Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 1841: Upper Level of Varreyn

Krador and Laroza stood in the hall, speechless.

It was rare for events to occur in their lives for which they were unprepared. After all, they had both lived for hundreds of years and had seen just about everything.

But what had just happened left them standing in silence for a moment, staring at a single point.

Crunch.

Laroza picked up some nuts from the table and slowly crunched on them.

“Well, well, it looks like something important is happening, and we’re in the dark about it, aren’t we?”

Krador narrowed his eyes.

“You’ve got nothing to worry about, it’s not your job to get caught up in the city’s intrigues, but… how come I haven’t heard anything about this? What could be going on with the Grad Family? Why did they come for Adam? He’s a talented fighter, but does he have something special that they don’t?”

Then…

Laroza’s face returned to its carefree expression as she flopped down on the sofa in the middle of the hall.

“To hell with it. We’ll all find out soon enough anyway. If Amelia came here in person, it means their time is running out.”

Deep down, Krador wanted to use all his influence and resources right now to find out as much as possible about this incident, but soon his gaze fell on the Glass Root.

“Although… you’re right. I have more important things to do right now. I’ve fulfilled my part of the deal and need to move on to the next goal.”

Laroza smirked as she cracked open another nut.

“Don’t think I’ve forgotten that you still owe Adam two more conditions. Prepare everything you know about Breydar for him and buy him a house.”

“Tsk. Are you still on his side?” Krador clicked his tongue.

Laroza shrugged.

“You agreed to it yourself. I just want everything to be fair.”

Krador rolled his eyes and stepped aside, placing the Glass Root on the table and letting it hover above the surface.

“Fine. Amelia was right. No matter what Adam asked of me, it can’t compare to the Glass Root. It’s time for me to move on to the next level as well.”

Laroza smirked. She knew how long Krador had been waiting for this.

‘Still…’ Her gaze drifted toward the upper level. ‘Amelia offered to teach him the Soul Stance. What a bold offer. Doesn’t she know that no one can guarantee that?’

…

Whooooooosh!

A powerful gust of evening wind swept through Varreyn, ruffling Adam’s and Amelia’s hair.

“Save your father?”

Adam muttered.

“Amelia, you know quite a lot about me, you’ve decided to meet with me several times, so…” His gaze grew heavy. “Why are you asking me to do this?”

“Because I believe you’re the only one who can help.”

“How?” Adam waved his hand. “If your father is sick or injured, there’s nothing I can do! What I do best is fight, slash, and break through enemies’ defenses. That’s my main strength!”

Amelia nodded deeply.

“Sure. I know that. However, once you see the state my father is in, you’ll understand the situation better. I want to remind you that you’ve already agreed to help me.”

She turned, preparing to move on.

“Wait!”

“Hmm?”

“Soul Stance… What is that? When I arrived in Varreyn, I learned about many things, from the Gray Sea to the Grand Abyss. But… the Soul Stance?”

Strangely enough, Amelia was ready to answer that question right away.

“It’s the fourth special anchor you need to reach the peak of your power.”

Apparently, that wasn’t enough for Adam to fully understand. But soon, everything fell into place.

“Mr. Adam, you’re a rather quick-witted human and a talented Phantom. I’m sure you must have noticed the pattern inherent in all the lands.”

Her eyes grew deeper as she began to list:

“The Ancient Energy in the Primal Lands. The Dark Energy at the Dark Shore. The Frenzied Flame in the Hollow Lands, and the Soul Stance in the Tarnished Lands.”

Adam’s eyes widened as the realization struck him.

‘She’s right. Every time I set out for new lands, I not only fulfilled the conditions for the Grand Stars, but also gained some kind of special power.’

The case with the Dark Energy wasn’t as straightforward as with the others, since it took Adam some time to fully unlock the Dark Energy, but he definitely obtained it when he arrived at the Dark Shore.

“Judging by your shocked expression, you’ve already figured it all out. This is just one of the rewards I’m offering you, since nothing is more important to me than my father’s life.”

Adam glanced at the upper level.

“Are we going up there?”

“Yes.”

“Fine. Show me what the problem is. Maybe you know more about me than I do myself.”

Amelia didn’t respond to that. She walked toward Adam as the blue energy flows engulfed them, leaving only their shadows visible, which soon disappeared as well.

Normally, to reach the upper level, one first had to pass through the mid-level, that’s how Varreyn was designed, but Amelia wasn’t about to waste time on formalities.

Whoooosh!

With a flash of energy, they found themselves at the top of Varreyn, in the most influential and wealthy part of this monster city.

Adam looked around as a spacious courtyard the size of a square came into view. Several wide, straight paths led in different directions toward tall structures resembling towers, pillars, and even floating castles.

Amelia pointed ahead, toward the north side.

“Here, this way. Some members of my family might be suspicious of you, but you have nothing to worry about. As long as my father is ill, I’m in charge.”

Adam’s eyebrow twitched.

“You’re supposed to warn people about things like that in advance, you know?”

“Yes, please forgive me.” She nodded, but her expression didn’t change at all.

‘Tsk, she did that on purpose!’

Following Amelia, they soon reached the entrance to her family’s estate.

A majestic azure gate between two towers greeted them.

There were no guards or watchers here, only a heavy seal keeping the gate locked.

Step.

Amelia stepped forward as she released her aura.

TREMBLE! TREMBLE! TREMBLE!

The ground shook as a fierce pressure crashed down on Adam, causing his knees to wobble.

‘What the…’

With the next breath, the pressure vanished, and the seal on the gates flared, causing the gates to open.

“Please follow me.”

“S-Sure.”

Amelia’s aura wasn’t something that drew attention from the other residents of the upper level, but… Adam Vinter was a completely different story.

There were quite a few monsters here who knew just how badly the Befallen Crown wanted to get rid of him.

They’d gotten their chance.