Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 845: Global Gene

Every energy had an attribute. Sometimes, it was something obvious. Examples like fire and water were known even to a child who had only recently learned to read.

Lightning, wind, or stone werenʼt capable of surprising anyone either. Nevertheless, this was only the tip of the iceberg, below hid a bottom with no borders.

It seemed that Tronʼs ability to use glass as the main material had to be the limit. It wasnʼt a standard attribute, it wasnʼt even a combination of standard attributes, for glass was derived from fire and sand.

However, all of this was irrelevant in real combat, any ability was energy, and energy had properties - that was what distinguished one attribute from another in isolation from appearance.

Blue fire and red one looked the same, only the color was different, but one flame froze, and the other burned everything in its path.

Something similar worked for all abilities of all Phantoms or monsters, no matter what form the energy took.

Thus, what was Adam looking at now?

What were the countless stars floating in front of him capable of?

Eager to know the limits of his Global Gene, Adam reached forward with a detached gaze. He expected the stars to do something.

But...

Nothing happened.

Confusion reflected on Adamʼs face. He didnʼt fully understand how his Global Gene worked, and there was no way he could make any progress on it.

[Take your time...]

The Evolution Tree couldnʼt stand by, it decided to help its stumped partner.

[Look... You have to realize that Global Gene has no restrictions, but it does have limits...]

Adam raised an eyebrow.

”Do you even hear what youʼre saying? This is bullshit! What the fuck does that even mean?!”

[Hmm... Fine, letʼs take a random Phantom as an example. One of this Phantomʼs abilities can create a fire spear...]

”And...?”

[Flaming Spear, thatʼs his ability, I think it makes sense. Then, this Phantom gains the Global Gene and its attribute is fire. He can now create fire projectiles at will, cause flames to burn down a forest, or even trigger an explosion to destroy a rock.]

[However...]

[Although it is a Global Gene, it is still a fire, it cannot freeze or cool something. It will be weak against water of the same power and cannot be harder than a stone. Sound or gravity will have no trouble affecting fire, but not the other way around.]

Silence.

With a deep gaze, Adam stared pensively into the void. He pondered the Evolution Treeʼs words with an occasional nod.

After a few minutes, with a final nod, his voice rang out:

”I think I get it. The Global Gene doesnʼt make you omnipotent, you canʼt melt ice with water, but... nothing is stopping you from compressing water into a spear and smashing an iceberg.”

[Yeah... Something like that. However... donʼt think your imagination is the only thing holding you back from becoming invincible. The mastery, stamina, and energy are important components.]

The Evolution Tree decided to warn before Adam did something reckless:

[First, try doing something simple and effective, something that fits your attribute, energy, and strength exactly...]

”Something simple, right?”

Adamʼs primary weapon has always been the needle, from the beginning, and still is. He used his needle as a sword most of the time, but the form and style of combat were similar.

What was the simplest movement when using a sword?

Step. Step. Step.

Adam stepped forward, allowing the energy to surround him. He closed his eyes to settle on the shape and form.

Then, Adam nodded deeply and held his right hand out to the side.

The Global Gene shuddered once when at Adamʼs will all the energy headed towards his palm. The white stream accumulated in a dense layer along his hand, enveloping the surface.

”Well...” Adam muttered looking forward, ”What could be simpler than this?”

Slash.

Adam executed a horizontal arm swing, releasing all the energy in one motion. He imagined doing it, and it worked.

The broad blade swept through the darkness, leaving behind a smooth trail like a natural wave. There were no obstacles or opponents ahead, so soon, the blade dissipated into particles.

Still in shock, Adam lowered his eyes. His fingertips trembled, a mad delight, silent but wild, ran along his body, not reflected on his face but reaching into his gaze.

”I donʼt know how powerful this blade is, but... when I was a K0 or K1 Phantom this simple swing would be rated as a full-fledged ability. The shape, density, and energy, and thereʼs an intent... everything needed to be an ability from a gene, branch, or artifact.”

[Looks like youʼre finally getting somewhere...]

After a long silence, Adam took a deep breath, then he glared at the Evolution Tree.

A bitter smile slowly appeared on his face.

”Yeah, that looked like something promising. The Global Gene... It seems to be the most complex and multifunctional weapon in my arsenal.”

[Ghm...]

The Evolution Tree grunted.

[If I were you, Iʼd think of it as a tool. You still have energy... That slash was very simple.

Try doing something more complicated, and... youʼll realize it right away.]

Adam took some time to think about it. He had many ideas, but he understood that most of them were impossible to do, even if he had a limitless energy supply.

Then, energy reappeared out of nowhere, surrounding his arm up to his elbow in a turbulent torrent. Wasting no time, Adam assumed a fighting stance, he drew one leg back and tilted his torso forward.

Gradually, the energy took the form of a spiral or even a massive drill moving at high speed.

ʼThis is much more serious than what I did earlier... Letʼs see what happens.ʼ

With those words, Adam shifted forward, thrusting the void.

No sooner had his arm reached the final point than a shiver ran through the energy, in a heartbeat, the vortex covering his arm dissipated into particles.

Thump.

Adam collapsed to one knee as if all his energy faded away in an instant.

[Well... Well... We have a lot of work ahead of us, and itʼs only the Zero Orb...]