MIGHT AS WELL BE OP-Chapter 318: Jabs

Anthony swiftly replied to Lucian’s message.

Moments later, an imposing presence descended from above, hurtling toward the ceiling with formidable force. Stay connected with novelbuddy

Yet, as it neared, the figure effortlessly phased through the solid structure, landing with poised elegance, one foot touching the ground in a fluid motion.

It was Lucian Darkheart.

"I knew you would be here"

He remarked, his voice carrying an air of certainty.

"If you knew, why bother asking?"

Anthony countered with a taunting smirk.

Lucian, however, offered no response.

"What exactly are you two talking about?"

Lucian inquired as he settled into a seat, his gaze shifting between them.

"We’re just discussing Aaaninja’s life trauma"

Anthony replied with a mischievous smile.

Lucian turned to Aaaninja, his expression laced with curiosity and mild disbelief.

Since his reincarnation, he had never encountered anyone burdened by trauma, it was an entirely foreign concept to him.

The very notion that Aaaninja, of all people, could be traumatized seemed almost absurd.

’Is the author nerfing him?’

Lucian mused, skepticism flickering in his thoughts.

"Tsk... Don’t spout nonsense. I’m not traumatized"

Aaaninja retorted before turning to Lucian and offering the same explanation.

Lucian listened intently, nodding in understanding once Aaaninja had finished.

"So... what about you?"

Aaaninja asked, his gaze steady.

"Do you have a tragic story of your own?"

Lucian fell into deep thought.

The only experience that remotely resembled a tragedy in his life was his never ending competition with Aaaninja in his previous life, a rivalry that was anything but tragic.

Anthony chuckled, amusement lacing his tone.

"Why are you so interested in whether others have tragic pasts? Are you trying to bond over misfortune or something?"

Aaaninja shot him a glance but chose not to dignify the remark with a response.

"Well… I don’t have any"

Lucian finally replied.

Aaaninja simply nodded in acknowledgment, showing no surprise.

"So"

Anthony said, leaning back slightly.

"Does anyone actually know what this supposed ball or party, or whatever it’s called, is for?"

Lucian and Aaaninja both turned to him in unison.

"You don’t know?"

Lucian asked, his tone carrying a hint of disbelief.

"I wasn’t told anything about it. Were you two informed?"

Anthony asked, glancing between them.

"Well… the party is always organized after the Starborn Tournament ends"

Aaaninja explained casually.

Lucian followed up, his tone indifferent.

"It’s basically just a gathering to distribute the rewards. Nothing more, really"

Anthony nodded as their words finally put the pieces together.

"Wait"

Aaaninja suddenly said, eyeing him.

"Does that mean you didn’t bring any clothes for the party?"

Anthony raised a brow.

"Is there some kind of dress code or what?"

He asked, clearly confused.

"There isn’t"

Lucian replied.

"It’s just that, since this party hosts the galaxy’s top powerhouses, races, and talents, the champions tend to dress at their absolute best, wearing the most extravagant and expensive outfits in existence"

Anthony scoffed.

"Why should I care about how those I’ve already put in the ground choose to dress? They could drape themselves in divinity for all I care, it doesn’t change the fact that they lost"

Lucian stared at Anthony, momentarily at a loss for words.

Though Anthony spoke as if he was indifferent, Lucian knew better.

He had no doubt that, when the time came, Anthony would still arrive in nothing less than the finest attire.

As if responding to their conversation, a circular device resting on the table flickered to life.

A soft chime followed before a mechanical voice announced:

"The party will begin in one hour. The location will be sent to you shortly"

Their gazes shifted toward the device.

"It seems it’s starting soon"

Aaaninja remarked.

Anthony pushed himself up from his seat, stretching slightly as he spoke.

"I need to take a bath. Ever since the competition started, I haven’t even felt water on my skin"

Hearing this, Aaaninja raised a brow.

"Why bother? Just use mana"

"Too lazy to explain, bruh"

Anthony replied dismissively before stepping out of the room, heading straight for the bathroom.

"Are you going to take a bath too?"

Aaaninja asked, glancing at Lucian.

"Nah… too lazy for that"

Lucian replied nonchalantly.

At a certain level of mana mastery, one could use mana to cleanse their body of all impurities, rendering traditional bathing unnecessary.

A brief silence settled between them before Lucian spoke again.

"Hey, Aaaninja. Mind if I take something from you?"

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The moment those words left Lucian’s lips, Aaaninja felt an inexplicable sense of unease.

A strange, foreboding sensation washed over him, gripping his very core.

His instincts screamed at him, warning him.

And Aaaninja always trusted his instincts.

"What do you want to take?"

Aaaninja asked, his eyes narrowing with suspicion.

Lucian met his gaze before shrugging nonchalantly.

"Don’t worry about it"

Despite the casual response, Aaaninja’s eyes remained locked onto Lucian, studying him carefully.

Lucian, however, had already closed his own eyes, as if dismissing the conversation entirely.

’Tsk. Such sharp senses…’

He mused.

’Was worth a shot’

This was how Lucian copied abilities, through consent.

Had Aaaninja agreed, all Lucian needed was a single touch to replicate everything.

From the Eyes Of Genesis to the last trace of his time affinity, even Aaaninja’s unparalleled talent in time manipulation would not have been spared.

Of course, Lucian had no intention of wasting his time asking politely.

Normally, he would simply overpower his target, forcing compliance before stealing their abilities.

Thirty minutes later, the sound of a door opening drew attention.

Anthony stepped out, a towel wrapped loosely around his waist, another draped over his head.

His physique was nothing short of perfection, every muscle sculpted to precision, exuding strength and balance in equal measure.

The moisture clinging to his skin only accentuated his form, a testament to the sheer power contained within him.

Aaaninja glanced at Anthony and smirked.

"Why are you showcasing your body? There aren’t any ladies here"

Anthony shot him an unimpressed look.

"You’re just jealous your body isn’t as good as mine"

As the two exchanged jabs, the circular device on the table beeped once more.

"Location for the party has been received. The party has begun"

With that announcement, Anthony, Aaaninja, and Lucian prepared to step out, ready to face whatever awaited them at the grand gathering.

They each began changing into the outfits they had prepared beforehand.

As for Anthony, he simply manipulated his Universal Clothing, reshaping it into a design of his choosing with effortless precision.

Aaaninja’s eyes flickered with intrigue as he observed the fabric shifting seamlessly.

"Hooh… I’ve never seen an artifact like that before. Where did you get it?"

Lucian, however, remained unfazed.

He already knew about the Universal Clothing, he had read about it long before his reincarnation.

"I bought it"

Anthony replied plainly. It wasn’t even a lie, he had, after all, purchased it from the system.

"We’re over an hour late. Let’s get moving"

Lucian said, his tone indifferent.

Aaaninja glanced at the party’s location, and with a single thought, the three of them vanished, each teleporting using their own unique methods.

Walking was simply unnecessary.