Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1502:  Detached Mountains (Part 2)

Every Phantom understood that transportation was a necessity for reaching distant territories or executing assignments. For those at the lowest ranks, this meant relying on basic trucks that navigated the immediate outskirts of the Citadel.

As a Phantom’s strength increased, so did their access to advanced technology, eventually moving up to fighter jets. Because their time was a precious resource, the mission department prioritized speed, ensuring warriors reached their target zones in a matter of hours instead of days.

Eventually, however, even high-speed jets proved insufficient.

To support K3 and K4 Phantoms, the Citadel erected massive spires along the edges of far-flung territories. Each structure housed a teleport—a sophisticated piece of machinery fueled by anomaly energy capable of crossing vast distances in the blink of an eye.

These spires possessed a single weakness: their sheer number made it impossible for the Citadel to defend them all. Consequently, they were stationed on the fringes of the Dark Shore or the Tarnished Lands, rather than deep within hostile territory.

Adam had once found this system perfectly adequate. He would simply teleport to the nearest point and proceed toward his objective from there.

But during his previous trek, the limitations of this method became clear. Reaching the Forgotten Mills required crossing multiple territories, followed by a journey to Izardo—and that was merely a fraction of his task.

Adam had assumed the Citadel possessed no travel technology superior to teleports.

He was mistaken.

“The Detached Mountains?” Adam questioned, his eyes fixed on Silvana as he tried to process the news.

She gave a firm nod.

“Yes. Damien’s instructions were for you and Alexia to meet him there. You’ve only got three hours, so I suggest you get moving.”

“Hold on, where exactly are these mountains located?”

Silvana placed her tablet on the surface between them, projecting a 3D map of the Pacific Lands.

“You’re free to use any method to get there. Run, take a truck, fly a jet, or use a teleport. The choice is yours, but you need to make it now.”

“Hmm...” Adam stroked his chin, lost in thought. “The Detached Mountains. There’s a secret behind them, isn't there?”

Silvana’s expression grew grave as she nodded again.

“I couldn’t find a single scrap of data on them. The only reason we can see this map is because Beth provided a specialized key. Even then, all we have is a coordinate marker to guide you.”

She gestured toward the blue holographic display, indicating the specific site of the Detached Mountains.

“I tried to get a step ahead of Beth by checking satellite feeds of the region. There’s nothing there. The images just show a frozen, empty wasteland covered in a dusting of snow. Just an endless void.”

It was clear to both Adam and Silvana that Damien and Beth hadn't made a mistake. The Detached Mountains were being intentionally hidden from lower-ranked Phantoms, the military, and the general public.

“Hah, yet another mystery?” Adam said with a smirk.

Silvana agreed.

“So it seems. I consulted Louis, and he admitted he’d never heard of the place either.”

“Unbelievable. Alexia and I are responsible for the First and Second Grand Stars, and we’re about to start the third, yet we’re still in the dark about the Citadel’s secrets? We only just found out about Azure Island, and now there are invisible mountains!”

Silvana gave a small shrug.

“That’s the reality of it. To be honest, after the World Wipe and the rise of the First Star, I assumed there were no secrets left to uncover. I was dead wrong, and I’m still not sure if that’s a good thing.”

Adam dismissed the thought with a wave of his hand and walked to the window. He looked out at the morning view of the Citadel; the city lacked its evening sparkle, but it offered a rare sense of peace.

“I’ll go on foot. It’s in the same sector where K1-Phantoms hunt, right?”

“Correct,” Silvana replied. “Blue Threat Level Monsters are the peak of what you’ll find there. Though... the area surrounding the Detached Mountains is curiously vacant. There are no missions for recruits in that sector, and no monster nests have been reported.”

“Hah, then the mountains are definitely there. But why that specific spot?”

“Hmm?” She looked at him, confused. “What are you getting at?”

Adam pointed toward the sky.

“Azure Island, Heaven Island, the First Ring, the Zero Day Vault, and the Lower Ring. They all share a vertical alignment. That’s the only way Queen Elisa can shield the Citadel’s core assets during a World Wipe. So, why are these Detached Mountains sitting outside the city's perimeter?”

A small smile touched Silvana’s lips. She appreciated Adam’s logical breakdown; it was exactly how her own mind worked.

“That suggests there’s something there that couldn’t be moved into the Citadel, or perhaps it was too hazardous to bring inside. Regardless, we have to use this chance if it gets you to the Primal Lands.”

“Hah, you’ve got a point.”

A few moments later, Adam was prepared to depart. He stood before the opening elevator doors.

Silvana walked him to the exit, but she stopped him at the last second.

“Adam... about Alexia. Are you certain the two of you will work well together? Your mission with Fromund was a success, but this is a different beast entirely.” Her voice was tinged with worry.

Adam’s grin only widened.

“Don't sweat it. It might sound arrogant, but that one fight I shared with Alexia told me everything I need to know about her as a warrior. Besides, don't forget—she’s walked the same path I have. Her strength is no less than mine.”

Silvana offered a silent nod in return, watching as the elevator doors slid shut.

...

Less than thirty minutes later, Adam stood before the massive ground-level gates of the Citadel, an exit typically reserved for squads and new recruits.

The Detached Mountains waited for him in the distance, but for the moment, he took a second to appreciate the landscape where his journey had first begun.