Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1453: Bitter Coffee (Part 1)

Within the Citadel, teleportation stood as the premier method of high-tech travel. No aircraft, regardless of its velocity, could rival the sheer efficiency of a teleport.

Naturally, the process wasn't without its flaws, particularly for a Phantom experiencing the transit for the first time without bracing for the inevitable physiological impact.

Adam recalled feeling intense nausea and vertigo during his initial use of the device, yet now, he barely registered any discomfort at all.

Step.

As he moved off the arrival platform, a group of personnel clad in pristine white military uniforms stood ready to receive him.

"Welcome back to the Citadel, Adam Vinter!" they shouted in unison, prompting a respectful nod from Adam.

"Yeah, it's good to be home at last. I'm hoping you guys don't have a list of questions for me, because I'm on a very tight schedule."

A man sporting a trimmed beard shook his head in reassurance.

"Not at all. We are well aware of the combat you endured in the Tarnished Lands and your recent detention at the spire by those two young Phantoms. We look forward to hearing when you'll return to the Dead Lands for your next deployment, but for the time being, we simply hope you find some rest."

Adam flashed a smile as he walked past.

"I'm glad to hear that."

Strict military protocol had never been his preference, so the response was a relief. Still, the Gamma Division held significantly more clout than typical soldiers; the speed at which the Citadel could recover after the looming World Wipe rested largely on their shoulders.

While a few months away hadn't been enough to make him forget civilization, Adam was still taken aback when he spotted the sleek black vehicle waiting for his arrival.

"Hah, back in the Tarnished Lands, a carriage is the most luxury you can expect, right?" Adam joked to himself before pulling the door open.

The driver gave a subtle nod, her voice echoing through the cabin:

"What is your destination?"

"Well... I'm eager to reconnect with my family or my Operator." Adam smiled, but then winced as he caught a whiff of his own pungent scent. "Actually, let's start with the closest hotel."

The driver hesitated before putting the car in gear to ask one more thing:

"Given your current circumstances, I assume I should pick a secluded location?"

"Oh? It seems my sudden rise in popularity is known by more than just those two?" Adam replied with a wry, bitter smile.

The woman offered a casual shrug.

"It was bound to happen. There are many K3-Phantoms who are far more famous than you. You only stayed under the radar this long because of your rapid Cultivation progress. Even with your record, it takes a moment for the public's attention to catch up."

"Ugh, damn. That's definitely not the news I wanted to hear. Fine, let's move. I can't possibly let Silvana see me looking like this."

"Understood."

The driver nodded, and the black car pulled away, exiting the military zone to head toward the First Ring's residential districts.

As they navigated the teeming city streets, thousands of citizens could be seen rushing through their morning routines. Despite the early hour, the sun illuminated the towering skyscrapers, which stood as monuments to the First Ring's economic dominance over the other sectors.

Groups of teenagers were huddled together, staring intently at their screens. It was entirely possible they were watching a recording of one of Adam's recent skirmishes.

If a Phantom was famous enough, a high-quality edit of them slaying a high-tier monster could easily outperform a big-budget blockbuster or a hit TV series in viewership.

It made sense, as only elite Phantoms like Adam were capable of providing such a spectacle.

Furthermore, figures like Damien and Frida had become too influential and powerful to be seen often. It had been years since they engaged in any combat that was made available to the general public.

Adam watched the passing crowds with a faint smile. He saw a man whose eyes beamed with pure happiness over some personal victory.

Elsewhere, a schoolgirl walked home with a deep scowl, while the masses flowed like a river, each person immersed in their own private world.

Regardless of how many battles he fought or how much power he amassed in his future Cultivation, Adam couldn't help but appreciate the simple beauty of an ordinary life.

But...

Adam’s expression suddenly darkened.

'If nothing changes, all of this will be wiped out in just seven years. No, probably even sooner. Ordinary humans won't survive the World Wipe, even if the queen’s barrier holds. Dammit... that includes my family too.'

He realized that dwelling on these thoughts was merely adding to his mental burden. At his current level, he lacked the power to stop the World Wipe.

Nevertheless, he had to keep pushing forward if he ever hoped to make a difference.

'I have obtained the First and Second Grand Stars. How many more are required to form my Constellation? Will that be sufficient to break through to the Second Rank, or will I simply hit the ceiling of my current evolution?'

Adam was well aware that the Path Construct served as the primary hurdle to reaching the Second Rank, though it wasn't the final one.

Plenty of K4-Phantoms had met every requirement for decades, clearing every trial the Path Construct threw at them, yet they remained stuck, unable to ascend.

Even for monsters, who found evolution much more straightforward, transitioning from the High Elder stage to the Lord Stage was a monumental feat. For Phantoms, the difficulty was magnified tenfold.

'Well, I started as a mere human, and now I'm a K4-Phantom. I've faced countless moments where death was certain or the next trial seemed impossible, yet I survived, just like every other K4-Phantom...'

Lost in his silent reflections, Adam didn't speak for the remainder of the journey.

Roughly an hour later, the vehicle pulled up to an unassuming building featuring a warm brick exterior. It stood in stark contrast to the cold glass and concrete towers that dominated the First Ring's core.

"We've arrived. The manager has been notified of your presence, so everything should be prepared for you."

Adam nodded and prepared to exit, but the driver stopped him with a final question:

"Before you go, what's first on your agenda?"

"Hah..." Adam looked down with a tired expression. "I think I'm going to need a very strong cup of coffee."