Chapter 1759: Barriers for humans and monsters

The fact that Zin would soon become a Lord came as a shock to Adam, but that was the reality.

"That... That was unexpected..." Adam muttered, his eyes still wide open.

Zin smiled, turning his gaze back to the Hollow Lands.

"I knew you’d react this way. Unlike me, you take every opportunity given to you, don’t you?"

Adam gulped. Before their fight, Adam had only heard of Zin, but they hadn’t met in person. However, a single battle in the arena was enough for them to understand each other.

"Yes. I won’t stop until I achieve my goal. To do that, I need to become as strong as possible!"

"Hahahahaha!" Kaerno laughed in a deep tone. "Many such cases! We all strive for goals that require strength, but what then, Adam? What is your endgame?"

Adam’s expression suddenly grew serious.

"Why?"

"Hmm?"

"Why should I think about that if I don’t even know if I’ll live to see my endgame? You’ll always find a way to keep yourself busy and have fun, but first you need to get rid of all the problems in your way."

Zin nodded.

"I agree. Though, in my case, new power would only bring me a lot of trouble."

He smiled, casting a curious glance at Adam.

"I hope you reach the level you desire very soon. I’m sure for someone with your will, it won’t be much of a problem. By the way, if you want, you can stay here for another two days."

Zin smirked.

"You’ll see what evolution to the Lord Level looks like from the front lines. I can promise you that."

Adam waved his hand irritably.

"I don’t even want to hear it. After you told me that you’ll become a Lord very soon, my whole world nearly came crashing down. If I see your evolution, I’ll think of nothing else for the next few weeks!"

With a glint in his eyes, Zin shrugged.

"As you wish. Anyway, you’re right. For you, it would just be a show and nothing more. As a Phantom, you wouldn’t be able to replicate my success. You have a different path."

Adam sighed heavily, looking around.

"Yeah, and I still have a lot of work ahead of me to reach the Second Rank."

"Hmm?" Zin raised an eyebrow. "Judging by your aura and the fact that you can use Dark Energy, you must be on the verge of the First Circle, aren’t you?"

Adam scratched the back of his head with a meaningful look.

"No, but I’m getting close."

Kaerno turned, his eyes deep. "You have only one condition left before you create your final Grand Star, right?"

Monsters had a different path of evolution, but it was no surprise that someone like Kaerno was aware of every stage. After all, he had lived in this world for hundreds of years and knew far more than a human like Adam.

"Yes." Adam’s gaze was full of determination. "I can’t know for sure, but I’m certain this will be my final condition and my last Grand Star."

"I see." Kaerno raised his head, looking at the lunar eclipse against the dark sky. "In that case, you won’t have long to wait. A series of difficult challenges lies ahead of you, but you’ve already covered most of the way to the Second Circle. There’s no doubt about that."

"Agh..."

Adam lay down on the ground, deciding to gaze at the unusual dark sky just as Kaerno had. The next time he’d be able to see it would be only when he returned to the Hollow Lands, and Adam wasn’t sure when that would happen.

"Yeah, but compared to Zin, I’m still very far behind. But that’s not the main problem."

"Then what is?" Zin glanced over his shoulder.

"Well, monsters have far more ranks than Phantoms, but not everyone in the Second Circle is equal. Even when I reach the Second Circle, there will be a real abyss in terms of power between the strongest Second-Rank Phantoms and me. I’ll have to do the same thing all over again. Another... equally long journey."

Zin’s expression remained calm, but Adam’s words stayed on his mind. Very soon, he would become one of the Lords, but at first, he would be just a Baron. Before the True Lords and the Fingers like Kaerno, that wasn’t enough.

"You’re wrong." Kaerno’s words caught them both off guard.

"Agh?"

"What does that mean?"

Kaerno smiled serenely.

"At the Second Circle, the power dynamic works differently. However, you’ll understand that very soon. One of you sooner than the other, but for neither of you will it be a long road to reach the next level. Then, when you ask yourselves how to become stronger, you’ll find the answer and remember my words."

Silence.

A moment of silence hung in the air while Adam and Zin pondered Kaerno’s words.

It seemed to Adam that there was no point in dwelling on this, but that wasn’t the case. He was already strong enough to understand that the higher the power level, the fewer differences there were between monsters and Phantoms.

At the very beginning of the journey, there are the K0-Phantoms and White Threat Level monsters, but at the Second Circle... here there are only Second Circle beings, and everything else is just details.

"Alright, I’ve learned a lot and gained a lot of knowledge, but..." Adam stood up from the ground, glancing at Zin and Kaerno. "It’s time for me to go home. My Operator is waiting for me."

Kaerno and Zin just exchanged a glance. They knew this would be a farewell. Adam no longer had any reason to be in the Hollow Lands, at least not now.

"Of course. I wish you luck, young man."

Zin nodded. "I hope I won’t have to wait long for you, Adam. You must reach the Second Circle before this World Wipe. Anything else I’ll count as a defeat on your part."

Adam’s eyes lit up as he turned toward the Citadel.

"You can count on it. I’ll do it in less than six years. Much faster. I know it!"