Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1626 1626: Old dark lake

Adam had no idea of his location, yet it held little importance for him. At this moment, he found himself within the Dead Lands, specifically in the outermost ring bordering them.

The fiercest foes he might face in this area were beasts rated at White and Green threat tiers. On the other side of things, the majority of Phantoms present were only at K0 or K1 ranks. More powerful Phantoms simply didn't belong in such a place.

Step. Step. Step.

Adam continued his way through the cavern until he halted, glancing cautiously around the bend.

Over a dozen sand lizards rested soundly on the heated stones. The bigger and tougher among them stayed close to the amber crystals, protecting them while gradually drawing in their power.

"The White Threat Monsters, right?"

Silvana nodded.

"Yes, the Sand Lizards. They dwell in caverns or close to sandy hills. They're swift and robust, equipped with keen talons and tough hides, plus they're immune to flames."

Adam grinned, nearly chuckling, yet he restrained himself just in time to avoid any sound.

'Hah, you're so serious. It reminds me of our early days. Back then, every monster required preparation and detailed information. Those were good times.'

Silvana shrugged.

'If there were information on your enemies in the database, I'd still be doing that. But… Outside the Dead Lands, it's hard to find information on anything. You have to learn everything on the spot.'

Adam gave a quiet nod and advanced.

STEP!

He intentionally applied extra pressure than normal. The sound of his footfall reverberated across the cave, sending a shake through the earth.

The sand lizards unveiled their amber gazes, initially with sluggishness, but quickly their expressions filled with pure astonishment and terror.

HISSSSSS!

They let out hisses, fixing their stares on Adam while the mightiest sand lizard moved ahead. They stood poised to battle if it meant defending their Nest.

Yet, they hadn't grasped the sheer dreadfulness of their foe's aura.

Tremble.

Just one surge from Adam sufficed to halt the sand lizards completely. They couldn't comprehend why a Phantom of such immense strength appeared right in their nest's heart.

Additionally, they recognized their utter lack of victory prospects.

"Relax." Adam gestured with his hand while proceeding with a steady gait.

He passed by the sand lizards, who dared not even exhale in his proximity. Nevertheless, their gazes tracked him, driven by intrigue and dread.

"I'm not going to fight you. That would be unfair. Besides, I don't want to take away valuable experience from the young Phantoms who will come to fight you."

Indeed, Adam possessed the ability to eliminate all creatures here. It wouldn't consume even a full minute. However, what purpose would it serve?

Should they pose a danger to his kin, the situation would alter entirely, yet at present, he had entered their domain as nothing more than a transient visitor.

Were it any other individual, the sand lizards would have lunged at the presumptuous Phantom ages ago, but not against Adam, the K4 Phantom.

Thus, Adam departed the cave beneath the watchful eyes of numerous sand lizards.

This was a meeting they hadn't anticipated, yet it etched itself indelibly in their memories.

Step. Step. Step.

Adam seized the jagged rim of the outlet during his following stride.

Sunlight from the scorching orb bathed his features, mirroring the very first instance he turned into a Phantom.

Each breeze carried sand along, reshaping dunes in an eternal pattern of exposure and burial.

"Ah, I'd actually forgotten that feeling. It's not bad, not bad at all."

All at once, an unfamiliar voice broke in:

"Hurry up! We have to start our mission in three minutes!" the man clad in the official black attire shouted.

Trailing him was a team of five, all Phantoms—utter beginners without personal Operators assigned. Earning one demanded finishing several tasks and demonstrating value to the Citadel.

'Hmm? Does someone here actually have a mission assigned? Damn, I was just joking,' Adam grumbled to himself.

Click.

Silvana promptly gathered every detail.

"Yep, this is the first mission for the Amber Wind squad. They formed recently, and the man in the black uniform is their instructor, a K1-Phantom. They're assisted by his Operator, as well as one shared Operator from the mission department."

Adam smirked.

"Back in the day, any Operator could easily find out all the info about our missions, but now you're the one doing it? Looks like we've both switched sides without even realizing it."

Silvana puffed out her cheeks.

"Hey! I'm just sharing useful information with you. Besides, I was just curious!"

"Of course." He leaped down the incline, touching ground before the Amber Wind squad.

The instructor came to a sudden halt and prepared for combat. Nothing had warned him of additional presence here.

"Who are you?!" The instructor exclaimed, set to draw his Nexus from his rear.

Before managing that, his eyes bulged as a member of the Amber Wind squad burst out:

"Holy shit! It's Adam Vinter!"

The girl gulped nervously.

"Is it really him?"

The young man rubbed his eyes.

"Maybe we're seeing things?"

Yet, confirmation soon arrived from their Operator.

"Y-Yes, it is indeed Adam Vinter, the real one…" She couldn't believe what she was saying herself. Still, it was a fact.

Adam smiled slightly and waved his hand in greeting.

"Hi! Don't mind me. I'm just patrolling the area, something like that."

The novice Phantoms traded looks. This caught them off guard, just as it did the instructor, though his duty involved safeguarding the fresh combatants and mission success.

"The sand lizards and amber crystals — are they alive? Are they still in the cave?" he asked, striving for composure.

Adam nodded deeply.

"Sure, don't worry about that. Good luck with your mission."

In this way, Adam continued onward amid their stunned stares. They, much like the sand lizards, would recall this meeting for ages.

Step. Step. Step.

Adam had ventured far from the cave while ascending a dune, aiming to head back to the Citadel gates.

However, an element caused his eyes to turn shadowy and icy.

"Shit… This isn't where I wanted to end up..."

He tightened his fists while gazing at the distant minor pond of refuse, the tar lake, the spot of origins, where Adam had slain the silver weaver, the initial and genuine one.