Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1617 1617: Fire and Ashes

Intense sparks danced across Morok's vision as he fixed his gaze on Zargos, resembling the sight of a long-time foe.

Truth be told, Morok had never clashed with Zargos in battle, neither a year prior nor a century back. Yet, Zargos's mannerisms grated deeply on the stoic Morok's nerves.

'You've chosen to shield this young Phantom? Aren't too many beasts attempting that already?' Morok snarled.

Zargos gave a nonchalant shrug.

'I've got the same query for you. Isn't it odd that he arrived here to battle a foe at his own rank and triumphed, only to discover two distinct units from the Befallen Crown pursuing him?'

He cast a look at the five of them.

'First, a squad from the Crown Squad. Now you... from the Sword Squad. I have to say, this caught even me off guard. Normally, you're dispatched to eliminate unwanted Lords, not a mere K4-Phantom.'

Morok let out a derisive snort.

'Don't be absurd. You're safeguarding him for the very reason our superiors seek his demise. But, Zargos, before we start, I've got a private question for you.'

'Go ahead, fire away!' Zargos answered with cheer.

A dark shadow crossed Morok's eyes.

'Didn't you attempt the trial and try to enlist in one of the squads years ago?'

Silence hung in the air.

Morok's companions appeared baffled. They recognized Zargos as the heir apparent to the Flaming Eye Clan. But details of his efforts to join their ranks were unknown to them.

Yet Zargos offered no reply; his radiant smile faded, nearly vanishing.

'I get it. You refuse to respond? Then there's no reason to prolong this.' Morok gestured dismissively.

Following his signal, the four monsters assumed combat positions, with three calling forth their Arcs.

A katana materialized in the young man's sole left hand. The girl beside him gestured, causing white disks to hover over her wrists, topped by white orbs.

Their presences were formidable yet serene, wind swirling around the young man while water currents enveloped the girl.

However, a fiercer, more hostile aura erupted from the opposing side.

Crack. Crack. Crack.

Yellow lightning bolts crackled before the woman's eyes as a lengthy black staff, pulsing with thunderous might, ascended behind her.

She charged ahead without pause, obeying Morok's unspoken order.

Like a bolt of lightning turned spear, she bridged the gap in a flash, arriving directly before Zargos.

But...

'Agh?' Astonishment etched her features.

For an inexplicable reason, her hand failed to reach Zargos's torso. Regardless of her staff's quivering or the force she exerted, Zargos's scarlet aura barred her approach.

Tremble.

Zargos gradually lifted his hands, now clad in black gloves tipped with red.

During his bout with Ramilo, deploying his Arc had been unnecessary.

'Yes, that's correct.'

Zargos responded without glancing at the woman. His eyes remained on his gloves, lost in memories of old.

'During that trial, I viewed it as a chance to grow stronger, acquire fresh knowledge, and ascend to greater peaks. It's a basic drive, but one that propels us all following our initial brush with death.'

'What befell your arm, eh? Did somebody chomp it off?'

Deliberately, he tilted his head up, but directed his stare solely at Morok, ignoring the woman.

'Do you recall what transpired at the initial phase? It's combat, as you know. The goal is to vanquish every adversary.'

Morok's brow furrowed. This confirmed Zargos's genuine attempt to join them, or at least endure a comparable ordeal.

'What? You took a thrashing and fled in terror?'

Tap.

Without pivoting, Zargos pressed his palm against the woman's chest.

In that instant, Zargos's expression shifted dramatically. The smile vanished, his amber eyes darkened ominously, and amid the surrounding inferno, he exuded pure iciness.

An aged blue cat shuddered then. He wouldn't wish to stand opposite Zargos in that state.

'Rather than an honorable duel, all I received was...'

The woman's eyes bulged as scorching heat emanated from Zargos's palm. Light bathed her visage, but reaction came too late.

A fiery explosion, trailed by a searing beam, struck the woman, while a surge of red flames engulfed a swath of jungle stretching dozens of meters forward.

The young man and girl spun in shock. Being marginally inferior to their team's other trio, they hadn't anticipated such swift dispatch of the woman.

Crack.

Dark, singed fragments scattered as the woman rose from beneath the incinerated tree.

Dozens of meters of blackened ground now separated her from Zargos. The once-vibrant jungle here lay reduced to embers and ash.

Dark tendrils of smoke ascended skyward. Such a detonation could raze a whole village to cinders.

'You...' The woman swallowed hard, blood trickling from her lip's edge. 'Bastard... What the hell was that?'

She glanced downward. Her vitality and robust form had shielded her from fatal harm, though the chest burn throbbed persistently.

Zargos's gaze remained unchanged. He perceived no extraordinary feat in that strike.

'You stayed upright? Impressive, you're clearly tougher than those scum. You can endure a couple more blows for sure.'

'Tsk.' She expelled a bloody glob with a scowl. 'Don't you dare look down on me!'

'Boss.' The burly man addressed Morok. 'Should we move now? I detect two presences afar. One's likely Adam Vinter.'

Morok inclined his head.

'Indeed. The three of us can handle him.' He eyed the girl and young man. 'Locate Adam Vinter for me.'

'Y-Yes!'

They chorused and dashed off, but a column of red flame obstructed them.

'Hey, where do you think you're headed?' Zargos's voice murmured softly.

Shine!

A dazzling glow erupted as golden fire formed a portal within the blaze, swallowing the young man and girl in moments.

Zargos shifted his attention to the muscular man, noting the golden aura quivering about him.

'I see. We're similar, right?'

Then, Zargos tilted his chin upward with an icy, superior stare.

'I'm sorry, but you don't grasp what true fire truly entails.'