MIGHT AS WELL BE OP Chapter 900: Explode

The party proceeded with their tour, wandering past various edifices that took the form of ramen bowls, towering noodle stacks, and twisting structures like coiled pasta. By this point, the group was no longer startled. What would have normally been perceived as ridiculous now felt entirely logical within this Timeline, as if the very laws of reality had decreed that ramen was the foundation of all existence.

As they moved, they crossed paths with individuals from a multitude of races, each possessing a unique aura and appearance. Anthony found himself staring at beings he had never encountered before. Despite his extensive history of interstellar travel, he couldn't recognize a single species. They certainly did not originate from the Acarnis Galaxy, a place typically ruled by Humans, Dragons, Celestials, and other known entities.

Anthony concluded that, much like himself, these people were merely visitors from afar.

"I’m tempted to just settle down here," Aura Nova remarked casually. She walked with a light, graceful gait, her face glowing with sincere wonder.

"I suspect Rain would be quite miserable," Altheria teased with a playful grin. "Or even better, Valak—who is completely smitten with you—would either cry forever or simply move here to be with you."

Aura Nova offered a simple smile in response to the jest but remained silent, her quietude more expressive than any words.

Turning his attention toward Vega, Anthony spoke with a soft and earnest tone. "If it pleases you, we could visit a place like this for a date."

Vega’s eyes shimmered like twin stars at his suggestion. "Yes... oh, yes!" she agreed instantly, her joy impossible to suppress. "And if you can, could you find one centered around cake? Maybe a cake Timeline, or even an ice cream Timeline!" she added, her voice rising with infectious enthusiasm.

Anthony let out a soft laugh, reaching out to playfully pinch her cheeks as his grin widened. "Of course. I don’t see why that wouldn't be possible."

Aaaninja Chronisynth Eternos, who had been eavesdropping with growing bewilderment, finally chimed in. "How exactly do you plan to acquire the Timeline coordinates for such a place?" he asked, his interest piqued. "Even for me, I only managed to get mine through the River of Time."

Anthony’s sky-blue eyes drifted away from Vega as he answered in a composed, cryptic manner. "Just as you have your access to the River of Time, I possess my own methods." A subtle smirk played on his lips.

Lucian gave Anthony a long look before simply shaking his head. He didn't need to speculate or overthink to figure out Anthony’s plan. Lucian was well aware that Anthony’s ridiculously broken system included a shop feature. Purchasing a Timeline coordinate from such a source would be effortless.

Aaaninja’s iridescent, clock-like eyes shifted toward the silent Lucian. "You appear to know exactly how Anthony intends to do this," Aaaninja observed, stating it as a fact.

Lucian Darkheart hesitated for a split second. He considered feigning ignorance, but decided there was no point in deception. "I am indeed aware of that detail," he confirmed boldly, a confident smirk appearing.

Aaaninja continued to watch him, waiting for an explanation, but Lucian only shook his head. "Regrettably, I cannot share that with you, or anyone else."

Aaaninja paused and then nodded, choosing not to push the matter. It didn't truly concern him; if he wished, he could just petition the River of Time for a new Timeline, and it would provide an answer without delay.

Anthony’s gaze moved toward Lucian. He had overheard the exchange, and thanks to his All Seeing Eyes, he knew Lucian wasn't lying. This realization, however, left him deeply unsettled.

’Is he aware of the system?’ Anthony pondered.

He dwelled on the thought for a moment before dismissing it with a shake of his head. He had never revealed the existence of the system or his reincarnation to a soul—not to Vega, his parents, or even his grandparents. There was no logical way for Lucian to have that knowledge.

Suddenly, a flash of golden light erupted above Vega’s head. A small figure radiating a regal, commanding aura appeared, floating down to sit upon Vega’s head as if it were a royal throne. With hair of spun gold and piercing golden eyes, his very presence commanded respect and dignity.

"It has been some time, Vega," Romulus, the Divine Flame, said calmly.

"Romulus! You’ve finally shown yourself!" Vega cried out happily. She had always shared a bond with Romulus, but he had been absent for a long duration. Romulus’s golden gaze flicked toward Akira, who was perched on Aura Nova’s head, before he looked away indifferently.

"Who is this handsome spirit?" Aura Nova inquired, her eyes dancing with interest. As usual, her curiosity took the lead. Almost by reflex, she triggered her Omniedit ability.

The instant she did, her eyeballs violently burst. Blood and mangled tissue sprayed into the air, splashing onto the floor. The sound of the rupture was sickening.

A heavy silence fell over the group as they struggled to process the gruesome sight. Akira’s black and white fur stood on end as she let out a sharp hiss. Her fangs were bared as she glared at Romulus, her muscles coiled like a spring ready to strike.

Aura Nova reached up slowly, gently stroking Akira’s soft head. "It's alright, Akira... the spirit isn't to blame."

Despite the comfort, Akira’s dark eyes remained fixed on Romulus with pure hatred, looking as though she wanted to shred him. Romulus, however, ignored the cat entirely. His previous glance had been nothing more than passing interest. Now that he had perceived the entirety of Akira’s being, she was of no concern to him.

"Sigh... I always suspected your curiosity would lead to trouble, Aura Nova," Veronica remarked, shaking her head in disapproval.

Aura Nova offered no verbal reply. She simply smiled as a fresh pair of eyes manifested where the old ones had been. The gore on the ground vanished instantly, wiped from reality as if the accident had never occurred.

"Aura Nova," Anthony interjected, "this is Romulus, the Divine Flame. He is the entity I summoned to battle the Spirit King during the Starborn Tournament."

Anthony’s explanation served to satisfy the curiosity of Kingsley and Altheria as well, finally answering their unspoken questions.

Aura Nova already understood the reason for her eyes exploding. She had tried to perceive something that was beyond her right to analyze. Romulus hadn't actually attacked her; if anything, he had provided a form of salvation. The moment she attempted to scan him, she felt the cold touch of absolute death, yet she had been spared. She didn't need a description to know the truth: Romulus had protected her from her own recklessness.

Aaaninja had once cautioned her against trying to analyze the River of Time, yet she had just attempted to scrutinize a being that existed far beyond even that power.