Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 1445: Bonfire and Flames

About an hour after their battle ended, Adam was able to fulfill his promise to Menax.

Exhausted, he sat in front of a large bonfire, where Menax’s body burned beneath the tree trunks, in the center of the crimson flames.

To do this, he had to climb out of the canyon carrying Menax on his back and reach the nearest forest, but he was able to do it, and it was worth it.

The bonfire not only provided pleasant warmth, but it was also a symbol of the end of his battle. Unlike Ureyn and Erada, Adam would never meet Menax again.

He killed him and burned his body, following his wishes. No one will be able to absorb the energy from Menax’s body or use it for their own purposes, and many will forget about him, but Adam will always remember him as long as he lives and his heart beats.

Silvana shared this moment with Adam. She was far away in the Citadel, but that did not prevent her from being with Adam.

“It took a long time, but…” Silvana smiled faintly. “Now it’s time to go back, isn’t it?”

Adam nodded, staring intently at the calm flames.

“I’ve spent so much time in the Tarnished Lands that I feel like I’ve forgotten what the Citadel looks like, although… I doubt anything has changed.”

“Yeah, you’re right about that. Everything is as usual. It’s a good thing, because if as much happened in the Citadel as happens here… it would be complete chaos. There has to be at least one place in this world where you can return at any time and be safe.”

In response, Adam looked up at the night sky covered with myriads of bright stars.

“Even so… No matter how strong you are, no matter how safe the place is, you can’t hide from the World Wipe. You can only survive it and then wait for it to destroy the whole world again.”

Silvana bit her lip.

“Menax… He called himself the stellar monster. Maybe if there were more people like you and him in the world, eventually you would all have enough power to stop the First Star and Last Star?”

After a few moments, Adam shook his head.

“There are already humans and monsters like that. I’m sure, at least once, the strongest Second Rank Phantoms and Lords discussed it. However, no changes have occurred, even though there are monsters in this world that live for several thousand years. They couldn’t do anything…”

Silvana glanced at him.

“Nevertheless, you’re not going to back down from your goal, right?”

Adam smiled bitterly.

“Of course not. I’ve already made my decision, and to be honest, defeating someone like Menax gives me confidence. He was definitely one of the strongest monsters of his level, so even though I’m still far from someone like Damien or Frida, I’ve made great progress.”

Silvana took his hand as they silently watched the stars and the burning fire.

A few hours later, nothing remained of the logs but a thick layer of ash, forever mixed with the burned Menax. Now, all his energy was gone, and nothing tied him to this world anymore.

Adam had already left, continuing along the canyon as it was the fastest and most direct route home.

It would be a long time before he regained even a fraction of his strength and reached the border of the Tarnished Lands, but nothing and no one could stop him now.

He was already very far from Izardo or the Forgotten Mills, and the monsters in the regions close to the border could do nothing to a Phantom like him, even if he was exhausted.

The monsters sensed his aura, and even a small part of it was enough to make them afraid to approach him.

However, as Adam moved along the canyon, he was unlikely to encounter many monsters. It was a spacious but empty area, suitable for quick movement or deadly combat, but not for building a nest.

…

Shortly before dawn, everyone who was interested in and following the situation became aware of all the events that had taken place in the canyon.

“So, he won?” Xander looked at the horizon, preparing for the sun to rise.

The woman sitting at the same table with him nodded deeply.

“Even Menax couldn’t handle him, although when I realized that he had also decided to go after him, I was sure that would be the end of it.”

She gulped, gripping the edge of the table. “To be honest, his power scares me, Xander… I didn’t watch their fight, but I saw the dead bodies and the aftermath. The part of the canyon where they fought looks like a battlefield where two armies collided.”

In response, Xander just raised his glass of wine to his mouth and took a short sip.

“That’s how it should be when two powerful creatures fight. Monsters don’t need to do that to reach the Lord Level, but for the Phantoms, it’s practically impossible to reach the Second Rank any other way.

“Although… The other hunters didn’t stand a chance, I’m sure Menax killed every one of them, and Adam didn’t have to do anything.”

The woman nodded in agreement.

“Exactly. He went to the canyon with only one purpose in mind: to kill Adam Vinter and get rid of everyone in his way, but…” She bit her lip. “He was defeated. What’s more, no one has been able to find Menax’s body. We don’t know where it is.”

Xander smirked.

“Hah, isn’t it obvious?”

“Agh?”

The first rays of sunlight appeared above the horizon, reflecting off the glass in Xander’s hand.

“Adam got rid of it. He’s not a monster, so… most likely he just burned it. Well, for someone like Menax, that’s the best outcome. He was arrogant, very full of himself, so even after death, he wouldn’t allow monsters he considered weak and unworthy to touch his body.”

“Tsk…” The woman clicked her tongue. “Why do they all behave like that? Menax and Adam, even though they’re a human and a monster, are both arrogant bastards.”

Xander waved his hand.

“Because that’s how you win. Ah… Actually, it’s a bit of a shame, we don’t know when Adam will visit Izardo next.”

“Hmm?” She raised an eyebrow. “Do you think he’ll ever come back?”

“Of course. When he becomes stronger, not only will powerful individuals like Norax take an interest in him, but grand factions as well. Sooner or later, he will meet both the Renegades and the Befallen Crown and Free End.”