MIGHT AS WELL BE OP

Chapter 421: Severed Crown Of Echoes

Anthony stood unmoving, his gaze locked on both the man and the demon he had spoken to, his eyes focused.

His senses were on high alert, attuned to every subtle movement they made.

Each blink, every shift of muscle, even the faintest rise and fall of breath, he observed it all.

Seraphim had already perished on the previous floor, and who knew what dangers this floor held in store.

Although they had been told there were only five floors, it was never stated that this floor would be free of challenges.

Even if such a claim had been made, who could possibly believe the words of a stranger?

The man spoke once more, his white eyes scanning Kingsley and the others with a quiet intensity.

”So, Children of the Blue Planet”

He began, his voice calm yet carrying a weight,

”I will ask you the same question I posed to the demons over there. What are you here for?”

At the question, none of them responded immediately.

They shared an unspoken understanding, a tactical one, allowing Anthony to handle all negotiations.

After all, he was their captain.

”We are here for the same thing the demons seek”

Anthony said, his voice steady and his expression unreadable.

His hand rested casually at his side.

The beingʼs eyes glimmered, and his voice murmured, reverberating softly through the vast hall.

”You are also here for the Severed Crown of Echoes”

Anthony didnʼt bother to inquire about the Severed Crown of Echoes.

The answer could easily be accessed through his system later, whenever he chose to delve into it.

Besides, it didnʼt really matter what it was.

The simple fact that the demons were after it meant it was either dangerous or immensely powerful.

”No need to be so tense”

The man said, his gaze scanning the taut group before him.

”Fighting isnʼt permitted on this floor, unless I allow it”

Despite his words, the tension in the group did not dissipate.

Their muscles remained coiled, ready for action, like a group of predators lying in wait.

Seeing that his words had no effect, the manʼs smile only deepened, and he continued, unperturbed.

”Suit yourselves, then”

The smile lingered on his lips as he spoke again.

”Do you have any questions? You seem to have quite a few”

At this, Anthony turned to the group, his eyes silently asking if anyone had something to say.

They all shook their heads in response, offering no questions.

Anthony turned to face the man, his tone steady as he asked.

”What questions did the demons ask, and what answers did you give them?”

The question hung in the air for a few moments, but the man simply shook his head, his smile evident.

”I canʼt tell you that. Youʼll have to ask your own questions, child”

Anthonyʼs eyes narrowed slightly.

He understood the importance of gathering as much information as possible, especially when it came to the demons.

”Who are you? And where did you come from?”

Anthonyʼs voice cut through the air, steady and unwavering.

The manʼs smile lingered as he responded nonchalantly.

”I go by many names. Some call me The Eternal, The One, The Keeper, The Executioner. As for where Iʼm from, I hail from a distant higher galaxy. This realm is but a fragment of one of my planets”

The words spilled from him effortlessly, yet offered little real information.

Anthonyʼs mind raced as he processed the response.

ʼSuch overpowered names. Itʼs like the author has a tendency to introduce these godlike figures as easily as they throw in cabbagesʼ

But then his thoughts shifted to the latter part of the manʼs words.

ʼA higher galaxy? Are galaxies divided into levels? What are the classifications?ʼ

The questions churned in Anthonyʼs mind, each more pressing than the last.

Just as Anthony opened his mouth to speak again, the being interrupted.

”I know what youʼre about to ask”

He said, his tone calm and knowing.

”Youʼre too weak to comprehend the answers. Thereʼs nothing you can do with that information for now. But rest assured, when you grow strong enough, the answers will come to you naturally. You wonʼt have to seek them”

Anthonyʼs words caught in his throat.

He had wanted to press further, to learn more about this distant higher galaxy and the beings who hailed from it, but he knew the time was not yet right.

”How did you come to this galaxy? To this planet?”

Anthony asked, his curiosity piqued once more.

The being responded with unhurried patience.

”The realm moves of its own accord. I do not control where or when it appears. It may linger for a week in one galaxy, then vanish. Or it might stay for a year on a planet before it disappears. Its mechanisms are beyond my command”

Just as Anthony prepared to ask another question, the man casually waved his hand.

”That will be the final question”

He said, his tone shifting as if weary of the exchange.

”Nothing you ask will serve you. Besides, once you depart with the Severed Crown of Echoes, the realm will collapse and vanish”

The words hung in the air, signaling the end of the discussion.

”Now, obtaining the Severed Crown of Echoes is simple”

The man began, his voice calm yet commanding.

”All you must do is answer three riddles and explain how you arrived at your answers. Iʼm sure after the trials from the first floor to here, a challenge of the mind will be a welcome change”

Anthonyʼs eyes narrowed, his thoughts focused.

ʼRiddles? Well, at least itʼs better than having to fight himʼ

Anthony thought, his mind racing.

He knew that if they fought this man, it would end in death.

There was no doubt about that.

Despite the manʼs calm demeanor, every instinct in Anthony screamed that this was far from a straightforward challenge.

”What happens if we fail a riddle or canʼt answer it?”

Anthony asked cautiously, his gaze steady on the man.

”Simple”

The being replied with a smile.

”Nothing. You are simply ejected from the realm. No harm done”

The demonʼs voice cut in from the side.

”Your lowly kind arenʼt exactly known for your intellect. I suppose youʼll be ejected soon enough”

Anthony didnʼt even glance at the demon or acknowledge the taunt.

There was no need.

Demons were a cunning race, but cunning did not necessarily equate to intelligence.

ʼEven if the demons fail and are ejected, they will only wait for us outside the realmʼ

Anthony thought.

He wasnʼt concerned.

The demons would never leave empty-handed.

As soon as they stepped out of the realm, they would be met with an attack, he was certain of it.

But Anthony wasnʼt bothered by that.

”Letʼs answer this question and leave”

Anthony concluded with a confident smile.

With the Authority of Information and his system, he knew he could easily cheat his way through any riddle.

But deep down, he doubted he would even need to rely on them.

After all, his Divine Intelligence wasnʼt for show.