Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 1949: Grand Barrier

Silvana and the Silver Weaver argued for a while longer, but soon everyone calmed down.

Everyone knew why Adam had come here, and they were looking forward to it just as much as he was.

“Looks like it’s time to do this, doesn’t it?” Adam looked at the four of them and then at the Evolution Tree.

Silvana smiled and gave a slight nod.

“Everything will be fine. I’m sure it’ll be a difficult trial, but you’ve overcome every obstacle so far, so you’ll get through this one eventually.”

The Silver Weaver smirked as he placed his hands behind his head, floating in midair.

“Yeah, all you have to do is break through one barrier. Sounds easy, doesn’t it?”

Lone Blaze shook her head.

“I don’t think this is a good time to be joking. It’s obvious to all of us that the barrier of the First Circle will be hard to break through. But we have to do it.”

Lakma, in turn, clenched her fists, looking at Adam with a sparkle in her eyes.

“I believe you can do it, Adam! I’ll be rooting for you!”

Adam smiled.

“Thank you. I’ll do my best.”

Then, he looked up at the Evolution Tree.

“Anything to say?”

[No. They’ve said everything I’m thinking. I can only wish you luck, Adam. Many K4-Phantoms have reached this point, but only a small fraction of them have been able to go further. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to help you the way I used to.]

Adam nodded deeply. He understood what the Evolution Tree was talking about.

Up to the K4 Level, the Evolution Tree possessed far more information about the trials and future challenges than a Phantom.

But at the K4 Level, everything changed, since the primary source of progress was no longer the Evolution Tree, but the Path Construct.

Still… the barrier was an even bigger problem, and very soon Adam would understand why.

“Alright, in that case, it’s time to get started.”

He turned around and headed toward the Path Construct.

The Three Grand Stars shone brightly, as did a multitude of lesser ones.

However, his Constellation wasn’t ready yet. Until he broke through the barrier, he wouldn’t be able to wield the same power as Midgar and the other Lords, or even the Second-Rank Phantoms.

But before doing anything, Adam had to check one last detail.

Tap.

He reached out toward the Path Construct as energy full of runes headed toward him.

[Third Grand Star (Star #5)

Highest Bliss: 1/1

Blood of God: 1/1

Bottomless Void: 1/1]

Adam smiled.

“So I actually did it… Agh…” He sighed with relief. “Damn, the First Grand Star and Second Grand Star were much easier to obtain than the Third One. But now it’s all behind me.”

He blinked, looking at the Path Construct, at the multitude of magical circles that slowly rotated like gears. They hadn’t been there before, this was further proof that Adam had neared the end of the First Circle.

“You’ll continue to remain silent even now, won’t you?” Adam asked.

The Path Construct did not answer him. Adam didn’t know if that was by design or if, unlike the Evolution Tree, the Path Construct wasn’t a living entity. It could have been a mechanism that simply carried out its task, and as long as Adam had no evidence to the contrary,

“I see. Well, even if you’re not going to answer me, you definitely understand me. I realized that when I used the Vibrating Stone.”

Adam looked down as he clenched his fist.

“Go ahead, show me the barrier. If I’m going to destroy it one day, I need to see what I’m up against.”

Tremble!

Immediately, the Path Construct sprang into action as a multitude of magic circles began spinning at an increased speed.

For a moment, a satisfied smirk appeared on Adam’s face. He knew that the Path Construct had heard him when he addressed it. Now, he had yet another proof of that.

Silvana pressed her palm to her chest. She was worried. No matter what training she’d gone through or what she’d learned from Aiden, she couldn’t influence the barrier in any way.

The Silver Weaver took on a serious expression, and Lone Blaze took Lakma by the hand.

After all, they were all connected to Adam. They were part of his power, and for each of them, this was equally important.

[Good luck… Adam…]

The Evolution Tree didn’t stay on the sidelines, but by then Adam could no longer hear it.

Tremble!

With the next tremor, the magic circles stopped and simultaneously shone brightly, sending hundreds of rays toward Adam.

Adam didn’t resist. In fact, for some reason, the light didn’t blind him at all. He didn’t feel the need to shield his eyes with his hands or step aside from the rays. He… He just stayed where he was until the light completely engulfed all the darkness around him.

At the same moment, Adam’s form vanished in a beam of light, leaving Silvana and the others alone in the inner space.

“Agh…?” Silvana blinked several times, confused.

“What the…?” Lone Blaze’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Lakma was speechless, while the Silver Weaver frowned.

[They… They’re gone…]

The Evolution Tree was right.

Adam and the Path Construct had vanished. What’s more, none of them could sense their energy anymore, even though the Path Construct had been here ever since Adam reached K4-Level.

“But…” Silvana muttered. “Where could they have gone? Are there any places in the inner space that we don’t know about?”

The Silver Weaver narrowed his eyes.

“It seems so. Well, when Adam returns, he’ll tell us everything. For now, all we can do is wait for him.”

…

At that very moment, Adam opened his eyes to see something familiar before him.

Endless darkness surrounded him, just as it did in his inner space, but neither the Evolution Tree nor Silvana was there.

“Wait…”

Adam gulped as he realized this wasn’t quite his inner space.

He raised his head only to see an endless glass wall stretching across this entire world.

Right in the center of this wall, like a seal or a lock, was the Path Construct, at the center of which was now his Constellation.