Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1520: Blood Bite

Unlike the impulsive Adam, Silvana favored meticulous preparation and tactical planning over constant risk-taking.

There was no flaw in this approach. A Phantom and an Operator weren't required to be identical copies of one another; they could possess distinct personalities and even maintain conflicting perspectives on various matters.

However, a single truth remained constant: the Phantom forged the path forward, while the Operator provided the necessary support.

One can only wonder how things might have changed if Adam and Silvana had traded roles. It is possible Adam would have developed into a more pragmatic and composed individual. Who can say for certain?

Currently, Silvana was drawing closer to the version of Adam that existed at the start of his journey. When he first emerged as a Phantom, he lacked experience with gruesome combat and the high-stakes gambles that defined their lives, yet he found a sense of thrill in the heat of battle, the taste of triumph, and the growing streak of recklessness that had since become his hallmark.

Of course, Silvana remained quite different from the Adam she knew today. It was unlikely she would ever reach his level of intensity, nor was there any requirement for her to do so.

The reality was simply that they had both managed to take a significant step forward together.

Adam had rolled the dice once more, and his gamble had paid off.

He had successfully obtained the Ancient Flux. Silvana could not deny that this newfound power—and the danger they had both braved—sent her pulse racing faster than it ever had before.

“You actually took down that golem, didn’t you?” Silvana asked, licking her lips after they shared a lingering kiss.

Adam flashed a confident grin.

“Of course I did.” He shifted his attention toward the Evolution Tree. “I’m not entirely sure what transpired here, but I bet you were in a total panic. Hahaha!”

Silvana offered no verbal reply. Instead, she forced Adam’s attention back to her and kissed him again without warning.

But this time, Adam’s expression didn't show pleasure; it was a sudden mask of sharp pain and bewilderment.

“Fuck!”

He snapped his head back, staring at Silvana. A smear of blood marked the corner of her mouth, while a thin red stream trickled from Adam's own lip.

“What are you doing...” Adam stammered, completely blindsided. He had never witnessed this side of Silvana.

She merely met his gaze with a smirk.

“Tsk, I was trying to bite a piece out of you. That’s your punishment for making me so anxious! The Evolution Tree was on the verge of collapsing!”

Adam wiped his mouth, casting a glance to the side.

“Well, even if that's true, everything turned out fine in the end, didn't it?”

Silvana let out a heavy sigh, unable to dispute his point.

“Yeah... I suppose so, but don't think I’m not still furious with you, alright?”

“Hah, I figured that much out. If you’d warned me before trying to tear my lip off, I might have actually dodged.”

Silvana puffed out her cheeks in annoyance. “Hey! It was just a little nip! Damn it, why can’t you just appreciate the moment and play along?”

“Oh, I am definitely enjoying this. Do you honestly think I’m teasing you for no reason?”

A flash of genuine fury sparked in Silvana’s eyes. She lunged toward Adam, determined to prove that he shouldn't toy with her.

However, at the very last second, Adam’s form blurred and vanished, reappearing high above right in front of the Ancient Flux.

Silvana exhaled deeply, shook her head, and made her way toward him. The time for games had passed; they needed to progress. First, however, they both needed to examine the Ancient Flux—the newest component of their strength.

Tap.

She materialized behind Adam, resting a hand on his shoulder. For a silent moment, they both stared into the violet rift, which pulsed with primordial energy.

“So, you’re wielding two types of energy now, right?”

Adam nodded, his eyes fixed on the grey-purple radiance as if he were under a spell. He had encountered it briefly before, but his clash with the Head Golem had been over in a heartbeat. Now, he finally had the chance to observe its true splendor.

“Yes. I’ve tapped into it, but the full extent of this power remains a mystery. It’s likely capable of a great deal, but...”

“But?”

Adam gestured toward the Ancient Flux in response.

“Look at it. It’s drained. I’m certain that when it first manifested, it wasn't just the edges that were glowing, right?”

Surprisingly, Adam’s observation was correct.

“Wait.” Silvana blinked in realization. “Are you telling me you only had enough energy to manifest a single barrier for a few seconds?”

Scratch. Scratch. Scratch.

Adam rubbed the back of his head, feeling a strange sense of embarrassment as he admitted the truth.

“Yeah, pretty much. I don’t feel drained of strength, but it reminds me of when I first became a Phantom—back when I felt like I’d pass out if I pushed my Nexus more than twice.

“This ancient energy is a formidable tool, but it's extremely restricted, at least for the time being.”

After a moment, Silvana leaned her head against his back, peering over his shoulder at the Ancient Flux.

“It’s time, isn’t it? You need to move forward, but we have to understand this better first.”

Adam nodded in agreement. Understanding her intent, they both stepped forward simultaneously, reaching out toward the Ancient Flux.

The rift shuddered but offered no resistance. Grey-purple currents flowed between their fingers, causing their eyes to ignite with a brilliant light.

[Ancient Flux

The origin of the ancient energy that has integrated into your Evolution Tree and your path. It can be manipulated at will, much like star energy, but exercise caution... this is a power that even entities who have existed for centuries struggle to contain. Unlike the mere resonance from the impact of two massive stars, this energy possesses a will of its own.]

The information was sparse, but it provided Adam with a deeper insight into the ancient energy. Once he returned to the Citadel, he planned to grill Damien with questions to uncover everything he could about this force.

“Hey, I need to head back. That barrier still needs to be dealt with.” Adam turned to Silvana, but his expression suddenly froze.

Silvana’s eyes were wide and vacant as the ancient energy spiraled around her, gradually saturating her consciousness.

This time, the evolution would not be limited to Adam; it was affecting his companion as well.