Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 661 A Modest Gift

After a long bloody battle, Silvana came to her limit, but when she decided that she already lost, the situation started to show its true face.

A multitude of thoughts filled Silvanaʼs mind, but she quickly dismissed them all, wanting to focus on only one thing - the long needle she held along with Adam.

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

The dense laser tried to destroy the silver needle just as it had done before with Silvanaʼs scissors, but the needle seemed invulnerable.

The snow-white layer of energy emanating from the needleʼs tip and going all the way to their hands was their defense, preventing even the heat from reaching them. Silvana saw it many times, but she didnʼt realize it at the time.

”Good, just hold tight and donʼt let go of the hilt.” Adam whispered next to Silvanaʼs ear.

Then, he took hold of her waist and made her lean forward slightly, he did the same.

”Now we will deal with this serious opponent, for the first and last time.”

Silvana didnʼt know how, but for the last few seconds, she was completely calm, her Operatorʼs voice gave her boundless confidence, not only in her but in him as well.

”Itʼs a strong attack, but you and I can do something more impressive...”

Then, Adamʼs and Silvanaʼs eyes simultaneously shone brightly, this time the light in Silvanaʼs eyes was as white as Adamʼs, rather than the black mist that covered her earlier.

Step.

Acting as one, Silvana and Adam stepped forward, creating a white stream of energy around them that created a path for them to follow.

In a heartbeat, they swept across the great distance, finding themselves a few meters behind the Obsidian Hydra.

Thump.

Silvana dropped to one knee, slowly turning around.

”Hah... That was a good attack, I donʼt even really understand what happened, but one thing is obvious, itʼs not enough to defeat such a powerful monster.”

Suddenly, Silvana heard a stern voice:

”Silvana, raise your head and look.”

Adam pointed at the Obsidian Hydra, pinning Silvanaʼs gaze to the monster.

Crackle. Crackle. Crackle.

A loud crack sounded from bones breaking as Obsidian Hydra collapsed to the ground under the weight of its own body.

Silvanaʼs eyes went wide, staring at the wide hole, no... at the tunnel inside the two-meter diameter monster that was the aftermath of their charge.

Everything on the path they traveled was destroyed, leaving behind only emptiness.

”But... How?” Silvana looked at Adam, still not understanding what was happening here.

”Because Operators are strong too and... you proved it.” Adam uttered as the wall behind him shattered into many shards.

Somehow, behind the cold cavern was only a snow-white void, blinding Silvana for a moment.

The next time she opened her eyes, she saw the darkness and the majestic Evolution Tree in front of her.

Then, Silvanaʼs gaze changed, her eyes deepening, remembering everything that happened during the last ordeal.

”That... What was that?”

Confusion was visible on her face, as well as surprise, embarrassment, and many other emotions.

[That was the last one...]

After a few seconds, then Evolution Tree continued:

[And... I finally got an answer to my question...]

Silvana raised her head abruptly, addressing the Evolution Tree.

”What? What are you talking about?”

[Donʼt you remember...? No... you... are... At the moment you woke up... then when you were in the illusion...]

For a moment, Silvanaʼs eyes went wide, she clearly remembered what the Evolution Tree was talking about.

”Am I willing to sacrifice my life to save Adam...? But, I answered that Iʼm not.” Silvana clenched her fists tightly, she didnʼt like that answer, but it was an honest one.

[Did...? It seems like you lied to me last time... Since I saw everything during the test...]

”But! I was a Phantom! I was strong! I had the ability to protect Adam! This... these are very different circumstances...” Silvana bit her lip, lowering her head down.

[No. Youʼre wrong... Remember the situation. Even though you possessed Phantom powers... You had no chance to save Adam, your Operator...] Enjoy new tales from

Silence.

Silvana took some time to come to her senses, to ponder the words of the Evolution Tree, and to recall the events after White Cube...

”So... What will happen next?”

When Stina came to them, taking them to Iron Observatory to see Refesa, they were not told anything.

Even when they had already learned about Gene Diffusion, Refesa had only warned them about the consequences if they failed, but no one had told them what would happen if they could handle all the trials.

”Although... donʼt answer that. I want to ask you something before I do. Itʼll be fair.” Silvana stared intently at Evolution Tree, expecting some sort of reaction from the still mysterious creature to her.

[Iʼm listening to you... I see something is bothering you...]

”Yes, why did the trials only affect me? I mean... I donʼt mind going through the trials, but, Adam only participated in one of the three.”

Silvana continued:

”You only asked questions of me, then we watched each otherʼs memories, and at the very end I was alone.”

She waved her hand with a serious expression.

”Iʼm not complaining, I just want to know why Gene Diffusion is happening the way it is. Why does most of the work go to the Operator?”

[I see... First of all... Adam was in the last trial... I think you already realized that yourself...]

After a long silence, the Evolution Tree trembled slightly:

[Youʼre right... the first trial was just for you, but... think about it... why did you end up here in the first place? Youʼre not a Phantom... youʼre just a mere human...]

Shock covered Silvanaʼs face, the Evolution Tree was right, over the course of the ordeal, she had already started to consider it normal that she was in Adamʼs inner space.

[The answer is simple, the fact that youʼre here... shows that Adam trusts you completely... otherwise I wouldnʼt allow you to be here... Silvana Desio.]

Silvana gulped but didnʼt say anything, she like the Evolution Tree, got answers to her questions.

[Well... thatʼs enough... back to your last question and the end... There are no more trials... but... the Gene Diffusion isnʼt over yet...]

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

The Evolution Tree shuddered violently as its two massive roots headed towards Silvana. The roots stopped abruptly in the middle of the distance, slowly approaching Silvana, passing through the void as if the roots were spreading on the ground.

Soon, the roots stopped in front of Silvana, slowly rising, weaving together into a single one, with the tip looking upward.

Thin streams of white energy emerged from the tip, slowly turning into silver threads. The threads became spinning disks, inside lurked a small star the size of a fingernail, the entire sphere of threads from the star could fit in Silvanaʼs palm.

Holding her breath, Silvana watched as the light of the star faded, revealing a tiny round object, slightly stretched forward, flawlessly pure and white as the first snow, emitting a powerful calm aura.

[Silvana Desio... now I have a question for you...]

Silvanaʼs heart began to beat faster, for some reason, she couldnʼt look away from the silver sphere, the threads slowly spinning, protecting the treasure within.

[Will you accept a small gift from me... will you accept my seed?]