Clang!
At the clash, Adam and Larth were sent flying in opposite directions. A slight scratch remained on Adamās wrist, while a wisp of smoke rose from Larthās spear. He hadnāt been prepared for an opponent with such a powerful body, but at that moment, Larth was thinking of something else entirely.
"Adam Vinter...?" Larth frowned, lost in thought.
He said nothing for a while before shaking his head.
"I havenāt heard that name before. Judging by your smirk before the strike, for some reason, I was supposed to know it. But thatās not the case." Larth narrowed his eyes. "This is the first time Iāve heard your name, just as this is the first time youāve heard mine."
Strangely enough, this caught Adam off guard. It wasnāt his fault, but over the past few months, ever since heād become quite strong and the First Star had taken notice of him, all the powerful monsters knew or had at least heard of him.
Larth didnāt possess the same level of power as monsters like Morok, let alone Ramilo or Saegar with Kenward, but he could easily defeat most of the Elders Adam had fought against before.
"Oh..." Adam was speechless. "I canāt believe Iām saying this, but I didnāt expect this."
Seeing Adamās reaction, an idea occurred to Larth. "Let me ask you something before we continue our fight. We donāt have much time, but I canāt let this pass."
"Sure, go ahead."
Larthās expression darkened. He was afraid to hear the answer to this question, but couldnāt contain his curiosity.
"How long have you been a Phantom? How many years have passed since you got the Spark?"
Adam scratched his cheek. He couldnāt take this question as seriously as Larth.
"Hmm... About a year and a half, though itās been a little longer. In a few months, it will be two years since I killed my first monster and received the first gene."
A shiver ran down Larthās spine as cold sweat broke out on his forehead.
Only now did he realize that standing before him was one of the rarest types of Phantoms.
āSo this is one of those gifted Phantoms that, despite a low energy level, can evolve quickly? Heās not the only one, but... compared to the events of 200 years ago, there are dozens fewer of them.ā
Adam, like all Phantoms of his level, knew that now was the worst time to evolve and progress, since there was little energy in the world in anticipation of the next World Wipe.
However, unlike Larth, Adam hadnāt witnessed what had happened a hundred, let alone two hundred, years ago. Larth knew full well that during those periods, the number of battles and great warriors on both sides was significantly greater than it was now.
Still...
āEven two hundred years ago, during the most active decades, only a small fraction of the Phantoms or monsters could reach such a level of power in just a year and a half. Now itās possible as well, he and others are living proof of that, but... Itās such a rarity.ā
"Hey."
Adam waved his hand.
"Are you here? What are you thinking about?"
Larth snapped out of his reverie and smiled faintly.
"Please forgive me. Sometimes, I spend too much time thinking. We must hurry, so Iām ready to return to battle."
Whooooosh!
Without hesitation, Larth lunged forward. In a single leap, he found himself right in front of Adam, gripping his spear tightly with both hands.
In a wide slash, he brought his massive weapon down on Adam, cutting through the gusts of wind in his path. Larthās tactic was simple, he intended to overwhelm Adam with his superior speed and strength, so he would most often secure quick victories at the start of the battle.
However, he hadnāt yet realized that Adam hadnāt used a single ability yet.
Why?
It was simple: Adam saw no need for it, and the Blood of God, holding his Evolution Tree hostage, hadnāt reacted to it either.
The answer was obvious, Larth was certainly not the kind of opponent who could make him stronger.
Clang!
The back of Adamās hand slammed into the spearās shaft, blocking the heavy weapon. Larthās pupils narrowed as he couldnāt believe it.
Soon, Adamās palm, slamming directly into his solar plexus, was reflected in Larthās eyes.
BLAST!
The sheer power generated enough momentum to send Larth flying more than ten meters to the side.
Even with all his experience, Larth could barely drive his spear into the ground to even slow his momentum.
Crack!
With a crunch of bones, his frame bent as he planted his feet on the ground, holding onto his spear with one hand while his back was at a strange angle, almost touching the ground.
One breath, that was all Larth needed to assume a stance and return to the fight.
"Agh...?"
His heart skipped a beat as a shadow fell over him. The faint light from the eclipsed moon was barely enough to reveal Adamās figure looming over him in the darkness.
Still, Larth could clearly see Adamās blue eyes and his clenched fist brimming with ancient energy, purple currents coursing along his hand.
Adam raised his hand to strike.
"You wanted an official battle? Iāll give you what you want."
TREMBLE!
The sand pillar rose twenty meters as a tremor rippled across the ground. The dune tops quivered. The most unstable collapsed, sliding down, and the receding sand exposed the nearby bones.
Only after a few seconds did the dust settle, revealing Adam and Larthās figures.
Larthās hands trembled as he struggled to hold his spear aloft, where Adamās strike had landed. His cloak was torn to shreds, as was his back, which had borne the brunt of the shockwave.
His expression was frightened and wary, and his teeth were grinding from the force he was putting into his grip.
A pool of blood had already formed beneath Larth, but it was nothing compared to what would have happened had the blow landed directly.
Adam, in turn, maintained a calm, determined gaze.
"I donāt know what your title means, but it seems youāre not the one I was looking for, am I right, Larth, one of the Fangs?"