MIGHT AS WELL BE OP Chapter 906: Different Definition Of The Peak

Once their transactions were finalized, the group exited the establishment. Broth-ben took the lead as he always did, maintaining a composed and steady stride. Trailing a few paces behind him, Anthony and his companions followed at a leisurely speed, navigating through the vibrant and busy environment.

"Don't you think you guys are overdoing it with the reality-warping?" Altheria remarked while walking, her hand gripped firmly by Aaaninja as they moved in unison. Her voice held a hint of skepticism mixed with genuine interest. "Aura Nova twisted reality, Anthony reshaped it, and Lucian just erased it from existence. Isn't that a bit extreme just to pay for some spices?" she questioned, looking over at them as they proceeded.

"We simply utilized the tools at our disposal," Aura Nova answered with a calm shake of her head. "It's not like we had the spices tucked away in our space rings and decided to go overboard anyway." She paused for a second before letting out a soft chuckle. "Besides, you're one to talk. Your boyfriend literally forced the River of Time to foot his bill, so you shouldn't be the one lecturing us." Her gentle laughter punctuated the joke, keeping the atmosphere lighthearted.

Veronica turned her pale eyes toward Kingsley, who was walking in total silence. "The part I don’t get," she mused, "is how you handled your payment. You lack any form of energy, mana, or anything similar, yet reality still buckled, portals manifested, and spices rained down with your name engraved on every single one." She studied him with an expression of honest bewilderment.

Kingsley met her gaze with his golden eyes but merely shook his head, offering no explanation. The group watched him for a moment, but realizing he had no desire to clarify the situation, they decided not to push for answers.

'He really is the darling of the Universe,' Anthony thought to himself as he walked with effortless grace. He was the only one who truly grasped that the Universe itself had, in the most literal sense, paid the debt on Kingsley’s behalf.

'I can only imagine what kind of broken martial techniques the author gave this guy,' Lucian pondered as they moved forward. 'I guess we'll find out once the Ramen Singularity Timeline arc is over.' His mind briefly drifted toward the inevitable conflict that awaited them at the conclusion of this strange detour.

"So, Broth-ben, why don't you tell us a bit about yourself?" Aura Nova inquired from the front, her voice laced with intrigue. Under normal circumstances, she would have simply analyzed the Brothkin without his permission, but after her eyes had literally exploded from trying to peak at Romulus, she had learned her lesson... for the time being. However, she knew her own nature well enough to realize that her insatiable curiosity would eventually make her forget that pain.

Aura Nova could sense that Broth-ben was a concealed powerhouse, but she couldn't verify it without an analysis. Since she had chosen to abstain from that, she went with the direct approach.

Broth-ben’s footsteps faltered for a heartbeat before he resumed his walk as if nothing had occurred. The brief hesitation did not go unnoticed by the group. With a soft sigh, he began to speak. Typically, he never discussed his personal history with the tourists he escorted; since starting his tenure as a guide, he had never revealed anything more than his name. Yet, he possessed an innate understanding that Anthony and his friends were different—possessing a level of power far beyond what a casual observer could see.

"There is nothing particularly remarkable about me..." he started slowly. "I was once just like the rest. I traveled between Simmeriums, brimming with ambition and endless vitality. In those days, I hunted for forgotten recipes, chased every volcanic eruption, braved the depths of the Endless Broth Seas, and stood against Kings, Emperors, and the most legendary chefs of the various continents." He stopped for a moment, seemingly lost in the theater of his memories.

Anthony and the others remained quiet, allowing him to speak without interruption.

"But nowadays, everything feels... hollow to me," Broth-ben went on. "I climbed to the very peak of the Ramen Singularity Timeline, discovering billions of Ramen-making arts, tens of thousands of spices, and countless secret recipes." As he spoke, Savory energy began to swirl around his fist. With a casual motion that mirrored Anthony’s previous display, he struck the air. The space in front of him shattered, creating a shockwave that sent the group's hair and garments whipping through the wind.

"At this point, there is no rival left to challenge me, no one to drive me further... assuming there even is a 'further' to reach." He looked upward, his eyes piercing through the invisible layers of reality that anchored the Ramen Singularity Timeline. "To most, this timeline is a place of life, passion, and warmth, and that is true. But for someone at my level, it feels like a cage—one I am unable to escape to see what lies beyond. I often wonder if there are other Ramen techniques out there, waiting in the unknown." His voice grew quiet as he spoke with nostalgia.

"So, having run out of goals and growing tired of the weight of immortality, I chose to become a tour guide," he explained. "I am certain that no one understands the intricacies of the Ramen Singularity Timeline better than me. By doing this, I can reconnect with the essence of Ramen, remember the lower stages I once occupied, and rediscover the love for the craft itself." A faint smile touched his face, as if he were finally releasing truths he had kept hidden for eons.

Anthony and his companions were somewhat taken aback by the revelation, though they kept their expressions neutral. In reality, they related to his perspective all too well. Many who attain the summit find themselves plagued by boredom when there is no higher stage to ascend to. They simply hadn't expected someone to solve that boredom by guiding tourists, though they suspected he had other motives as well.

"Is there truly no one who can rival your Ramen cooking?" Anthony asked as they walked. "I mean, someone who stands on the same level as you."

Broth-ben glanced at him before answering, "There were others, once. But as I grew stronger, I surpassed them all, until I hit the absolute ceiling of the Ramen Singularity Timeline. Currently, I am the only one standing at this height." He gave a small shake of his head.

Anthony looked toward Aaaninja and commented, "The River of Time really managed to hire the best possible guide for our trip."

Aaaninja merely shook his head without a word, being just as surprised by Broth-ben’s true identity as the rest.

As their journey continued, the group couldn't help but contemplate if they would eventually be haunted by the same stagnation upon reaching the top. None of them questioned their ability to get there; they had the inherent talent and potential—except, perhaps, for Altheria and Veronica.

Ultimately, everyone’s perception of the peak varied. To Altheria, the Planetary level might represent the height of power, while Aaaninja and the others viewed the Universe itself as the final goal. Lucian and Anthony, however, looked even further, toward the mysterious ??? and the Author, whom they recognized as the true ultimate pinnacle.