Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1567: Light in the Eyes

Vaarch's frustration over Adam's decision was perfectly reasonable. He was well aware that monster energy posed a severe threat to Phantoms.

Of course, typical humans could consume monster meat without issue, and Phantoms were no exception, yet those scenarios weren't the same at all.

When a regular human or Phantom took in monster meat, it had been hours or even days since the creature's death. By then, no active energy remained within the flesh.

Besides, during such times, a Phantom would typically be at full strength, so a bit of outside energy wouldn't cause damage, though it also wouldn't boost their power, just like what happened to Vaarch.

For Adam, however, this was akin to swallowing a lethal toxin.

He was utterly drained and teetering on the edge of collapse. In his grasp, the black wolf's heart still pulsed with life, brimming with potent energy.

So, the instant he devoured that heart, its full force surged into his core, rushing straight toward his Evolution Tree.

This poison endangered not just his physical form but the very foundation of his power as well.

Within moments, less than a minute even, the monster's energy would start to taint his Evolution Tree, corroding it like a venom gnawing at the trunk and disrupting the vital energy streams.

However... Vaarch had overlooked a key detail.

Without this desperate act, Adam would have perished regardless.

At least now, a slim opportunity existed to alter the outcome.

Why was that?

It stemmed from Vaarch's own oversight, though he hadn't grasped it yet.

"Hey... Vaarch, what do you think of this blunder?"

Adam's raspy voice echoed out while he kept his gaze fixed downward, avoiding Vaarch's eyes.

A look of bewilderment spread across Vaarch's features.

"The barrier you set up at the entrance... Well, it gave me an idea."

Quickly, Vaarch pieced together Adam's meaning.

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

Black-and-white energy streams erupted from Adam with explosive intensity, like flames devouring fuel in an infernal blaze.

Vaarch's complexion drained of color as the truth of Adam's strategy dawned on him.

"You... You're expelling energy from your Evolution Tree to create space for the monster's power?"

Through this method, Adam seized the urgent strength he craved, essentially sacrificing his own reserves by burning them away. Meanwhile, the incoming monster energy filled the empty space without immediately wrecking his Evolution Tree.

'But what's the purpose?' Vaarch wondered. 'He's become a walking explosive device. Sure, he might fight now with borrowed might, but soon his Evolution Tree will run dry, and the overwhelming monster energy will tear him apart from the inside!'

"Hah, guess why I pulled that off?"

Adam lifted his head briefly, his gaze gleaming with an eerie golden glow.

"Because that brief window will let me take down one smug dragon right here."

A chill of dread swept over Vaarch just as his punch crashed toward Adam.

Whoooooosh.

Adam disappeared in a blur, materializing mid-air to Vaarch's right side.

His eyes burned with thrill and sheer delight in the combat, as waves of energy kept pouring from his frame.

He had roughly a minute left before his Evolution Tree hit empty.

"Hey, I'm over here."

Vaarch whirled around at the voice, only to face Adam's incoming kick aimed at his head. Purple energy trailed the strike, signaling the infusion of ancient power.

The azure eye caught the motion clearly, yet Vaarch couldn't respond in time. His mind had wandered, costing him dearly.

BAM!

Adam's kick collided with Vaarch's raised arm, sending him skidding backward.

But before Vaarch could recover his guard, the azure eye widened at Adam's fist, charged with ancient energy.

"GHA!" Vaarch cried out in agony as the blow hammered into his fortified chest.

A sprinkle of blood splattered onto Adam's features, yet the ecstasy in his stare intensified.

Without pause, another punch flew toward Vaarch, who dodged sharply aside.

'I never imagined it'd escalate this far, but I've got no alternative!' Vaarch thought urgently as he zeroed in on another monster.

Before Adam could close in, Vaarch ripped into the snow bull with crushing force and consumed its heart, flooding himself with fresh power he urgently required.

"What will you do next?!" Vaarch bellowed, unleashing a storm of strikes against Adam.

Every punch struck true, carving bloody welts across Adam's torso and arms.

No words were necessary from him.

His response came through his deeds.

Crack.

The following monster fell to Adam's savage assault. He swallowed its heart, drawing in yet another surge of monster energy.

As long as the toxin didn't claim him outright, he could harness it for his own gain.

Vaarch's eyes bulged in realization. He now saw the game's brutal rules.

From this point, just the pair of them hunted, treating every surrounding monster as mere resources to secure triumph.

The one most stunned was Alexia, propped against the icy cliff.

Words failed her. She observed in stunned silence as Adam and Vaarch collided repeatedly.

Upon suffering grievous injuries, they turned on the beasts, claiming their essences in distinct fashions to heal and empower themselves.

The creatures attempted flight, sensing the peril of lingering. To Adam and Vaarch, they were little more than livestock awaiting the butcher.

Escape proved impossible for any.

Adam and Vaarch had ascended to such formidable levels. They dashed with blinding velocity, shattering ice formations in their wake and trailing paths of mangled remains, shredded forms, and crimson pools.

The vast snowy field had transformed into a gruesome arena of carnage.

"But..." Alexia gnawed her lip. "This feels off..."

With every exchange, Vaarch's scowl deepened, while Adam's expression, by contrast, lit up more vibrantly, a smug grin etched on his face.

Maybe it was the rush of impending doom, or maybe another factor at play.

Click.

Suddenly, the Path Construct activated as golden light flared in Adam's eyes.

One of the two requirements was on the verge of fulfillment.