MIGHT AS WELL BE OP

Everyone stood frozen, their minds racing with countless thoughts.

Without hesitation, the Overseer ascended into the sky, his presence commanding absolute attention.

His voice resonated with authority as he addressed the champions:

"The tournament is postponed. You will be informed when the time to continue comes"

With a mere wave of his hand, every champion vanished in an instant.

The next moment, they found themselves standing within the familiar walls of the cottage, the very place where they had met one another before the tournament commenced.

As they reappeared, all eyes immediately turned to Charles and Anthony.

A storm of emotions flickered across their faces:

Dread.

Fear.

Caution.

Instinctively, many took a step back, retreating the moment the two arrived.

They understood all too well, provoking these humans, whom they once scorned, could mean their deaths.

Yet, while some recoiled, others hesitated before stepping forward.

Their movements were tentative, their resolve wavering as they struggled to steady themselves.

But they pressed on.

Because in the end, power was everything.

The rewards they could gain from mere association were beyond imagination.

Just the thought of being introduced to one of these two galaxy level beings, perhaps even accepted as a disciple, sent a thrill through them.

That possibility alone quickened their steps.

Many gravitated toward Charles, eager to spark a conversation, to form a connection.

Some turned toward Anthony, intent on doing the same.

But before they could take another step, they froze in place.

Their bodies refused to move.

Their eyes widened in shock as they stared at Anthony, who hadn't even spared them a glance.

The Infinity Skill had halted every single one of them before they could take another step.

Why should Anthony bother speaking to those who had once scorned him?

Even if some had not looked down on him, that did not mean he was obliged to greet them with a smile.

None dared to complain as they stood frozen in place.

Because they understood.

Even without Romulus and the Spirit King, Anthony and Charles had demonstrated abilities that far surpassed their own.

Yet, some still clung to hope.

Perhaps their unique racial abilities would grant them an advantage.

Or so they thought.

As everyone remained frozen in place, two figures strode forward as if the Infinity Skill were nothing more than a passing breeze.

Their footsteps echoed through the silent room, steady, unhurried, unfazed.

Not once did they falter, hesitate, or pause.

Lucian and Aaaninja.

Anthony's gaze fell upon them, and in an instant, he understood.

There was no need for speculation, he already knew how they had bypassed the Infinity Skill so effortlessly.

He let out a small sigh, shaking his head.

These two were absolute freaks.

Lucian stopped in front of Anthony, his presence as casual as ever.

With a flick of his fingers, the earth and metal elements intertwined, shaping themselves into a sleek, microphone like construct that settled effortlessly into his grip.

Raising it to Anthony's mouth, he leaned in slightly, his voice carrying the smooth confidence of an experienced interviewer.

"So, Mr. Protagonist, how does it feel to have an overpowered plot armor and an author who literally named you after himself?"
Experience tales at My Virtual Library Empire

A wide grin stretched across Lucian's face.

Though his words carried the tone of a jest, he knew the unsettling truth.

After all, the author had once admitted in the comment section that he had simply named Anthony after himself, because he was too lazy to come up with a different name.

"I don't have any plot armor. And besides, when did I ever say I was named after the Author?"

Anthony spoke with a calm certainty, his gaze shifting to Lucian.

Lucian chuckled, his expression laced with amusement.

"Oh? A protagonist without plot armor? Now, that's a rare sight. As for the name, well, I'm an interviewer. Twisting words is merely a survival skill in this line of work"

His smirk lingered as he observed Anthony's reaction.

"You never cease to intrigue me"

Aaaninja remarked, his eyes still closed.

After a brief pause, he continued.

"I can't decide whether to say 'as expected of the protagonist' or something else entirely… I wonder if I, too, was named after someone"

Lucian's smile deepened, but he kept his thoughts to himself.

'If only you knew just how right you are'

"Tsk… I'm not named after anyone"

Anthony muttered, irritation flickering in his voice as he responded to Aaaninja's remark.

The conversation between the three continued, shifting across various topics.

Meanwhile, in a different location, the tournament delegates were engaged in a crucial discussion.

"I propose we end the Starborn Tournament here"

One of the delegates suggested, his tone firm.

"And how exactly do you propose we allocate the highest resources if we halt the tournament now?"

Another countered, raising a skeptical brow.

"Indeed"

A delegate from the Bone race interjected.

"We cannot simply bring the tournament to an abrupt end just because two ageless entities appeared. They did not interfere; they were summoned by the champions. In the end, that is a testament to the champions' own power"

A brief silence followed as the weight of his words settled over the room.

"Besides"

He continued.

"I am certain neither of those entities will interfere any further"

Murmurs of agreement spread among the delegates, and with a collective nod, they reached a conclusion.

The Starborn Tournament would proceed.

"But how did they come to wield such power… and humans, of all beings?"

A delegate from Ignivore voiced the question, his tone laced with disbelief.

As his words settled, all eyes turned toward the representatives of the Blue Planet.

Initially, the delegates from Charles' world had feared for their survival.

Yet, with the Spirit King's firm command to remain still, their apprehension had faded, there was no longer any reason to fear retaliation.

Even so, Romulus had made his stance clear.

He had no particular investment in Anthony, his assistance nothing more than a fleeting gesture.

Now, as the weight of scrutiny bore down upon them, the delegates of the Blue Planet remained unfazed.

Iserion, Aurelius, Baldor, and Gorath shifted their gazes toward the Null family members, silently awaiting their response.

After all, none of them could provide an answer themselves, they knew nothing of the origins of such power.

Yet, despite the unspoken demand for an explanation, the Null family members offered none.

Silence reigned.

Collins, Michael, and Mitchelle remained silent.

They neither acknowledged the question nor spared a response.

Instead, they sat there, calm, composed, utterly unshaken by the weight of countless gazes.

It was as if the inquiry had never been directed at them in the first place.

Collins had already reverted to his usual laid back demeanor after Romulus and the Spirit King departed.

Yet beneath that nonchalant exterior, his thoughts remained anything but idle.

Before another delegate could speak, a voice cut through the tension.

Zachary; Aaaninja's father, spoke.

"Let's bring this to an end. We have unfinished matters to resolve. Once that is done, we can return to our homes"

The room shifted as all eyes turned toward him.

This was the second time he had intervened.

A silent question stirred among the delegates.

'Is he trying to establish an alliance with the humans?'

He had already interfered in Riven's situation.

Now, he was inserting himself into the affairs of the Blue Planet as well.

Yet, if Zachary was aware of their suspicions, he would simple not care.

Their scrutiny meant nothing to him.

A silent exchange passed among the delegates.

Then, one by one, they gave slight nods of agreement.

With that, the decision was made.

The Starborn Tournament would continue.

The delegates exchanged wary glances.

A suspicion had begun to take root, perhaps the Null family held secrets, knowledge that could open pathways to unimaginable power.

But caution was imperative.

What if Romulus went back on his word?

What if there were more hidden forces at play?

Too many uncertainties loomed over them, shrouding their ambitions in doubt.

For now, they had no choice but to suppress their greed.