Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 1953: Idea, the Problem, and the Four Anchors

When Adam acquired the Ancient Energy, the Dark Energy, the Frenzied Flame, or the Soul Stance, he did so not to gain the ability to influence the Grand Barrier, but to become stronger.

But Amelia hadn’t lied to him, these four powers were indeed one of the foundations if he wanted to destroy the Grand Barrier.

That is precisely why, sooner or later, every K4-Phantom had to acquire the Dark Energy, for example.

Sure, it wasn’t easy. It required effort, but eventually, every K4-Phantom strong enough managed to accomplish this task.

The Frenzied Flame and Soul Stance were also among the anchors, though they weren’t energy types.

They both influenced a Phantom’s aura, one more subtly, the other more actively. Either way, each anchor made a Phantom significantly stronger, allowing it to reach the limit of the First Circle faster.

“Huh…” Adam chuckled, clenching his fist. “I can’t use my energy or ability there, but there are no such restrictions on the Ancient and Dark energy. I hadn’t even thought about the Soul Stance and Frenzied Flame…”

Silvana smiled.

“Well, that’s exactly why you decided to discuss this with us, isn’t it? It’s our job to suggest or remind you of things you might have forgotten.”

“Hmm…” The Silver Weaver hummed from where he stood. “That might work, but I don’t think it’ll be enough.”

Lone Blaze turned to him, tilting her head.

“Why? Didn’t we figure out that Ancient and Dark energy affect the Grand Barrier? I’m sure the Soul Stance and Frenzied Flame won’t be an exception.”

“No, that’s not what I’m talking about.”

Lakma turned to him, curiosity in her eyes.

The Silver Weaver continued:

“Look, Adam is different from other K4-Phantoms, but we have to admit he’s not the only one. There are plenty of K4-Phantoms in this world who, like him, have all four anchors, but even so, they can’t destroy the Grand Barrier.”

Sure, none of them had interviewed such K4-Phantoms, but it was a logical conclusion.

Obtaining each Anchor was a separate trial for a K4-Phantom, but it was a feasible task, especially when a K4-Phantom reached the Grand Barrier and had plenty of time and resources at its disposal.

But if all it took to destroy the Grand Barrier was to obtain the Four Anchors, then there would be ten times as many Second-Rank Phantoms in the world, and that’s just the bare minimum.

At that moment, everyone came to a simple conclusion:

Silvana nodded. “Besides the Four Anchors, there’s something else we haven’t figured out yet. But, on the other hand, we’ve already made some progress, haven’t we?”

“Yeah…” Adam smiled. “Something tells me that other K4-Phantoms who’ve only just encountered the Grand Barrier had to spend much more time to figure out what we already know.”

Lakma stared at Adam, her eyes wide open.

“Are you going to try to break through the Grand Barrier again right now?”

Strangely enough, Adam shook his head.

“No. I don’t have enough strength for that. Maybe a single powerful punch would be useless, but if I’m going to use the Four Anchors, I have to do it at the peak of my powers.”

[Don’t rush…]

The Evolution Tree’s voice rang out, causing the others to turn around.

[When you set out on this path, you already knew it would take a long time… You were able to pass through all the trials of the Path Construct and create the Three Grand Stars… So, you’ll be able to do this as well… in time…]

Adam nodded with a bitter smile.

“I know. But if I had the chance, I’d do it all right here and now. Agh… unfortunately, that’s impossible.”

Silence.

A moment of silence fell.

“Ahem.” Silvana coughed, turning to Adam. “What are you planning to do now? Are you going back home?”

Not much time had passed since Adam left the Citadel compared to when he set out for the Tarnished Lands, but Silvana wanted to see him. For her, much more time had passed than for everyone else.

Adam shook his head.

“I have to say goodbye to Ergander, Blafor, and Kalyso. Also… I’d like to find out why they had a conflict in the first place, yet now they’re happily drinking tea and eating cookies together. Also, I have to go back to Prasyx.”

“Prasyx?” Silvana touched her cheek. She was puzzled.

Adam smiled.

“Yeah, do you remember that pearl I found at the bottom of the Dark Field?”

She nodded several times.

“Well, I was lucky it appeared there at that moment. I promised I’d find one for Praxys. He helped me get to the Grand Abyss and also gave me some useful advice. So, I have to do this.”

Then, Adam’s gaze grew more pensive as he remembered yet another task.

” Also… Farla asked me to find and kill Breydar… He was supposed to be my main opponent here, but as soon as I arrived at the Grand Abyss, my plans changed drastically.”

Quickly, Silvana reviewed her missed memories as her eyes lit up brightly.

“I see… He must be somewhere up there, at the Gray Sea, right?”

Adam sighed heavily.

“Yeah. To be honest, it’s even a little disappointing. Even if he’s gotten stronger in the meantime and is close to the Viscount Level, I doubt he poses any threat to me. He’s a Baron, at worst, just as strong as Kalyso.”

Sure, before he found the Bottomless Void and created the Third Grand Star, a Baron like Kalyso was a dangerous opponent for Adam, but not anymore.

After he defeated Midgar, it became clear to him what his current power level was. In this world, there was no Baron who could defeat him, perhaps except monsters like Zin, but Breydar was clearly not one of them.

Tap.

Adam stood up as he glanced at Silvana and the others.

“Alright, we’ve made good progress, but I think that’s enough for the first time. I’ll be back soon.”

With that, Adam closed his eyes and returned to the real world.