Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 88: The Influence of Genes

”What...? Is this really that dangerous a place?” Adam asked in disbelief.

He didnʼt mean to sound arrogant or cocky, but he thought that within the Citadel, he was quite strong.

After all, he was a Naturalborn K1-Phantom. It was still one of the beginning stages, but he had already come a long way and had become considerably stronger.

Damien nodded slightly.

”For you, yes. I mean, in the Lower Ring, for decades, ordinary people have been living there and doing their stuff. There wouldnʼt be a problem if you were a simple guest. However, once you start learning more about Ruby Drew and the situation in the Lower Ring, youʼre bound to get into trouble soon.”

Adam nodded with a deep gaze.

However, he wasnʼt upset, because it just meant he needed to get a little stronger. Regardless of his plans in the Lower Ring, that was one of his main goals.

”Well, in that case, I should follow my plan. After this mission, I was going to hunt for the Essence Monster, looks like itʼs the right time.”

Damien smirked.

”Oh, you want to upgrade the artifact, right? Right choice, itʼs better to gradually grow your power than to constantly change it like toys.”

Then, Damienʼs gaze became more serious, which was even slightly frightening.

”However... I wouldnʼt do that right now if I were you.”

”Hm? Why?” Adam raised an eyebrow in confusion.

”Itʼs simple. Youʼre going to die.” Damien said nonchalantly.

There was no threat or mockery in his voice, and it wasnʼt an assumption. Damien spoke as if it were a fact, as simple and unyielding as an axiom in math. It was scary to the core.

”But... Why? Iʼve already gone through many dangerous battles before. Iʼm sure it will be difficult this time, but not so much that Iʼll die! Brass Puppet and the Steel Knight were indeed a deadly threat! Iʼm sure Essence Monsters were not ranked higher than Crown Type!” Adam exclaimed, slightly indignant.

He believed that Damien had underestimated him. It was entirely possible since their strength levels were drastically different.

However, Damien was not prejudiced. In fact, he was even slightly optimistic due to his temperament.

”Well... There are two factors involved. Letʼs start with the simple one - the danger of the Essence Monsters.” Damien said with a slight smile. He wanted to continue, but seeing Bethʼs bored face, he changed his mind.

”Alright, Iʼm going to get myself something to drink and grab you guys one as well.” Damien stood up abruptly, heading for the kitchen, ”Beth, tell him about Essence Type. Itʼll be good for Silvana, too.”

Bethʼs eyes went wide, then her gaze lit up as if she finally had a chance to engage in her favorite thing - explaining.

”Alright! Then letʼs get down to work!” Beth exclaimed vigorously, pulling out a tablet and calling up a multitude of holograms.

For the next ten minutes, Adam had to absorb more information than he was ready for.

Damien deliberately stayed late, for he knew Beth would give all the details. Once, he had gone through this.

In any Operator-Phantom pairing, the Operator was the brain and the Phantom the muscle. Sure, that didnʼt mean the Phantoms were dumb, but no Phantom knew as much data as the Operator, and no Operator had as much combat experience as the Phantoms.

Each had their weaknesses and strengths. The important thing was to understand that and use it for good, for the common goal.

”I see... Fuck, looks like I was overconfident...” Adam muttered towards the end of Bethʼs explanation.

What was most important to Adam was the main difference between Essence Type and other monsters.

If Prime Type were some golden midpoint of a particular species, and Crown Type was the true peak in battle mastery, then Essence Type concentrated on one area - firepower.

ʼEssence Type are like mages in the world of knights - they possess destructive power thanks to the abnormal energy from the absorbed artifact.ʼ Bethʼs words once again echoed through Adamʼs mind.

Adam, during his battles with Prime Stone Goliath, Brass Puppet, or Steel Knight, had been wounded repeatedly, but thanks to his instincts and the toughness of his body, he was able to keep fighting. The wounds were numerous but not fatal.

However, against Essence Type, Adam wouldnʼt be able to act as risky. The reason was simple - if he missed one direct attack, he would be turned into dust by the enormous energy possessed by Essence Monsters.

That meant that Adam needed to change his fighting style which he had already gotten used to. He should act in a more disciplined and tactical manner.

”Alright, stop thinking about it.” Damien broke into their conversation, jolting Adam out of the thoughts he was sinking deeper into.

Adam came to his senses as he saw the red can of soda in front of him - he couldnʼt have asked for better.

”Fine, I think Essence Type makes sense to you now. However, the reason why you will die if you go to fight Essence Type now is - you!” Damien vigorously said, pointing at Adam.

Adam got a confused look.

”Me...? I mean, youʼre saying itʼs because of a lack of skill? Iʼm ready to fix it and prepare myself properly for a battle with Essence Type.” Adam said confidently. He wasnʼt afraid of obstacles, but he didnʼt act like he was omnipotent either.

Every problem needed a different approach, he had learned that long ago while living in the slums.

Damien shook his head with a bitter smile.

”Nah, itʼs not about your skills. Saying that the reason is you, thatʼs exactly what I intended with no hidden meaning. Look, Iʼm about to tell you something that only Second Rank Phantoms know, so listen carefully.”

Beth rolled her eyes.

”You know youʼre not supposed to do that, right?” Beth crossed her arms over her chest with a judgmental stare.

Damien shrugged.

”Well, if Adam wasnʼt Naturalborn Phantom then I wouldnʼt bring it up, but itʼs important. His life could depend on it, so consider me taking steps to save him. Once again.” Damien grinned.

Then, he sat down across from Adam and put his fingertips to each other.

”Adam, tell me, do you consider yourself a lucky person or, conversely, an unlucky one?” Damienʼs mouth corners raised.

Adam was caught off guard by such a strange question, but he decided to answer:

”Neither. I think Iʼm somewhere in the middle, like most people. Iʼve had both bad and good things happen to me, doesnʼt time equate everything to the same value?”

”Hehehe.” Damien chuckled evilly, ”Youʼre wrong, because you are, simultaneously more lucky and unlucky than others. More precisely, you are such compared to Artificialborn Phantoms and especially ordinary people since youʼre a Naturalborn Phantom.”

”What...? What are you talking about?” Adam muttered in a trembling voice as his heart began to beat faster.

”Naturalborn Phantoms naturally attract bad luck and good luck to them. Not in all aspects, it wonʼt make you win or lose more often at the casino, but in Dead Lands, where there are a lot of monsters, it definitely has an effect. The monsters sense your powerful genes, your full Evolution Tree, and a solid Initial Gene.”

Damien raised his chin as he narrowed his eyes.

”To make it finally clear to you - if you were an Artificalborn Phantom, itʼs unlikely that your Beginning Monster would be a Crown Type, and itʼs unlikely that a Steel Knight would follow you.”

”Thus, when hunting an Essence Monster, youʼll have bad luck - the monster will be strong as hell - and unknown luck!”

Adamʼs eyes went wide, and a chill ran down his back while fragments of memories of all his fights flashed through his mind.