Endless Evolution: Last Star - Chapter 1697 1697: Dark Path (Part 1)

Now, Adam was alone.
Vyora, Sarka, and Loargh had all been defeated. They were still alive because the Dark Knight couldn’t afford to absorb their energy while Adam remained a threat, but that would happen very soon.
On the battlefield, there would be only one winner – the Dark Knight.
Neither Adam nor the Frenzied Shard would be able to escape. It was inevitable.
The Frenzied Shard had created this trap itself. It simply hadn’t believed that its loyal servant would suddenly sever their bond.
However, the Frenzied Shard did not know that the Dark Knight already had one Hollow Mark. As long as it was hidden beneath a thick layer of metal on the Dark Knight’s sword, even the Frenzied Shard remained unaware of it.
Step.
Adam stepped back. His eyes reflected the crimson darkness emanating from the Dark Knight’s cape, the energy billowing out like the flames of an evil sun.
“Do you have anything else to show?” the Dark Knight asked, though he didn’t expect an answer.
From Adam’s expression, he realized that his wings were his trump card. It was a power he had created specifically to defeat the Dark Knight, and he surely would have succeeded if the Dark Knight hadn’t had one last trick up his sleeve.
Panic threatened to take hold of Adam’s heart, but he quickly regained control of the situation.
He couldn’t give up, not now.
Whooooooooosh!
His wings fluttered as a bright light burst forth, propelling him at tremendous speed.
Adam employed Loargh’s tactics. He circled the Dark Knight, not letting him know where he would strike.
The Dark Knight was in no hurry to act. He waited for Adam to make the first move.
Right now, they were both expending massive amounts of energy on their ultimate abilities, but the Dark Knight was certain that Adam’s power would run out first.
Unfortunately for Adam, that was true. Even now, the Dark Knight was conserving his strength, while Adam used the light to accelerate.
“None of that matters!” He stared at the Dark Knight. “If my attack is successful, then it was worth it. He has enough energy to keep fighting, but his body is badly wounded!”
In a sharp turn, the flash of light tore through the circle as Adam headed straight for the Dark Knight.
For a split second, during that single rush forward, Adam reached such a speed that it seemed as though the world around him had frozen.
Everything moved slower than usual. After all, he was fast, and even the Dark Knight couldn’t react in time, Adam’s needle was already moving straight toward his neck.
Suddenly, Adam’s needle hovered in the air.
“Agh?”
With his eyes wide open, Adam stared at his trembling needle. The crimson darkness prevented it from moving any further, shielding the Dark Knight’s neck.
All his energy and speed, everything he had put into that attack, came to nothing when faced with the Dark Knight’s power.
Unhurriedly, the Dark Knight turned, looking at Adam over his shoulder.
“Not bad. You actually managed to become faster than that guy, even if only for a brief moment. However, even if you had been even faster, it still wouldn’t have changed anything. The result would have been the same.”
Step.
The Dark Knight stepped forward as his darkness pushed the needle aside.
“Now, what you lack isn’t speed or energy, but the firepower to break through my aura.”
Darkness covered his face, leaving only the glint in his eyes visible.
“You understand that, don’t you, Adam? Right now, we’re on different levels, and a being of a lower order can never defeat a being of a higher order.”
Adam clenched his teeth.
“Shut up!” He leaped to the side, preparing for the next attack. “I’ve been through dozens of battles! I’ve defeated countless opponents who were stronger than me! You won’t be the exception!”
“No.”
The Dark Knight’s sharp reply caught Adam off guard.
“I believe you, Adam. One battle against you was enough for me to realize that your words are true. However, we’re only talking about opponents who were one step ahead of you.”
Step.
The Dark Knight stepped forward, slowly drawing his sword. The blade was still amber, but the crimson darkness muffled its light, and the sword did not resist. It accepted the power of its owner.
“I am two steps ahead of you, Adam, and by the looks of it, you have no more trump cards left that could help you bridge this abyss between us.”
Adam’s pupils dilated as the Dark Knight swung his sword.
Slash!
A stream of blood gushed from Adam’s chest, reflecting his disbelief in the crimson drops flying past his eyes.
Then, even as his body burned with pain, Adam paid no attention to it. His mind was solely focused on the Dark Knight’s words.
No matter how hard Adam tried, he couldn’t find a weak spot in the Dark Knight’s aura. He saw no path to victory.
“Adam!” Lone Blaze’s shout snapped him back to his senses.
A bright light burst from his wings, carrying him away from the Dark Knight.
“Gha… Gha… Gha…”
Adam was breathing heavily, clutching his chest. He tried to stop the bleeding of his energy, but even so, the blood continued to flow, flooding the ground.
For a split second, the Dark Knight glanced at the pool of blood beneath Adam’s feet. Something in his blood caught his eye, but he didn’t dwell on it and stepped forward.
He had to finish what he had started.
“First, you will fall, Adam, then all your allies. To be honest with you, you put up a much better fight than I expected. Well, that just shows how little time I have left.”
Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.
Suddenly, dark energy surged from Adam, gloomy and ancient, forcing the Dark Knight to stop.
“Agh… He wields the Dark Energy?” The Dark Knight smiled bitterly. “That’s interesting, but it won’t change anything now.”
Adam was ready to summon his spear. He had already directed the Dark Energy toward that ability, until…
‘Wait.’
The Silver Weaver’s voice stopped him.
‘Don’t use that trash. It’s time for the real deal. Don’t you think?’
‘Agh?’


