Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1598: The Old Scar

For around ten minutes, the earthworm had slithered through the Ice Path, yet the enclosing walls held onto their familiar shade. The travelers lingered in the identical zone, facing a lengthy journey before the Citadel appeared on the horizon.

Adam and Alexia required further moments to get accustomed, yet they had moved beyond desperately gripping the borders with clenched jaws, as if existence itself teetered on the brink.

"Argh... Who would have thought that such fat worms could be so fast?" Alexia heaved a deep sigh, her gaze fixed on the overhead surface. She sprawled across the earthworm’s back in a wide star formation to lessen the tremors shaking through her as much as she could.

Ramilo gently caressed the earthworm. Though his paw seemed minuscule against the creature’s enormous frame, he was certain the beast sensed the touch.

"Don’t say that. If these worms didn’t have their thick hide and layer of fat, and only dry muscles, the sharp rocks underground would simply tear them to pieces, like blades in a meat grinder. It wouldn’t be a pretty sight, believe me."

Alexia offered no reply, merely shutting her eyes with the wish that it would ease her queasiness and ensure a secure arrival at the Citadel.

In the end, journeying alongside Ramilo and the earthworm proved quicker and more secure. The pair remained unaware of Ramilo’s exact power tier, but it stood clear that no feeble beast could maintain a solid bond with Goen.

"Ramilo," Adam uttered.

"Hmm? Yes?"

"How did you meet Goen? Did he save you as he saved us?"

Ramilo shook his head.

"A long time ago, when I wasn’t as strong as I am now, I attacked Goen. I decided that a Phantom of his level would be a suitable opponent, and that if I defeated him, I would become stronger."

Adam gave a wry smile.

"I understand that at that moment his hair was silver and his eyes were green, right?"

"Hahaha! Yeah! I was sure I had almost won, and then he used his true power against me!"

Ramilo halted briefly while pivoting away from Adam.

He indicated his back.

"Here, if you look closely, you’ll see it."

Adam squinted and drew nearer.

Against the dense blue fur and gray skin, a massive scar extended from Ramilo’s shoulder all the way to the base of his back, plainly evident.

"Shit..." Adam found himself at a loss for words.

Ramilo nodded.

"It hurt, it hurt like hell. I can’t remember anyone else hurting me that badly, and I’ve been through a lot of fights and defeats in my life!"

Alexia cracked her eyes open just a bit.

"Hmm? Can’t you remove this scar? I’m sure if you focus your energy on this spot, regeneration will do all the work for you."

Ramilo shook his head with a faint grin.

"It’s not just a scar, kids, it’s a memory, an important one. It’s not just nostalgia. When I thought several times that I couldn’t win or that death was near, I remembered this scar and realized that there was nothing more frightening than it.

He gestured with his hand before facing forward again.

"Such thoughts can actually give you strength when you need it."

"Ah?" Alexia appeared confused. "It was so painful, and yet you consider Goen your friend?"

"Of course. Have you never had a situation where a person you considered your enemy eventually became an equal rival who respected you, or even a friend?"

Alexia rubbed her cheek. Few instances came to her mind, with Adam standing as the nearest and sole example. She had slain the rest if they were monsters, or cut off all contact if they were Phantoms.

"I don’t know..." Alexia murmured.

Ramilo nodded in comprehension.

"As I said, you are both still too young. Don’t just think about strength, your age is important as well."

"I disagree."

Adam’s firm tone caused Ramilo and Alexia to swivel toward him.

"What do you mean?"

"I’ve experienced everything you’ve talked about."

Adam drew his knees up to his torso, his gaze deepening.

"The enemy who became a rival and even a friend. The scars. The important opponents who changed you with their strength and your victories over them."

He fixed his sight on the swiftly passing passage in front.

"It’s not how old you are that matters, but how many events you’ve been through in your life. Now, I understand that this is especially true. Any powerful monster can just lie in its cave for a hundred years and accumulate energy. During that time, nothing interesting will happen to that monster at all.

"But, for an ordinary human, a hundred years is the upper limit. Only a tiny fraction of people live to that age, and only if they have amazing genetics and money for medicine. At the same time, someone may do only one important thing in a hundred years, while someone else may have hundreds of achievements."

Ramilo blinked repeatedly.

Despite his far greater might and years compared to Adam, he lacked any retort, for Adam spoke pure truth.

"Huh, it seems that to be wise, you don’t have to live to an old age, right?"

Adam’s mouth curved slightly upward.

"I’m not a sage, far from it. I just managed to survive where others died, and that’s it."

Ramilo shrugged while casting a look at Alexia.

"We’ve all been through this, haven’t we?"

She nodded.

"Yes! I’m very wise too! I’m just not as pessimistic as Adam!"

"Arh?" Adam frowned.

"Need I remind you how you looked at the casino after losing ten times in a row?"

"W-What? What does that have to do with anything?! I was just unlucky then!"

"Tsk. Playing when you’re only losing in the hope of getting lucky is far from wise!"

"Shut up! It won’t happen again! I’ll win everything!"

Ramilo stayed out of it. He felt intrigued to witness the extent of their exchange.

"GGGGRRRRHHHH!!!"

All at once, the earthworm let out a fierce roar as the colossal beast came to a halt.

Adam and Alexia found themselves unprepared, hurtling ahead from the sudden force.

"Ouch!"

"Damn it!" Adam rose to his feet. "What happened?"

Ramilo spun around, only to confront a massive ice barrier obstructing the path ahead.

A fierce smile spread across his face, with a hunter’s spark igniting in his eyes.

"It looks like it’s time for your guide to get to work. Watch closely!"