Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 819: First Impression

One by one, the Phantoms climbed aboard the fighters. Some wanted to take their dead comrades with them, but the military stopped them.

In a while, the massive BH-01 fighters would arrive for that purpose. Now, the most important thing was to get home.

Adam and Katrin were one of the last to arrive, they headed towards the middle fighter.

Suddenly, a pair of unusual purple eyes appeared behind him, someone tentatively touched his shoulder.

Not feeling threatened, Adam turned around meeting Gnashʼs timid gaze.

”Hmm?”

He raised an eyebrow in a confusion.

”Do you need something?”

”Yeah... One thing...”

Gnashʼs cheeks flushed as she looked down.

”Can I fly in the same fighter with you? Iʼve seen a lot of your battles... Iʼm very impressed with your accomplishments...”

A strange feeling filled Adam. For some reason, it seemed to him that Gnash wanted to say something else, yet he had no reason to deny fellow Phantom.

”Sure.”

With a nonchalant reply, Adam stepped forward. Gnash rushed towards him, not wanting to be left behind.

Katrin stayed behind, her eyes running from the calm Adam to the worried Gnash. Soon, her pupils dilated.

ʼWhat, seriously...? Hey! When am I going to get fans too? Itʼs not fair!ʼ

Feeling free, Adam glanced at Gnash, seemingly not noticing her shyness.

”Have you watched my fights? I know Iʼm pretty popular with Phantoms of my rank, but that only started at K1-Level.”

In response, Gnash gave a few quick nods.

”Yes, yes, to be honest, I didnʼt start following your achievements because I found out about you as a Phantom in the first place...”

”Hmm, howʼs that?”

”Scarlet Light Fair...” she muttered mentioning a long ago event, ”A friend of mine, a normal human was there and... She couldnʼt calm down for a week talking about the Phantom killing a man on a whim.”

Adam stopped, a slight shiver went through his body. He didnʼt regret what heʼd done, because that man had gone too far, this was revenge for Trici.

However, Adam fully realized that his reputation as a Phantom had hit rock bottom then. Not that it bothered him much, but when one was at the top or the bottom, it got attention from the outside.

Soon, Adamʼs gaze became more serious.

”And... What do you think about that? The first thing you find out about me is that I killed a mere human. Thatʼs not a good first impression.”

”Yes, you should hear what my friend was saying, it seemed to me that it wasnʼt a Phantom at the fair but a monster, so... from that moment on Iʼve been watching you closely.”

They approached the fighter while Gnash continued:

”You got out of prison early, much earlier, then went on one mission, then another, and beyond that. Your missions were rare but meaningful, so I didnʼt miss a single one.”

Then, her gaze darkened as if she felt guilty.

”Iʼm ashamed to admit, but because I thought you were a bad person, I wished you to fail. My friend would irritably text me every time you came out the winner once again.”

”But...”

She rubbed herself uncertainly on the shoulder.

”Soon my friend lost interest in you, stopped tracking you, but not me. Gradually I figured out the situation at the fair, your victories became memorable, I waited every time you went on a mission again, and... today we found ourselves on the battlefield together.”

For a brief period, Adamʼs aura intensified. His eyes grew deeper as he glanced around at all the Phantoms that had yet to board the fighters.

”I see... So youʼre one of the squad leaders.”

After a few seconds, he continued:

”So, after everything you know. What do you think of me?”

His question caught Gnash off guard. She flinched, rushing to answer:

”Like I said Iʼm glad I got a chance to work with you and hopefully there will be another opportunity in the future. Your fights, Iʼm always left very impressed after watching them.”

With a deep sigh, Gnash put her palm to her chest.

”Youʼre like a monster-phantom, the stronger your opponent, the longer and greater the fight, the more it seems that only a Phantom like you could win in that situation. I think the majority of Phantoms would fail if they were in your place in those battles.”

Adam glanced to the side as he shrugged.

”Well, most monsters are wild and ferocious, bloodthirsty and vicious creatures, but theyʼre not as dangerous as the stronger ones, calm and majestic.”

Step. Step. Step.

With a calm gait, he approached the fighter.

”We may meet on the battlefield again, but... I donʼt know when my next mission will be. So far, Iʼve done everything I needed to in the Dead Lands.”

That was enough for Gnash, her eyes sparkled and she hurried to catch up with him, for now she didnʼt dare to ask for more.

By now, most of the Phantoms already climbed into their fighters, the pilots were ready to take off at any moment, they just needed an order.

The commander stood at the ramp, calling out to Adam:

”Adam Vinter, I need to speak to you as mission leader.”

His voice was firm but full of respect for one of the most outstanding K2-Phantoms.

”There are a few matters that need to be discussed.”

Adam turned toward the military man, a slight smile forming on his face.

”Hah, I donʼt mind, but Iʼm not the leader, the one youʼre looking for is standing behind me.”

He pointed at Katrin, she was walking behind everyone, her gait was limp, but she was in no hurry, as if not wanting to leave the memorable place.

Before the commander could say anything, Adam disappeared inside the fighter, leaning against the wall. Gnash glanced around and took a spot next to him.

Then, Katrin reached the commander, he tore towards her going to help her to the ramp.

”Donʼt touch me.”

Katrin waved her hand irritably, the commander stopped one step away from her.

”Iʼm not so weak to not be able to walk. After all, we won.”

The commander nodded deeply, the first fighters already rising above the ground.

”That is good Ms. Katrin. It was an important victory for you, wasnʼt it?”

”Agh?”

”Perhaps, years from now, you will remember this day as the beginning of your journey. You were able to surpass yourself by defeating yourself.”