Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 848: Twilight Palace

Andreasʼs words took Adam and Silvana by surprise. They didnʼt expect anyone to be waiting for them at the entrance, especially since theyʼd come from the side of the technical room and not the main hall.

Without a shred of embarrassment, Adam swung his arm.

”Looks like Nefis or Douglas informed about us, doesnʼt it? However... I donʼt think that was necessary.”

In response, Andreas smiled weakly, causing his neat wrinkles to show. After all, he was not young, not for a long time now.

”No matter who reported you, you are already here. Youʼve only recently become a K3-Phantom, so the entire northern part of the Twilight Palace is at your complete disposal.”

Strangely enough, Adam had no trouble understanding the meaning behind Andreasʼs words.

He raised an eyebrow, fleeting surprise visible in his eyes:

”Hmm? Does that mean everything is free?”

As soon as his words were uttered Silvanaʼs eyes went wide. She rushed to correct Adam, for that was brazen, but... Andreas stopped her with a gesture.

”There is no need to rush Ms. Silvana, for Mr. Adam is right. For K3-Phantoms the Twilight Palace provides its services for free. Well, for those who only summoned the Crystal Gates and were at Heaven Island.”

Shock covered Silvanaʼs face, though Adam was not startled. For some reason, he was sure that Andreas knew more than the average person should.

A slight tension hung for a moment. Adam turned around, stepped forward as his eyes narrowed.

”But... It canʼt be that simple, right?”

”Hehehe... Mr. Adam, I would not deceive you. After all, you are a well-known talent. I can see that now too.”

Andreasʼs sly, wisdom-filled eyes ran over Adamʼs dry body, paying attention to his long hair.

”Youʼve spent more time under the queenʼs influence than expected. Iʼm afraid you donʼt realize that this isnʼt exactly a normal situation. It seems that even in the depths of darkness you had unfinished business.”

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

In a heartbeat, Adamʼs aura lashed out, eager to see how Andreas would react to this.

Silvana gulped, watching the white streams rushing from Adam, calm and dense, but ready to unleash their full force upon Adamʼs will.

However, Andreas didnʼt even flinch, at the same time he didnʼt even begin to release his aura in response. It seemed strange to Adam, but familiar to Silvana.

ʼWait...ʼ she muttered in disbelief, ʼSo Andreas is the same as Douglas? Once again, Iʼm sure heʼs not a Phantom, then... what is he...? No, what are they?ʼ

Adam didnʼt have the same feeling as Silvana, yet also realized that Andreas was not the Phantom.

ʼHmm...ʼ Adam mused, ʼHe doesnʼt block my aura, he just effortlessly withstands pressure like a rock. Itʼs almost as if his body itself is strong enough to do so. Itʼs weird...ʼ

A lone shiver went through Adamʼs body as his frame blurred.

Whoooooooooooooosh.

In a heartbeat, Adam lunged towards Andreas in the deadly shadow, his palm like a blade ended up at the manʼs neck who hadnʼt even flinched.

”You....”

Adamʼs hoarse voice boomed out, his blue eyes meeting Andreasʼs with a sly gaze.

”Youʼre a monster?”

Anger, anger, indignation and many other emotions were expected by Silvana, yet followed by something unexpected:

”Hahahahahahahahah!”

Andreasʼs laughter thundered through the room, bouncing off the walls and making the wooden beams shake.

”Old man Douglas was right about you. This is our first meeting and you decided to attack me just like that?”

However, Adam didnʼt rush to remove his hand from Andreasʼs neck, only a sharp glint passed across his eyes.

After that, Andreas shook his head.

”No, Iʼm not a monster. Iʼm a human.”

”Hmm...” Adam grunted, ”Somehow I believe you, even though you and Douglas... Youʼre both pretty damn weird for humans.”

Andreas shrugged nonchalantly.

”Well, Iʼm afraid you both donʼt need to think about that, as you have more important tasks to accomplish.”

Then, Andreas took a step to the side and, with a wave of his hand, pointed toward the exit:

”For example, to regain your strength and rest at the special hotel of the First Wing. A place luxurious and magnificent even for the First Wing. But... I have something to inform you.”

”Oh... No wonder thereʼs some sort of trick. That explains why everything will be free for me.”

Andreas smiled slyly as his hand disappeared under his jacket, appearing back in a flash.

Between his fingers were clutched three gold coins. In the center of each coin was a dark crystal absorbing all light.

”Mr. Adam, these are the Twilight Coins.”

Adam raised an eyebrow in confusion.

”Hmm? Coins? Didnʼt you say that at Twilight Palace everything is free for me as a K3-Phantom?”

Without delay, Andreas nodded deeply.

”Sure, my words are pure truth, you can rest assured of that. The Twilight Coins are not needed to pay for services or food, they have a different purpose.”

Andreas slowly lifted his chin, his eyes narrowed like an old snake.

”Five twilight coins - thatʼs the price to leave the Twilight Palace. Unfortunately, there is no other way for you to escape this place.”

Step.

Andreas barely had time to finish his sentence before Adam smoothly stepped backwards, the energy naturally covered his legs, making him as fast as a ghost.

His figure swept by Silvanaʼs side, taking her hand firmly and heading straight for the exit - he was going to return to the maintenance room and walk straight to Nefis.

Crackle.

At the last moment, the door closed abruptly, the rumble spreading through the room.

However... could a simple door have stopped a K3-Phantom?

Without a doubt in his gaze, Adam tore forward, leaving a dark trail on the ground. His knee appeared to be slightly raised, about to rip the door open in a powerful momentum.

Suddenly, a pale blue flash fell across his face as a dense barrier covered the entire room in a split second.

Electric shocks rippled apart as Adamʼs knee and the barrier made contact. Not three seconds later, the impact forced Adam to step back, shredding the right side of his pants to pieces.

Without saying a word, Adam turned around, over his shoulder, directing his serene gaze at Andreas.

”Mr. Andreas... With all due respect, but... I want to kill you.”