Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 828: Star Frame (Part 2)

Adam remembered vividly the many conditions he had to fulfill to create the First Key.

The difference between that situation and this one was that Adam knew immediately what to do for the First Key.

However, at K2-Level, only after destroying the Two Walls, did Adam have the opportunity to touch the Lock.

One of the three keyholes had disappeared, leaving only two unfinished. The mighty chains concealed their presence, but Adam could feel them, restraining the growth of his Evolution Tree.

This became especially obvious when he came closer to the Lock.

Moira and Lone Blaze made no move to reveal themselves. They stayed in Adamʼs Inner Gene because they understood that he didnʼt need their help right now.

They had no way of affecting the Lock or the creation of the Second Key.

Step. Step. Step.

Walking through the darkness, Adam stood before the Lock, with a short sigh he closed his eyes. He directed his energy towards the second keyhole, causing it to shudder slightly.

After a few seconds, a familiar mechanical voice echoed in his head, coming from the depths of the Evolution Tree.

[The Second Keyhole can be created, the distance traveled is great enough.]

[The echoes of the destroyed walls will become the keyʼs frame and its movement, yet it is necessary to accumulate enough pure energy, coming straight from the Evolution Tree.]

At the same moment, hundreds of tiny stars appeared in the air, hovering amidst the vast darkness.

Adam turned around sharply as the elongated frame of his future key reflected in his eyes.

The Second Key was far from its completion. Adam didnʼt begin to fill it with energy yet, but the outline of a long key remotely resembling a heavenly arrow was evident.

After a few seconds, Adam nodded slightly. He was going to fill the Second Key with his energy right now, but something was holding him back, scrabbling deep inside.

ʼHmm... Does it have to be like this? I just need to use some energy and Iʼm done?ʼ

A faint frown covered his face.

ʼIʼve dealt with the Two Walls and the Star Seal, still... Somethingʼs not right. It looks too simple.ʼ

Pushing the excess thoughts aside, Adam stepped forward and held out his hand.

He didnʼt know exactly what he needed to do, but it was his inner space. He could channel his energy into any part of it.

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

The Evolution Tree shuddered, releasing streams of dense energy going straight to the Second Key.

Confidence was visible on Adamʼs face. His energy was never so dense before, now he felt he could quickly create the Second Key.

However...

Even though the white streams disappeared one by one into the Second Key, spreading out among the hundreds of stars, nothing happened.

Adam blinked a few times to make sure he wasnʼt imagining things.

ʼThis is weird... Am I doing something wrong? No, the energy is definitely reaching the Second Key. At the very least, the Evolution Tree would tell me I made a mistake, after all, Iʼm taking energy from it.ʼ

Deciding not to panic early, Adam continued to use his energy.

The stars glittered, showing their activity, changes were taking place with the Second Key, yet Adam saw no progress.

After ten minutes, Adam felt weak. He used the same amount of energy as he did against the Crimson Monarch.

”Agh... Agh... Agh...”

Heavy breathing and an exhausted gaze were all Adam achieved. He stared at the Second Key, hoping he just had to wait, but even after half an hour, nothing happened to the stars.

Then, the Evolution Tree finally spoke up:

[You should rest... Youʼve used most of your energy... If you continue at this pace, youʼll just pass out...]

Adamʼs eyes darted upwards.

”B-But! What the hell else am I supposed to do?!”

His indignation was clear. He had no other instructions.

[For the beginning, look at your progress...].

Adam shouted something after the Evolution Tree, but it departed, leaving Adam alone with himself.

”Look at the progress? Fine...”

Adam narrowed his eyes, trying to see something in the Second Key.

Strangely enough, particles of energy soon appeared in front of him, forming symbols he could understand.

The mechanical voice sounded again:

[The Second Key, energy filling stage: 0.0003%]

A coldness ran down Adamʼs back while shivers crowded his body. His pupils dilated in disbelief.

The number he saw in front of him was negligible. It wasnʼt zero, however, in the vast majority of cases it would be no different from nothing.

ʼIs this some kind of mistake...?ʼ the first thing Adam thought.

However, he realized that it wasnʼt. In an attempt to find an answer, Adam turned to the Evolution Tree.

”Hey, hurry up and explain what the hell is going on here?!”

There was no response. The Evolution Tree simply disappeared.

Before Adam could get any more angry, a storming flame reflected in the corner of his eye. A red star was moving towards him, leaving his Initial Gene.

Adam blinked as Lone Blaze appeared before him, her gaze serious.

”I think I wouldnʼt be wrong in assuming you need help.”

Still irritated, Adam waved his hand.

”You know what Iʼm doing wrong? How do I create the Second Key!”

Lone Blaze flinched slightly. If Adam got enraged she wouldnʼt be able to stop him, but it would be a lot of trouble for her.

Lowering her eyes, she shook her head.

”I donʼt know what the problem is or all the details of the process, but I can help you calculate how long it will take you. Also, Iʼm sure there are ways to speed it up somehow.”

”Fine, letʼs do it.”

Without further ado, Lone Blazeʼs eyes lit up, and her aura intensified. For a while, she looked at Adam, then at the Second Key frame.

”I see... Adam, I think youʼve already calculated everything, but... should I tell you how long it will cost you?”

Adam nodded confidently, this was important, there was no running away.

”Go on.”

Lone Blaze gulped, it seemed she, herself, couldnʼt believe what she was going to say.

”One thousand years...”