Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 1528 1528: First Problems

Alexia attempted to break through the rune barrier, striking the same spot repeatedly with all her strength, but the barrier did not even flinch.

This was not surprising, given the barrier's extreme durability. It was meant to protect the Pale Spider Pearl from them until they fulfilled the conditions.

However, this was not a game, but real life. Adam understood this well.

'It doesn't matter how strong the barrier is or how dangerous the enemy in front of you is. If you are strong enough, you can remove all obstacles in your path, right?

Step. Step. Step.

Adam walked along the main path as his aura gradually grew stronger.

'If Damien were here, he wouldn't even have to get this pearl, he would just destroy the gate with a punch, and that would be the end of it.'

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

The white needle appeared in Adam's hand while his aura trembled, causing Alexia to turn around.

"A-Adam?"

He pointed the needle at the cyan crystal.

"Step aside. If we have a way to destroy this barrier, then I should do it. Many Phantoms of my level are better than me in terms of energy or physical power, but I do not doubt that I am better than anyone at destroying barriers."

Sensing the seriousness of his intentions, Alexia did not joke or say anything. She simply nodded and stepped aside, waiting for his next move.

Adam understood that the nature of the rune barrier originated from the Ancient Voice and that it was almost impossible to change it.

'Erada had no choice but to follow my wish after her defeat. It was all because of the Ancient Voice. That was the case even considering that our power levels were equal. Even under such circumstances, she had no choice but to obey. What about this wall? What about these gates and rules? Who is the other side?

Most likely, it was someone powerful, significantly surpassing him and Alexia on a power scale. That meant he would hardly be able to even scratch the barrier.

But, he couldn't just dismiss these thoughts and admit defeat. At least, he had to make the best attempt he was capable of.

Alexia gulped as she watched the darkness thicken around Adam, and a bright light emanate from his needle.

Darkness and light enveloped him in a cold embrace, causing the air around him to tremble in anticipation of his next move, which would be his first and last.

That was his own power, the one he had created during deadly battles. It was his essence — to destroy barriers.

Step.

Adam stepped forward as his frame trembled.

In the next moment, the blast of light and darkness swept along the stone path, unleashing all its power on the cyan crystal. If even a single crack appeared, it would be enough for them to obtain the Pale Spider Pearl.

Alexia's eyes widened as she covered her face with her hands from the violent gusts of wind coming her way.

Crack. Crack. Crack.

A cascade of sparks flew past Adam's face, his needle trembled, his grip on the hilt was tighter than ever, and the pearl reflected in his eyes, one green and the other blue.

Wave after wave ran through the runes, with each pulse opening up more of the barrier until hundreds of runes stood before Adam like a great wall.

It was unknown how much power it would take to reveal all the runes and what would happen then.

But...

Crack.

Adam's time was up.

The needle broke, a fragment flying past his face as the sheer momentum of his path threw him backward.

"Adam!" Alexia exclaimed as she leaped forward, landing behind him a moment later.

She grabbed his shoulders and helped him land without injury.

While Adam was coming to, Alexia looked at the shimmering surface of the lake, at the spiders that a moment ago had been watching them like predators, now hiding behind rocks and in the crevices of the cave. They were afraid that some of that power would find them and that would be the end of them.

Alexia gulped, unable to believe how different her attempt to break the barrier was from Adam's.

It was two completely different levels.

'Shit... We can't even be compared,' she thought as her eyes narrowed, focusing on the barrier. 'Still, it wasn't enough. The Ancient Voice, we're actually going to have to follow its rules, aren't we?'

"Gha."

Adam exhaled cold air, slowly rising from the ground.

"This is quite disappointing..." He stared at the cyan crystal. "There isn't a single crack, not even a scratch. That barrier completely absorbed my attack."

"What can I say?" Alexia crossed her arms over her chest. "That was impressive. I am serious. Maybe you should try again, but this time use the ancient energy?"

In fact, it was a surprisingly good idea.

They had seen what the ancient energy was capable of. It was a power that allowed them to do things that were previously impossible.

"No." Adam shook his head. "I hate to admit it, but even if my path was two or three times stronger, I doubt I could destroy this barrier.

Unlike the barrier before the abyss, we can't do anything about it. At least not until we fulfill the conditions."

Alexia didn't want to agree with this, but she had no choice but to accept the situation as it was.

"Pfffft! What should we do then? Where is this fairy? Hey! We're ready! What should we do?"

She shouted, looking around.

At the same moment, a bright light came from above, causing them to raise their heads.

On the round platform above, the sockets lit up one after another, spiraling from the edge to the center.

There were 600 sockets in total, and when each one was filled with light, a mechanical voice rang out in the cave:

[The trial has begun. Collect 60 glowing tips to gain access to the cyan crystal. You have 10 minutes to do so.]

Soon, their eyes reflected the spiders, ready for action.