Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1575 1575: Fridge in the mountain

"GHA!" Alexia hacked up a cough, spraying green fluid across the snow. "What the hell is that?"

Goen slung a huge log over his shoulder and strode ahead.

"Just a basic blend of herbs mixed with a bit of mushrooms. Nothing fancy. I typically take it before training, but for you, it'll speed up the mending of your bone."

He gestured toward her leg.

"Focus your energy to reinforce it. Your physique is robust. You ought to manage without supports, though it'll be gradual."

Alexia hated her impaired mobility, so even with the foul flavor of the brew, she swallowed it all and followed Goen's instructions.

Normally, her grave wounds came at the close of fights, letting her retreat to the Citadel for ample recovery time, but that wasn't possible now.

Tremble.

Blue energy quivered, enveloping the break site in a thick shroud, while Alexia's gaze sharpened. An notion struck her.

"I wouldn't suggest attempting that."

"Agh?" Alexia froze in surprise. She stayed silent.

How did Goen sense her intended action?

"You're far too frail yet. Indeed, channeling the ancient energy might hasten your healing if it succeeds, but a mere instant of faltering could worsen things—instead of repair, you'd suffer fresh breaks or far graver harm."

Alexia clenched her jaw yet chose against invoking the ancient energy. Snapping her leg elsewhere right now would prove mortifying and foolish.

Moments later, Alexia gave a nod and, bracing against a nearby tree, attempted her initial stride.

Step.

Pain lanced up her leg from the step, yet the energy kept her bones intact.

"Hah, it's effective..." She grinned, advancing at a leisurely pace. "Hey, how soon until your vile concoction kicks in fully?"

Goen answered without glancing back:

"It's kicking in already. You'll soon stride normally. It won't fully mend you, so continue channeling your energy."

Alexia rolled her eyes but held her tongue. Goen's guidance had proven reliable thus far.

Crack. Crack. Crack.

Goen tossed log after log onto the blaze, swelling it larger until its glow cast shadows over Alexia.

"Shit..." She tilted her head skyward. "Who do you intend to cook over this inferno?"

"Well, once we're back, barely any of this timber will linger. But it's essential. For savory meat with a crunchy exterior, we rely on glowing embers buried in ash."

Goen bent low and crossed his arms to form a slim vent for airflow.

As he inhaled deeply, wisps of smoke danced in the air, swiftly clumping into vivid embers.

That sufficed to kindle the parched grass at the fire's foundation. Flames would soon climb the twigs, then the logs, transforming all into embers bit by bit.

To a newcomer like Alexia, the spectacle might thrill, but Goen, with countless repetitions behind him, found it routine.

"Fine, linger here or trail after me."

"Hmm? To where?"

Goen flashed a smirk.

"My modest storage."

"W-What…?"

...

Step. Step. Step.

Alexia had no clue what awaited, but trailing Goen, they approached the cavern mouth near his dwelling.

Outwardly, it appeared as a mere gap amid rock faces, yet venturing inward brought escalating chill to Alexia.

"Brrrh!" She wrapped her arms around herself. "Why the hell is it freezing in here? I shouldn't feel this cold at all!"

"Hahaha, because ice counts as your element?"

Goen laughed while indicating the frosted cavern walls.

"It demanded more time than anticipated, but the effort paid off."

Beneath Alexia's baffled stare, Goen neared what looked like a vast stone sarcophagus.

He slid aside the lid, and Alexia's eyes bulged.

Beneath layers of frost and ice shards lay numerous fish boasting shimmering scales. Dozens at minimum, and crucially fresh, since Goen had iced them straight from the catch.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Goen selected several fish and draped them across his shoulder. Lacking pail or carrier, the fish risked dropping, but mist materialized promptly, snaring each on a hook now suspended from Goen's side.

"Alright, that'll suffice for starters. They're quite resilient, but I prefer them that way." Goen clarified, peering onward. "Still, we'll require more substantial fare for the primary dish."

"Huh?"

Alexia's mouth fell open upon spotting scores of stone vaults ahead. Each brimmed with provisions—meats, fish, or produce alongside fruits. Yet Goen pressed deeper.

"Hey, keep pace. These sections hold nothing we need."

"Y-Yes!" Alexia's tone quivered as she hurried to match him.

En route, she glanced about, noting escalating stone formations, some merging into broadening barriers. Beyond intact creatures and seafood, pre-portioned frozen cuts abounded—steaks, ribs, haunches, and beyond. Goen stocked it all.

Upon entering a vast chamber, Goen halted at last. A pleased grin lit his features.

"What the hell..." Alexia swallowed hard.

No stone vaults confronted them, but myriad ice chunks did, each encasing one or several colossal beasts. It was profound preservation.

Alexia required no lore on their might. She recognized certain beasts as overpowering for her—they'd shred her apart—yet to Goen, they served merely as rations, no more.

"You mentioned grilling some sort of aquatic beast, correct?" Alexia inquired.

Goen inclined his head solemnly.

"Yes. Technically, it's neither fish nor beast, but a hybrid, akin to an aquatic fiend."

He indicated a sidelong ice mass.

"What of this specimen?"

Alexia peered, her eyes flaring wide.

The enormous serpent, rivaling a five-level edifice in height, lay trapped in ice, its demise marked solely by a profound gash at the throat from combat.

It was a banquet reserved for the pinnacle predator alone.