Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1514: Abyss Guards (Part 1)

The Frost Ridge spanned a massive territory, but Adam and Alexia recognized only a single path forward—a direct descent into the abyss.

Their recent clash with the ice worm had made a lasting impression. It served as a grim testament to the lethality of the Primal Lands, and both understood that this was merely the opening act.

Step. Step. Step.

With measured movements, Adam and Alexia made their way down the incline. They left the towering peaks behind, advancing toward the open expanse where the massive worm’s carcass now rested.

Though they were uncertain of what lay ahead, they remained braced for any threat. Their mission had surged in lethality the moment they stepped past the mountain line.

“Well, well…” Adam remarked, scanning the surroundings as they reached the base of the mountain. “It’s quite desolate here, isn’t it?”

For hundreds of meters in every direction, the landscape consisted of nothing but thick snow, frozen stones, and the ancient, frost-covered bones of long-dead creatures. While many conflicts had once erupted on this ground, such violence was now a rarity.

“Indeed, it appears no life has been lost here for several years.” Alexia gave a solemn nod. “That worm was the first in a long time.”

Adam’s eyes narrowed as he focused on the abyss, drawn by the shimmering blue light emanating from the depths.

They had anticipated an ambush in this open area, considering the abyss was the primary treasure of the region.

Instead, the only sound accompanying them was the rhythmic crunch of snow beneath their boots.

“Agh…” Adam let out a long breath. It had been a significant amount of time since he had set foot in such wintry terrain.

Surprisingly, despite the danger posed by the ice worm, a sense of serenity washed over him. Each inhale of the crisp, freezing air seemed to settle his thoughts and soothe his mind.

In this place, he felt like a city dweller who had finally escaped to the high mountains for a needed reprieve.

While most regions of the Dead Lands—excluding the monster cities—were untamed and devoid of technological noise, this place felt distinct.

It wasn't just the plummeting temperature or the physical sensation of the cold that set it apart.

The explanation was simple: the difference lay in the energy.

“Hah, Silvana, can you sense it?” Adam inquired, his lids drooping halfway.

Silvana gave a small nod. This was one of those infrequent moments where she preferred being by Adam’s side in a treacherous land rather than staying in her comfortable office back at the Citadel.

She shared Adam’s sensation, though she couldn't fully grasp its depth since she wasn't experiencing it firsthand. She only perceived the fragments of the feeling transmitted through him.

‘Yes, this energy is unique. It possesses a depth that even the Midnight and Twilight Crystals lack. But… what is the source of this power?’

It was now clear to them that this energy permeated the entirety of the Primal Lands; its concentration varied, but it saturated the entire zone.

The difference wasn't merely about the density of the energy. It was fundamentally different—more ancient and profound, reminiscent of the gaze of a sage who had observed the world for centuries.

“Is this the ancient energy Beth mentioned?” Adam pondered aloud, his pupils reflecting the faint currents of power drifting nearby.

Unlike the pale blue essence commonly found elsewhere, the energy here was gray with a subtle violet hue. It was nearly invisible, even to a Phantom of Adam's caliber, yet he could clearly distinguish the difference where it gathered in high concentrations.

“Hmm, we really should have pressed Beth for more details regarding this.”

Silvana’s brow furrowed. ‘I attempted to. She… she isn't the most cooperative conversationalist. She is far more rigid than Damien and weighs every word carefully. I’m unsure if her behavior stems from a lack of trust or a desire to shield us from dangerous information, but it certainly makes me cautious.’

Adam shifted his gaze toward Alexia, who appeared to be lost in similar reflections. She clearly recognized the anomaly in the energy, yet she was just as unable as he was to pinpoint its exact nature.

Step. Step. Step.

The quiet persisted until they drew near the edge of the abyss.

The moment they reached the initial fissures of the chasm, the earth began to vibrate.

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

Adam and Alexia leaped backward, instantly assuming combat stances. They braced themselves for another giant worm or perhaps a new predator lying in wait.

However… the situation proved to be quite different.

The frost-laden boulders shuddered before pulling themselves from the earth, reconstructing into more than a dozen massive golems.

Their scale was immense; a single one of these beings was large enough to completely shroud Adam and Alexia in shadow.

Adam’s gaze swept over a golem’s frame. Their stone bodies were encrusted with ice and snow, but the glowing blue circuits etched across their forms were what truly drew his eye. These lines pulsed with frost energy, causing the local temperature to plummet further.

A single core, flickering with blue flames, sat in the center of each golem's head like a solitary eye watching the two trespassing Phantoms.

The golems were nearly identical, save for the towering leader standing at the front of the group.

As Silvana and Louis readied themselves for a fight, Adam and Alexia traded puzzled looks. They couldn't understand why the giants were simply staring without attacking.

“H-Humans…”

A raspy, grinding voice suddenly emanated from the lead golem.

“What brings you to this place…?” The golem paused for a long moment before finishing its thought. “Are you merely travelers, or… or… is your goal the Frost Oasis?”

‘Frost Oasis?’

The name echoed in the minds of Adam and Alexia simultaneously. They had heard no mention of such a place during their preparations.

Nevertheless, they quickly surmised that the golem was referring to a location hidden within the abyss. It was the only logical destination, the point toward which their energy was pulling them.

“Yes, our goal is the Frost Oasis,” Adam confirmed.

The lead golem inclined its massive head.

“In that case… I am required to test your readiness…”