Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1483: Third Star

Chilly gusts of wind tugged at Adam’s black shirt as he stood on the roof of his new residence, perched atop the massive skyscraper.

Of all the locations available, this was the most appropriate for the task he was about to undertake.

Living within the Citadel suited him. It served as a bastion for every human and every Phantom alike. Neither the squalor of the slums nor the prestige of the First Ring felt like his true home; that title belonged to the Citadel itself.

However, he recognized that his heart would soon yearn for more. The struggle against Menax had been grueling, and his journey through the Tarnished Lands was packed with incident, which was precisely why he felt so at peace now.

While he appreciated his current routine and intended to maintain it for a while longer, he was well aware that his return to the Dead Lands loomed on the horizon.

“Agh…” Adam let out a long sigh while gazing down at the nocturnal city stretching out beneath him.

Thousands of structures glowed with vibrant lights, mirroring the illuminated streets and highways. The Citadel continued to thrive and evolve only because its inhabitants remained oblivious to the fact that in six and a half years, everything would be wiped away.

“Well, back when I only dreamed of visiting the First Ring as a tourist, I would have been ecstatic to see a view like this, but… Knowing what I know now, it only brings me sadness.”

Adam sat with his legs crossed and shut his eyes, sinking deep into his inner consciousness.

As if they had been anticipating his return after a long absence, the interior space was devoid of the Evolution Tree, the Silver Weaver, and Lone Blaze.

The only things visible were the Path Construct and the faint silhouette of his incomplete Constellation.

The First Grand Star was already established. The Second Grand Star was finished as well. A collection of lesser stars were linked to the grand ones by stellar lines, while numerous other paths stretched upward into the empty dark.

Adam squinted, observing the many connections pointing toward the dormant stars that hovered above the First and Second Grand Stars.

A decision had to be made. One of these hidden, quiet stars was destined to become his Third Grand Star.

Admittedly, much of his trajectory was already set due to the nature of the previous Grand Stars. He had covered a vast distance on his journey, yet the Constellation remained unfinished.

“Hmm, so I must pick one, and there isn't even anyone here to give me advice?” Adam said, tilting his head to the side.

He spent a moment in contemplation before stepping forward, coming to a halt directly in front of the Path Construct.

Tremble.

The stars shuddered at his arrival, seemingly more anxious than Adam himself to discover which destiny he would choose for them.

They were inextricably linked. Just as Adam’s future was tied to the Path Construct, the stars shared that same fate.

The foundation of this world rested upon genes, energy, and the stars.

Phantoms, Monsters, Touched Humans, and Hybrids were nothing more than manifestations of the stars' will. Ultimately, even the First Star and the Last Star were bound by these laws, despite being the primary catalysts for the world’s periodic destruction.

The Last Star and the First Star acted as harbingers of both annihilation and rebirth, resetting the cycle every 250 years.

From a certain philosophical perspective, Adam’s ambition to halt the World Wipe was a peak display of egoism.

He was already among the fortunate few guaranteed to survive the World Wipe. It was possible that by the time the next one arrived, Adam would possess enough power to construct a formidable barrier for his own safety without needing to depend on Queen Elisa.

Regardless, that level of security was not enough for him.

He wanted his family—three normal humans whose bodies contained almost no energy—to survive the cataclysm as well.

To the billions of monsters and millions of humans destined to be born after the next cycle, his actions might seem unfair.

If Adam truly achieved his goal, the massive surge of energy that rejuvenated the land every 250 years would cease to exist.

However, he didn't care much for the lives of others. He knew his reasons for wanting to stop the World Wipe and the consequences of failing to do so.

Consequently, his only path forward was to attain the maximum level of power possible.

To be sure, his life would not end if he failed. Silvana would stay by his side, along with many of his Phantom allies and their Operators, but… He would lose his family forever, a loss that could never be undone.

“Damien, Frida, the leader of the Crimson Path, and the rest of the Second Rank Phantoms. I’m certain some of them deal with hardships, but like anyone else, many must have had friends and families, right?”

Adam’s expression turned solemn as he moved closer, standing right before the cluster of dormant stars. Though they were shrouded in shadow, he could detect their dim radiance.

“Which of you should I select…” Adam whispered, reaching his hand out into the dark. “Which one can provide the trials and the power I need to shatter the final gate leading to the Second Circle at the end of my road?”

Unexpectedly, his inquiry received a response.

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

One star among the five dormant ones began to vibrate slightly. It lacked the strength to fully reveal its light or break free from its lines, but it did enough—Adam took notice.

Of course, he wasn't forced to pick that specific star. The choice of which star would serve as his next challenge rested solely with him.

Yet, Adam found he could not look away.

“Hah, so you’re the one who wants to go next?”

Twitch. Twitch. Twitch.

The star jerked again, as if confirming his question.

‘This star won't just dictate my trials; it will determine how my abilities evolve and the final shape of my Constellation… Hmm. Well, since the other stars are all the same, this is the only one that decided to speak up!’

He lunged forward and seized the dormant star.

A brilliant blue radiance erupted as the information Adam had long been preparing for manifested before his eyes.

[Third Grand Star (Star #5) Highest Bliss: 0/1 Blood of God: 0/1 Bottomless Void: 0/1]