MIGHT AS WELL BE OP

Within the vast expanse of the Mirror Dimension, Anthony, Aaaninja, and Lucian silently observed as the Demon King vanished beneath the embrace of shimmering blue flames, flames so intense they seemed capable of burning through anything and everything in existence.

The trio stood there without uttering a single word, each carrying the weight of the moment in silence.

As the Demon King disappeared from sight, Anthony finally released his grip on reality itself, the absolute force of Absolute Stasis dissolving. It was clear now that not even the Demon King could exist beyond its overwhelming reach.

Air began to flow again. Light spread naturally, thoughts returned, consciousness stirred, space rippled back into motion, and every wave of existence resumed its natural rhythm.

Before Aaaninja or Lucian could speak, Anthony turned toward Lucian with a faintly inquisitive look in his eyes.

"So," he began evenly, "why don't you tell us more about this father-in-law of yours?"

"Why bother asking?" Aaaninja interjected, his tone laced with mischief. "We already know he's warming the bed of one of the Demon King's daughters… or wait, was it his son?" The last part he added teasingly, eyes glittering with amusement.

Lucian scoffed, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Hmph. The same person accusing me of being in bed with the Demon King's son is also the one who spends his days obsessively watching Anthony through the River of Time. Tell me, who's the strange one here?"

Anthony blinked in mild disbelief.

The conversation had taken such a sharp and utterly unexpected turn that he struggled to keep pace. All he had wanted was to hear Lucian recount his supposed entanglement with one, or perhaps two, of the Demon King's daughters.

Instead, the topic had spun into wild accusations and teasing.

"Please," Aaaninja said, raising his hands slightly in defense, "I only watch him to find better ways to defeat him. Don't twist this into something else it isn't."

"Well, good luck with that impossible goal," Lucian shot back, smirk widening. "I suppose even the River of Time won't tell you how utterly futile your quest is."

Anthony tilted his head slightly. "Isn't spying on me just to defeat me a little… excessive?"

Aaaninja turned his gaze upon Anthony with an almost playful smile. "Tell me, Anthony, have you ever been defeated by someone around your own age, or even younger?"

Anthony didn't need to think. The answer was instinctive. He shook his head firmly.

"Then you wouldn't understand how I feel," Aaaninja replied smoothly, the smile never leaving his face.

Lucian's eyes narrowed with a glint of challenge. "Since we're here anyway, why don't we have a rematch?" His voice carried a quiet edge as his eyes locked on Aaaninja.

Aaaninja held Lucian's gaze for a brief moment before answering. "Not now. We've only just reunited after almost two years. A fight can wait for another day. Besides," he added, his tone sharpening, "I also want to face Anthony."

Lucian studied him silently for a moment, then gave a single nod. Shifting his attention toward Anthony, he spoke again. "Since this is your home planet, why don't you show us around?"

Anthony exhaled deeply, his shoulders slumping just a little. "Eh… Although I'd love to, there are too many things I need to handle right now. The world was literally in danger twice in the span of a few hours. Entire cities are in ruins, countless buildings destroyed. As much as I'd like to play tour guide, now just isn't the time."

"No problem," Aaaninja replied casually. "We can wait. It's not like we have any pressing matters to deal with."

"I don't have any pressing matters either," Lucian agreed with a nod, his tone calm.

Lucian's gaze turned to the suddenly. "So, I see you've already found your Forsaken Cult headquarters." As someone who had read the story before reincarnating, he had known of the Forsaken Cult from the very beginning.

"You… know about them?" Anthony asked, genuinely surprised.

"I visit many worlds," Lucian replied without hesitation. "And yours isn't the only one where a faction of its own people openly worships demons, or worse, serves them willingly."

Anthony nodded in quiet acknowledgment. Though he had never considered other planets much, he knew the truth in Lucian's words.

"So," Aaaninja suddenly said with a sly grin, "when will you be introducing us to your girlfriend, Anthony?" His smile shifted into a knowing smirk.

Anthony paused, his head turning slowly toward Aaaninja, his eyes narrowing in sharp focus.

"You'd best keep those eyes closed when you meet her," he said evenly. "And don't even think of trying to charm her with that mesmerizing rainbow clocked eye of yours."

"Wait," Lucian blurted in shock, "Aaaninja was serious? You actually have a girlfriend?"

Anthony arched an eyebrow. "Why are you so shocked? Isn't it perfectly normal for any man to have a woman by his side?"

"It is, but…" Lucian trailed off. His thoughts raced privately. 'But the Author promised the readers that you would never experience love, that you'd ascend to the peak as a virgin. That was supposed to be part of your path.' He swallowed the words, unwilling to speak them aloud.

'Wait… this must be Aaaninja's influence again. That guy meddles too much with the narrative. And the Author… tch, he still hasn't stopped being greedy.'

"Whatever," Lucian said finally, shaking off his thoughts. "Let's see this girlfriend of yours."

But before any of them could even take a single step out of the Mirror Dimension, everything collapsed into stillness. Time froze. Space locked itself in place. Reality itself ground to a sudden halt.

[??? declares that the time for a cameo has ended with the Demon King's defeat]

[??? says that he had expected Absolute Cinema, and indeed, he had witnessed precisely what he desired]

[??? says that although the reunion is being cut short, Aaaninja and Lucian will each be given befitting gifts in honor of their power and the entertainment they provided]

[??? says he eagerly anticipates the true reunion and the battle that follows]

[??? says MAY THE WORLD BURN UNDER PEAK ACTION]

Before Aaaninja and Lucian could so much as blink, their bodies began dissolving into particles of radiant light, scattering gently into the void.

"It seems I've overstayed my welcome this time," Aaaninja said calmly, a smile still on his lips.

Lucian sighed heavily. "Tch. With my Reality Anchor tethered to the two of you, it deactivates now that Aaaninja is vanishing."

He turned to Aaaninja with a final smirk. "Hey, next time we meet, you won't be able to avoid a rematch."

Aaaninja's gaze shifted from Anthony to Lucian, his voice steady and sure. "I never avoid rematches. I don't avoid battles. You've lost to me in the past. You've lost to me in the future. And you'll lose to me in the present."

Anthony's voice softened, a rare gentleness slipping through. "Until we meet again, Lucian. Aaaninja."

"Looking forward to it," both Aaaninja and Lucian said in unison, their voices fading as their forms vanished completely.

Left alone once more, Anthony allowed a small smile to form. He couldn't deny it, he had genuinely enjoyed their company.

'I can't wait to meet them again,' he thought, the smile still lingering on his face.

"You may come out now."