MIGHT AS WELL BE OP Chapter 906: Different Definition Of The Peak
Previously on MIGHT AS WELL BE OP...
Once the transactions were settled, the group exited the establishment. Leading the way with his typical composed and unhurried stride was Broth-ben. Anthony and the rest of the companions trailed a few paces behind, maintaining a leisurely rhythm as they navigated the crowded terrain.
"Don't you think you're all exploiting reality a bit excessively?" Altheria remarked while walking, her hand clasped firmly in Aaaninja’s. Her voice held a blend of mild skepticism and genuine wonder. "Aura Nova warped reality, Anthony manipulated it, and Lucian simply erased it. Isn't this a bit extreme just to buy some spices?" she questioned, casting a look toward them as they progressed.
"We utilized the techniques at our disposal," Aura Nova answered with a calm shake of her head. "It's not as if we possessed the spices within our space rings and chose to be dramatic anyway." She paused for a second before letting out a soft chuckle, "Besides, you shouldn't talk. Your boyfriend literally forced the River of Time to cover his costs, so don't start preaching to us." Her light laughter echoed through the air, keeping the atmosphere jovial.
Veronica turned her pale eyes toward Kingsley, who was walking in total silence. "What baffles me," she mused aloud, "is the nature of your payment. You lack energy, mana, or any similar power, yet reality still distorted, rifts opened, and spices rained down with your name engraved on every single one." She observed him closely, her expression filled with authentic 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 mystery, they decided not to push for answers.
'He truly is the favored child of the Universe,' Anthony thought to himself as he walked with ease. He alone grasped the truth: the Universe itself had physically paid the debt on Kingsley's behalf.
'I can't help but wonder what broken martial skills the author bestowed upon this man,' Lucian pondered as they moved forward. 'I imagine we will see the truth once we conclude this Ramen Singularity Timeline.' His mind drifted toward the inevitable conflict that would follow the end of this strange excursion.
"So, Broth-ben, why not share your story with us?" Aura Nova inquired from the front, her curiosity piqued. Under normal circumstances, she would have analyzed the Brothkin without his permission, but since her eyes had literally exploded when she tried to inspect Romulus, she had learned her lesson... for the time being. She knew her own nature well enough to realize that this caution would eventually vanish, consumed by her thirst for knowledge.
Aura Nova suspected Broth-ben was a concealed expert, but she couldn't verify it without a proper analysis. Since she had sworn off that method, she chose the direct approach of asking.
Broth-ben’s gait faltered for a split second before he resumed walking as if nothing had occurred. The hesitation did not go unnoticed by the group. With a soft sigh, he began to speak. Usually, he never revealed personal details to the tourists he escorted; throughout his career, he had shared nothing more than his name. However, he sensed—no, he understood—that Anthony and his companions were different, possessing a strength far beyond the perception of ordinary beings.
"There is nothing remarkable about me..." he started slowly. "I was once like any other. I traveled from Simmerium to Simmerium, overflowing with ambition and boundless Qi. In those days, I hunted for forgotten recipes, chased volcanic eruptions, explored the depths of the Endless Broth Seas, and stood against Kings, Emperors, and the finest chefs of the world." He fell silent for a moment, seemingly lost in his own history.
Anthony and the others remained quiet, allowing him to speak without interruption.
"But today, it all feels monotonous... to me," Broth-ben continued. "I ascended to the summit of the Ramen Singularity Timeline, discovering billions of Ramen-making arts, thousands of unique spices, and countless recipes." As he spoke, Savory energy surged and coiled around his hand. With a casual motion that mirrored Anthony’s earlier display, he struck the air. The space in front of him shattered, creating a shockwave that sent their hair and garments whipping through the wind.
"Now, I have no rivals left to challenge me, no one to force me to grow... if there even is a 'further' to reach." He looked upward, his eyes piercing the invisible layers of reality that anchored the Ramen Singularity Timeline. "To most, this timeline is vibrant with life and passion, and it is. But to me, at this Cultivation level, it is a cage I cannot escape to see what lies beyond. I wonder if there are other Ramen arts out there, waiting in the unknown." He paused again, his tone turning nostalgic.
"So, having nothing left to achieve and growing tired of an immortal existence, I chose to be a tour guide," he explained. "I am certain that no one understands the Ramen Singularity Timeline better than I do. In this role, I can reconnect with the essence of Ramen, the lower stages I once occupied, the passion for the craft, and the love of the journey itself." A faint smile crossed his face, as if he had finally released secrets kept for eons.
Anthony and his friends were somewhat surprised by the revelation, though they kept their expressions neutral. They understood his plight perfectly. Many who reach the absolute peak suffer from profound boredom when no greater stage exists. They simply hadn't expected someone to solve that boredom by guiding tourists, though they guessed he had other motives as well.
"Is there truly no one who can challenge you in the art of Ramen?" Anthony asked as they walked. "I mean, someone truly on your level."
Broth-ben glanced at him briefly before answering, "There were others in the past. But as I improved, I surpassed them all, until I hit the ceiling of the Ramen Singularity Timeline. Currently, I am the only one at this height." He gave a slight shake of his head.
Anthony looked toward Aaaninja and commented, "The River of Time certainly found us the most qualified guide possible."
Aaaninja merely shook his head without a word, as he had been just as unaware of Broth-ben’s true status.
As they traveled on, the group wondered if they too would be haunted by such boredom upon reaching the top. None of them doubted their ability to get there; they had the talent and the Foundation... with the possible exception of Altheria and Veronica.
Ultimately, the definition of the "peak" varied for each of them. Altheria might see the Planetary level as the height of power, while Aaaninja and the others viewed the Universe itself as the goal. Meanwhile, Lucian and Anthony looked even higher, toward the mysterious ??? and the Author, whom they recognized as the true ultimate power.