Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 319: Midnight Crystal (Part 44)

Silvana was fully immersed in the events of Fallen Crypt, as were all the Operators in their squad.

However, even though she was an Operator, she couldnʼt know everything, not only because she was a human and not a robot, but also because some of the information she didnʼt have access to or prioritized.

ʼShit, shit, shit, what are these statues? Are they supposed to be here? I havenʼt studied Fallen Crypt at all, just basic information from the academy. I didnʼt expect Adam to get into the Yellow Threat area.ʼ Silvana pondered nervously biting her nails.

She watched Adam carefully as he ran up to the main gate with Oskar and the others. However, of the six of them, only Adam and Oskar were running, the rest were on their shoulders...

Click.

Suddenly, someone joined her private channel where only she was.

”Agh?” Silvanaʼs eyes went wide in confusion. She didnʼt remember giving anyone access to her network.

It was worth realizing that when Silvana contacted Adam about trivial matters within the Citadel, such as to discuss plans, they used the normal channel like all people.

However, during missions, the military, in cooperation with the missions department, assigned special channels for Operators, Phantoms, and their squads.

This wasnʼt for security reasons, because ordinary people couldnʼt interfere with their work in any way. These channels had a much more stable and faster connection, which meant that they were more expensive to maintain.

Moreover, other Operators not previously associated with the mission could connect to these channels if necessary, although this was quite rare.

ʼHello, I wish I could say good morning, but itʼs already a deep and dangerous night.ʼ

Suddenly, a calm and kind voice echoed in Silvanaʼs ears, as if from a mother or a woman who had been through a lot but found her place in life.

Strangely enough, Silvana was familiar with this person - it was Riska, Tronʼs Operator, and former Phantom who had decided to become an Operator. She was truly rare and unique.

ʼWhat? Riska? What are you doing on my channel? I donʼt have time to talk right now!ʼ Silvana said quickly, intending to remain polite.

After all, Riska was the Operator of the K3-Phantom. Compared to her, Silvana was a simple office worker.

ʼI know. Iʼm here to help you. You need to tell Adam about the statues around Fume Cathedral. It could be very important.ʼ Riska said seriously.

Silvana gulped as she nodded. She wasnʼt used to getting help from her elders, as she usually managed on her own. But, she wasnʼt going to be arrogant, especially when Adamʼs life could depend on this information.

”Riska, were you referred to me by someone in the missions department?” Silvana asked in confusion.

ʼNo.ʼ Riska shook her head, ʼTron asked me to do it.ʼ

”Agh? Tron...?” Silvana wondered.

Riska narrowed her eyes, which looked rather dangerous despite her kind appearance and aura.

ʼSilvana, to you he is Mr. Tron, especially during working hours.ʼ Riska said rather sternly.

Silvana only nodded, not daring to argue with her.

ʼTron has been following this mission ever since the Prime Thunder Demon appeared in Black Cinder Forest, when he saw that it was going to Fume Cathedral, he realized that things were really serious now.ʼ Riska uttered.

ʼSilvana, listen to me carefully. The statues around Fume Cathedral can be a threat, a blessing, or just spectators and decoration. It all depends on the situation, but you have to tell Adam everything, listen to me first.ʼ

”Sure.” Silvana became more serious.

...

Step. Step. Step.

Adam didnʼt know what was happening in the Citadel or what Silvana was busy with right now, for his main task was to run away from the monsters and hide in Fume Cathedral.

”Go!” Oskar exclaimed, leaping forward with all his might.

Adam nodded maintaining the same pace with him.

In a few seconds, they reached the top of the stairs and approached the majestic gate that was even taller than the two main statues.

The gates were wide open inward as if inviting anyone to enter. They were thick and dark with sparse patterns on the iron plates.

”Great just a few more steps!” Oskar clenched his teeth tightly before passing through the gate line.

A second later Adam did the same, but, due to the previous anxiety that somehow Oskar didnʼt have, Adam glanced sideways at one of the statues.

The two massive statues next to the gate looked identical. They were huge warriors in light armor covered with protective plates that flowed down like a stream.

Their arms and legs were almost completely exposed revealing rather realistic muscles. However, this could not confuse Adam, experienced sculptors were capable of displaying any, even the smallest details on their masterpieces.

In the hands of the statues were massive spears with giant blades that could cut an entire hill with one majestic swing.

Adam tensed at the statueʼs face, or rather its gaze.

The faces of the statues looked androgynous, it was unclear whether they were male or female, and their hair was medium-length down to their shoulders.

The eyes of the statues were motionless, as well as they should be because they were statues - lifeless pieces of stone.

Right?

Adam flinched slightly when the eye of one statue moved sharply, staring at him intently.

But, as Adam blinked and stepped forward, everything returned to normal.

ʼWait? Was I imagining things?ʼ Adam internally muttered, as there was no evidence to be seen that the statues were actually alive.

Then, Adam shook his head with a slight frown.

ʼI canʼt think about that right now. All I have to do is step over the gate line and thatʼs it.ʼ Adam said to himself before rushing forward.

A few steps later, without any danger, Adam found himself inside the Fume Cathedral, just like Oskar.

Step. Step. Step.

At the same moment, they saw the first monsters approach the gate. Strangely enough, there were several Gray Stalkers.

Sure, Gray Stalkers were not the strongest or most dangerous monsters of the huge horde that was moving towards them, but due to their size, they were quite fast and were able to reach Fume Cathedral sooner than the others.

In fact, among the Light Yellow Threat monsters, the Gray Stalkers were one of the weakest and there was no one in this wave of monsters whose strength level was lower than theirs, that was for sure.

Oskar frowned as the ten Gray Stalkers approached the gate. Saliva was falling from the edges of their jaws, while they licked their fangs insidiously with their long tongues. They clearly wanted to devour Oskar, Adam, and the others.

The Gray Stalkers were sure that the Phantoms were now trapped and had nowhere to escape!

”Shit! What do we do? Keep running?” Oskar asked with a slight panic in his voice.

Adam wanted to answer, but suddenly he heard another personʼs voice - Silvanaʼs.

ʼAdam! I must tell you urgently about the nature of those statues around Fume Cathedral!ʼ Silvana exclaimed actively.

”What, right now? I donʼt have time for this! Monsters are running for us! Gray Stalkers have already come up to the gate!” Adam said while staring at the Gray Stalkers.

The monsters only had a few more meters to go and they would cross the line.

Whooooooooooooosh.

Before Silvana or anyone else could say anything, a huge spear blade came down on the Gray Stalkers, literally smashing them into the cold stone in front of the gate.