MIGHT AS WELL BE OP Chapter 988: What Are Friends For?

Lucian Darkheart, remaining on his knees, lifted his gaze, his dark eyes locking onto Anthony, who positioned himself like no force in creation could challenge him, simply because his strength made it so; then Lucian's attention turned to Aaaninja Chronisynth Eternos, hovering next to Anthony in an unconscious state.

A torrent of feelings surged through Lucian's whole form, leaving him unsure of his emotions, since it wasn't everyday that a companion and competitor obliterated a full Galaxy just to rescue you. In truth, he'd already embraced his end, having pulled off an act that went far beyond limits, an achievement neither Anthony, the protagonist, nor even ??? had managed; he'd pierced the fourth wall, demolishing the story's binding rules that confined their reality.

Lucian held his tongue, staying quiet for a beat, as a mere "Thank you" felt pitifully insufficient, bordering on rude given Aaaninja's tremendous feat, yet it made no difference since Aaaninja lay unconscious and wouldn't catch any words of thanks anyway.

"Welcome back to the land of the living," Anthony said with a grin while eyeing the kneeling Lucian. Lucian stayed put, unmoving in his spot, still grappling with the extremes Aaaninja had reached for his sake, "planning on kneeling forever?" Anthony questioned, his remark finally pulling Lucian from his whirling reflections.

Standing up with a grin, Lucian declared, "Thank you," since it was the sole phrase he could muster; nothing he might do could equal Anthony's aid, nor could any action repay such a massive obligation. Anthony just grinned in response, considering his buddy had just escaped True Death, an idea surpassing normal passing and wiping out any chance of revival.

Lucian Darkheart's dark eyes moved to the passed-out Aaaninja, and noticing Lucian's look, Anthony commented, "don't worry, he is merely mentally exhausted, after all, one does not simply connect with the River Of Time without some form of negative impact, although I would not exactly call fainting a negative impact," Anthony added in a comforting voice tinged with slight awe.

Lucian dipped his head in agreement and kept quiet. He'd already figured early on that Aaaninja dodged any backlash from the River Of Time Personification skill since he'd perished, skipping the penalty altogether; plus, even if consequences were due, the River Of Time would have softened them for him.

"Don’t stand there looking all stunned and emotional, that is not the Lucian Darkheart I know," Anthony remarked while gazing at the still dazed Lucian.

Lucian paused in silence briefly, then erupted into laughter, "HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!" The sound boomed across the planet they occupied, reverberating through broken skies and scattered ruins, "honestly, I am so grateful and happy I could kiss both you and Aaaninja right now," he said as his typical grin and bold attitude resurfaced like they'd never faded, as if death was just a minor hiccup.

"There he is, back both in body and mind," Anthony responded, resting a hand on Lucian's shoulder, with Lucian Darkheart's grin holding steady at Anthony's remark, his aura quietly steadying like it was solidifying his return.

[Welcome back, Host]

The familiar robotic voice of the system rang in Lucian's head. At the system's alert, Lucian grinned inside as he answered, ’welcome back, system, it feels good to be alive.’

[It is indeed, Host]

The system answered as if sensing and echoing its Host's joy, its electronic rhythm nearly mimicking relief and delight.

"It seems my permanent vacation to the land of the dead has been cancelled," Lucian noted, shaking his head with a soft chuckle blending sarcasm and real thanks.

Anthony laughed at his comment, "it seems it has," he shook his head while chuckling, the pair chatting casually as if they hadn't just seen a Galaxy's total destruction, like stellar wipeout was just casual chatter in their bond.

"I have a question," Lucian said as an idea hit him suddenly, his face showing light interest mixed with ongoing bewilderment.

"Ask away," Anthony shot back instantly, his poise steady as ever.

"Why did you not come earlier? I mean, with the method you used to help me regain my abilities and Mana Rank, you could have used it to stop the backlash, right?" he inquired, looking straight at Anthony, his voice purely curious without blame or bitterness.

Anthony raised a brow, then shook his head grinning; yes, he could've applied his Authority Of Severance to cut the backlash like before, but he'd held back thinking Aaaninja managed things flawlessly, seeing no need to step in, only acting once he saw Aaaninja hit his max and couldn't go on, entering exactly when help was essential.

"I simply did not want to intervene and steal Aaaninja’s spotlight," Anthony answered casually with a grin that mixed fun and honesty.

"I see, that makes sense," Lucian replied, though Anthony was painted as a self-centered youth in the novel's opening chapters, that didn't mean he sought praise constantly; his self-assurance wasn't weakness, and his vast might didn't require endless approval.

"I know I have said this before, but thanks again," Lucian expressed, his voice turning earnest, full of deep thanks and quiet esteem.

"Bruh, what are friends for? Besides, I am sure if I am dying one day, you would also save me, right?" Anthony countered with a grin, since to him, rescuing friend Lucian wasn't some heroic deed for acclaim; it was basic true friendship, and less than that wouldn't count as real.

’Is this a red flag?’ Lucian pondered, raising a brow; he couldn't imagine Anthony perishing, given how ridiculously strong and ridiculously dominant the guy was.

An blast from a Galaxy's ruin, ripping across emptiness over endless light-years, left him untouched since it couldn't pierce his Infinity, a barrier concept that nullified all typical and atypical harm.

Yet he answered, "of course, you do not even have to ask, even if I have to destroy the Universe to achieve that," he affirmed with a grin brimming with total resolve.

Anthony just grinned and nodded; though he'd said it in fun before, he also didn't think death possible for him, at least not in this Acarnis Galaxy—the Upper Galaxy was a whole other challenge, ruled by stricter rules and scarier beings, but here in their present space, death felt remote and mostly hypothetical.