Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 1596: Ramilo

If Adam didn’t know where he was, and he wasn’t a Phantom, but an ordinary human, he would have thought he was in an unfinished subway station.

The electricity, lighting, and decorations had not yet been installed, but the shaft had been dug and the site prepared.

Well, no trains were running at the Ice Path, but in terms of functionality, these two things were actually quite similar.

Adam was prepared for many things, but not for the fact that a large, blue cat would be waiting for them here, sitting on a bench like an ordinary person in the subway waiting for the next train to arrive.

Slowly, Ramilo turned around, his amber eyes with green tints around the edges wide open, and his vertical pupils narrowed.

He stared at Goen as a broad grin revealing his sharp fangs appeared on his face.

"Goen! What a surprise!" Ramilo exclaimed, his deep voice echoing through the empty hall.

Tap.

The heavy cat, weighing at least two hundred kilograms, jumped up from the bench and stood on one leg, or rather, on his cat paw. As with the Old Horn, who had real hooves, Ramilo was in his full form, though it was still anthropomorphic.

Like a hurricane, Ramilo spun around on one leg and in the next moment was in front of them.

He was about to hug Goen, but for some reason stopped.

His gaze fell on the shocked Adam and Alexia, and then on Arika.

"Arika, is it really you?" he asked in disbelief.

Arika put her hand to her chest.

"Of course. Who else could it be?"

"Hahaha! It’s been so long since I’ve seen you together. Looks like something really important happened and..."

Ramilo turned abruptly to Adam and Alexia, making them flinch.

He ran his claws appraisingly over his whiskers.

"This has to do with these two kids, doesn’t it?"

"Hey!" Alexia waved her fist. "How many more fights do I have to go through before all the strong bastards around here stop calling me a kid?"

Ramilo chuckled.

"That one has a fiery temper, yeah? What about him?" He pointed at Adam.

Goen crossed his arms over his chest.

"I think you’ve heard of him, you should have. This is Adam Vinter."

The momentary surprise was reflected on Ramilo’s face.

"Oh, you’re right. I’ve heard his name. So, the fight upstairs was because of them?"

Goen nodded.

"Something like that. You know me, even if guests are welcome, I can’t tolerate them for too long. These two are determined Phantoms, they have missions elsewhere. So, they need a way to get back to the Citadel."

"Oh, I see!" Ramilo clapped his hands. "It’s good that you brought them here! The Ice Path is perfect for this!"

He turned to Alexia, who still had her cheeks puffed out.

"It’s not about fighting, girl, it’s about your age and strength. If you don’t want others to call you a kid, you only have two choices. Either become very strong or very old. However, you can do what Goen and I did and get both! Hahaha!"

Adam addressed him.

"Ramilo, you’re a monster, and you know Goen? Are you from some faction?"

Instead of him, Goen himself replied:

"Adam, you should have already understood that the higher the level, the more often the Phantoms work together with monsters. Over time, you no longer divide into races, but into factions, teams, or simply mutual cooperation."

He nodded. At Izardo, he felt this even more strongly. With the Awakened Monsters, it was the same as with humans. Some would treat you to a bun with meat and cheese, while others were ready to hunt and engage in deadly combat.

"At the Primal Lands, there are no factions like at the Tarnished Lands or at the Dark Shore, but there are several powerful clans and one guild."

"The guild?" Adam gave him a questioning look. "Something like a company of merchants?"

Ramilo raised his hand.

"More like an association of instructors. Overall, every guild member must earn their place and has a number of responsibilities. Otherwise, at the Primal Lands, there is complete chaos and wild clashes, but I think you already understand that."

Arika added: "Also, don’t forget that each territory may have something like a head monster or several at once. There are many valuable territories here, and there will always be those who want to control them."

"So, what is this guild called?"

Ramilo pocked himself in the chest.

"The Old Light! If you meet any of them on your next visit to the Primal Lands, I advise you to establish good relations with them."

Adam smiled. "Well, I’m standing in front of one right now, so I can start with you, can’t I?"

"Hahaha! Goen, I like him already!" Ramilo patted Adam on the shoulder.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Even though Ramilo had soft-looking cat paws instead of human palms, each pat sent a wave of tremors through Adam’s body. He struggled to keep from leaning back under the pressure.

’Damn it! How much strength does he have? On the outside, he looks like a lump of fluffy fat!’

Then, Ramilo’s expression became serious.

"You want me to take them to the Citadel, right?"

"Yeah, something like that. You’ll determine the final destination later, it depends on them, but they need to get home. I told them that the Ice Path is the best way in their situation."

"Ha!" Ramilo exclaimed. "You’re absolutely right!"

With a click, a short black rod with blue edges appeared in Ramilo’s hand, resembling something between a battle horn and a simple whistle.

Gathering air in his lungs, Ramilo blew the whistle with all his might.

WHISTLE!

A piercing whistle sounded around them, causing Adam and Alexia to cover their ears. The sound wasn’t particularly loud, but it could reach even the farthest parts of the Ice Path.

"Shit! You should have warned us about this!" Alexia stamped her foot in annoyance.

Adam’s eyes widened as the underground tunnel shook.

Something was moving toward them, and soon eight blue eyes and teeth arranged in a circle appeared out of the darkness.

Ramilo grinned as he looked at the huge worm that had stopped right next to the edge of the platform.

"I’m happy to introduce you to the worm train!"