MIGHT AS WELL BE OP Chapter 897: The Ramen Singularity Timeline

A simple intention caused the multicolored river beneath them to ripple softly, mimicking a still pond disturbed by a stray leaf. The consistency of the River of Time shifted in an instant. The once fluid and spiritual currents began to grasp at them, transforming into something akin to sentient quicksand. No one in the party succumbed to panic. Lacking any fear or desire to resist, they offered only complete trust as the River of Time pulled them downward with deliberate slowness, until their physical forms were consumed and wiped from the surface.

Within moments, they departed the River of Time entirely, emerging inside the ramen timeline where Aaaninja had led them. The transition occurred with an almost unnatural smoothness. Aaaninja promptly retracted the temporal particles he had shielded them with, ensuring that no lingering residue from a foreign era remained on their bodies.

"You are free to open your eyes," Aaaninja spoke with a steady tone as soon as the process concluded.

Back upon the Celestial Planet, Anthony and Lucian stood together, their countenances remaining calm and undisturbed. Only a brief second of silence passed before Anthony broke it.

"It is time to depart. They have already arrived."

Lucian gave a small shake of his head before answering, "I will follow shortly after you. You are already familiar with the mechanics of my Reality Anchor ability." He didn't bother to question how Anthony was aware of the group’s arrival at their destination. He preferred not to contemplate the sheer quantity of broken and ridiculous abilities the man held in his possession.

"There is no need for that," Anthony remarked, a subtle grin appearing on his face. "If Aaaninja is capable of transporting people across different timelines, why should I be unable to do the same?"

After a short pause, Lucian let out a soft laugh. "That is a fair point, I suppose. Let us go, then."

Anthony rested his hand upon Lucian’s shoulder. In that heartbeat, Anthony’s view of existence flipped entirely. Reality unspooled before his vision, disintegrating into a myriad of threads—interlocking lines representing causality, position, and conceptual gaps. Anthony identified a specific strand trailing back toward Vega. With a mere thought, he annihilated the distance connected to that thread.

In less than the blink of an eye, both Anthony and Lucian vanished.

The moment they materialized, the voice of Aaaninja reached them. "You are free to open your eyes."

The remaining team members opened their eyes at the same time. Their initial observation was that Anthony and Lucian were already standing right there with them. However, they hardly gave the two men a second look. Their focus was immediately captured by something else.

They were suspended in the firmament.

Their eyes grew wide as the landscape revealed itself. The sight surrounding and beneath them was nothing short of staggering, possessing a beauty that defied any known standard of measurement. Words seemed insufficient to portray it.

Before anyone could utter a sound, a serene voice resonated through the atmosphere. "Welcome to the Ramen Singularity Timeline, specifically the Nodara Planet." As the voice spoke, the group whipped around to look behind them. They had been so mesmerized by the magnificent scenery that they had unintentionally dropped their guard. Hovering peacefully in front of them was a being possessing a poised and hospitable aura.

The figure was humanoid. Its skin possessed a deep, radiant caramel color. Glowing veins pulsed beneath its flesh like simmering liquid, and its heart beat with a slow, rhythmic thrum, reminiscent of a pot held just below a boil.

"There is no cause for alarm," Aaaninja clarified in a calm manner. "This individual is a tour guide provided by the River of Time. He shall be our guide throughout the duration of our visit."

Everyone gave a casual nod of comprehension.

Anthony fixed his gaze on Aaaninja for a second, his mind wandering. ‘How has this man managed to turn the River of Time into his subordinate?’ he mused. ‘First, he utilized it as a delivery service for a Time Shard. Now, he has effortlessly summoned a guide through it.’ Anthony shook his head, deciding to cease these thoughts before his mind became overwhelmed.

Aaaninja gave a nod to the hovering entity, indicating that he should proceed.

Taking the signal, the being spoke once more. "My name is Broth-ben, a member of the Brothkin race from the Nodara Planet. Since you are all visitors, I shall act as your guide." He stopped for a moment, granting them the time to fully digest his introduction.

The team was instantly captivated.

It felt as though they had discovered the ultimate timeline. Even the name of the species, Brothkin, was a perfect reflection of the world they occupied. Broth-ben’s very body appeared to be broth given a physical form, his existence entirely in harmony with his racial identity.

"Before the tour commences," Broth-ben added, "I should mention that not everyone in this world speaks your primary tongue. Therefore, I will provide memory crystals to help you learn and master our local language."

As he finished speaking, he lifted his caramel-toned hand. Eight memory crystals appeared in the air, floating softly toward the party. Every member took one and pressed it against their brow. Knowledge instantly surged into their consciousness, as the grammar, definitions, and subtleties of the Nodara tongue were perfectly integrated into their minds.

Without any delay, Broth-ben transitioned into the native tongue of the Nodara Planet. "Now that everything is prepared, I shall begin the tour in earnest."

The eyes of the group lit up with excitement. They were curious to discover what the Ramen Singularity Timeline held in store.

"Since we are currently positioned in the sky," Broth-ben noted, "we will start our journey here."

Everyone’s gaze naturally drifted upward.

"The sky in this realm is not blue, which many of you likely find familiar in your own timelines. Instead, it is a swirling gradient of amber, deep umber, pearl-white, and umami-black. It looks like layered broth when viewed from a higher state of perception." While he described it, the sky shifted slightly as if in response. "From time to time, steam-clouds pass through the air. These are not typical clouds, but rather thermal distortions in reality triggered by the boiling ley-lines beneath the planet's surface."

The group paid close attention, taking in every detail.

Once he finished describing the sky, Broth-ben pointed toward the celestial bodies above. "Next, the suns."

"On the Nodara Planet, there are three suns known as the Trinity of Heat," he stated. "The White Sun, Shio, cast a pale, clean light. It is the ruler of clarity, balance, and purity. The Red Sun, Miso, gives off a crimson-orange glow. It governs the concepts of fermentation, complexity, and aggression. Finally, the Black Sun, Tonkotsu, looks like a dark orb bordered by molten gold. It is the master of depth, richness, marrow, and the soul."

He paused for a heartbeat before continuing, "These three suns never achieve full alignment. However, ancient lore claims that if they ever do, the Final Broth will boil the entire timeline into a state of transcendence. The true meaning of that event is a mystery even to me."

The group gazed at the suns overhead, their thoughts naturally connecting the principles of ramen to the cosmic laws of this world. Broth-ben gave them a few moments to appreciate the sight before he moved on, gesturing toward the moons this time.

"There are nine moons in total," he explained. "Each one signifies a core element of ramen: noodles, broth, oil, tare, toppings, time, memory, heat, and balance. When specific moons cross paths, new varieties of ramen are born spontaneously throughout the world. These occurrences are among the most celebrated events on the Nodara Planet."

The team listened with profound awe, fully realizing they had entered a timeline unlike any they had ever known.