Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 1837: Energy Lakma and New Power

Normally, the Phantoms could not absorb energy as a resource for their evolution. Only monsters were capable of this. This was the main difference between monsters and Phantoms.

But Lakma was not merely energy.

The time spent at the real Lakma’s crystal, in the empty inner space with the dead Evolution Tree, was enough for her to develop her own mind and personality.

So Lakma was now closer to an External Artifact than to mere energy.

The Phantoms had no limitations when working with Artifacts. Adam knew this better than most.

Step.

The Silver Weaver approached Lakma, but he wasn’t the only one who was going to greet their guest.

Lone Blaze appeared from the other side. She was wearing a black-and-white dress, and her shoulder-length hair blazed with a calm white fire.

As soon as Lakma saw her, her eyes widened in awe.

The Silver Weaver’s energy was incomprehensible to her. He wasn’t an artifact, he… he was something entirely different. But Lone Blaze was just like Lakma. They simply had different birth stories.

“Hello, you had to travel a long way to get here, didn’t you?” Lone Blaze greeted her with a warm, motherly smile.

Lakma nodded, biting her lip to stop the tears streaming from her eyes, finally.

“Y-Yes… For over a hundred years, it was just me and the darkness, and… and when I became something more than the last remnant of her energy, everything only got worse.”

Step.

With her next step, Lone Blaze found herself standing before Lakma, who was gently embracing her like a child.

“I understand how you feel, my dear. When you realized you were alone in the whole world and that the creator of this world had long since died, you lost all hope, didn’t you?”

However, before Lakma could answer, the Silver Weaver’s voice rang out.

“No.”

“Agh?”

Lakma and Lone Blaze turned toward him at the same time.

The Silver Weaver gave them a satisfied smile as he crouched down, pointing at Lakma.

“She hasn’t lost hope. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have killed those four Phantoms. If they managed to reach the rift and get past those tigers, then they were at least halfway through the K4 Level.”

Lone Blaze blinked a few times.

“You’re right, Lakma, you did well. Only your will to live helped you get here, but… I’d like to ask you something. It concerns those Phantoms.”

“Y-Yes?” Lakma looked up, it was clear she was very nervous. She was afraid she would be judged for killing the other Phantoms.

Lone Blaze stroked her head.

“When the first one came to you, you must have still been weak. How were you able to defeat a K4 Phantom?”

“This…” Lakma clutched the fabric of Lone Blaze’s dress tightly. “It’s all about the inner space… I’m just energy. I’m not the real Lakma. I don’t stand a chance against the Phantoms, but in my inner space, I had a huge advantage, one that’s unique to me.”

Lone Blaze and the Silver Weaver exchanged glances as he nodded. He’d heard enough.

“Good. You used your strengths. I would have done the same if I’d been in your place. But you were wrong about one thing.”

“Agh? What do you mean? I definitely said everything right!”

The Silver Weaver stood before her, his hands in his pockets and his back arched.

“From this moment on, you are the real Lakma. Do you understand me? You are now part of Adam’s powers, and this world is now your home.”

Lakma’s lips trembled. She didn’t know what to say.

[Gha…]

A deep sigh echoed from the Evolution Tree, shaking the air.

[Do you enjoy scaring her?]

The Silver Weaver raised an eyebrow.

“What? I’m just saying what I think. Anyway, she survived, and a new story has begun for her. Now she needs to think about how to become useful to Adam as quickly as possible, since we’ll be heading to the Gray Sea soon.”

The Evolution Tree was ready to continue the argument. It was these two’s favorite pastime, but something made them fall silent.

“G-G-Gray Sea?!” Lakma exclaimed as she took a few steps, unable to believe what she’d heard.

Basically, she knew the same thing as the real one.

“Adam wants to go there?”

Lone Blaze nodded. “Yes. Do you know anything about it?”

Lakma bit her finger.

“It’s a dangerous place… She… She wanted to go there, hoping she could break through the barrier… But then she failed.”

Memories of the real Lakma’s death filled her mind as she shook her head sharply, trying to push them away.

“Wait, could Adam be at the barrier too? Right! That’s why he’s so strong!” Lakma exclaimed, trying to cheer herself up.

However, when she looked at the Path Construct, her face froze.

Instead of the Three Grand Stars and the Constellation, she saw only an unfinished path.

“The Third Grand Star… Is it not finished yet? But how?”

The Silver Weaver folded her arms behind her head with a relaxed smile.

“Adam’s a strong guy, you should’ve figured that out by now. That’s exactly why you decided he was already at the barrier, even though he still needs one more step to get there.”

Tap.

Lone Blaze’s hand fell on Lakma’s shoulder. Lakma turned around to meet her smile.

“When Adam reaches the Gray Sea, he’ll receive the final condition. Then, all of us will face the barrier, and we’ll definitely break through it. Adam will be the next Second Rank Phantom. You can be sure of that.”

A multitude of emotions flashed across Lakma’s face, but when she looked at Lone Blaze and the Silver Weaver, she saw nothing but confidence in Adam.

‘They believe in him…’ Lakma murmured to herself. ‘So… So I have to, too!’

“Yes!” Lakma clenched her fist, pressing it to her chest. “He’ll do it, and I’ll help him!”

No sooner had she said this than a chill ran down the spines of both Lakma and Lone Blaze.

Soon they realized what had caused it.

The Silver Weaver grinned slyly as a shadow fell across his face.

“In that case, it’s time to get to work, rookie.”

He pointed to the top of the Evolution Tree, where the source of his power lay.

“It’s time to make Adam stronger, Lakma. You and your flame will do it.”