Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1506: Snow Town

Upon nearing the Detached Mountains, Adam realized this location bore no resemblance to the desolate, forgotten ruins found within the Dead Lands.

Instead, the Detached Mountains had been occupied and completely remodeled by the Gamma Division and the Phantoms over an extensive period.

It functioned essentially as a small settlement. The permanent population consisted mostly of Gamma Division personnel who maintained the site, while the Phantoms were treated as visiting guests.

The massive iron gates were rarely used for standard entry or exit. Typically, they served as a trial for those making their debut appearance at the Detached Mountains.

Step. Step. Step.

Adam and Damien proceeded through a deep tunnel carved into the mountain's base. One end connected to the gate, while the other opened into the heart of a central square.

Bright light soon washed over them, accompanied by a soft breeze that felt far gentler than the biting winds outside, dusting their shoulders with light flakes of snow.

Stone roads were lined with lamp posts designed to look like towering iron torches. Along these paths, trucks moved at a leisurely pace alongside pedestrians.

The atmosphere was a far cry from the rigid military aesthetics of the Citadel. Members of the Gamma Division were dressed in thick, warm jackets and coats, and the transport vehicles featured softer, neutral tones. Their headlights were dimmed to avoid being abrasive, and their tires were designed to roll quietly through the snow, ensuring the peace remained undisturbed.

The area surrounding the main square was filled with snack stalls, shops, and lounge areas, resembling a charming winter festival rather than the high-end shopping districts of the First Ring.

Visitors could warm themselves with hot chocolate or indulge in waffles, hot dogs, and other treats that complemented the festive, wintry mood.

If there had been more decorations on the buildings, Adam would have mistaken the scene for a set of a holiday advertisement.

The entire environment felt serene, intimate, and quiet.

“Wow… This is definitely not what I imagined,” Adam murmured. He spoke with genuine sincerity, his words coming straight from the heart.

For some reason, he felt like he was visiting a dear friend. It was as welcoming as his own home, but with the added excitement of a birthday celebration where everyone was preparing to feast and unwind.

Damien gave a nod of agreement.

He had anticipated this reaction. It was a common experience for every Phantom visiting the Detached Mountains for the first time.

“Yeah, you can find everything here, from restaurants and cafes to standard markets selling fresh produce, soda, and snacks. It’s basically a small village like those in the Second Ring, just reserved for Phantoms and the Gamma Division,” Damien explained with a shrug.

Having played a role in the creation of this sanctuary, he felt no surprise. He possessed a deeper understanding of the Detached Mountains than almost anyone else.

“I see… Hah, there’s quite a crowd here, isn't there?” Adam remarked with a light laugh, watching the many figures moving about their daily tasks.

Damien made a dismissive gesture with his hand.

“Most of them work in the facilities embedded directly into the mountain peaks. You caught a glimpse of some of them on your way to the gate.”

Adam nodded in understanding.

“While many here belong to the Gamma Division, you can spot several Phantoms in the square even now. Some are coming back from missions, while others are preparing for deployment.”

“But… why build all of this here? It’s a thirty-minute flight by fighter jet, and that’s not even counting the time for takeoff and landing. This place is so well-concealed. No K3-Phantom, or anyone of lower rank, would ever stumble upon these mountains.”

Damien rested his hands on his hips and gazed toward the horizon.

“Well, the answer will be clear soon enough. Though you should probably guess by now that it revolves around anomalies.”

Tap.

He gave Adam’s shoulder a friendly pat.

“Let’s move. Alexia will arrive shortly. We can wait for her in whichever coffee shop you prefer.”

Unsure of which spot was best, Adam simply gestured toward a building on the right side of the square. The cafe featured a wooden beam exterior and emitted a warm, amber glow from its windows. It sat on a street corner right at the foot of the mountain slope.

Damien didn't say a word and simply led the way.

As they crossed the central square, where pedestrians and trucks shared the same open space, Adam gained a better perspective of the Detached Mountains.

Beyond what he had initially noticed, he could now see iron bridges spanning the gaps between peaks and external elevators rising toward entrances at various altitudes.

Adam couldn't tell how much the natural landscape had been modified, but it was clear that the interiors were now fully utilized as residences, offices, and storage facilities.

“Hah, instead of constructing skyscrapers, they just converted the mountains into them? That’s quite something…”

A few passersby glanced at Adam and Damien, but they were left in peace.

Whether they were Gamma Division members or Phantoms, everyone knew it was disrespectful to bother Damien without a vital reason. Had he been walking through the First Ring like this, he would have been swarmed by hundreds of citizens and reporters within the hour, and his face would be all over the news.

For a man of his stature, this location provided a much-needed reprieve.

This was expected, considering the lowest-ranked individual here was a K4-Phantom who had already established the Two Grand Stars.

Even Second Rank Phantoms were frequently seen here, despite their extreme rarity on a global scale.

Tap.

Two mugs of coffee and a plate of waffles topped with cream and salted caramel were placed before them.

“Please, enjoy your meal!” the waitress said with a cheerful smile. She was a member of the Gamma Division.

Though she possessed the strength to battle monsters and manage the Citadel’s operations, she found genuine satisfaction in serving such high-ranking Phantoms here.

“So, what's your impression of this place?”

Adam took a slow, deep breath.

“It’s truly incredible.”

Damien smirked.

“Hah, you haven’t even seen the main attraction yet—the Anomaly Grid. That’s our destination. We’ll head there the moment Alexia shows up.”