Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1461 - Capítulo 1461: Long Breakfast

Adam stood before the expansive floor-to-ceiling window, taking a slow sip of his coffee. From this vantage point, he looked down upon the heart of the First Ring. Hovering high above their skyscraper was Heaven Island, the domain of Queen Elisa, though it remained expertly concealed from the sight of those without the right to know of its existence.

Behind him, Silvana appeared. She held her own coffee cup in one hand while her other hand traced a path across his chest. Her eyes possessed a radiance they hadn't shown in months; the joy of their reunion combined with the events of the previous night had clearly left her rejuvenated.

“I never really considered it before, but being a Phantom certainly grants you incredible stamina. It's quite the advantage,” she remarked.

Adam shifted his gaze toward her, raising an eyebrow in response.

“Is that so? That’s no excuse for you to just lie there like a starfish!”

Tuck!

With a playful, sly grin, she poked him in the ribs with her elbow.

“Oh, stop it, I was simply savoring the moment. Besides, it’s hardly fair to claim I wasn't putting in any effort!” Silvana said, a mischievous tongue darting out to lick her lips.

Adam could only roll his eyes.

Even after months of being apart, she usually tried to maintain her professional demeanor and formal attitude.

However… when the mood struck her, her bold vulgarity was impossible to restrain.

While Adam wasn't exactly complaining, his current desire was simply to watch the sunrise from the window of their extravagant hotel suite—a room that cost several thousand credits for a single night. He felt like a tranquil stream, whereas Silvana was a flickering, restless flame that refused to be extinguished.

Tap.

Silvana flopped onto the bed and reached for her tablet. The device was linked directly to the skyscraper’s internal management system.

“We should probably order some breakfast. Coffee and chocolate are a start, but what do you think about blueberry pancakes?”

Adam looked back at her over his shoulder.

“They offer breakfast on demand here? Well, it makes sense given the price, but… the convenience is actually impressive. You don't even have to step outside.”

Adam was no stranger to hotels, having stayed in many since his return from the Dead Lands. This extended mission was no different, except for the fact that he wasn't alone this time.

In the past, his routine was simple: collapse onto the bed, sleep, grab a few sodas from the mini-bar, and then head to a restaurant to devour half the menu.

He had never truly taken advantage of the high-end amenities offered by luxury establishments like this.

And before his life as a Phantom?

Back then, hotels were a luxury his family couldn't even dream of. Their entire focus had been on escaping the slums and finding a way into the Third Ring.

The thousands of credits spent on this single night's stay were equivalent to months of rent for a modest home on the Third Ring’s outskirts.

The Citadel operated on a capitalist model due to its finite resources, forcing a constant state of competition between individuals and corporations.

This system was deemed the most effective way to drive the rapidly expanding population to rebuild the Citadel following a World Wipe in the shortest time possible.

While this didn't make life easier for everyone, Adam’s research suggested that the Gamma Division was becoming more efficient with every World Wipe. There was a time when the slums were far more vast, and the inner rings lacked their current wealth and sophistication.

‘I suppose things are improving, but as cynical as it sounds, what’s the ultimate goal?’ Adam mused, taking another drink of his coffee.

‘Better living standards are great, and many people live out their lives without ever experiencing a World Wipe since they only happen every 250 years—longer than a normal human lifespan. But… that doesn't change the rate at which Phantoms are produced, does it?’

Adam understood that while the numbers fluctuated between different World Wipe cycles, any Phantom who failed to reach the pinnacle of the K3-Level eventually just faded away. At most, their existence was reduced to a line of data on a dusty disk tucked away in the Zero Day Vault.

“So, do you have a preference, or am I just ordering a mountain of pancakes?” Silvana asked again. She was curious about his sudden pensive mood but chose not to press him for now.

To her surprise, Adam gave a small nod.

“How about some bacon, fried eggs, and fresh fruit? Is that an option?”

Silvana made a dismissive gesture with her hand. “Of course. They have just about every meat, fruit, vegetable, or fish you can think of. If it’s on the menu, they’ll cook it. Honestly, even if it isn't listed, I’m sure we could talk them into making it.”

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Silvana began patting the mattress beside her.

“Get over here! Tell me exactly what you want, I’m starving!”

Adam finished his coffee and walked over, looking down at her.

“You’re acting like a child, you know that? What happened to the intimidating, strict office lady who made me shake in my boots when we first met?”

“Oh?” Silvana smirked. “Are you admitting I frightened you? You chose me, remember? I saw the list of candidates Douglas gave you. You clearly have a thing for bossy women! Hahaha!”

Adam shook his head as he took a seat on the edge of the bed.

“I simply knew I needed a partner who could throw me into the deep end of the Phantom world quickly. Regardless, it was a solid choice—maybe the best one I've ever made.”

He didn't notice it immediately, but as the words left his mouth, Silvana’s expression softened and a flush crept up her cheeks.

“Thanks…” she whispered, turning her head away in a rare moment of shyness.

“Hmm? What was that?”

Silvana stole a quick glance at him before focusing her attention back on the pillow.

“Well, for a rookie Operator, the dream is to be picked by a Phantom you can grow with. I just… I realize I was much luckier than most.”

Adam took another sip of his coffee, realizing that perhaps he should have just focused on ordering the breakfast from the start.