Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1541 1541: Gate is not real

During the initial trial, the guidelines shifted dramatically right in the middle of things, yet Adam and Alexia now needed to tackle two separate challenges just to keep advancing.

They weren't certain whether they would've chosen to venture down here without the urgent requirement for the Third Grand Star, but they had no option except to uncover the mysteries lurking beyond the gate.

"We pulled it off, didn't we?" Alexia questioned, staring at the Red Demon, who obviously could never take part in the trials anymore.

Adam gave a solemn nod while scanning their surroundings.

"Hmm, that's odd."

"Huh?" Alexia looked puzzled. "What are you saying? Are you questioning if I took him down in a single blow?!"

Adam simply shook his head in reply.

"No, that's not what I mean. I should've realized this back when we battled the Stone Demons, but it's only hitting me now that these trials have reached their absolute boundary."

Alexia blinked repeatedly, still not grasping Adam's point.

"See, if the rules in that first trial hadn't been altered, neither the other participants nor us could've inflicted any harm on the challenges. We clashed with ghost spiders in the opening one, but here we merely had to knock away those cannonballs.

"So, we could've cleared each trial a dozen times over, and the overall situation would've stayed the same. Yet now that we've shattered all the stone demons, particularly the red one, nobody else can make it through this stage."

Suddenly, Alexia's eyes grew wide as the realization dawned on her.

"I get it, you're saying that the one who established these guidelines and compelled the Ancient Voice to modify them fears us?"

Adam nodded. "I'm not entirely convinced it's fear, but what we've experienced is far from the usual in the Frost Oasis."

Tap.

He rose to his feet, dusting the snow from his knees, and approached the Red Demon.

"Regardless, we need to claim this horn and press forward. Are you able to walk by yourself?"

"Pfffft!"

Alexia rolled her eyes and stood up from the ground. Her legs shook briefly, but she quickly steadied herself.

"I've expended a ton of energy, that's for sure. But!" She declared. "Don't you underestimate me! Give me a short break, and I'll be good as new."

Adam merely nodded without a word. After witnessing her performance, he had zero doubts about Alexia's strength.

"Fine, let's grab this horn and head to the gate!"

He seized the horn with both hands and yanked it toward himself with full force. It proved far tougher than Adam anticipated; it wasn't comparable to the Stone Demons at all.

But...

Crackle. Crackle. Crackle.

Slowly, the dark horn detached from the crimson hide and landed firmly in Adam's hands.

"Agh... Agh... Agh..."

He panted heavily while examining the black horn. It appeared extraordinary, yet something nagged at Adam.

'Why's everything so silent?' He wondered. 'The Ancient Voice never mentioned what reward we'd receive at the trial's conclusion. Plus, when we obtained the Pale Spider Pearl, the Ancient Voice acknowledged it. But now... complete silence.'

Adam glanced at Alexia, who shared his unease. It felt like they'd been booted from the game for rule-breaking, even though they hadn't been the culprits.

"Should we go on?" Alexia wondered.

Adam shrugged.

"What other option do we have?"

For an instant, they concentrated and spotted the energy stream that had guided them to the gate before.

They exchanged nods and dashed ahead.

....

Thump. Thump. Thump.

Adam's heart pounded quicker with each beat. He yearned to learn what perils lay beyond the gates and if he'd secure the Blood of God essential for his evolution.

Prior to that, one crucial task remained: unlocking the gates.

"W-Wait..." Alexia stammered, lifting her eyes up the gates. "Am I seeing things, or is there no spot to place this horn?"

She was spot on. Unlike the left side's obvious slot for the Pale Spider Pearl, the right side lacked any fitting opening.

What's more, rather than the arched shape that matched the black horn, a circular indentation appeared on the right side.

Clearly, the black horn wouldn't fit inside it.

Tremble.

With a shiver, Silvana materialized beside Adam, her expression full of confusion.

"Did you overlook something in the mirror chamber? Perhaps a unique cannonball or item remains in one of the alcoves?"

Louis arrived too. He offered a couple of theories, but nobody grasped the situation.

Furthermore, the blue fairy embodying the Ancient Voice stayed absent. It had either vanished or was outright disregarding them.

"Damn it!" Alexia slammed her fist into the wall. "What was the point of all our efforts? Just so they could seal the gate on us and deny any shot at progressing?! Who the heck devised these idiotic rules?!"

Not quite as fiercely, but the others echoed her frustration, all except Adam, who spotted an oddity from his prior experience.

Tap.

He set the black horn down on the ground, deeming it useless now, and strode ahead steadily.

"Huh?" Alexia snapped her head around. "What're you up to? I busted my ass for that stupid horn!"

Adam stayed silent, halting right before the gate at the sealed seam.

"The gate."

He murmured softly.

"It's open. I can tell."

Before reactions could form, Adam pushed against the gate, and astonishingly, it swung like an ordinary door.

No mystical force, no glowing runes, no restrictions blocked Adam any longer; just the chilling, icy breeze welcomed him.

The shimmering pond, sparkling like countless gems, shone in the distance once more, along with the massive structure evidently behind their ordeals.

At last, the way forward lay clear.

The Ancient Frost and Blood of God beckoned to them.