Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 1829: Cloud Elementals

The aftermath of Adam’s punch was visible throughout Varreyn and the nearby outposts. That didn’t mean anyone would decide to go there right away. No one knew he had been there or what had caused the flash and the shockwave.

However, it was a notable event, indicating that someone possessing impressive strength was nearby. This happened from time to time, especially when someone went hunting.

Or, there was another possibility.

Many monsters preferred to fight each other not in the arenas at Varreyn but in the wilderness. They believed this was a more natural way, and for the most part, they were right.

Tap.

Adam got up from the ground, looking at the rift ahead.

Due to the defeat of the colossal tiger, the mist around him had become significantly less dense, and now Adam could clearly see the entire rift.

“Alright, most likely some problems are waiting for me down there, too, aren’t they?” Adam sighed heavily before jumping down.

He wasn’t worried. After defeating the colossal tiger, Adam realized that there were no worthy opponents for him in the Silent Hills, which, in this case, was a good thing.

Usually, he didn’t mind fighting someone strong. After all, that was the main way he’d reached his current level, but right now he didn’t feel like it.

He had come to Silent Hills not because he wanted to, but because he had to.

“Agh, even if you plan to do only what you want, sometimes you have to do things you don’t want to, don’t you?” Adam muttered as he plummeted downward. The stone layers whizzed past him in a blur amid the gusts of wind.

Adam wanted to create the Third Grand Star, and to do that, he needed to obtain the Bottomless Void. If Krador was right, then the Bottomless Void was located at the Grand Abyss, and to find the passage there, he needed a special compass, one he could obtain in exchange for the Glass Root.

As soon as Adam thought about this, his mood immediately soured.

“Damn… I’m doing five things I don’t want to do to achieve one thing I do want. Is it just me, or am I being tricked somehow?”

A few seconds later, the surface came into view below as Adam’s expression grew more serious.

He directed his energy toward his feet, slowing his descent to land smoothly on the bottom of the rift.

“And… where the hell am I?”

There was nothing remarkable around him except for some unusual cloudy crystals, as if the mist itself were trapped inside them.

A crack.

A rumble came from the side, causing Adam to turn around.

One of the crystals seemed to come to life, rising from the ground. Its main body was a large crystal, while two long ones hovered to the left and right like arms, and five small crystals hovered below.

These were the Cloud Elementals, which, contrary to their name, were quite far from the sky.

Adam narrowed his eyes, staring intently at the unusual monster. The last time he’d encountered elementals was over a year ago, when he was significantly weaker.

“As far as I know, they have a lot of energy, but they’re supposed to be immobile, aren’t they?”

Step.

Adam stepped forward, ready for battle.

However, the Cloud Elemental didn’t attack Adam or gather energy for a strike. Instead, it simply shuddered, sending vibrations toward Adam.

Crack. Crack. Crack.

A few more Cloud Elementals appeared around him. They were all at the bottom of the rift and, at first glance, looked no different from ordinary energy crystals.

Ripple! Ripple! Ripple!

Numerous vibrations rippled through the air, heading toward Adam.

“Is this a mental attack, or maybe hypnosis?” Adam was confused as he stepped back.

He had enough combat experience to usually understand what his opponents were up to, but not this time.

Soon, Adam noticed a change.

The mist above was moving toward him, gradually regaining its density, or… so it seemed at first glance.

“Wait…” Adam blinked several times as he saw several tigers amidst the mist. However, their eyes were frightened. They didn’t want to approach Adam.

Then, the corners of Adam’s mouth turned upward, forming a satisfied smirk.

He realized what the Cloud Elementals were planning to do.

“They’re calling them for help, but they don’t seem to know that I’ve already defeated them!”

With excitement in his eyes, Adam clenched his fist tightly, pressing it against his chest.

“Alright, in that case, I’ll show you why these tigers won’t help you!”

TREMBLE! TREMBLE! TREMBLE!

At that very moment, Adam unleashed his aura at full power, just as Laroza had taught him at Tooth Lake.

The white field of his aura expanded outward from him, remaining dense enough to affect the mist and drive it away.

“Gha!”

The tigers groaned as the mist collided with Adam’s aura about ten meters up.

Tremble!

The Cloud Elementals intensified their vibrations, but it didn’t help them. They couldn’t summon any more mist since there was practically none left above.

When Adam defeated the colossal tiger, this rift was left virtually unprotected.

Step.

Adam stepped forward, causing the Cloud Elementals to flinch and fly back closer to the walls.

“What now? These tigers won’t be able to help you! I didn’t come here to fight, but to take the Glass Root! Give it to me, and I’ll leave!”

Strangely enough, the Cloud Elementals calmed down and turned toward Adam.

A soft light emanated from their bodies as they pointed their crystals forward, along the rift.

“Hmm?” Adam raised an eyebrow. “Are you showing me the way?”

Adam received no answer, the Cloud Elementals couldn’t speak, but he understood everything from their reaction.

A satisfied smirk appeared on his face as he stepped forward.

“Good, you should have done this right from the start. I defeated those tigers, so your treasure is my reward!”

And so, Adam set off along the great rift.

To some extent, he was right, the Glass Root would be his reward, but he didn’t yet know that it would also be his next trial, the one that would test just how strong his body and mind truly were.