Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 1816: Water

“You’re right,” Laroza said, drinking half of her bottle.

“Hmm?” Adam turned around, puzzled.

Laroza waved her hand, her gaze heavy.

“If humans and monsters worked together, we could accomplish a lot. However, that’s much easier said than done.”

“Are you talking about the Befallen Crown?” Adam asked.

Laroza shrugged.

“About them, too. Those bastards will never agree to work with humans. What’s more, unlike many others, they consider you the main obstacle to a united world and a global alliance among all monsters. Pffft!” Laroza snorted derisively. “What a beautiful slogan they’ve come up with to become the rulers of the entire world.”

She took another sip of her beer before continuing:

“But they’re just one of the main obstacles. Even if the Befallen Crown were to become inactive for some reason and only awakened monsters with powerful Phantoms were left to work, such a collaboration still wouldn’t last very long.”

Laroza stared at Adam. She could see that he had figured out what the problem was.

“The World Wipe simply won’t allow this alliance to last very long. You can’t create something together and make plans for the future when you know that in 250 years, everything will turn back into nothing.

“Sure, there are plenty of Lords and Second-Rank Phantoms in the world. If you count each one and the barriers they can create, it adds up to a pretty large area, but it’s still not enough. Even in a strong alliance, conflicts can sometimes arise. It’s not critical, but it can’t work with constant World Wipes.”

Adam didn’t say anything. He just nodded and took another sip of beer.

When Adam first saw Laroza, he thought she was a barbarian who had reached her position solely because of her power, but this conversation was enough for Adam to realize that wasn’t the case.

‘After all, Laroza has lived hundreds of years longer than I have, hasn’t she? I’m sure she knows far more about monsters and humans than I do. Well, she’s right, there’s no point in thinking about an alliance as long as the World Wipe exists. First, I have to stop the First Star and the Last Star.’

Gulp! Gulp! Gulp!

In a few big gulps, Adam finished the bottle before setting it down on the table.

“Whoah.” Laroza whistled. “I see you liked it? You can have some more if you want, I’ve got more than enough of this stuff.”

“Nah, but thanks. Thanks for keeping the conversation going, but what about our business? I need to get to the Gray Sea, are you going to help me with that or not?”

A predatory glint flashed across Laroza’s eyes as the corners of her mouth curved into a smirk.

“Of course. Do you think I’d go back on my word to Aiden? Tsk, if I did that, I’d be in big trouble. However, Adam, you’re not ready to set out for the Gray Sea yet.”

“Agh…?” Adam blinked several times, taken aback. “But Aiden approved my journey here! He tested my strength! Even Gladius said I’m ready!”

Laroza waved her hand dismissively.

“I know. I don’t doubt your strength, I saw that for myself when you fought that lizard. However, at the Gray Sea, the main danger isn’t monsters or artifacts, but the water.”

“W-Water?” Adam stammered.

Then, he tilted his head.

“You think I can’t swim? Seriously?”

“Hmm?”

Laroza stared at him for a few moments before bursting out laughing:

“Hahahahaha! Of course not! It’s obvious you can swim, and even if you couldn’t, what difference would it make to you?”

‘Wait, she’s right,’ Adam thought.

Even if Adam couldn’t swim, with his power level he could have gone without oxygen for more than a few hours without any ill effects. Furthermore, he could have used his energy in a variety of ways to help himself, and… Adam actually could swim.

Laroza narrowed her eyes.

“But you don’t really think the water in the Gray Sea is the same as in a hotel pool, do you? If you end up in that water, then…”

Suddenly, Laroza’s expression changed as she finished her beer and stood up.

“On the other hand, why should I tell you this when there’s a better way to show you what I mean?”

“Agh?”

Instinctively, Adam took a step back, but before he could even blink, Laroza was already behind him.

Tap.

Her hand landed on his shoulder as her body trembled.

In the blink of an eye, they found themselves outside the Blind Eye Tower.

Adam’s eyes widened as he realized they were above Tooth Lake, closer to its left shore.

“Just try not to drown. I’m sure, with your talent, you’ll figure out what to do in no time.” Laroza smirked before grabbing Adam by the collar and pulling her arm back.

“Wait, wait! Let’s first…!”

“I can’t hear a thing!” Laroza hummed before throwing Adam down with all her might.

Whoooooosh!

Moving at tremendous speed like a cannonball, Adam was rapidly approaching the surface of the lake.

‘Damn it! I have to stop!’ Adam exclaimed inwardly as he tried to use the energy to slow down, but he couldn’t manage it.

Laroza had put enough force into the throw that Adam was powerless to do anything.

“Huh, still trying to stop?” Laroza chuckled, crossing her arms over her chest. “Well, that won’t help you. If I were you, I’d be thinking about what’s waiting for you at the bottom.”

Her gaze shifted to the side. Not far from the horned skull, a ripple spread across the water as a long tail briefly emerged, slapping the surface.

On the other side, several red eyes appeared as long shadows moved toward the spot where Adam was supposed to fall.

Laroza shrugged. She didn’t see any threat to Adam in this.

“It’ll be extra motivation for him.”

At that very moment, Adam clenched his teeth as he hit the water’s surface.

Splash!

Water gushed upward as he found himself beneath it, sinking toward the very bottom.

In the distance, Adam sensed the monsters closing in on him, but something else made his eyes widen.

‘What the…’ Adam’s eyes filled with fear as he touched his throat.

He couldn’t breathe and was already gasping for air, just like any ordinary, untrained person who had fallen to the bottom of a pool.