Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1500: New Lands (Part 2)

It was common knowledge among every soul, from the lowliest commoner and rank-and-file soldier to the elite Phantoms, that the Citadel was encircled by the Dead Lands.

In the public consciousness, these Dead Lands were viewed as a realm of absolute fatality, an assessment that was largely accurate. This vast territory reached the very fringes of the world, teeming with a multitude of horrors and threats capable of challenging even the most formidable Phantoms.

While this distinction mattered little to the average person, the general understanding of these desolate reaches was actually incomplete.

As a Phantom ascended in power, they eventually discovered that the Dead Lands were categorized into two distinct zones: the Pacific Lands and the Wild Lands. Paradoxically, despite the name, the most distant sectors of the Pacific Lands held dangers far greater than the areas bordering the Citadel’s massive walls.

Yet, neither the Wild Lands nor the Pacific Lands represented the true peak of danger for the human race.

The most terrifying beasts residing within the Dead Lands—specifically in the furthest corners of the Wild Lands—were classified as Black Threat Level Monsters.

To be sure, a single creature of that caliber could slaughter dozens or even hundreds of lesser Phantoms with ease, but they had not yet reached the Lord realm of power. Furthermore, it was a well-known fact that the power gap among those in the Lord realm was immense; not all Lords were created equal.

In the absence of a truly catastrophic event, encountering a Lord within any sector of the Dead Lands was virtually impossible.

Curiously, Frida was one of the primary reasons for this stability.

Should she detect a low-ranking Lord venturing out from the Dark Shore to prey upon a K4-Phantom or a K3-Phantom, that Lord’s existence would be swiftly terminated.

As for the more powerful Lords?

They simply lacked any motivation to hunt such insignificant Phantoms. It was beneath them, and even if they surpassed the low-rank Lords in strength, they had to consider the risk: exactly how much stronger than Frida were they?

Frida stood as one of the most peerless Phantoms in existence. Challenging her was a prospect no one desired, especially considering her home-field advantage.

Stationed on Azure Island, positioned directly above Heaven Island where Queen Elisa herself resided, she was perfectly placed to intercept any threat that entered her domain and endangered humanity.

Only when a Phantom took their next stride toward true mastery did they learn of the Tarnished Lands. While Adam had reached the Dark Shore much earlier, his path was a unique anomaly caused by the First Star’s meddling.

Situated to the west of the Citadel, the Tarnished Lands remained far more mysterious and less mapped than the Dead Lands.

On the opposite side, stretching to the east, lay the Dark Shore.

Only those elite Phantoms who had touched the zenith of their potential could survive the journey to these territories, let alone engage in combat and emerge victorious.

But… was this the full extent of the world’s map?

This does not account for the Lower Ring, which, despite housing lethal monsters, was a relatively minor territory when compared to the vastness of the Dark Shore and the Tarnished Lands.

The time had come for Adam, Alexia, and their companions to uncover the deeper truth.

“New lands?” Adam questioned, his mind still trying to grasp the implications of Damien’s words.

The rest of the group turned toward him, their expressions filled with confusion as they awaited an explanation.

Damien gave a solemn nod.

“Taking your descriptions into account, the destination you are heading toward is undoubtedly within the Primal Lands.”

Adam and Alexia traded a quick look of bewilderment. The name was entirely foreign to them.

They were well aware of the Dark Shore and the Tarnished Lands—the dominant powers that dictated the world's global hierarchy. However, the Primal Lands had remained a total mystery.

“Your shock is understandable, but it is not out of the ordinary. Until a K4-Phantom manages to manifest at least the First Grand Star, even nearing the boundary of the Primal Lands is a suicidal endeavor. It is a savage realm where survival depends not on your skills as a soldier or an assassin, but on your instincts as a hunter.”

In a strange turn, Adam and Alexia found themselves smiling. Though their knowledge of the Primal Lands was still superficial, they understood the core reality of the place.

“It’s crawling with feral monsters, isn’t it?” Adam asked.

Damien confirmed with a nod.

“More than just feral. You will face things unlike anything you have fought before.”

Beth folded her arms across her chest, her expression serious.

“A staggering, perhaps even record-breaking number of ancient monsters are waiting for you there. In fact, the region earned its name because of these creatures, the turbulent energy of the environment, and its untamed nature.”

Silvana tilted her head to the side, curious. “Ancient monsters?”

Beth let out a weary sigh.

“Indeed. These are monsters that have survived for centuries. Their physical forms are saturated with a potent energy that would be fatal to monsters from other lands. The most venerable among them have walked the earth for several millennia.”

She narrowed her gaze, watching Adam closely as if searching for a sign of recognition.

“It is possible some of you have already stepped onto the former battlegrounds or deathbeds of such creatures. A first brush with that kind of ancient energy is usually an unforgettable experience.”

Suddenly, a specific memory surfaced in Adam’s mind.

He thought of the Silver Beacon, specifically the Hollow Spire Island where he had discovered the Desire of Beyond.

When he had peered into Bertrada’s past memories, he witnessed scenes of a brutal conflict where Bertrada appeared frail and powerless. The White Spire, an Ancient Artifact, had fallen in a clash against a terrifying monster, which was subsequently obliterated by a mysterious figure during the struggle.

The memory remained vivid because the aura radiating from that human was completely different from any power he had ever sensed.

‘Is an Ancient Monster truly capable of such destruction?’ he wondered, a cold chill dancing down his spine.

Alexia’s complexion turned pale as well; it was evident she was recalling a similar terror from her own past.

“Oh? What’s with those looks?” Beth asked, raising an eyebrow. “Ease up, you won’t be forced to fight anything of that caliber. The things you saw were the apex—the oldest and mightiest monsters that call the Primal Lands home. You are highly unlikely to cross paths with them.”

“This…” Adam whispered. “It’s terrifying, but it also makes my blood boil with excitement.”

Alexia nodded in agreement. “I feel the same. Besides, it’s not like we have any choice but to enter the Primal Lands, right?”

Damien broke into a grin.

“Precisely! It’s going to be a massive undertaking, so we’ll be providing you with support!”