Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 949: Foundation Artifact (Part 1)

Blood clots fell into the lava lake, vaporizing in hot streams of air. The massive monster, the Inferno Serpent, was breathing heavily from exhaustion and sheer anger caused by a single human.

Perhaps the Inferno Serpent had ways to regain his right eye, to heal his cruel wound, but that was not his main concern right now.

”Adam Vinter...” the Inferno Serpent wheezed, trying to regain his breath. ”You struck me... You managed to wound me, but that is not enough for me to tell you the nature of my invitation...”

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

The Inferno Serpentʼs aura intensified, causing the lava around it to bubble. At the same time, flaming swirls appeared in the air, condensing into fierce projectiles.

”But you managed to make me angry, very much so. So, either keep fighting and make me retreat, or die, right here and now!”

A multitude of flaming orbs hailed along the cave, about to rain down on Adam, who lay amongst the debris.

As if losing the will to fight, Adam stared blankly at his tightly clenched fist while the blood from his torn back continued to fill the puddle beneath him.

Risha jerked her head up. She wanted to help Adam, but she didnʼt know how.

ʼFuck! I donʼt have any defenses! Should I just run and destroy the orbs? No... Iʼm not fast enough. Shit! Iʼm just useless!ʼ

It seemed that instead of internally complaining, Risha should have rushed to Adamʼs aid.

Well, she wanted to do that.

Inner fear and Glen stopped her. Rishaʼs Operator was doing the right thing, trying to do her job despite their still complicated and unstable relationship.

ʼCalm down. Iʼm sure Adam will evade at the last minute or something,ʼ Glen said calmly, he was trying to keep his tone normal.

ʼWhat if he doesnʼt? The Inferno Serpent turned out to be a lot stronger than we thought! Glen, I saw the way Adam fights. Most S4 monsters would crash to the ground by now!ʼ

She bit her lip, clenching her fists tightly.

ʼAnd... His last attack. What was that even? I couldnʼt see anything, he just disappeared, then reappeared and all in blood.ʼ

At the same time, under the bright light of the flaming orbs, Adam closed his eyes. There was no fear or panic on his face, just a slight smile.

News of the changes in his Evolution Tree reached him.

It was time for the master of the small world to intervene.

Adam opened his eyes and saw two figures in front of him, Lone Blaze and Moira.

”Oh, what a fun company. Did you want something?” he scoffed. ”At the moment, in the real world, I have a small problem that needs immediate attention, or...”

Adam turned around with a sweep of his hand covering his Inner Space.

”This place will burn to nameless embers, as will you along with me.”

Lone Blaze snorted, crossing his arms over his chest. ”We know. But thatʼs not the reason you came here.”

”Ughum!” Moira nodded vigorously, as always hovering behind Lone Blaze.

Then, Adam directed his gaze upward.

Something strange was happening with his artifact and the Elemental Root. The Horn of Fallen Thunder was shaking vigorously while the energy from the Evolution Tree enveloped it from all sides, causing it to slowly approach the gravitational root.

Over a long time, the Elemental Root developed, ceasing to be a simple root at the base of the Evolution Tree and moving closer upward to the two main branches containing Adamʼs orders.

Moreover, the Elemental Root performed a strange action for itself, it was like a vine slowly moving away from the Evolution Tree, wanting to make contact with the artifact.

Adam was baffled.

Before sinking into his inner space, he sensed that something was happening here, but he didnʼt understand what it was.

He needed the power, he was ready to use his Power Gene or even once more the path if necessary.

Slowly, a slight smile reflected on Adamʼs face as he turned around, staring at the Crystal Gates and the trembling third lesser gates.

”Well, well...” Adam hummed, approaching the majestic gates. ”So I get to the next stage right now? Isnʼt that a little convenient?”

[Not exactly...]

The Evolution Treeʼs powerful voice echoed through the vast space.

”Hmm?”

[I think you could have done that while practicing with Reinz Alderran... and Erik Wurhen... But, it would delay your descent at the Lower Ring even more...]

”Pffft,” Adam snorted. ”Iʼm not buying it. There must be another reason besides worrying about whether Iʼm spending my time effectively. When I was under the influence of Queen Elisaʼs space, I had a lot of time on my hands.”

[Well... That time distortion worked exclusively for you. Even I had no way to contact you... The Queenʼs influence was beyond my reach...]

Adam nodded weakly. Even here, he could feel the heat coming from outside. He had some free time, thanks to the inner space, but it wouldnʼt be long before the fiery orbs descended upon him.

[Anyway... Youʼre right, itʼs hard to hide it from you... I guess youʼve already guessed that the third lesser gates imply a complete fusion between your Artifact and Elemental Root. However, I wasnʼt sure you were ready for that before.]

With an ironic smile, Adam shrugged. ”Come on, this isnʼt the first time Iʼve had to lose abilities or go through a change. You know, over my Phantom journey Iʼve become used to it. Many of my past abilities would be too weak to help me in battle.

”Moreover, itʼs not just the power of an individual ability that matters, itʼs its uniqueness and flexibility. The higher the Phantomʼs level, the more he can influence the course of his battle.”

[Sure... You are certainly right... Even you learned from dozens of battles...]

Adam frowned. ”What do you mean, even me?!”

[Weʼll argue later, thereʼs no time for that now, neither for you nor for me...]

”What?” he raised an eyebrow, puzzled.

[The point is, the energy around the artifact and elemental root doesnʼt bring them closer together, instead, I keep them from colliding. Otherwise, youʼll get a random Foundation Artifact.]

Adamʼs eyes went wide.

[I want to give you a chance to create what you need... So... Be ready...]