Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 1791: The Warrior and the Assassins (Part 1)

Adam and Silvana hadn’t expected to learn about the Monster Nexuses and Returned Monsters during their battle against Sano and Natta.

But this became an important part of understanding who Sano and Natta really were.

"So, in the whole world, you’re the only newbies who have the Monster Nexuses? Hah, how hard is it to keep a thing like that under control?" Adam asked, pointing at their weapons.

Sano and Natta exchanged glances as Sano stepped forward.

"Want an honest answer? At first, we almost lost. On our first missions, we weren’t used to how dangerous the Dead Lands were or to our new powers as the Phantoms. So, our Nexuses tried to use every moment of our weakness to finish us off and resurrect themselves."

Natta smiled bitterly.

"A few times, Sano’s sword bit into her hard, tearing her flesh from her bones. The same thing happened with my gauntlets. However, since we were prepared for this, we were able to take the necessary measures in time and subdue them."

She glanced at her gauntlets.

"You have to treat them like wild beasts. Sooner or later, they’ll accept you as their master if you show them who’s in charge. We went through that phase around the K2 Level."

Adam raised an eyebrow. A hint of surprise was visible in his eyes.

"So at the K3 and K4 Levels you already had full control over your Nexuses and eliminated all risks?"

Sano and Natta nodded simultaneously.

"Yes, you could put it that way. As I said, it wasn’t easy, but it was definitely worth it."

Brush.

Sano brushed the trickle of blood flowing from her nose with the back of her hand, assuming a fighting stance.

"Either way, we made our choice, and we understand why, a thousand years ago, many Phantoms chose this particular Nexus type. It’s a path for the strong. I’m sure that if you had the same opportunities as we did, you would have made the same choice."

This made Adam think, which was evident from his frozen expression.

Everyone familiar with his history and battles knew that Adam preferred to take risks for the sake of a high reward. The Monster Nexus was precisely the risky option, while the original Nexus was the safe one.

Sure, at the very beginning of his journey, Adam didn’t know this, and he had no way of finding out.

Creating a Monster Nexus by accident was simply impossible. Now, even after the World Wipe, the Citadel had enough resources to rebuild to its former size within a couple of decades and control all branches of power.

They knew when a new Phantom appeared, even if it happened under such unusual circumstances as Adam’s.

Still, what would Adam have done if he had lived a thousand years ago? What would he have done if, instead of throwing him into the tar lake, Aiden had made him his apprentice and helped him like Sano and Natta?

Adam wanted to know the answer to that question, as did Silvana, who was watching from the sidelines with a worried look.

However, in response to Sano’s question, Adam just shrugged.

"I don’t know what I would have done. Most likely it would have been a matter of chance. Maybe I would have gotten a Monster Nexus because I’d ended up in a dangerous fight, or maybe I would have gotten a common Nexus like everyone else. Who knows? It doesn’t matter now."

Natta nodded, agreeing with him.

"That’s true, Adam. But I’m afraid, by the end of the battle, you’ll be envious of us."

"Hmm?"

The next moment, Natta’s expression grew serious as she extended her right arm forward. The three eyes on her gauntlet began to tremble as Adam narrowed his eyes, preparing for battle.

However, Natta had no intention of attacking him, not yet.

Crack!

In a burst of red particles, the third eye exploded as the dense energy surged toward Natta’s shoulder wound. If she didn’t do something about it, she wouldn’t be able to fight Adam effectively, and after a few more attacks, she’d be out of the fight.

A few moments later, the energy filled her wound, transforming into dozens of strands of flesh that layered over one another and healed Natta’s shoulder until all that remained of the wound was a round scar.

"Wow, not bad, not bad at all." Adam crossed his arms over his chest. "But now you only have two eyes left, don’t you?"

Natta sighed heavily. She didn’t show it, but healing through her ability was painful. She felt every flesh string trying to pull the edges of her wound together.

"Yes. However, I think you should have already guessed that of the two of us, it’s not me but who will be dealing the main damage."

Whooooooosh!

At the same moment, a flash of light appeared from the side.

In a heartbeat, Sano found herself to Adam’s left, gripping her sword tightly with both hands. The blade of her sword trembled, causing the teeth to move back and forth almost like a chainsaw.

The only difference between Sano’s sword and a chainsaw was that a chainsaw could cut through wood, while her sword was capable of slicing any Black Threat Level monster to pieces, and Adam was no exception.

Step.

Adam took a step back as Sano’s sword swept over him. Even though a single successful strike could have ended his life, his gaze remained calm.

Slash! Slash! Slash!

Sano continued to attack, putting more and more strength into every swing. She moved quickly and lethally, and when her sword struck, it left deep gashes on the stone plates.

This was proof that her sword could harm even Lord-level monsters. It was a rare achievement for a K4-Phantom, especially one who hadn’t reached that tier yet.

Sure, Xyrea’s ability currently boosted Sano and Natta, but still, it was an impressive result.

Adam’s expression remained calm because he saw no threat from Sano.

Naturally, someone with her experience and thirst for blood could clearly see it in his eyes.

For her, this was the worst possible turn of events.

Aiden, who was watching the battle from above, merely smirked.

’Huh, I was worried they’d be too harsh on him. But it looks like I should’ve been worried about them instead of him, right?’