Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 4: Reflexes

Adam couldn't change the past; the artifact had already merged with him, integrating into his strength just like the Evolution Tree and Initial Gene. His only choice now was to embrace the artifact and utilize it to enhance his Cultivation.

"Right... I'm a Phantom now... I can earn a living by slaying monsters, and this artifact is going to help me! I shouldn't fixate on a one-time windfall like selling it; it’s smarter to play the long game!"

Moving toward the Electric Eel, Adam summoned Revolve. Aside from the Silver Weaver, this was the very first creature from which Adam would absorb genes.

Several blue runes, crackling with electricity, were drawn into the vortex. They traveled into his inner space, where his consciousness was simultaneously pulled.

"Agh...? What's going on?" Adam muttered in confusion, observing the Evolution Tree and the drifting Electric Eel runes before him.

Out of the swirling cosmic particles, a massive white book bearing an atom symbol on its cover materialized. The tome swung open, and the Electric Eel's genetic data flew toward the first page, settling on the top line.

[The Electric Eel gene has been placed in the Vault!]

[You can open the file of any of your genes for more information.]

"Vault...?" Adam gazed at the book, which served as his personal database, his collection, and perhaps a manifestation of his power.

Like a curious explorer, Adam stepped toward the Vault. He reached out and touched the book, which had shrunk to a size he could easily hold in his hands.

Filled with intrigue, Adam tapped the first entry where the Electric Eel gene was stored.

Immediately, a vivid image of the Electric Eel appeared before him, so detailed and complete it looked as though it had been captured during his battle.

[Anomalous Electric Eel (X1) - First Circle, Green Threat Level.

First stage in cognition - Access primary information about the monster and a photo.

Second step in cognition - ??? (10 Neutral Genes required.)]

"10 Neutral Genes? Green Threat Level?"

No answers were forthcoming. The only thing Adam understood was that the potential of Phantoms was far deeper than he had previously imagined.

He needed to collect more genes and push his evolution to its limits.

'Whatever, I need to activate the artifact first and worry about the rest later,' Adam thought, moving toward the False Orb that hovered beside the Evolution Tree.

[False Orb (First Rarity Level)

First Trait - ??? (Any gene is required. Given the artifact's rarity level, only genes from monsters of green threat level and above will do.)]

"Oh, I have one!" Adam cried out, selecting the Anomalous Electric Eel gene.

Whoooooooooooooooooooosh.

The rune shot out of the Vault and merged into the False Orb.

The artifact shook violently as if it might shatter, but as the electrical sparks settled, it stabilized and began to glow with a more intense light.

[First Trait - Lightning Reflexes

Electricity has become a part of you; you may not be able to create lightning at will or cause a cascade of thunder, but with your new reflexes you can dodge them as easily as you dodge a throwing ball]

Having expended his only gene to activate the Artifact, Adam prepared to depart.

He gave a final glance to the Evolution Tree, the False Orb, and the Ball of Thread. With a smile, he shut his eyes and exited his inner space.

When Adam opened his eyes, the endless wasteland and dunes greeted him once more.

The anomaly was slowly vanishing; the lightning faded and the clouds drifted apart. Without the artifact, the phenomenon could no longer sustain itself. The artifact acted as the heart of any anomaly, perpetually radiating energy into the surroundings.

"Oh, looks like I finally got lucky." Adam grinned, spotting a long convoy of vehicles descending the distant hill.

Even if the Artifact was gone, an anomaly always drew a crowd. Everyone understood the worth of artifacts; even a glimpse of one was worth the journey.

"Hey! You!"

A girl with green eyes and a long red braid shouted from the lead truck. Like the others in her caravan, she wore loose, layered clothing to shield herself from the relentless sand.

Adam turned his head but didn't move toward her, choosing instead to stand his ground and observe the caravan with caution.

Once, Adam had climbed a derelict tower in the slums to look out over the Dead Lands. He had seen a caravan then, but this one was far more impressive.

Each armored transport was marked with a menacing red fox head. Between the combat vehicles were trucks with massive containers, filled with supplies, monster remains, and harvested materials.

Crackle.

The girl jumped down from the truck and walked toward Adam. She glanced briefly at the carcass of the Electric Eel, gave a small nod, and halted.

"My name is Lisa, I'm the leader of the Fire Fox Squad and a First Rank Phantom," Lisa introduced herself energetically, holding out her hand.

Adam accepted the handshake.

"Adam... Just a loner who was unlucky enough to end up here."

"Hmm? How did you end up here alone? The Scorching Desert is probably the worst area to go hunting alone." Lisa lifted an eyebrow, clearly puzzled.

Adam remained silent, turning his gaze toward the towering city walls in the distance.

"When do you plan to return? I'd like to join you, temporarily."

Lisa tapped her lip. "You don't seem to be particularly social. Were you the one who killed that monster?"

Adam nodded.

"Hey! Stop wasting time! What are you guys up to?!" a voice boomed. A burly man with a massive broadsword strapped to his back stepped out of a car.

"Oh, that's Jacob, the first captain—the grumpy type," Lisa remarked casually.

"What? I just don't want to put our squad in danger. The sooner we get out of here the better. That the anomaly is clearing was obvious before we stopped," Jacob grumbled, rubbing the back of his head in annoyance.

Lisa looked back at the fading anomaly and asked, "Did you collect the artifact? I'm sorry, but if you want to join us, we want 3% of its value."

Adam shook his head.

"Agh? Do you really think we're going to take you along for free!" Jacob barked with a frown.

Adam looked toward the epicenter of the anomaly. "I didn't collect the artifact, I absorbed it, so there's no way I can give it to you."

Lisa and Jacob stared at him, their eyes widening in shock. Adam wasn't entirely sure why they were so stunned.

"Hahahahahahaha! Dude, you are one hell of a lucky guy!" Lisa burst out laughing. "Going out alone on a hunt in the Scorching Desert, being the first one near an anomaly, and getting the right artifact for your Evolution Tree and Initial Gene! Damn, I even got tired while I was listing all that."

Adam's eyes glinted for a moment before his expression darkened.

"Every great fortune was preceded by an equally great failure..." Adam murmured. Memories of the experiment flashed through his mind, specifically the face of the scientist.

Lisa shrugged. "Okay, then we want 20% of the materials from that monster." She pointed at the Electric Eel. "We'll handle the transport and sales ourselves, and we'll throw in food and water as a bonus. How's that?"

Adam nodded his agreement. "Fine. I just want to get home; the rest isn't that important."

Turning away, Adam fixed his eyes on a distant silhouette—the Morton Observatory. The person inside had become his permanent target, a debt that would only be settled by the death of one of them.