Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 1956: Old Young Man and the Shadow Among the Trees

Whoooooosh!

Island A33 was farther from the shore than Island A21, which belonged to Prasyx. So, Adam headed in the opposite direction to eventually reach the 20th island.

He still had a hard time gauging the distance between them since he’d spent very little time at the Gray Sea, but he had a rough idea of how long it would take him.

Moreover, Adam was now moving faster than before.

Sure, he had practically no energy left now. He hadn’t recovered yet from the battle against Midgar, and even what little he’d managed to regain, he’d spent trying to destroy the Grand Barrier.

Adam didn’t regret it. He had to try his hardest on his first encounter with the Grand Barrier, and he’d done just that.

“Hmm… I wouldn’t mind fighting one of them…” Adam hummed, watching the multitude of shadows moving through the water. “But not now. Even though I’m stronger than all of them, it would be a waste of time. For now, I have only one opponent left at the Gray Sea.”

With these thoughts, Adam picked up speed, continuing to move forward.

None of the fish-monsters attacked him as they had during his first visit here. They sensed that even though his energy reserves were low at that moment, his calm aura possessed a threatening power.

They didn’t need to know what had happened at the Light Field or that Adam had defeated Midgar. Their instincts told them it wasn’t worth provoking Adam.

After a while, Adam spotted the first islands. He didn’t know their numbers, but they must all be lower than A33. He was heading toward the shore, which meant he should see it very soon—

“Finally,” Adam smirked as he looked at the massive, glowing island in the distance.

Even though Island A33 was significantly farther away than Island A21, that island was considerably larger.

Now, under Prasyx’s guidance, this island had essentially become his personal farm, where he grew Lucent Pears on countless brightly glowing trees.

Adam looked around for Prasyx. But he wasn’t anywhere nearby. It was impossible not to notice such a huge serpent.

“Most likely, he’s hiding somewhere underwater, just like before. When I cross the border of his island, he’ll show himself.”

Having made up his mind, Adam headed straight for Island A21. A slight smile appeared on his face, unconsciously.

He remembered Prasyx’s promise.

‘He said that if I came back, he’d treat me to one of his Lucent Pears. Hah, I hope that fool keeps his word!’

Whooooosh!

With one final burst of speed, Adam landed on Island A21.

He expected Prasyx to appear right then and attack him, but that didn’t happen.

“How strange… Maybe he’s asleep?” Adam was confused.

Then, he shook his head, pushing those silly thoughts aside.

“No. If he sensed a hostile aura, he would have woken up immediately to defend his island. There must be another reason.”

Step.

Suddenly, a footstep sounded off to the side, causing Adam to spin around sharply.

The shadow passed between the Lucent Trees, somehow remaining invisible to Adam.

Then, again and again, as if the shadow were trying to surround Adam, and succeeding.

‘What the…? What’s going on here? What kind of shadow is this?’

Before the situation could spiral out of control, the shadow stepped forward, coming to a halt right in front of Adam.

“Agh…?” Adam’s eyes widened as he stared at the tall man with shoulder-length green hair.

Well, he was a man only in terms of his deep gaze. Judging by the condition of his skin, he was clearly a young man who was probably only a few years older than Adam.

In the young man’s hands was a simple watering can, exactly like the ones used by gardeners at the Citadel or by ordinary people tending to their flowers.

“Oh, you’re back already.” The young man smiled warmly as he awkwardly scratched the back of his head. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. It’s just that in my monster form, tending to trees is really inconvenient, you know?”

“Hold on a second…” Adam gulped, unable to believe it. “You… You’re Prasyx?”

“Of course!” The young man nodded. “How could you not recognize me?”

Then, he fell silent for a moment before turning away with a guilty look.

“Oh, right… You’ve never seen me in my human form. Sorry about that, too. Hah, I meet new people so rarely that I think everyone already knows what I look like in both forms!”

Adam sighed with relief.

In fact, when Adam saw the shadow, he was actually startled.

‘Damn… I didn’t sense his aura at all! Even when I was a few meters away from him while he was watering the trees, I heard his footsteps, I saw the shadow, but I didn’t sense his aura!’

Adam was just one step away from becoming a Second-Rank Phantom, yet… Prasyx’s power was at such a high level that Adam couldn’t detect his aura.

This was further proof that Prasyx was definitely not a Lesser Lord. It was quite possible that he was stronger than Blafor and Ergander combined.

“Are you okay?” Prasyx tilted his head, confused.

“Oh, yeah… I just didn’t expect you to look exactly like this… You look very young.”

Prasyx smiled as his eyes lit up.

“Don’t make me blush. I worked hard not to look like a wrinkled old man! Hahaha!”

Then, Prasyx set the watering can aside and looked at Adam with anticipation.

“Judging by your expression and aura… you found what you were looking for at the Grand Abyss, didn’t you?”

Adam smiled bitterly.

“Indeed. It was a difficult journey, and I’m sure you’ve already heard about what happened.”

“Sure.” Prasyx didn’t deny it. “News like that spreads fast. But I’d like to hear it from you.”

“Well, I was at the Dark Field, found my condition, got stronger, and killed a Viscount, something like that.”

Prasyx sighed.

“Huh… Not a lot of details, but I get the gist. So… Since you were at the Dark Field and came here, I assume you found it?”

No sooner had he said that than Adam smiled smugly and pulled an Abyss Pearl out of his pocket.

“Of course. That’s what you asked me for, right?”