Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1773: Boring Life?

The Morton Observatory stood as perhaps the sole bastion within the Citadel, an enclave where the government, particularly the Gamma Division, held no sway. This immunity wasn't owed to Gladius or Xyrea, but to Aiden Henk, the third independent scientist. Unlike Magnus and Refesa, Aiden possessed a unique standing; he commanded privileges neither of them shared, nor did they boast such a formidable ally as Gladius.

Now, two full years after Adam's transformation into a Phantom, the moment had arrived to finally confront the individual who had served as the catalyst for that monumental event.

Tap.

The doors slid open, revealing four figures emerging from the lobby of the imposing, dark skyscraper that dominated the First Ring's skyline.

Gladius and Xyrea strode forward, heading toward the parking area, with Adam and Silvana following in their wake.

Adam's gaze was alight with resolve. He wasn't certain if he could have orchestrated a meeting with Aiden Henk solely through his own efforts, but with Gladius, Aiden's trusted friend and confederate, by his side, the seemingly impossible had become achievable.

Silvana, however, harbored no such certainty. It wasn't a lack of desire to meet Aiden Henk, but rather the fact that the situation lacked the profound personal significance for her that it held for Adam, a disparity that gnawed at her.

She had entered Adam's life only after he had endured his most devastating ordeal.

'Blast it. When Adam and I first crossed paths, I was utterly unaware of the depths of his suffering. What is my purpose in that laboratory? I have no ties to Aiden Henk, and... I failed to stand by Adam when he needed me most.'

Before Silvana could succumb further to her introspective spiral, Adam's hand settled upon her shoulder, drawing her nearer.

'Agh?' she exclaimed, startled by the sudden contact.

'Do not fret,' Adam's voice resonated with unwavering conviction. 'We shall face this together and unearth the answers we seek.'

A gentle smile graced Silvana's lips as she offered a nod.

'Indeed. You are ready now. You have grown considerably stronger since the inception of your journey.'

'Yes,' Adam affirmed, yet his eyes remained fixed on Gladius's retreating form. He acutely recognized that despite his recent triumph over Zin, one of the most formidable Black Threat Level monsters, he remained leagues away from Gladius's unparalleled might.

'Even upon completing the final two stages and ascending to the rank of the next Second Rank Phantom, I will still be weaker than him, won't I? But what of the other Second Rank Phantoms? Could I even vanquish a single one of them?'

In truth, the most accurate metric for assessing a Second Rank Phantom's prowess wasn't a comparison with their peers, but rather their performance in engagements against Lords.

Should a Second Rank Phantom falter in besting even a Baron, the least formidable of the Lord Ranks, it indicated that Phantom was likely among the weakest, facing a steep climb ahead.

However, such considerations were far from Adam's current focus. His aspirations extended far beyond the ranks of Barons and Lesser Lords.

He was determined to achieve a strength comparable to Frida's, at the very least, to stand any chance of averting the apocalyptic World Wipe.

Step. Step. Step.

Within the pervasive silence, they proceeded into the parking lot, where Gladius produced his key and actuated the remote.

The headlights of the sleek sports car, nestled in the shadows, flickered to life, projecting two sharp beams of light.

'Wow...'

Adam and Silvana stood transfixed, their gazes locked upon Gladius's extraordinary vehicle.

To be sure, Adam possessed ample funds in his account to procure any automobile within the Citadel, a common privilege for Phantoms of his standing. Yet, certain possessions transcended mere monetary value. Some were bespoke creations, manufactured in exceedingly limited numbers.

Such was precisely the caliber of car Gladius now displayed.

It was a sculpted, dark-purple sports car that bore a striking resemblance to a predatory wyvern, poised to unfurl its formidable wings and surge forward with astonishing velocity.

'Adam, should you desire it, I can endeavor to arrange a meeting with the artisan who crafted this marvel for me. Though... it has been many years. By now, he is but a cantankerous elder, a far cry from the vibrant young prodigy he once was.' Gladius turned his attention to Adam.

'Huh, it appears you ceased tallying the years some time ago,' Adam quipped.

Gladius offered no denial.

'Should you have experienced a lifespan as extensive as mine and witnessed as much as I have, you would grasp my perspective more readily.'

'Is that so?' Adam inquired, a touch of bewilderment in his tone. 'Pray tell, after all these years you have existed, do you still find this life engaging? It strikes me that if I were a century, or even two centuries old, I would have succumbed to ennui long ago.'

Gladius responded with his signature, knowing smirk.

'Naturally, I remain captivated. Those who lament the monotony of existence are merely jaded souls, nothing more. Granted, in youth, novelty imbues everything with a potent allure, but as one matures and accrues strength, the horizon of possibilities expands exponentially.'

He gestured dismissively with his hand, indicating their path toward his vehicle.

'When desire strikes, a means to fulfill it will invariably materialize. In our contemporary era, the pursuit of diversion has never been more accessible, even if, once every two and a half centuries, a brief respite is occasionally necessitated. Hahaha!'