Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1756: The Last Condition (Part 2)

A considerable amount of time had passed since Adam brought the Second Grand Star into existence, and even more time had elapsed since his ascension to the K4-Phantom state.

The K4 Level held a unique significance.

Although the levels from K0 to K4 were all part of the First Circle of evolution, they could be broadly categorized into two distinct groups.

The First Group: Encompassing the K0, K1, K2, and K3 Levels.

The Second Group: Comprising solely the K4 Level.

At each evolutionary stage, Phantoms encountered specific trials and prerequisites they must surmount to advance their strength.

With every subsequent level, these conditions grew progressively more arduous, demanding greater investment of time and effort.

However, the K4 Level presented a unique challenge; it was the phase where a Phantom fully unleashed their latent potential, powers previously constrained by the 'Lock,' and was tasked with forging the 'Keys' to systematically unlock each 'Keyhole.'

To ascend further in power, a Phantom now had to develop novel abilities, discover new energy sources across the world, and undergo a transformative evolution as a warrior.

Without these advancements, achieving the conditions necessary for the creation of the First, Second, and subsequently, the Third Grand Star, was an impossibility.

Each Grand Star represented a distinct global tier. The disparity in power between a One-Star K4-Phantom and a Three-Star K4-Phantom was immense and staggering.

If Adam were to confront his former self from the time he had just returned from the Dark Shore and achieved K4-Phantom status, a single strike would decisively end any ensuing battle.

Concurrently, Adam was not the absolute pinnacle among K4-Phantoms; he was actively striving towards that apex, with merely two more steps separating him from the Second Circle and the esteemed rank of a Second Rank Phantom, placing him among the world's most formidable beings.

This level of power was the minimum requirement he deemed necessary to possess even a sliver of a chance against the impending World Wipe.

Even the most powerful Phantoms and Lords had proven incapable of shattering the perpetual cycle of self-annihilation that plagued the First Star and the Last Star.

To achieve this monumental feat, something extraordinary was required.

Yet, before Adam could even contemplate such possibilities, his immediate priority was the creation of the Third Grand Star.

"Just one more condition, and I shall forge the Third Grand Star..." Adam murmured, his gaze fixed upon the luminous runes suspended before him.

No Phantom could ascertain the precise number of Grand Stars required to construct a Constellation.

This number, much like the conditions themselves and the prerequisites for meeting them, varied for each individual Phantom.

Nevertheless, Adam harbored a profound intuition that the recent events at the Grim Court had fulfilled his penultimate requirement.

"First, the Highest Bliss, achieved during the confrontation with Vaarh—though I had anticipated reclaiming the Blood of God then. Hahaha!"

Adam chuckled as the memory of that encounter resurfaced.

"Blast it, reflecting on it now... Vaarh's blood, potent as it was, pales in comparison to the blood of Queen Elisa. How naive I was to rely on that."

Regardless of his previous expectations, Adam had successfully obtained both the Blood of God and the Highest Bliss.

"Damn it, setting aside the Desire of Beyond, these were the most demanding conditions of all. But then again, what else could one expect when aiming for the Third Grand Star?"

For a fleeting moment, his expression darkened.

"Most likely, this will be the final one, both the condition and the star itself."

Adam's eyes drifted down the displayed list, lingering on another condition that evoked a greater sense of dread within him than the enigmatic Blood of God.

[Third Grand Star (Star #5) Highest Bliss: 1/1 Blood of God: 1/1 Bottomless Void: 0/1]

"Bottomless Void... What could that possibly signify? Silvana and I wrestled with potential interpretations countless times, yet only our guess regarding the Highest Bliss proved accurate."

Silvana had posited that the Highest Bliss represented a transcendent state, where Adam would experience emotions of unparalleled intensity, far surpassing a mere adrenaline surge or the initial immersion into the Resonance.

Indeed, her assessment was largely correct, mirroring precisely what transpired during the battle against Vaarh.

The Blood of God presented a far more cryptic requirement. Adam and Silvana had surmised it must originate from some immensely powerful entity.

They were convinced it pertained to a formidable monster, perhaps long vanquished, but the reality proved to be ironically different.

The substance they sought was, in fact, the blood of Queen Elisa, a Phantom akin to himself. However, Adam remained uncertain if she retained her humanity after all that had befallen her.

The circumstances leading to Queen Elisa's current state remained one of Adam's most significant enigmas. He had first encountered her and Heaven Island in the distant past, yet he knew precious little about Queen Elisa's personal history.

"Agh, and to think of Goen... He mentioned that the World End Squad operated under the king's purview. By the heavens, how many centuries ago did that occur? Is the king still among the living?"

The volume of unresolved questions had diminished considerably since the outset of Adam's quest. Upon his initial step into the Phantoms' world, he could never have envisioned the sheer depth of secrets this realm concealed. Nonetheless, he was steadily approaching the ultimate pinnacle, beyond which lay only the grandest enigmas and nothing more.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Adam stroked his chin, contemplating the last requirement.

"The Bottomless Void... Could it be that I need to experience failure, as it's the antithesis of the Highest Bliss?"

While the thought seemed plausible, Adam quickly dismissed it.

"No, it can't be that straightforward. Moreover, for Highest Bliss, victory wasn't a prerequisite; it was the state I was in."

He gnawed on his lip, drawing blood.

"What circumstances would lead me to the absolute depths? To the point where I feel utterly empty inside?"

A shiver traced its way down Adam's spine at the mere contemplation. He felt an aversion to uncovering the answer, yet he knew he had to if he desired greater strength.

"Very well, no more dawdling."

Adam balled his hand into a tight fist.

"I must proceed!"

He blinked, his awareness returning to the tangible world. At that exact moment, the door swung open, and Kaexa made her entrance.

A curious arch of her brow, she inquired,

"Oh, you've already roused yourself? That's excellent. Master Kaerno requests your presence. And it's not just him; Zin will be there too."

"Z-Zin?"