MIGHT AS WELL BE OP Chapter 1118: Immortality
Previously on MIGHT AS WELL BE OP...
Anthony was in a deep slumber, his chest gently rising and falling beneath a crimson duvet. His breathing was serene and measured, as if the world around him held no sway over his fleeting state of repose. Moments later, his eyelids fluttered open, a yawn escaping his lips, making him appear as any ordinary individual rather than a human capable of obliterating planets and constellations with effortless ease, should he so choose.
After a languid stretch, extending his limbs as if testing their boundaries, he sat up. His cerulean eyes lazily scanned the room, but his expression remained placid upon noticing a man standing calmly, awaiting his awakening without a hint of impatience. The man was attired in a sharp, immaculate butler's uniform, a crisp white towel meticulously folded over one arm.
It was the Null family's butler, Patrick.
"Uncle Patrick, what brings you here?" Anthony inquired, a touch of surprise in his composed tone. While Anthony had indeed sensed the butler's presence, his senses, far surpassing ordinary capabilities, hadn't bothered to rouse him due to his complete trust in the man. Had it been an assassin or any hostile entity, they would have been detected and dealt with long before setting foot inside the Null family estate.
"Good morning, Young Master. I trust you rested well," Butler Patrick greeted with a precise, habitual bow.
Anthony paused before responding, "Indeed. It seems no matter how powerful one becomes, sleep remains undefeated." He spoke as he swung his legs off the bed, his voice thoughtful and steady.
Of course, sleep hadn't truly conquered him; he had willingly succumbed to it. Yet, the fact that it could still affect him at this level highlighted its profound mystery, an enigma that defied easy understanding despite their immense power.
'I wonder if the Dream Realm is a tangible place,' Anthony mused, his mind wandering into abstract curiosity. 'Should I visit?' After a brief contemplation, he lightly shook his head, dismissing the thought for the moment. His attention then returned to the butler before him.
"But really, Uncle Patrick, why are you here? How did you know I was here?" Anthony pressed, as he had suppressed his presence almost entirely.
"There is no particular reason, Young Master. Truthfully, I did not know you were here. I simply clean every room each morning without fail, so I discovered you here. I chose to wait until you awoke, as I was certain you would vanish before I could return," Butler Patrick replied with a calm demeanor.
Anthony nodded and proceeded towards the bathroom without further comment.
"Would you care for breakfast, Young Master?" Butler Patrick inquired respectfully.
"I would, actually." Anthony confirmed. Throughout his time with Bryan and the others, they had neglected to eat, their ability to subsist on mana alone for extended periods causing them to forget about sustenance.
Butler Patrick bowed and departed to prepare the meal, intending to serve it once Anthony finished his bath.
Within minutes, Anthony emerged from the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist. He briefly appraised himself in the mirror before selecting his attire. Immediately afterward, Butler Patrick presented the food, as if anticipating Anthony's readiness, his timing impeccable.
"So, why are you here, Uncle Patrick?" Anthony asked. "Don't you have your own life, friends, family, perhaps spending time with my parents?" His question was genuine, as the butler seemed to reside within the Null Estate year-round.
"I have no friends, Young Master. As for my family, they all passed away from old age," Butler Patrick responded calmly. The nature of his tone suggested that the deaths of his family members were not recent events but likely occurred centuries ago, if not longer.
"I am sorry to hear that," Anthony said, his gaze shifting from his plate to Butler Patrick, a subtle hint of empathy in his eyes.
"There is no need for sorrow, Young Master," Butler Patrick replied, a faint smile gracing his lips as if to reassure Anthony that he was genuinely at peace.
Anthony's mind drifted to his own parents and grandparents, contemplating if he would eventually find himself in Uncle Patrick's position, alone after outliving all his loved ones. He pondered the meaning of existence then, but these questions remained unspoken, hidden beneath his calm demeanor as he ate, with Butler Patrick standing by his side.
Unable to resist, Anthony opened his OP System Shop, seeking the price of Immortality, which presented itself as the most straightforward solution. However, the cost displayed made his heart pound erratically. A wide array of Immortality options were available, each with an exorbitant price tag.
'What if I utilized the Authority Of Severance to eliminate the concept of aging itself?' Anthony considered. Simultaneously, he acknowledged that his current control over this Authority wasn't sufficient to sever such a fundamental concept, one so intricately tied to the very essence of Life and Death.
Ultimately, the method mattered little. He resolved to either enhance his mastery over the Authority Of Severance or, once his wealth permitted, purchase every form of Immortality simultaneously, ensuring his parents and grandparents received the best without hesitation.
Yet, a new thought surfaced: What if they refused Immortality? While he couldn't be certain of their decision, the possibility lingered that they might choose differently.
'I should cease fretting about the future; it's not as if I can bestow immortality today or tomorrow,' Anthony reflected, a slight shake of his head accompanying his thoughts.