Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1456 1456: Rose & Sugar

The journey to his hotel suite had dragged on longer than Adam anticipated, but he finally reached his destination.

Before him lay a lavish layout: a breezy living area, a bedroom featuring an enormous bed, a fully equipped kitchen, and a spacious bathroom stocked with every amenity needed to unwind after a grueling day—or in his case, a mission that had spanned several months.

"Damn!" Adam blurted out the moment his eyes landed on the brass bathtub.

Without wasting a second, he twisted the hot water tap, shed his clothes, and dove straight into the tub.

He remained there for over ten minutes as the water rose to the very edge, eventually submerging himself completely until only his face remained above the surface.

"Agh... I’ve been waiting so long for this... I could honestly stay like this for days. There’s truly nothing superior to technology. You’d never find anything like this in the Dead Lands!"

A heavy silence filled the bathroom, which was quickly becoming thick with steam, blurring the edges of the brass tub until it was nearly invisible.

With his eyes shut, Adam felt sleep tugging at him, but he knew resting now was impossible. He couldn't leave Silvana waiting a moment longer.

"Why is it that when you finally get a moment like this, there’s never enough time to savor it?" He cracked his eyes open slightly, met only by a wall of white vapor. "Well, as incredible as this soak is, it doesn't compare to seeing Silvana."

...

Exactly one hour after entering the suite, the door swung open as Adam stepped out. He appeared completely revitalized, having scrubbed away every trace of the grime and dust accumulated during his time in the Tarnished Lands.

While he lacked the time to double back to the cafe to see the old man, he knew exactly where his next stop was.

Adam considered hailing a taxi or utilizing government transport—he had the clearance for it—but he was in too much of a hurry for those formalities.

"Rose & Sugar, huh?" Adam muttered, reading the bakery's name from his note while pulling up the map on his smartphone.

Locating the destination took only a moment, and he gave a brief nod.

"Alright, it’s a fifteen-minute drive. I bet I can make it there much faster on foot, right?"

With a faint smirk, he shifted his weight forward and took off at a blurring speed.

Had he been in the heart of the First Ring or any other crowded district, he would have restrained himself. Such a display would draw the kind of attention Adam preferred to avoid, but this particular hotel was situated in a more secluded, upscale neighborhood.

The area was dotted with private residences and boutique establishments, ranging from hotels to eateries that prioritized exclusivity over foot traffic. It was a tranquil sector; as Adam raced ahead, he passed only a handful of pedestrians and a few stray vehicles.

In a mere nine minutes, Adam arrived before a charming building. It featured a red brick exterior and a minimalist sign with bold pink lettering that looked as though it had been dusted with powdered sugar.

[Rose & Sugar.]

After confirming the name against his paper, Adam gave a satisfied nod and moved toward the entrance.

Click.

The door swung open just as he reached it, and a couple dressed in high-end coats stepped out. The woman cradled a red box, while the man carried a larger black container that undoubtedly held a bespoke cake.

"Oh, excuse us, we didn't see you there." The man offered Adam a polite, shallow bow before they continued on their way.

It was unclear if they recognized his true identity, but even if they did, their minds were far from the Phantom, the Dead Lands, or the threat of monsters. Their only concern was getting home to enjoy their treats over tea.

Adam swallowed hard as he watched them walk away. A pang of envy struck him deep down; he longed to live a life where his biggest worry was dessert, free from the shadow of monsters, lethal combat, and the looming World Wipe that threatened to erase everything he saw.

'Do they even realize that in six and a half years, all of this might vanish?' Adam thought, his fist tightening. 'I can't allow that. It won't just be families like them; Mom, Dad, and Trici... they'll all face the same end if I fail to act!'

He shook his head to clear the dark thoughts and stepped into the bakery.

The interior was elegant and curated with excellent taste, but otherwise, it seemed like a standard high-end shop.

A young woman with long blonde hair stood behind the counter, tidying up after the previous patrons. The glass display cases were filled with an impressive array of sweets, ranging from eclairs and cheesecakes to elaborate custom cakes, donuts, and artisanal bread fit for any feast.

The moment she spotted Adam, she turned with a bright, welcoming smile.

"Hello! Are you picking up a pre-order, or would you like to place a new one?"

Adam scanned the room briefly.

"Actually, I'm looking for some assistance."

"Hmm?"

He extended the slip of paper toward her.

The girl scanned the brief message with curiosity, her eyes widening as she processed the contents.

"Oh, I understand! I'll go inform the others immediately—you're here for the miss's help!"

While Adam looked on with a bewildered expression, the girl grabbed the note and hurried into the back of the shop.

He was left alone in the quiet bakery for a short while before a door in the rear opened. The blonde girl returned to her post first, followed by a woman with striking red eyes and deep crimson hair that cascaded over her shoulders.

She looked Adam over, then glanced at the letter as a smirk played on her lips.

"Well, well, it appears romance isn't dead in this world after all, is it?" The woman walked toward Adam. "A pleasure to meet you, Adam Vinter. I'm the owner of this establishment, though I assume you knew that already. Honestly, you have no idea how difficult it is to get that stubborn old man to do anything sentimental."

Adam rubbed the back of his neck, feeling a bit sheepish.

"Yeah... I really need some help. I'm looking for a gift for my Operator—no... for my girlfriend!"

The woman’s eyes narrowed playfully.

"Of course. I believe I have just the thing in mind."