Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1522 1522: Hunting in the Forest

Adam remained within his mental realm for a significant duration. His dialogue with Silvana and his initial bonding with the Ancient Flux had consumed quite a bit of time.

However, in the physical world, little more than sixty seconds had ticked by.

Even so, that brief window allowed the Head Golem to fully reconstruct its limb, while Alexia made several futile attempts to breach the energy field.

Bam.

The knuckles of Alexia and the Head Golem smashed together. The force of the collision vibrated through her frame, sending her tumbling backward once more.

"You're doing it wrong," Adam remarked, lounging casually on a nearby boulder while resting his chin on his hand.

"Shut up!" Alexia barked, scrambling to her feet. "What exactly do you suggest? Should I sacrifice my strength and face death just like you did? Even if I were prepared for that, I refuse to simply mimic your path! I will discover my own way!"

Adam gave a non-committal shrug.

"I admire the attitude, but you’ve been acting as a punching bag for an hour now. It’s getting tedious to watch."

The Head Golem turned its gaze toward Alexia.

"Young lady... he might be speaking the truth. If you haven't managed to sense the ancient energy after receiving so many strikes, it implies you are either unready... or this particular tactic is ill-suited for you..."

A fierce, chaotic fire ignited in Alexia’s eyes.

"WHAT? He was just blessed with luck! And I’m just having a streak of bad luck! That is all! Eventually, I will grasp it! I won't let misfortune stop me!"

With no other choice, the Head Golem sighed and resumed their grueling training session.

Every Phantom aiming for the Second Rank was required to harness Ancient Energy at some point. Both Adam and Alexia were now fully aware of this reality.

Naturally, Alexia refused to be left in the dust. She was determined to do whatever was necessary to once again stand as Adam's equal.

'Heh...' Adam smirked internally while observing her. 'She blames external factors for her struggles, though I don't think that's actually the issue. Well, if that delusion provides her with endless drive, then I suppose there's no harm in it, right?'

Thump!

Following Alexia’s most recent failure, Adam addressed the Head Golem.

"Hey, is there a spot nearby to find some food? I mean here on the ridge, not down in the Frost Oasis."

The Head Golem appeared confused by the inquiry.

"Food...? Are you actually experiencing hunger? You only just stepped foot in these territories, did you not?"

Adam dismissed the concern with a wave of his hand.

"Yeah, I'm feeling a bit famished and the chill is getting to me. Is that a problem?"

The Head Golem paused before gesturing toward the woodland where Adam and Alexia had first landed after their run-in with the ice wyvern.

"The forest contains all necessary sustenance... though..." The Head Golem glanced at the massive carcass of the worm. "What prevents you from consuming this creature?"

Adam looked away, shaking his head in disapproval.

"Nah, it might seem odd, but I have no desire to eat that worm. I fought it to best it as a warrior facing a monster, not as a hunter tracking prey."

Before the Head Golem could offer a retort, Adam rose and began walking toward the woods with a confident stride.

A portion of the trees was visible from their current vantage point on the Frost Ridge.

"I won't be long. With any luck, Alexia will have actually achieved something by the time I return."

Alexia tightened her grip into a white-knuckled fist.

"I will! I’m right on the verge of seeing it! I am certain of it!"

The Head Golem held a more skeptical view. He served as neither a friend nor a foe. His duty was strictly to repel intruders or grant passage at the Frost Oasis. Thus, he was obligated to keep sparring with her.

It was true that Adam possessed the power to shatter the barrier, and he might have been able to pull Alexia through with him—though he wasn't entirely certain.

Regardless, he knew that would be a mistake.

'If the Head Golem blocked our path, then entering the Frost Oasis without ancient energy is pointless. Until Alexia masters that power, only a grave awaits her down there. I don't want to be the reason for her demise.'

Months ago, when the news of the World Wipe first reached him, Adam would have rushed every process, desperate to save every second.

Now, he felt comfortable allowing Alexia the necessary time to grow at her own speed.

With that thought, Adam exited the Frost Ridge and reached the forest's edge. He wasn't sure if the pale beasts from before inhabited this area, but he was confident a suitable challenge would present itself soon.

"Hmm..." Adam scanned the surroundings, feeling a bit surprised.

He felt no eyes upon him—no scavenging ravens or common predators. The woods appeared deserted, even though Adam was certain they were not.

"Am I just unlucky, or are they hiding from me? Or perhaps, like the wyvern, they felt us teleport in and decided to surround us?"

Adam actually possessed a method to draw attention. He usually avoided it since trouble tended to find him naturally, but he knew his next move.

By venting his energy, he would surely lure out a monster eager to claim that power for its own.

However, before using that tactic, Adam considered a different approach.

"What would the result be if I released ancient energy instead of star energy?"

In the last ten minutes, he had only managed to replenish a tiny amount of Ancient Flux, barely more than a few droplets.

"This should suffice." Adam tightened his fist and shut his eyes.

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

A faint glow of grayish-purple energy began to seep from his skin, enveloping him in a translucent shroud. It moved like a peaceful tide, contrasting sharply with the violent, fiery aura he usually projected.

Nevertheless, the sheer depth of this power was more than enough to pique the curiosity of local predators.

Adam detected a presence drawing near, yet he continued to radiate his essence.

Finally, he opened his eyes, a grin spreading across his face as a massive wolf crept toward him.

"Time to play the role of the hunter. Isn't that what Damien used to say?"