Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 180: Sudden Darkness

”Iʼm dying...” Adam muttered, holding his stomach, which was inflated like a balloon.

Tron had eaten just as much, maybe even more than him, but he looked more than normal.

”Well, we had a good sit down and discussed a lot of things. It was a productive meeting.” Tron said seriously, ”Riska, we should go.”

”Sure!” Riska exclaimed energetically, rising abruptly.

While Adam and Tron destroyed one dessert after another, Narata and Riska just waited and somewhere, deep down, envied them. They only ordered green tea.

True, they wanted to join Adam and Tron, especially Narata, but she knew, that now she would have to pay a heavy price for it.

She wanted to be an Operator, and she had to sacrifice something for that, even a seemingly trivial thing like food.

”Adam, good luck. I donʼt usually praise people, but you deserve it. However, donʼt get overly arrogant, be confident but not cocky. Thatʼs what you need to survive, not become just another talented newbie who dies in a couple of months because of his stupidity.” Tron waved his hand, heading for the door.

Riska quickly quickened her step and opened the door in front of him.

”See you later!” Riska waved with a happy smile before hurriedly following Tron.

Adam looked at Narata with a slight curiosity in his gaze.

”How are you feeling? Looks like besides Tron, Riska had a chat with you as well, didnʼt she?” Adam suggested.

Narata sighed heavily.

”Agh... Iʼm tired, pretty damn tired. But, I hope everything will be fine in the future. The most important thing is that I have a decent Phantom, everything else is not so crucial. Then I can reach my full potential and show what Iʼm capable of!” Narata said confidently, clenching her fist with a fiery gaze.

Adam smiled, nodding his head slightly.

”I see... Well, I donʼt think you need to worry about that. If Tron has a suitable candidate, then itʼs already decided. I, as a Phantom, canʼt give you any useful advice, moreover, even as a Phantom, Iʼm still a newbie.” Adam smiled bitterly.

”However...” Adamʼs tone became harsher.

”However?” Narata tilted her head in confusion.

”Something Iʼm sure of. Never lose that confidence in your eyes, that fire you have now. By keeping that flame alive, youʼll definitely be able to keep going, no matter what.” Adam said with a deadly serious look.

Narata only nodded silently.

...

Adam had fulfilled his promise to Narata, and now he had only one thing left to do in the Citadel before returning to Dead Lands - a party.

Silvana and Adam worked with Edir and his Operator to organize everything as well as send out invitations.

Everything was ready the day before the party, where everyone could rest and head back to Dead Lands.

Adam walked through the city at night, in a rather dark district, practically unlit by streetlights - he wanted to enjoy the night sky. He had nothing to fear anyway.

Then, he was in the Third Ring, practically near the border with the slums.

”Well... Itʼs much different from the First Ring... Itʼs not noisy here, and thatʼs a good thing. Although, the darkness can be intimidating for many, canʼt it?” Adam muttered thoughtfully, just staring into the void.

”Youʼre absolutely right.”

Suddenly, as if out of nowhere, came a calm, deep voice. Strangely enough, Adam had heard that voice once before and knew who the owner was.

Adam turned around sharply only to see a silhouette in the alley, the darkness completely hiding it. The only thing visible was the high collar from a long coat, emerald eyes, and a half-smoked cigarette.

”You... Youʼre Wilfred, arenʼt you...?” Adam muttered in disbelief, ”Or was it... Then it was someone elseʼs name?”

The man smirked.

”Nah. You got that right. Donʼt worry, Iʼm not following or stalking you. I just saw you heading this way and thought it might be a good opportunity to meet again.” Wilfred said calmly, blowing out a puff of smoke.

Adam narrowed his eyes. Even if Wilfred was from Black Swan and willing to help him deal with Aiden Henk, that didnʼt mean he had to trust Wilfred.

Adam was much more naive than he was now. It wasnʼt surprising, though, since his knowledge of the world was very limited, and he lacked experience.

However, after the encounter with Ruby Dew, namely Mirnaʼs squad, and the deaths of his teammates, he had become much tougher towards the Lower Ring.

”Even so... What do you want?” Adam asked with a hard stare.

Wilfred shrugged.

”I donʼt know. I just wanted to talk. Honestly, when I gave you the black card, I expected our next meeting to be in half a year at best. More specifically, that youʼd be strong enough to descend to the Lower Ring by then.” Wilfred said calmly. He took out a new cigarette and lit it with the blue flame of his lighter.

Sure, Lower Ring wasnʼt such a dangerous place that one had first become a K2-Phantom to go there.

Many people were living in the Lower Ring, millions to be exact. However, they were just doing their normal jobs, carrying out a routine life.

Adam had more complex tasks that required the strength not to die at the hands of some Phantom like Mirna.

Though Adam hadnʼt been to the Lower Ring yet, it didnʼt require to be a genius to realize that the safety there was far worse than in the Upper Ring, it was too obvious.

Moreover, he was an outsider who only remotely understood how this mysterious place worked.

”Half a year?” Adam raised an eyebrow, puzzled.

Wilfred nodded.

”Yeah, normally, we donʼt expect to see new Phantoms in the Lower Ring until a year or more later, but in your case, itʼs different. Given your success on your first missions, I immediately realized that you were talented, but... itʼs only been about forty days, and youʼve already almost reached the peak of the K1. Thatʼs commendable.”

”And...? Whatʼs next? We just talk, and you leave?” Adam clenched his fists tightly, not realizing if Wilfred had any hidden intentions.

Wilfred slowly turned his head, staring at Adam.

”Yeah, thatʼs exactly whatʼs going to happen. Itʼs too early for you to go to the Lower Ring, though, you know that without me. But, since weʼre here now, Iʼll tell you something - Aiden Henk, heʼs continuing his experiments, and now heʼs got not only the monster and the slum youths in his grasp, but other Phantoms as well...”

Wilfred paused for a moment before continuing.

”Weʼre not completely sure, but he did something to a few Phantoms. Slightly, but they are different from the others, and we donʼt know exactly what it is or how it happened. And... Thatʼs actually kind of scary. Anyway, heʼs killing people, and we have to stop it.”

”Tsk. Stop this bullshit!” Adam waved his hand irritably.

Wilfred narrowed his eyes.

”Do you really expect me to believe thatʼs all you care about? Even if you actually feel sorry for those Aiden Henk is experimenting on, you must have ulterior motives, donʼt you?!”

Adam frowned heavily. He wasnʼt ready to believe that the organization from the Lower Ring was a bunch of do-gooders fighting for justice!