MIGHT AS WELL BE OP Chapter 902: Spotlight

Anthony had been quietly observing Kingsley and Broth-ben’s conversation, his gaze lowered toward his own palm. His demeanor was tranquil, almost as if he were daydreaming, treating the surrounding dialogue as mere background noise. Slowly, he lifted a single finger. For a fleeting instant, Savor energy surged through it—subtle and quiet, yet possessing a weight far beyond its soft radiance. Before a single soul could blink, Anthony threw a casual punch into the empty air.

The strike itself appeared plain, lacking any dramatic stance or visible effort, yet the consequences were staggering. His effortless blow unleashed a devastating shockwave that tore the surrounding wind barrier to shreds. The atmosphere shrieked as a savage wave of pressure erupted outward. Everyone present felt the impact of the backlash; hair was tossed wildly, garments fluttered in the gale, and loose debris was sent tumbling across the earth as the shattered remnants of the barrier evaporated.

The entire vicinity fell into a sudden standstill.

It wasn’t only Anthony’s allies or Broth-ben who ceased their movements. Travelers wandering through the Simmerium, indigenous races of the Nodara Planet, merchants, and onlookers alike were frozen by a profound shock. An undeniable truth resonated with them all: a punch had just been thrown with enough raw power to forcibly demolish a wind barrier. Yet, not a single person had identified the source.

A heavy stillness lingered, only to be shattered moments later by whispers that quickly spiraled into a chaotic roar.

The native inhabitants of Planet Nodara fell into a state of frenzy. Excited voices clashed as they speculated wildly, their eyes scanning the area for the culprit. Many were convinced that a hidden Grandmaster had revealed themselves—an expert capable of manipulating the Laws of the Ramen Singularity Timeline through sheer force and comprehension. Some spoke in hushed, reverent tones, certain that a legendary figure had stepped out of seclusion for a brief moment.

Meanwhile, Aaaninja, Aura Nova, Vega, Veronica, Lucian, Altheria, and Kingsley could only gape at Anthony as if they were observing a demon in human form. Their expressions shifted from pure disbelief to total shock. Even Broth-ben, who took pride in his immense knowledge and stoicism, was left utterly speechless. In that moment, they were the only ones who understood the reality: this upheaval wasn't caused by a hidden Nodara master, but by the white-haired human standing calmly in their midst.

Broth-ben, the Brothkin, felt his thoughts grind to a halt. He was unable to process what he had just seen. Every fact he had confidently detailed just moments ago now seemed like meaningless drivel. Initially, he had insisted that Savor energy could not be awakened without cooking a meal that satisfied another. Yet, Anthony had manifested Savor energy on the spot, effortlessly debunking that claim.

Even worse, Broth-ben had just finished stating that it would take thousands of years and entire eras of Cultivation to master Savor energy enough to bend the Laws of the Ramen Singularity Timeline. The words were barely cold before Anthony proved him wrong once more, achieving the impossible with insulting simplicity.

‘What is wrong with this white-haired human named Anthony?’ Broth-ben’s mind spiraled in confusion. He couldn't comprehend how an individual could violate two fundamental Laws of the Ramen Singularity Timeline within just a few hours of arriving.

Although Anthony and his group hadn't formally introduced themselves to Broth-ben, the Brothkin had already memorized their names by eavesdropping on their banter.

‘Has my whole life been a delusion?’ he wondered, scanning Anthony from head to toe as if looking for a hidden secret. ‘I need to be extremely careful with my words around this bizarre human.’ He had attempted to brush off Anthony’s previous feat as a fluke, but the list of impossible achievements was growing too long to ignore.

Broth-ben’s mind wandered back to Anthony’s earlier comment, which he had dismissed as a joke. Anthony had claimed he would challenge the greatest chef to a ramen cooking duel. At the time, Broth-ben hadn't taken him seriously. Foreigners often made such arrogant boasts before either retreating in shame or being humiliated by even the most novice chefs.

But now...

‘Is he actually capable of doing it?’ After spending only a few hours with Anthony, Broth-ben found himself doubting his own understanding of reality.

"Aren't you overdoing the showmanship a bit?" Altheria remarked from the side, her green eyes narrowing at Anthony. Aaaninja had cautioned her to get used to Anthony’s absurd displays, but she found it impossible to stay calm. Even those familiar with his antics were floored. They had all been listening to the explanation of the Laws and felt the heavy pressure those Laws exerted on their physical bodies.

"You're just bitter because you don't possess my level of talent," Anthony countered with a playful smirk. Despite appearances, he wasn't trying to show off; he was simply putting Broth-ben’s claims to the test.

"But isn't this power of yours way too overpowered?" Veronica asked, her eyes locked onto Anthony’s hand as if expecting another explosion.

"Yeah," Vega chimed in, looking perplexed. "I thought your ability was to gain control over every energy, not to achieve perfect mastery over them instantly?" Even Lucian, who understood Anthony’s capabilities better than anyone, looked baffled.

Anthony shook his head with a calm expression. "I have accessed countless types of energies and have developed an absurd level of control over all of them," he explained, pausing for a moment before concluding with total confidence. "Given that experience, you surely didn't expect me to spend decades mastering a new one... did you?"

His explanation left the group in stunned silence. He made it sound trivial, but they knew the truth. Every energy was governed by distinct fundamental Laws and unique structures. Regardless of how casually Anthony described it, what he was doing defied all reason.

"We should probably stop talking to this guy," Altheria sighed. "He's just going to make us feel like untalented trash."

Anthony grinned. "You aren't trash," he said with a playful shrug. "But you are definitely less talented than me."

Aaaninja gave Anthony a stern look, a silent command to stop before he pushed his luck.

"We came to this Timeline to relax and enjoy ourselves before the big fight," Aura Nova interrupted, shaking her head. "Not for you to treat it like your personal playground." Even she, usually the most composed, had been rattled by Anthony’s performance.

Lucian Darkheart merely smiled from the sidelines. To him, this was the only possible outcome. Anthony was the protagonist. No matter how much he tried to keep a low profile or stay out of trouble, the world would always revolve around him. The spotlight belonged to the main character, whether he sought it or not.