wolf slumped lifelessly, its throbbing heart clutched in Adam's grip.

"You... IDIOT!"

Vaarch bellowed, his roar thundering across the vast white landscape.

"What in the world are you thinking?! You're a Phantom, not some savage beast! Devouring that core will only worsen your plight. Its power will destroy you and—!"

Adam cut him off:

"Rob you of your win? Relax, no need to get so narrow-minded."

Adam lifted the wolf's heart toward his lips.

"What else would you have me do? Drag out our clash and burn through all my reserves in a couple of exchanges, handing you that precious triumph? On top of that, you ought to feel honored by me."

"Huh?"

Vaarch appeared baffled.

"I'm heeding your counsel, you jerk. I'll go to any lengths to crush my foe!"

Crunch!

His teeth tore into the wolf's heart, and in stark opposition to Vaarch's seamless absorption from other entities, Adam faced a far messier and more savage ordeal.

Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.

He kept gnawing and ripping chunks from the massive organ, crimson liquid trickling from his lips' edges, devouring every last morsel until nothing remained in his palm.

Thump!

Abruptly, Adam gripped his chest as agony seized his own heart in a vise.

"Tch. Moron." Vaarch scoffed, striding closer.

He loomed above Adam, glaring down with a mix of fury and disdain.

Vaarch prepared to unleash his lecture, yet an unexpected shift made his eyes bulge in terror.

He wasn't alone in his readiness to sacrifice all and sundry for the sake of prevailing.