Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 1429: Library

Izardo was a noisy city. Unless it was the private mansion of some powerful monster, it was difficult to find a quiet place here. This was not surprising considering how many monsters lived in Izardo, but even here, in this chaos, there were a number of exceptions.

Step. Step. Step.

Adam walked along the spacious stone path, moving toward the great wooden gates. Around the tall castle-like building were quiet parks, ponds, and even benches where anyone could sit and rest.

It reminded him of the Citadel, but there wasn’t enough space for something like that in the First Ring. At Izardo, there was simply no such problem.

It was not a bank, some important building, or the Renegades hub, but a library, the main library of Izardo.

Just like among humans, among monsters, there were lovers of literature, history, or techniques describing the training process. Each monster had its own reason for going to the library.

Some might come for a pie recipe, while others might come to improve their strategic skills or knowledge of hunting.

But, of all those who came to the library today, there was one person who didn’t want to be there but was obliged to be.

“Tsk. At least there are pictures here…” Erada muttered slowly as she leafed through a recipe book. She just liked looking at the pictures of delicious food, waiting for her hour to end.

At that moment, Adam entered the hall and immediately noticed her and smiled slyly.

“Well, well, looks like someone decided to learn how to cook?” He pointed to the book.

“Pffft!” Erada rolled her eyes. “Don’t even think about it. I just found a way to make this the most boring hour of my life at least a little more interesting. Or are you trying to say that this isn’t what I should be reading? You didn’t specify the type of books in your wish list, so you’re out of luck!”

In response, Adam laughed as he pulled a bun full of still-hot cheese out of the box.

“Want one?”

Erada frowned, but after a few moments, she snatched the bun from his hand and immediately bit off half.

“Hot!!!” She exclaimed, jumping up and down on the spot.

“Hahahah, no one forced you to rush.”

Adam laughed as he approached from behind, looking at the recipes as well.

“What about this one?” She pointed to a picture of a fish framed by vegetables covered with greens. “It looks pretty tasty, simple, and healthy.”

“Hmm? Healthy?” Erada raised an eyebrow with a slight mock. “You are a K4-Phantom. At this rate, you will soon reach the limit of your level, and you are talking about the healthiness of food? Do you think that matters?”

Adam shrugged.

“Honestly? I don’t know. However, I would feel much better mentally if I had a full meal with vegetables, meat, a drink, and something sweet at the end than just soda and chips. Even if it doesn’t affect my body and strength, it can affect my spirit.”

Erada opened her mouth as she was about to tease Adam, but stopped as she realized that there was some sense in what he said.

“Tsk. Whatever, even if healthy food is better than fast food, that doesn’t mean I have to cook! You know, I have enough money to eat only at taverns and restaurants in Izardo!”

“Of course.” Adam nodded as he took the next bun out of the box, the one with berries. “I’m in the same situation. Money has long ceased to be a problem for me. However, that doesn’t stop me from making myself a cup of coffee in the morning instead of ordering it somewhere.”

Tap.

He pointed to the recipe again.

“I can’t change my wish, and I wouldn’t do it even if I could, but if you choose a cookbook, then if you actually cook something and it turns out really tasty, that will be a real reward that you can’t get anywhere else.”

Erada frowned, holding the edges of the book.

“The reward I wanted was to beat you! But…” She bit her lip as she looked at the recipe. “I’ll think about what you said. This fish does look delicious, I can’t deny it.”

“By the way, if you had won, what would you have wanted from me? What would your wish have been?” Adam asked.

He was glad he had won and received all the rewards, but he understood that if he had lost, he would have had to follow the Rule of Blood, which meant that from the very beginning of their fight, there was a chance he would have to do something he didn’t want to do.

“Nothing special,” Erada shrugged. “I would just like to fight you a few more times. The Rule of Blood was never my goal, I just wanted to test my strength and defeat you.”

“Hah, we fight not only to win, but also to progress. In that case, our fight wasn’t useless for you, was it?” Adam narrowed his eyes, sensing her calm but powerful aura. “You’ve gotten stronger. If I didn’t have my new abilities, I wouldn’t have survived your enhanced Solar Form.”

Erada nodded calmly.

“That’s true. I guess I should be grateful for that at least. I’ve been trying to reach the next stage for several months, but with you, it happened in a few hours.”

Tap.

Adam patted her on the shoulder.

“Alright, then the next time I’m at Izardo, I promise to fight you again. Hahaha, if you’re equal to me in strength at that moment, of course.”

“What?” Erada turned around, clenching her fists tightly. “The next time we meet, I’ll be stronger than you, understand?”

“Hahah, sure, but we’ll only find out in the future.”

A few moments later, Erada put the book on the shelf as her eyes filled with sadness.

“You’re leaving already, right?”

He nodded.

“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but…” Erada muttered. “You need to be careful. Someone might want to hunt you down.”

Adam raised an eyebrow.

“Hmm?”