Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 2015: Operator or Weapon?

Adam had decided on his next mission.

Everything was going according to Silvana’s plan, just not quite as she had envisioned. Adam spoke with a Second-Rank Phantom, actually, two at once, and learned how to obtain the Fifth Anchor.

What’s more, he was already ready to get back to work.

Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.

Adam stretched his shoulder and clenched his fist a few times.

“How are you feeling?” asked the girl who had been healing him for the past few hours.

“Great, much better.” Adam nodded. “I’m ready to go to the Nova Hail.”

Sure, for Adam to be back at his peak and fully recovered, he needed at least one more day, but what he had right now was more than enough.

‘I defeated two Viscounts. I should be able to handle some energy that likes to attack everything in sight,’ Adam thought, preparing to obtain the Fifth Anchor.

“So, can we leave right now?” Adam asked, looking at Kamora, Lamor, and Frida.

Kamora was floating in the pool with her hands behind her head.

“I don’t know. It’s so nice here. It was a good idea to come to Frida’s base.”

Adam’s eyebrow twitched.

“Just a moment ago, you were ready to fight her just to avoid ending up here, and now you’re saying that?”

Kamora smirked. “Come on, I was just kidding. I’m ready to go right now – I need to change.”

Frida looked at Adam.

“I’ll go with you.”

“Isn’t that dangerous?” Adam asked. “I mean, what if someone needs your help?”

Frida shrugged.

“On this island, I’m not the only one who can help Phantoms in trouble. Every Phantom here has the right abilities and personality for it. Usually, I only step in when asked, or when no one else but me can save the day.”

She stood up and headed toward the room.

“Besides, if something important happens, they’ll be able to contact me. The Nova Hail is right above us, so that shouldn’t be a problem.”

Adam nodded.

Lamor clapped his hands.

“Alright, it’s settled then. We’re heading to the Nova Hail in five minutes!”

Adam decided to go first. He had no desire to swim in the pool, and he didn’t have time for it anyway.

He stepped out of the white building, stopping in the middle of Azure Island. His gaze fell on the Crystal Telescopes, as well as on the Phantoms, who were closely monitoring the situation.

Frida and each of them were spending their time helping others and saving lives.

That deserved respect.

Tap.

Silvana appeared beside him in her spectral form, a slight frown on her face.

“You know, you’re so close and yet so far away at the same time. You’re practically at the Citadel, practically.”

Adam smiled bitterly.

“Well, you can come up here if you want. I don’t think Frida or Kamora and Lamor would mind.”

However, Silvana shook her head.

“I don’t want to keep the others waiting, and I won’t be able to help you in any way if I stay here. I’ll just be watching from the sidelines as you go through the Nova Hail, just like the rest of them.”

“I see.” Adam nodded. He realized that Silvana was right in that regard.

Adam gazed into the distance as his gaze grew more intense.

“After that, we’ll head to the Hollow Lands. I need to figure out how to activate the Frenzied Flame.”

“Yep. Without the five Anchors, you won’t be able to break through the Grand Barrier, but you’re already closer than the rest. I think you’re just one or two steps away from finally reaching the Second Circle.”

For a moment, Silvana fell silent as she turned away, a slight blush on her cheeks.

“Then… Then we’ll be able to reach the Manifest Nexus. I’m sure we’ll have to go through a trial for that as well, but we’ll definitely make it. Right?”

When she turned back, she saw Adam’s kind smile and his calm, confident gaze.

“Of course. Kamora and Lamor did it, and so did Goen and Arika. There’s no reason why we can’t do it.”

“He’s right.”

Suddenly, a voice rang out from behind them, causing Adam and Silvana to turn around.

It was Lamor.

“When Adam reaches the Second Circle, you’ll have that opportunity. Sure, you’ll need time to master that power, but something tells me you’ll manage.”

Silvana’s eyes widened for a moment as she stepped forward.

“Lamor… I wanted to ask Arika about this, but… I’ve only just had the chance.”

Lamor looked at her over his eyebrow with a slight smile. He knew what she wanted to ask.

“Sure, go on. Don’t be afraid. As an Operator, I’m ready to help.”

Silvana gulped as her lips trembled.

“H-How…? How does it work? You and Arika… You’re literally a Phantom’s weapon, right? I mean, are you still human, or a weapon, or…”

“Calm down.” Lamora’s deep voice rang out. “Don’t think of it as some kind of mutation or strange transformation. You’ll still be you. Look, it’s too early for you to be thinking about this, but it’s obvious you’re worried, Silvana. So, I’ll explain one thing to you.”

Tap.

Lamor opened his palm as an amber light emerged, along with the hilt of Kamora’s hammer.

“As you can see, I can summon her weapon, just as she can. My hand hasn’t turned into part of the hammer.”

Silvana nodded, her fists clenched.

“It’s not that Adam’s Nexus will absorb you, but rather that you’ll absorb a part of Adam’s powers and his weapon. Also, for this to happen, the bond between you must be at the highest level, so I wouldn’t call it a transformation, I’d call it something else.”

A serious glint flashed across Lamor’s eyes.

“As Adam’s Operator, you’ll take control of his weapon, and in return, you’ll swear to become his weapon, one that will always be with him. That’s the most accurate description I could give.”

Tap.

Something touched Lamor’s shoulder, and in the next moment, Kamora climbed onto his back, dangling her legs off his shoulders.

“Stop worrying about future problems, we’ve got other things to do!”

She pointed upward.

“We’re heading to the Nova Hail right now!”