Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1575 1575: Fridge in the mountain

"GHA!" Alexia hacked up a cough, spewing green fluid onto the snowy ground. "What in the world is that stuff?"

Goen slung a huge log over his shoulder and pressed onward.

"Merely a basic blend of herbs mixed with a bit of mushrooms. Nothing out of the ordinary. I take it before my workouts normally, but for you, it'll speed up the mending of your bone."

He gestured toward her leg.

"Channel your energy to reinforce it. Your physique is robust. You ought to manage without crutches, even if it's at a snail's pace."

Alexia hated her impaired walking, so despite the foul flavor of the brew, she gulped down the final bit and followed Goen's instructions.

Typically, her grave wounds came at the close of fights, after which she'd retreat to the Citadel. There, she could lounge and recuperate fully, but circumstances differed now.

Tremble.

Blue energy quivered, enveloping the broken spot in a thick shroud, while Alexia's gaze sharpened. An notion struck her.

"I wouldn't advise that move."

"Agh?" Alexia got surprised. She stayed silent.

How on earth did Goen sense her intention?

"You're far from ready. Granted, tapping into the ancient energy might hasten your healing if it succeeds, but a mere instant of faltering control could turn recovery into fresh breaks or far graver harm."

Alexia clenched her jaw yet chose against invoking the ancient energy. Shattering her leg elsewhere at this point would prove mortifying and foolish.

Moments later, Alexia gave a nod and, bracing against the closest tree, attempted her initial stride.

Step.

Pain shot up her leg from the step, yet the energy kept her bones intact.

"Hah, it's holding..." She grinned, advancing at a leisurely clip. "Hey, when will your nasty concoction kick in fully?"

Goen answered without glancing back:

"It's kicking in right now. You'll stride normally in no time. It won't fully mend you, so keep channeling your energy."

Alexia rolled her eyes but held her tongue. Goen's counsel had proven spot-on thus far.

Crack. Crack. Crack.

Goen hurled log after log onto the blaze, swelling it larger until its glow cast shadows over Alexia.

"Damn..." She peered upward. "Who do you intend to cook over this monster?"

"Well, once we're back, just a fraction of this timber will linger. But that's essential. For succulent meat boasting a crunchy exterior, scorching coals buried in embers are ideal."

Goen bent low and crossed his arms to form a slim vent for airflow.

As he inhaled deeply, wisps of smoke dotted the air, swiftly clumping into vivid embers.

That sufficed to kindle the parched grass at the fire's base. Flames would soon climb to the twigs, then the logs, transforming all to glowing coals bit by bit.

To a newcomer like Alexia, the spectacle might thrill, but Goen, with countless repetitions under his belt, found it routine.

"Fine, linger here or trail after me."

"Hmm? To where?"

Goen flashed a smirk.

"My modest cooler."

"W-What...?"

...

Step. Step. Step.

Alexia had no clue what awaited, but trailing Goen, they approached the cave mouth near his dwelling.

Outwardly, it appeared as a mere gap flanked by rock faces, yet venturing inward brought intensifying chill to Alexia.

"Brrrh!" She wrapped her arms around herself. "Why's it freezing like this? I shouldn't feel cold at all!"

"Hahaha, since ice counts as your element?"

Goen laughed while indicating the cavern's frosty barriers.

"It demanded more time than anticipated, but the effort paid off."

Beneath Alexia's baffled stare, Goen neared what looked like a vast stone sarcophagus.

He slid aside the lid as Alexia's eyes bulged.

Beneath layers of snow and frost, iridescent-scaled fish lay preserved. Dozens filled the space, crucially fresh, since Goen had iced them straight from the catch.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Goen selected several fish and draped them across his shoulder. Lacking pail or hamper, they'd otherwise thud to the floor, but mist materialized promptly, snaring each on hooks now dangling from Goen's frame.

"Good, that'll suffice for starters. They're quite chewy, but that's to my taste." Goen clarified, gazing forward. "Still, we'll require more substantial fare for the entree."

"Huh?"

Alexia's mouth hung open upon spotting scores of stone vaults ahead. Each brimmed with provisions—meats, fish, or produce alongside fruits. Yet Goen pressed deeper.

"Hey, keep pace. These sections hold nothing we'd want."

"Y-Yes!" Alexia's tone quavered as she hurried after him best she could.

En route, she glanced about, noting escalating stone formations, some merging into broadening partitions. Beyond intact creatures and seafood, pre-portioned icy cuts abounded—steaks, ribs, haunches, and beyond. Goen stocked it all.

Upon entering a vast chamber, Goen halted at last. A pleased grin lit his features.

"What the heck..." Alexia swallowed hard.

No stone vaults loomed before them, but ice chunks did, each trapping one or several colossal beasts. It screamed ultimate preservation.

Alexia required no lore on their might. She recognized some surpassed her strength; they'd shred her effortlessly, yet to Goen, they served merely as rations, nothing grander.

"You mentioned grilling some fish-like beast, correct?" Alexia inquired.

Goen inclined his head solemnly.

"Indeed. Technically, it's neither fish nor beast, but a hybrid—say, an aquatic fiend."

He indicated a nearby ice mass.

"This one's a fine pick?"

Alexia turned to view, her eyes stretching wide.

A colossal serpent, rivaling a five-level tower in height, lay sealed in ice, its demise marked solely by a gaping neck gash from battle.

Such opulence befitted none but the pinnacle predator.