Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1503: Thousand Anomalies (Part 1)

The gates of the Citadel swung wide as Adam emerged, greeted by a desolate desert landscape defined by rolling dunes.

Memories of his inaugural day as a Phantom resurfaced vividly; strangely, as the years passed, the bitterness of those recollections seemed to fade.

It might have been simple nostalgia, or perhaps Adam had come to realize that despite Aiden Henk’s dubious motives and the high probability of his death that day, it remained the most pivotal turning point of his life.

Unlike many gifted individuals who achieved Phantom status and received formal academy training before their first deployment, he lacked the Spark.

His path had been abrupt and unforgiving.

No potent bloodline or high-ranking connections existed to pave his way into the ranks of the Phantoms.

In a sense, Aiden Henk represented the solitary bridge that had carried him to his current standing.

“Ah…” Adam let out a long breath, watching the turbulent winds whip through the gateway. “Aiden, what words should I prepare for our meeting? Have I truly slipped from your mind, or am I merely a piece in one of your schemes?”

Though Adam had gathered extensive intelligence regarding Aiden Henk from various sources, a face-to-face encounter had never occurred.

For reasons unknown, circumstances had never aligned for either of them to cross paths.

Beyond seeking closure regarding the events of that fateful day, Adam found little reason to initiate contact.

Adam sensed that an encounter with Aiden Henk was inevitable, though the timing and purpose remained shrouded in mystery.

There was much Adam remained blind to—such as the fact that he had already encountered Aiden’s primary confidant, Gladius. As a Phantom unaffiliated with any major Sect or faction, Gladius possessed terrifying power.

They were observing him, waiting for his Cultivation and strength to reach a threshold where Aiden could execute a plan known only to the two of them.

Not even Wilfred, Frida, Damien, or the highest echelons of the government were privy to these hidden designs.

Yet, even Aiden Henk harbored doubts about Adam’s necessity. Adam was but one candidate among several, and Aiden was far from certain that any of them would ultimately suffice for his ultimate goal.

This cycle of observation persisted through one World Wipe after another, as Aiden maintained his patience, waiting for the moment to fulfill a desire that had burdened him for centuries.

Regardless, Adam’s immediate focus lay elsewhere.

Speculating about Aiden Henk’s secrets was a luxury he couldn't afford with the Primal Lands looming before him.

His first objective was reaching the Detached Mountains. Unlike the majority of Phantoms who considered the location a myth, he knew the exact coordinates of his destination.

Step. Step. Step.

With measured strides, Adam ascended the desert dunes, scanning the horizon and taking in the vista of the territories bordering the Citadel’s massive walls.

This region was largely barren; anomalies were a rare sight, and any formidable monsters or nests were swiftly eradicated by the sheer volume of Phantoms patrolling the area.

“Hah, to think I not only survived killing a monster to become a Natural Phantom but also stumbled upon an Artifact immediately. Only now do I grasp the sheer luck involved. It’s truly remarkable.” Adam smirked, gazing into the distance.

Far off, a sequence of moving vehicles caught his eye. It was a caravan, reminiscent of the one that had once rescued him. Within the convoy were not just Phantoms, but also Harvesters—people Adam hadn't crossed paths with in ages.

‘Harvesters, huh? Simple folk who can’t brave the Tarnished Lands, let alone the Dark Shore. Then again, the Citadel doesn't require such high-grade materials from this area, does it?’

Phantoms at the K0, K1, and K2 levels typically accompanied Harvesters on missions to facilitate the collection of monster components and resources.

However, once a Phantom’s power ascended, such cooperation ceased. It wasn't merely the escalating danger for the Harvesters, but the fact that the Citadel’s demand for common resources was already met.

In truth, the Citadel only maintained resource extraction from the Lower Ring mines and monsters to sustain the economy and keep the populace occupied.

The true essentials were stockpiled within the Zero Day Vault, a classified facility unknown to the public—a place they would never live to see, as its doors would only open the day before their world ended.

“Well, seeing what the rookies are up to might be amusing, but I’ve only got two hours, right?” Adam remarked, glancing toward Silvana.

She gave a solemn nod in response.

“I realize these borderlands hold sentimental value for you, but we must maintain our pace. Lingering in one spot for too long is a luxury we don't have.”

Adam offered a small smile, scratching the back of his head.

“Yeah, you’re right. My apologies, I got caught up in the past.”

Silvana let out a sigh. “Don’t apologize. I could never have endured what you did. Besides… after being discarded like trash, surviving a monster, and returning to the Citadel, you chose a partner with a permanent scowl like me. That… was easily your finest decision.”

“Hahahahahahah!”

Adam’s laughter rang out before he shook his head and leaned into a starting stance.

“So that’s how it is? Fine, I hear you.”

Whoooooosh.

In an instant, his body blurred as he accelerated to a violent speed, leaving a massive plume of dust and sand in his wake.

The display did not go unnoticed by several Phantoms hunting nearby.

“Look! What the hell is that thing?!” one man shouted, eyes bulging.

Their initial instinct was to fear a high-level monster, but they soon realized it was a young man with eyes like burning coals, charging toward the vast emptiness that lay a few kilometers ahead.

The Detached Mountains were finally within reach.