Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1520: Blood Bite

Unlike Adam, Silvana avoided recklessness. She prioritized careful mission preparation and strategic planning over constant risk-taking.

There was no flaw in this approach. An Operator and a Phantom weren't required to be identical copies of one another. They were distinct individuals who could hold conflicting perspectives on various matters.

Yet, one fundamental truth persisted: the Phantom forged the path ahead, while the Operator provided the necessary support.

It remains a mystery how things might have changed if Adam and Silvana had traded roles. Perhaps Adam would have developed into a more pragmatic and composed individual. It is impossible to say.

Currently, Silvana was drawing closer to the version of Adam that existed at the start of his journey. When he first took on the mantle of a Phantom, he wasn't accustomed to the carnage of battle or the high-stakes gambles that dictated survival, yet he found exhilaration in combat, triumph, and the growing streak of daring that had since become his trademark.

To be sure, Silvana was still far from the Adam she knew today. She would likely never reach that specific level, nor was there any requirement for her to do so.

The reality was simply that both of them had taken a significant step forward.

Adam had rolled the dice once more, and his instincts had proven correct.

He had successfully obtained the Ancient Flux, and Silvana could not deny that this power—and the danger they had shared—sent her pulse racing faster than ever before.

"You defeated that golem, didn’t you?" Silvana asked, licking her lips following a lingering kiss.

Adam gave a confident grin.

"Of course I did." He shifted his attention toward the Evolution Tree. "I’m not entirely sure what transpired here, but I bet you were in a total panic. Hahaha!"

Silvana offered no verbal reply. Instead, she forced Adam to look back at her and kissed him again without a word of warning.

However, Adam’s expression didn't show pleasure; it was a sudden mask of sharp pain and bewilderment.

"Fuck!"

He recoiled, staring at Silvana in shock. A smear of blood marked the corner of her mouth, while a thin red stream trickled from Adam’s own lips.

"What are you doing..." Adam was stunned. He had never witnessed this side of Silvana.

She merely responded with a smirk.

"Tsk, I was trying to bite a piece out of you. That’s your punishment for making me so anxious! The Evolution Tree was on the verge of collapsing!"

Adam wiped his mouth and glanced away.

"Well, even if that's true, everything turned out fine in the end, didn't it?"

Silvana let out a heavy sigh. She couldn't argue with that logic.

"Yeah... I suppose so, but don't think I'm not still angry with you, alright?"

"Hah, I figured that out already. If you’d mentioned that before trying to bite off half my lip, I would have moved out of the way in time."

Silvana puffed out her cheeks in annoyance. "Hey! It was just a light bite! Damn it, why can’t you just appreciate the moment and play along for once?"

"Oh, I am appreciating the moment. Do you honestly think I’m teasing you for no reason?"

Eyes flashing with playful fury, Silvana lunged at Adam, intent on showing him the consequences of messing with her.

But at the final second, Adam’s form vanished, reappearing high above right in front of the Ancient Flux.

Taking a deep breath, Silvana shook her head and moved to join him. Their time for games had ended; progress was mandatory. First, however, they needed to examine the Ancient Flux—the newest component of their strength.

Tap.

She materialized behind Adam, resting a hand on his shoulder. Their gazes locked onto the purple rift, which vibrated with primordial energy.

"So, you possess two types of energy now, right?"

Adam nodded, staring at the gray-purple radiance as if hypnotized. He had encountered it before, but his clash with the Head Golem had been over in a heartbeat. Now, he finally had the chance to observe its grandeur.

"Yes. I’ve utilized it already, but the full extent of this power’s capability remains a mystery. It’s likely vast, but..."

"But what?"

In response, Adam gestured toward the Ancient Flux.

"Look, it’s drained. I’m certain that when it first manifested, more than just the edges were glowing intensely, right?"

Surprisingly, Adam’s observation was accurate.

"Wait." Silvana blinked in realization. "Are you telling me you only possessed enough energy to sustain a single barrier for a few seconds?"

Scratch. Scratch. Scratch.

Adam rubbed the back of his neck, feeling a bit sheepish about the admission.

"Yeah, pretty much. I don’t feel drained of strength, but it reminds me of when I first became a Phantom—back when I felt like I’d pass out if I triggered my Nexus more than twice.

"This ancient energy is a formidable weapon, but it’s extremely limited, at least for the time being."

Moments later, Silvana leaned her head against his back, peering over his shoulder at the Ancient Flux.

"It’s time to finish this, isn't it? You need to keep moving forward, but we have to understand this better."

Adam nodded in agreement. Understanding her meaning, they both stepped forward simultaneously, extending their hands toward the Ancient Flux.

The rift shuddered but offered no resistance. Gray-purple currents flowed through their fingers, causing their eyes to glow with brilliance.

[Ancient Flux

The origin of the ancient energy that has integrated into your Evolution Tree and your path. It can be wielded at your discretion, much like star energy, but remain cautious... this is a power that even entities living for centuries struggle to endure. Unlike a mere resonance from the clash of two massive stars, this energy possesses a will of its own.]

The information was brief, but it gave Adam a starting point for understanding this ancient force. Once he returned to the Citadel, he intended to grill Damien with questions to uncover everything possible about this strength.

"Hey, I need to head back. That barrier still needs to be dealt with." Adam turned toward Silvana, but his expression suddenly froze.

Silvana’s eyes were wide as the ancient energy spiraled around her, gradually permeating her consciousness.

This time, the evolution would transform not just Adam, but his partner as well.