Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 1646 1646: The Vial

The man with shoulder-length black hair, deep blue eyes, and an exquisitely tailored suit stood before Adam and Silvana.

They both knew who he was, but not from the perspective from which this man usually presented himself.

Out of curiosity, Gladius had helped Adam when he was ambushed at Osana's wedding ceremony. He had ensured that the two great noble families would follow The Rule of Power and not kill Adam right there, to keep their agreement intact.

Gladius possessed more than enough power to do so.

But, other than that, Adam and Silvana knew nothing about Gladius. They knew he was a strong, mysterious Phantom, and unlike the members of the great noble families, there was no fear in their eyes of the shadow that always hung over Gladius.

They didn't know that Gladius worked for Aiden Henk and was one of the reasons why this scientist had such influence over the entire Citadel.

Even the heads of the Twelve Branches couldn't ignore someone like him.

Still, neither this knowledge nor any suspicion was visible in Adam and Silvana's eyes.

They were simply surprised.

"G-Gladius?" Silvana muttered in disbelief. "What are you doing here?"

Adam gulped. He had the same question.

The last time they'd seen Gladius was a long time ago, many months back. Nearly a year had passed since that day, considering all the events that had happened to Adam in that time.

True, Alexia was in the same situation. Together, they'd been on only one major mission until recently, but that hadn't stopped them from heading to the Primal Lands together and achieving their goals.

But, unlike Alexia, whom they had met by chance during their vacation at the First Ring, Gladius had come to them on his own.

Somehow, he knew exactly where they lived. For some reason, he had come to them right now, and his friendly smile resembled a cunning snake more than an old friend.

At the same moment, Adam's eyes flickered to the heavy black case in Gladius's grip. The fact that a white glove was only on his right hand was further proof that something important was inside.

"Why? Why did you come?" Adam asked as he shook his head. "No, how did you even find out where we live? This is all a bit strange..."

Gladius, in turn, simply placed his hand on his chest, maintaining his composure.

"I understand your concern, but I assure you, very soon you will be glad of my visit. I think I can help you with your problem."

His eyes narrowed as he stared at Adam.

"From your aura, it's clear that you've recently been trying to find the next path, but couldn't, is that right?"

Adam gulped. He didn't understand how Gladius could know about the Winding Fragments.

'Maybe I just imagined it?'

Either way, they couldn't continue the conversation like this.

"Well, in that case, come in. But I'm afraid we can't offer you anything to go with the tea. We weren't prepared for guests."

Gladius stepped forward. "Don't worry. There's no need for that. I think our conversation will be more interesting to you than cookies with tea."

Adam and Silvana exchanged glances. They were nervous about this sudden meeting, but they simply had no other choice.

They couldn't turn Gladius away. They had no reason to.

Tap.

Gladius carefully placed the black case on the table and pushed it aside. He didn't open it right away. The right moment would come.

Then, he crossed one leg over the other and folded his fingers, sitting down across from Adam.

"I suppose you're having trouble continuing on your path? How many conditions do you have left?"

Adam blinked, but decided to answer.

Perhaps they wouldn't need Damien and Beth's help. After all, the man in front of him was also a Second Rank Phantom, a very powerful one.

"Two. And… the Winding Fragments. They just aren't working. I don't see a single one, even though there used to be hundreds."

Gladius nodded.

"It's rare, but it happens. I understand. While others have a clear path and plenty of options, you have nothing left."

Silvana glanced at him. "Do you know how to fix this? How can Adam get his lost fragments back?"

However, instead of answering, Gladius just shook his head, dashing their hopes.

"Unfortunately, I can't help you with this problem. Adam has to figure out how to find his remaining conditions on his own. Situations like this are unique to every Phantom. Not everyone faces them, it largely depends on the Path Construct, but from time to time, it happens."

Crack.

Adam slammed his fist on the table with a deep frown on his face.

"Shit! Why does it have to be me? Even if I figure out how to find the remaining two conditions, they're bound to be incredibly difficult since even the Winding Fragments can't show me the way to them!"

Gladius smirked.

"That's true. I thought you liked a challenge, or was I wrong?"

Adam sighed heavily, leaning back in his chair.

"That's not it. Just… The remaining two conditions, from the very beginning, I felt there would be problems with them, but everything turned out to be far more complex than I'd anticipated."

"Speaking of which, I think I can help."

Shock spread across Adam and Silvana's faces.

"Agh?"

"What do you mean?"

With a sly smile, Gladius stood up and, like an auctioneer presenting a precious treasure, pushed the black case closer with both hands.

Slowly, he entered a complex 16-digit password as the outer part of the case opened with a stream of mist rising.

Adam's gaze darted forward, but instead of a treasure, he saw only the black cube inside the case.

"Hmm? What is that?"

Without rushing to answer, Gladius placed his palm on the cube as his aura trembled.

Tremble! Tremble! Tremble!

For a moment, a powerful surge of his energy surged toward the black cube, causing it to vibrate violently until it shattered into countless floating fragments.

At the very center of the cube lay a vial containing a dark, crimson liquid.

The moment Adam saw it, all his instincts screamed, and his heart began to race.

"Isn't this what you were looking for?"

Gladius's grin widened like that of a demon.

"Let me introduce you, the Blood of God, or… in other words, the blood of Queen Elisa."