Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1579 1579: First Fish

"Gha..."

A gust of warm breath escaped from the Old Horn, while fury ignited in his gray eyes, causing them to shift to a deep red.

"You woke me up for a mere K4-Phantom? Even a lowly Baron among the Lords could handle that! DAMN IT! I should've smashed that artifact ages ago to prevent crap like this from ever occurring!"

Everyone familiar with the Old Horn knew his fiery temper all too well. He could erupt in anger instantly, yet just as swiftly regain his composure.

"Looks like you missed what I said. This isn't any ordinary K4-Phantom. It's Adam Vinter."

The Old Horn rubbed the back of his ear absentmindedly.

"Right... right, I've caught wind of him before. Ha, I've been eager for him to grow powerful enough for a real showdown. But that still doesn't explain why I'm needed. A single gesture from Liliane would reduce him to dust. What's my role in this?"

The woman let out a deep sigh.

"Are you trying to make me beg? Don't act like you missed the news about that humiliation the watchers faced a few months back. Over a dozen Lords perished, yet Adam Vinter made it back to the Citadel unscathed."

"Pffft!" The Old Horn scoffed, as though her words were utterly absurd. "Naturally he did! Wilfred and two other True Lords were backing him up! If he's got that same crew this time, we can drop this talk immediately!"

Her tone sharpened noticeably.

"Quiet down. He's only got one girl with him, another K4-Phantom just like him. Both are worn out from the fight. Plus, our intel shows they're holed up with a local hunter in the vicinity."

The Old Horn lifted an eyebrow in surprise.

"A hunter? Ha, good thing that guy ditched this place decades ago. I still get chills recalling his piercing, crystal-like stare. Brr! Total nightmare fuel!"

The woman recognized exactly whom the Old Horn meant, though she dismissed it as irrelevant. She was certain no one of that caliber lurked around here.

"So, what's your answer? Will you assist Liliane? You might not even need to lift a finger, but I need assurance the operation succeeds."

A sly grin spread across the Old Horn's face as he interlocked his fingers.

"Alright, count me in. Now, about my compensation... Well, I was heading to that special spot anyway. You get what I mean, don't you?"

Indignation flashed in the woman's expression.

"You believe I'll hand over star access that easily? Though, if I deliver Adam Vinter alive, it could work. Just... get it done!"

She fell silent then, as the crimson droplet vanished.

"Tch. Cut off without a proper wrap-up?" The Old Horn tossed the crimson drop away carelessly. "Whatever... I just have to track Liliane's aura and tail them."

Silence.

For a brief instant, quiet enveloped the cave, with only dim light seeping through fissures to illuminate the Old Horn's chest.

Before long, a wide smile crept onto his features.

"Adam Vinter, eh? If he's such a big deal, there must be guardians around him, yeah? Ha, fingers crossed, or I'll die of boredom!"

...

Two distinct forces mobilized to hunt down Adam and seize him, while also eliminating Alexia and the hunter aiding their recovery from the grueling clash.

What occupied Adam in that very instant?

Tap.

He threaded a worm onto the sharp hook and flung the bobber into the depths with a broad arc. Gripped in his hands was a sturdy fishing rod hewn from resilient timber, its line replaced by the silk from a fearsome beast.

Adam lacked full knowledge of its creation, but he grasped that countless mighty creatures had fallen to forge this rod. Given Goen's formidable prowess, those beasts surpassed Adam's own strength.

At present, he wielded their remnants to master fishing for the very first time.

"Solid work." Goen approved with a steady nod. "A fierce current runs through here—one surface river and two submerged ones merge into this lake before cascading over the falls. The energy concentration in these waters is immense, drawing schools of fish and monstrous variants alike."

"Got it. Sounds like prime territory for a seasoned angler."

Goen gave a casual shrug.

"Spot on. Once I sensed the lake's rich energy, I couldn't resist exploiting it. The Primal Lands hold countless wonders, but this unassuming body of water ranks among the top fishing havens."

Alexia perched close by, legs folded, her expression brimming with interest.

"And now? I've only caught fishing on a handful of TV episodes."

"Patience is key." He gestured toward the bobber. "When a fish nips at the bait, Adam must yank the rod sharply. Speed is essential, or the catch slips away for good."

Goen clapped Adam on the back.

"No big deal, but a failure here? I'll never let you live it down."

Adam scowled lightly.

"Wait, seriously? Shouldn't you be pumping me up instead?"

"A tasty meal—that's your incentive." His eyes flicked to the remnants of the serpent. "Today's covered, but fresh catch from you would spice up tomorrow's menu."

Adam wondered if success was within reach. As a capable Phantom, fishing remained foreign to him. He understood the basics, yet practice was scarce.

Luckily, he had company in the endeavor.

"Adam! Check it out!" Silvana burst out, equally engrossed in the activity as he was.

The bobber trembled, signaling a bite on the line.

Adam's eyes focused sharply as he tugged the rod with force.

His swift motion and power hoisted a large fish, edged with razor fins, straight from the lake.

"WHOA!" Alexia cried out in delight, eyes wide at the enormous, disk-shaped creature that soared from the water.

Yet her excitement faded swiftly.

The array of jagged teeth marked it as a piranha variant, far from harmless.

Its maw clamped repeatedly, racing up the line toward Adam's position.

The piranha loomed near his face when Goen materialized to the side.

Calm and unflinching, he lifted his hand and drove his palm squarely into the beast's skull.

THUMP!

Dazed, the piranha flopped down beside Adam's feet.

"Impressive for a beginner's attempt, quite impressive indeed."