Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1642: Night Farm

Several hours had elapsed since the confrontation between Adam and Tron.

While Tron and Riska made their way to a nearby military outpost, Adam and Silvana remained at the farmhouse. Although Tron harbored no resentment toward Adam for the injury sustained, the training session had concluded in a way he had not anticipated.

In order to address Tron’s injury, they opted to separate temporarily, planning to reconvene by nightfall.

Adam closed his eyes, centering his focus as he retreated into his own inner sanctum.

The Evolution Vein remained unchanged, its luminosity as brilliant as ever, save for an occasional dark pulse that rippled along its length.

"Hah, Glare of Final Determination? I hadn't realized that technique would be a guaranteed homing attack—well... and Tron certainly didn't expect it either."

Tap.

As Adam made contact with the Evolution Vein, runes materialized before his vision.

[Glare of Final Determination

You have acquired the true form of this ability through your Operator, your most trusted partner. Your spears possess devastating force, yet such power often fails against targets that are exceptionally agile or capable of mounting a defense.

Now, no foe can evade your final gaze. If your blood-red eyes lock onto a target, it is destined to be struck.]

Adam shifted his gaze upward.

"What is your take? Did I make the right call?"

[Hah... How could I possibly know?]

The voice of the Evolution Tree resonated across the empty void.

[Tron made the situation plain enough... No one can foresee what the outcome might have been had you redirected that Dark Energy elsewhere. But... if you desire my perspective on this new acquisition...]

A brief silence passed before the Evolution Tree voiced a low, gravelly laugh:

[You now possess a power that will strike terror into your adversaries... Its utility extends far beyond a simple finishing blow; try viewing it from a different perspective.]

"Hmm?" Adam queried, perplexed.

[During the fight, you were actively micromanaging your spear out of necessity to understand your own ability, but that is no longer required. Imagine the devastation when you and your spear, both surging with Dark Energy, strike an enemy simultaneously.]

A flash of realization widened Adam’s eyes. A second detail suddenly dawned on him.

"Right, but that is not all. As long as I am not facing the most powerful Lords, this will serve as my primary advantage."

[Hmm? Explain.]

A smirk played across Adam’s lips.

"The Dark Energy. They have absolutely no defense against this potency! Damn it, if I continue to grow, maybe even the Barons won't remain an unreachable peak for me."

The Evolution Tree fell silent in shock; for all its vast wisdom, that specific conclusion had eluded it.

Adam had secured more than just a formidable technique. The Dark Energy held the potential to equalize the playing field, even against opponents of vastly superior rank.

[I see... I honestly overlooked that possibility. But Adam, were I in your position, I would avoid such risks unless absolutely necessary.]

"Why is that?"

[Even possessing a weapon sharp enough to cut an opponent like Tron, your defense is not yet nearly as reinforced. To be frank, you lack any real defensive barrier whatsoever.]

Adam swallowed hard and lowered his eyes.

The Evolution Tree spoke the truth. It remained unclear if he would gain defensive capabilities soon, yet that uncertainty had always been a hallmark of his perilous journey.

'Huh. I doubt I will ever acquire a true defensive ability. But should the Dark Energy conjure one for me, I would certainly be intrigued to see it.'

"Well, I suppose that settles it. I don’t know what lies ahead, but the Blood of God and the Bottomless Void await."

[Indeed... Unfortunately, those are areas where I cannot assist you. Do you intend to employ that method once more?]

The Evolution Tree was referring to the Winding Fragments.

"Most likely. I don’t really have any other options, do I?"

With that, Adam opened his eyes and returned to the physical world.

Evening was approaching, and by the time Tron and Riska returned, Adam would have some quiet time with Silvana.

He glanced toward Silvana, who was absorbed in an antique book filled with illustrations of various seeds, produce, and saplings. She seemed fascinated by everything from malformed apples to the vegetable garden, specifically the gargantuan, deep-red pumpkins that could spout from the rare seeds found in this region.

"Hey, why don't we go explore the rest of this massive farm?" Adam offered.

"Huh? Are you finished already?" She turned toward him. "This book is surprisingly interesting."

Adam gave a slight shrug.

"I just needed to study my new ability for a moment, that is all. So, what do you think of my proposal?"

She gave a slight nod, a smile touching her lips.

"Sure. Just try not to get lost—this place is enormous!"

"Hah, that will be the least of our worries."

...

The rumble of an engine heralded the black vehicle’s arrival as the moon climbed into the night sky.

Riska and Tron exited the car. Tron wore a floor-length black coat with his sleeves pulled down; bandages wrapped firmly around his right shoulder. While the K4-Phantom medics had done an excellent job, his wound would still require a day or two to fully knit back together.

"Well, well..." Tron surveyed the farmhouse, noting the dark, unlit windows. "Either they’ve gone off for more training or..."

Before he could conclude, Adam and Silvana emerged from the distant barn. Adam was munching on an apple, while Silvana triumphantly hauled a red pumpkin onto her shoulder.

Though the fruit was massive enough to challenge a grown man, Silvana handled it with ease. The augmentations of an Operator always offered some practical benefits.

"Hah, is it just me, or do those two look like they’ve been looting the place?" Tron chuckled.

Riska folded her arms and shrugged.

"Perhaps. Regardless, we are definitely going to have to do something with that enormous pumpkin."

"Any thoughts?"

"Plenty."

Tron nodded in approval.

"Good. I’m starving, to be honest."