Endless Evolution: Last Star

The K3-Level.

It was the next level after K2 and was actually not the third level, but the fourth, since the Phantoms started from K0-Level.

Furthermore, K3-Level was very close to the true peak where the strongest Phantoms were. Every K3 Phantom had a chance to become a K4 one, and some of them reached Second Rank.

Sure, to get to K3-Level, a Phantom had a long way to go, but any Phantom who aspired to power saw himself reaching that level in the future.

Adam's eyes went wide, while Refesa's words echoed time after time in the depths of his mind.

"This is some nonsense... The First and the Second Wall, then create the Second Key and open the second keyhole... Is there some extra step?"

Refesa remained silent. She could answer his question, but she just didn't see the point of it. Her job was to perform a Gene Diffusion for them.

"You may not believe me, though not that it makes sense for me to lie to you, but without Gene Diffusion, K2-Level will be your maximum."

Sip.

Taking one last sip and finishing her coffee, Refesa took a bite from her donut and waved her hand.

"So, what will your answer be? You can leave and come back another time. For those who are ready to undergo Gene Diffusion, the Iron Observatory is always open."

Previously, Adam hadn't been willing to risk Silvana's safety, now there was a valid reason. Limiting his power as a Phantom would affect not only him but also their pair with Silvana.

Gritting his teeth and shaking his head, Adam raised his eyes to meet Silvana's gaze.

"We can't stop at one level because of some phantom risks. How many times have you found yourself in a deadly situation? My hesitation was a mistake and I don't do that anymore."

"Furthermore..."

Silvana's gaze grew darker and her lips moved ever slower beneath her downcast eyes, lurking wise emeralds.

"I want to get better too... I don't know what's in store for us, but genes and energy... that's what the power of Phantoms and monsters is made of. I too want to feel like I'm something more than a support and a guide..."

Stina standing behind didn't say anything, she remained silent with her arms folded at her waist, realizing how important this moment was to them.

This was nothing new to Refesa, but she was curious as to how they would react and what decision they would make.

'Adam Vinter... The likes of you or Fromund Aegler, Katrin, or Alexia... You're getting a lot of attention because you're performing better than most. But, Gene Diffusion requires the efforts of both Phantom and Operator.'

'And... as practice shows. More often than not, things fall apart because of Operators. Unlike the Phantoms, who have no choice but to fight and seek power, the Operators themselves chose their path. They have more freedom, but more freedom means more responsibility, which many of them are not ready for.'

After a few moments of lingering silence, Adam slowly stood up, directing his gaze to Refesa, who was now below him.

"Gene Diffusion. We'll do it, but I want to know why here? Why is something so important happening at the Iron Observatory?"

He realized that it wasn't some kind of necessity, as it was Phantom's method to become stronger and reach K3-Level. It couldn't have anything to do with technology or any particular place.

Refesa calmly shrugged her shoulders as she slowly headed towards the exit.

"Well, technically you can do this anywhere, in your home, on the street, or in the Dead Lands. However, if you fail, there will be a massive energy blast."

She extended her hand, showing two fingers.

"As I said there are two options for failure. In the first, the blast will be so powerful that it will destroy everything in a 10 to 20-meter area, meaning your house or a few buildings around it. In the second, where the Operator dies, the explosion will be 70 to 150 meters. I think you realize that Gene Diffusion on the streets of the Citadel is out of the question."

Adam narrowed his eyes, Refesa's calm and nonchalant demeanor was both annoying and tense.

"Why not a Dead Lands?"

"Hah, if you want you can go there, but your energy fluctuations will attract monsters. Some of them will probably be scared and won't risk it, but for others, it will be a challenge."

Then, Refesa turned around with a sly grin on her face.

"And, even if it's someone noble like Steel Knight or eager for a bloody battle like Thunder Demon, they'll wait until you're done, but then... you'll be in the center of the fight. Both of you." Stay updated with My Virtual Library Empire

A shiver ran through Adam's body, he realized that taking such a risk made no sense.

"Long ago, before there were special places, Phantoms often went through Gene Diffusion in the fields of the Second Ring or the far reaches of the Dead Lands under the protection of other Phantoms."

Refesa paused for a moment as if remembering something.

"However... that is no longer necessary."

The military had special protective chambers, but not like Refesa's, and it was also important to keep the information about Gene Diffusion a secret, to keep the military or government officials from finding out about it.

The Iron Observatory had everything they needed, and also Refesa was the one who knew most of the secrets about both the Citadel and their world, so it became the best option for the last few decades.

Adam and Silvana gave one last glance before nodding deeply, waiting to see where this decision would take them.

...

Click.

After a long plunge, the elevator doors slowly opened leading Adam, Silvana, Refesa, and Stina into a huge room - all white.

Refesa reached forward, showing them her creation, one of the few she was proud of.@@novelbin@@

"I call it White Cube, I don't often give my creations names that have anything but numbers in them. The special thing about this place is that behind every white slab lurks an artifact there are hundreds of them here."

Adam's eyes went wide.

"What...? You use artifacts...?"

"Well, let me put it this way. Phantoms use artifacts, I rather exploit them. They will absorb energy, any amount of it. What's more, though it's been a real mountain of trouble, we were able to move an External Artifact here a couple of years ago."

Adam turned slowly, looking at her in disbelief.

"External Artifact... as well as..."

"Yeah." Refesa nodded, "Just like the one we have at the Moon Colosseum."