MIGHT AS WELL BE OP

Chapter 991: ???’s Thoughts-2

The next moment, a smile broke across ???’s lips as he stared into the boundless nothingness surrounding him, the void itself seemingly reacting in subtle ripples to that rare expression.

”Why are you smiling?” Romulus asked, genuinely curious as to what could possibly amuse ??? at such a moment.

??? remained silent briefly before answering, ”I believe that for the first time since I created you and your siblings, for the first time since endlessness itself began stretching before me, I am... excited,” he stated in a calm, almost contemplative tone.

Romulus sat stunned for a fleeting moment before a faint smile curved his own lips, for he understood precisely where ??? was coming from. ??? would likely devote his attention to investigating this entity known as LORDTEE, pursuing the mystery with the same intensity he once reserved for crafting existence itself.

”It seems there may be an existence on my level without my awareness,” ??? continued, his voice steady yet laced with unmistakable intrigue.

”Or he might not exist at all, and you would merely be wasting your time,” Romulus replied without hesitation.

”Or this LORDTEE could be the Author Anthony has spoken about so often,” ??? countered smoothly.

Romulus arched an eyebrow. ”So you have two prevailing theories: first, a sibling on your level of power whom you never knew about, and perhaps neither of you could even perceive the other’s existence; second, that LORDTEE is the so called Author,” Romulus summarized calmly.

??? nodded. For the first theory, there appeared to be subtle parallels between Lucian and Anthony.

Their shared affection for anime, their love of novels and fictional narratives, their untimely deaths, their subsequent reincarnations, and even the acquisition of their respective systems, it all felt eerily symmetrical. It was as though another being, equally burdened by eternity and boredom, had reincarnated Lucian in the same manner ??? had reincarnated Anthony.

That possibility alone fueled his speculation.

??? could not deny the thrill coursing through his otherwise infinite and composed mind. The mere notion that something might exist beyond his perception, something anomalous and unaccounted for, sent a ripple of exhilaration through his being. The unknown, so rare in his existence, was intoxicating.

He was not some narrow-minded Heavenly Dao that would brand Lucian Darkheart a taboo simply because his Omniscience had been lightly challenged, nor would he attempt to erase Lucian to prevent unforeseen consequences. On the contrary, the anomaly fascinated him.

”What if it ultimately amounts to nothing?” Romulus asked thoughtfully.

??? fell silent, acknowledging that possibility. Indeed, it could all unravel into trivial coincidence. ”Then at the very least, I will have occupied myself and discovered something entertaining to pursue for a while,” he mused lightly, shaking his head with faint amusement.

Romulus nodded in acceptance, and for a moment, silence reclaimed the void. His thoughts drifted toward Lucian as memories replayed in his mind, every interaction Anthony had shared with the boy.

’Could there truly be an Author?’ he wondered. During the Starborn Tournament, Lucian had behaved as though he had known Anthony long before their official meeting, as though he possessed knowledge he should not have had. Romulus exhaled softly, almost as if tired by the very contemplation of a mortal’s complexity.

”What if you attempt to use the ability yourself?” Romulus suggested. ”After all, if you granted it and Lucian could activate it, you should theoretically be capable of doing so as well. Better yet, you could have Lucian invoke it once more and trace its origin.”

??? merely shook his head. ”Lucian Darkheart can only utilize that ability once and no more. Even Aaaninja can only invoke his River Of Time Personification a single time. Unless Lucian eventually reconstructs that ability through his own understanding, which will not occur anytime soon, if ever, so, I must conduct this exploration independently,” he explained. Despite his words, there was no frustration in his tone. On the contrary, he relished the autonomy of the pursuit.

He had discovered a new source of entertainment beyond Anthony and his friends.

Romulus sighed softly before nodding. ”I assume you will depart immediately,” he stated.

”Naturally. Why waste even a fragment of time?” ??? replied as something akin to a smirk formed upon his featureless void-like face.

”Very well. I will keep a closer eye on that boy, Lucian Darkheart,” Romulus declared.

”There is no need,” ??? responded calmly, and with that, he vanished from the nothingness, diving headfirst into his investigation. The moment he disappeared, a quiet smile formed on Romulus’ lips. He was pleased that ??? had finally found something to occupy his infinite existence.

Romulus lingered for a brief moment before he, too, dissolved from the void. This time, however, he did not reappear upon Vega’s head. Instead, he returned directly to Anthony’s soul plane.

Back on the planet where Anthony and the others had gathered, Klaus and Amara remained seated in absolute silence. While everyone else had rushed toward Lucian Darkheart and Aaaninja Chronisynth Eternos, they had stayed where they were, but for entirely different reasons.

Amara did not move because she shared no close bond with Lucian, Aaaninja, or even their families. There was neither attachment nor obligation compelling her forward.

Klaus, however, was immersed in thoughts that spiraled across an entirely different plane of contemplation. His mind raced as he attempted to comprehend what he had just witnessed. The final abilities Lucian and Aaaninja had activated transcended every known tier of power he had encountered throughout his long life.

At least the River Of Time was something he was aware of. Its existence, though mysterious, was not entirely alien to him.

But Lucian’s ability forced him to think far deeper. Klaus had never encountered anything so detached from the framework of existence itself.

Even when Lucian had been succumbing to backlash, Klaus had found himself completely immobilized, restrained by an overwhelming force that held him in place. He could not recall the last time he had felt such helplessness, the last time something had prevented him from moving at all.

Before the spar had begun, he had boldly declared that everyone should unleash their full arsenal of skills and abilities, assuring them that he would revive them all if necessary. But what if Lucian had truly died? What if Aaaninja had not intervened? What if Anthony had refrained from acting? What if the River Of Time had not responded? Lucian Darkheart would have perished under his supervision.

As for the mysterious book Lucian had summoned, Klaus did not dwell too deeply on it. He had been unable to perceive its cover or the words written within; everything about it had appeared blurred and inaccessible, not only to him but to everyone present, including ??? himself.

Thus, Klaus categorized the book as a higher level of power that he had yet to attain. Yet a question lingered persistently in his mind: how had a children like Lucian and Aaaninja acquired such incomprehensible abilities?

’The younger generation is simply too monstrous,’ he sighed internally, for he certainly had not possessed such terrifying capabilities at their age.

Amara remained silent, yet she could discern precisely what was troubling her husband without probing his thoughts directly. She had always been able to read Klaus effortlessly, understanding his inner turmoil merely by observing the subtle shifts in his expression.

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AUTHOR’S NOTE: Golden tickets? Super gifts? Am I a zombie? Am I dead? Ahh, I still have work tomorrow.