Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 1947: The Challenges of the Barrier

K4-Level was special, not only because by this point a Phantom had already created all the Keys and unlocked the Lock, but because it was the end of the road, literally.

At lower levels, a Phantom always had the opportunity to grow stronger, evolve, and move forward, drawing closer to the summit that was constantly receding further and further.

K4-Level was the longest of them all. It took all the Phantoms far longer to collect all the Grand Stars at the Path Construct than it did to complete the entire path leading up to it.

The best and worst thing about the K4 Level was that it could be the last one, both in the First Circle and in general. It all depended on the Phantoms themselves.

Most K4 Phantoms stopped at this level and never went any further. They simply couldn’t break through the barrier.

As a result, they no longer had any new evolutions or power-ups, since they had already reached their peak as both humans and Phantoms.

Sure, nothing stopped them from honing their skills, learning to better control their energy, or even discovering new ways to use their abilities.

But all of that was just details and couldn’t compare to the power a Phantom gained by advancing from one level to the next.

Now, Adam had reached the same stage as many K4-Phantoms who had lived in this world for many years.

Adam looked at Blafor for a long time before nodding deeply.

“I understand that. I’ve met other K4-Phantoms and those who were forced to stop right before the barrier. I don’t think I’d be wrong to call this the most difficult trial of all that a Phantom faces.”

Blafor sighed with a slight wave of his hand.

“Still, Ergander is right about some things. Given your past achievements, you actually have a better chance of becoming a Second-Rank Phantom than other K4-Phantoms. That’s true, but it doesn’t change the situation much.”

Adam was silent for a moment before turning to Blafor.

“How often does this happen? What are the odds of a K4-Phantom reaching the Second Circle?”

He expected some kind of answer, at least rough figures, but Blafor and Ergander just shook their heads.

“We can’t tell you that. The number of K4-Phantoms varies from period to period. Everyone who’s managed to break through the barrier had their own way of doing it, and it happens so rarely that there’s no point in relying on any statistics.”

Adam didn’t quite believe them. He thought there must be at least some information about the probabilities, but… soon he admitted that there was logic in their words.

‘If I’d asked them about the Lords, they would have had a precise answer, because there are significantly more monsters, just like the Lords. Second-Rank Phantoms are actually a special case.’

“Ahem.” Ergander coughed. “In fact, even Ergander and I don’t know much, but that shouldn’t worry you. Every Lord or Second-Rank Phantom has its own path. If you ever become a Second-Rank Phantom, you’re bound to find it.”

Adam nodded slowly as a bitter smile appeared on his face.

“Still… Neither you, Ergander, nor you, Blafor, none of you believe I can do it. In any other situation, I wouldn’t have paid it any mind, but Ergander was certain I’d defeat a Viscount. I mean, he believed in that more than he believed I’d become a Second Rank Phantom.”

In response, Ergander spread his arms wide.

“Because the outcome of a battle can be predicted to some extent, unlike this. I’ll be glad if you reach that level. It will change our entire world.”

“I see.” Adam’s gaze grew deeper. “It seems I underestimated the difficulty of this task.”

“That’s exactly how it should be.” Blafor crossed his arms over his chest. “If you want to obtain this power, you must pass your most difficult and final trial at the First Circle.”

Crunch.

While a rather serious and tense conversation was taking place among the three of them, Kalyso sat back in his chair, sipping tea and eating cookies.

“Come on, Adam. I’m sure that before you reached your current level, you had to complete more than a dozen different trials and conditions. Even if this one is harder than the rest, you should be able to handle it.”

However, Adam wasn’t about to be a naive optimist. He understood that Ergander and Blafor had done the right thing by warning him about the difficulties of this process and the low chances of success.

“Perhaps, but I’m sure all the K4-Phantoms think the same way. Even those who have already given up after decades of failed attempts still hope that one day they’ll be able to break through the barrier. It’s foolish to assume I can’t be one of them, after all, the odds are significantly better.”

Ergander and Blafor exchanged glances as they nodded deeply.

“That’s a wise and thoughtful answer, Adam.”

“Bullshit!” Kalyso suddenly exclaimed. “You’re not like the other K4-Phantoms! If that were the case, I wouldn’t want to fight you. So, you simply have to outdo them all!”

“Hahaha!” Ergander laughed. “Now that’s what I call support. Adam, now you really can’t lose, or your biggest fan will be disappointed.”

“Hey! I’m not his fan! I’m his opponent! We’ll fight many more times in the future, you’ll see!” Kalyso shook his fist.

Adam didn’t say anything as he stared thoughtfully at a single point.

“In fact,” Blafor’s low voice rang out. “You can try doing that right now, Adam.”

“Hmm?”

Everyone turned toward him.

Blafor hurried to explain:

“You won’t be able to break the barrier right now, but nothing’s stopping you from seeing it and sensing how strong it is, is there? That’ll give you a rough idea of how difficult your final trial will be.”

“Right here?” Adam was a little uneasy.

Ergander thoughtfully scratched his chin as a gleam flashed in his eyes.

“Yeah, that’s possible.” He pointed to the golden tree on the hill to the right of his house. “I think this will be a suitable place, don’t you?”

Adam smiled as a flame of curiosity lit up in his eyes.

He had just finished one of the most important battles in his story, but he knew that the barrier itself was the main trial.