Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 2074: Bad news for the stars (Part 2)

While Adam and Silvana recounted what had happened to Fromund and Arayna, Joarxa, Erik, and Kogen stood off to the side.

“Well, for some reason, I’m not surprised it was you who did that.” Erik sighed heavily.

Kogen said nothing. He’d found a new snack for himself and was about to eat everything on the tray before joining the conversation.

“Pfffft! Don’t blame me for this.” Joarxa snorted before taking another sip. Her champagne bottle was already nearly empty, and her eyes scanned the room for the next one.

She waved her hand dismissively.

“Sooner or later, they would have found out anyway. Besides, this always happens with Adam Vinter. There are so many powerful Phantoms around him that he learns important secrets before he’s supposed to.”

Kogen nodded.

“Yeah, what she’s saying makes sense. Also, he’s almost a Second Rank Phantom. Everyone knows that, that’s exactly why he’s here and holds the title of the Present Star.”

Scratch. Scratch. Scratch.

Erik scratched the back of his head with a complex expression. He wasn’t sure it was a good thing that Adam had found out about this right here and now.

“There’s a lot of pressure and high expectations on all of them, but now they’ll be thinking about what dangers might lie ahead for them in the next few years.”

In response, Joarxa spread her arms wide.

“If they want to survive until the next World Wipe, they’d have to go through this anyway. At least now they’ll start thinking about what to do.”

“Ah…” Erik sighed deeply. “Maybe you’re right about that. At least in the case of those two. Any difficulties are just extra motivation for them, but other Stars might not react so well.”

Kogen glanced at Erik.

“Are you talking about Skara and Baren?”

Erik touched the back of his neck.

“Yeah, and not just them. They’re no fools, they figured out what Joarxa was talking about, too. Baren was sure the worst trial of his life was already behind him, and Skara isn’t ready yet. She needs a few more fights to reach their level.”

Kogen shrugged.

“When I found out about this, I didn’t care either way.”

“Huh, of course, you found out about it when you were already a Second Rank Phantom. Your evolution and speed were so insane that the Befallen Crown didn’t even have time to decide what to do with you. Though…”

Erik’s voice grew lower, and a cold gleam flashed across his crimson eyes.

“You’re the only head of the Twelve Branches for whom this World Wipe will be the first.”

“And?” Kogen’s carefree expression didn’t waver.

Erik narrowed his eyes.

“Are you ready? You know that, to some extent, you, Adam, Baren, and all the other Stars are in the same group, despite your differing power levels.”

In the blink of an eye, the space around them changed. The brightly lit banquet hall vanished as darkness took its place, along with a horde of terrifying monsters woven from turquoise energy.

Kogen’s turquoise eyes shone brightly.

“Of course. I know what the Befallen Crown wants, and I’m eagerly awaiting their visit. I’m tired of waiting, because when they show up, something interesting will finally happen.”

“Brrrrrk!” Joarxa belched, paying no attention to Kogen’s intimidating aura. “Yeah, that bastard has nothing to worry about. The Lords will run away from him in fear, well, most of them.”

Then, she swept the bottle across the banquet hall as all the Stars who had already arrived at Radiant Branch came into her line of sight.

“The same can’t be said about them.”

Erik pinched the bridge of his nose, frowning.

“Hh… Alright, let’s get back to the event. After all, we’re not here to scare the younger generation. And Joarxa, for fuck’s sake, watch what you say.”

She shrugged and took a swig from the bottle.

“Can’t promise anything.”

…

“Wait…” Fromund frowned, staring at a single spot on the table. “Did she really say that?”

Adam nodded.

“Yes. It seems the reason isn’t that K4-Phantoms are unable to reach the Second Circle, but that once they become Second Rank Phantoms, they don’t live long enough.”

Arayna bit her lip with a grim expression. She had listened carefully to Adam and Silvana, and she didn’t like what she’d heard at all.

“So you’re saying that what our Citadel needs isn’t just a new Second Rank Phantom, but a Second Rank Phantom that can survive long enough? But what exactly does that mean?”

Silvana shook her head.

“We don’t know. Sure, one could assume that the new Second Rank Phantoms die on missions or something like that, but that sounds silly and unrealistic.”

Adam was thinking the same thing.

There had to be something that could explain Joarx’s words. There had to be something preventing humanity from obtaining a new Second Rank Phantom who would remain in their ranks for a long time, for many hundreds of years.

Then, Adam’s eyes widened as he recalled his conversation with Aiden.

The others noticed the change in Adam’s expression as they turned toward him.

“Have you figured something out, Adam?” Fromund asked.

Before answering, Adam turned to Silvana. A moment later, she nodded. They decided that Fromund and Arayna could hear them.

“Yes, but… before that, I’d like to ask you something, Fromund. How much longer do you have until the Second Circle? How soon can you become a Second Rank Phantom?”

Fromund thoughtfully touched his chin.

“Well, I still haven’t gathered all the Anchors, and like everyone else, I need to break through the Grand Barrier. But I think that if I give it my all, I’ll be able to do it within the next few years, before the World Wipe.”

“So, are you a Present Star?” Adam decided to clarify.

Fromund nodded.

“Something like that. When I was invited here, they told me that would be my title. Though, you know me, it doesn’t mean much to me.”

Adam touched his temples as his heart began to beat faster.

After that, he looked intently at Fromund and Arayna.

“What do you know about the Zero War? It seems… that we’re the cause of this war.”