MIGHT AS WELL BE OP

As the battle drew to its grim conclusion, crimson torrents of blood pooled upon the earth, forming a lake that reflected the devastation left in its wake.

Space itself seemed to groan and contract, stitching together the rift created by the titanic clash of powers.

All fifteen Emperor ranked cultists had met their untimely end in the carnage, their once formidable bodies now mere husks beneath the weight of the battle.

Among the Emperor ranked adventurers, six too had been claimed by death's cold grip.

Thirty percent of the Rank 1 to Rank 3 warriors had perished over the course of the brutal conflict, their lives extinguished amidst the chaos and carnage.

Yet, the surviving seventy percent were not left unscathed.

Sixty of them had ascended, achieving breakthroughs that had been the true aim of many who had joined this perilous mission.

The promise of strength, of power, had driven them all, and now, with the flames of battle extinguished, their cultivation had risen to new heights.

Amidst this brutal progression, none could afford to forget the spoils of war.

Without hesitation, they scavenged the bodies of the fallen, rifling through their space rings.

Even the Master ranked cultists were not spared from the avid eyes of the adventurers.

Who knew what treasures could lie hidden within those rings? A loss of such opportunity was simply unacceptable.

[Healing Magic: World Atonement]

Without a moment's hesitation, one of the Emperor ranked healers unleashed a potent spell, and a vast surge of energy radiated outward, engulfing all within its reach.

The world seemed to hold its breath as the healing energy flooded the battlefield, mending broken flesh and closing gaping wounds with divine precision.

In an instant, the adventurers felt their pain lift, the searing agony of their injuries replaced by a soothing warmth.

Despite the rapid restoration of their bodies, their faces remained pale, the toll of exhaustion and depleted mana evident in their weary eyes.

But their wounds, both external and internal, had vanished, leaving them whole once more, if only temporarily.

The battle was over, but the cost lingered in the air.

The remaining nine Emperor ranked adventurers fixed their attention upon Anthony.

Though they had all heard of him, nothing could prepare them for witnessing his strength firsthand.

While each of them had faced their own formidable opponents, they had been keenly aware of Anthony's prowess, his abilities and battle strategy unfurling before their eyes in a seamless, calculated display of power.

The lingering tension in the air seemed to acknowledge the fact that they were in the presence of someone who stood at near apex of their strength.

For a moment, the group simply observed, their gazes heavy with unspoken thoughts, before they shifted, turning their focus away.

Zael, the leader of the group, took the first step forward, his movements poised, every inch of his presence exuding authority.

As he approached Anthony, his voice broke the silence.

"Nice to finally meet you, Lorian Blackwood"

Anthony sheathed his katana, the soft swish of the blade sliding into place resonating as he met Zael's gaze with calm indifference.

"Nice to meet you too"

He replied, his tone even, though the weight of his words held a subtle strength.

Zael's lips curled into a knowing smile, his eyes glinting with respect and recognition.

"Thank you for saving our healers back there"

He continued.

"We were too occupied with our own battles. If it weren't for your intervention, we wouldn't have lost only six Emperors"

The acknowledgment hung in the air, but Anthony could already feel the power radiating from Zael.

It was palpable, oppressive even, an energy that seemed to hum with the resonance of a being at the peak of the Emperor rank.

Zael was a Level 9, the pinnacle of his realm, a being of formidable stature and unmatched skill.

After introducing himself, Zael turned to address the group, his voice carrying the weight of a seasoned leader.

"We have fought, and we have won"

He began, his tone steady, yet heavy with the gravity of their losses.

"Though we paid the price with the lives of our comrades, death is a constant companion in every battle. I trust that all of you are well aware of this reality"

He paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping across the assembled adventurers.

The silence that followed spoke volumes, each of them intimately familiar with the cost of war, each having borne their own scars from countless skirmishes.

Zael's words had settled deep into their minds, but he wasn't finished yet.

"We have gained much from this battle"

He continued, his voice firmer now, infused with a sense of resolve.

"And for that, we, the Emperors, thank you for your assistance. Your efforts have been invaluable. The guild will not forget your contributions. Rest assured, you will be compensated highly for your bravery and sacrifice"

Zael's words hung in the air, an unspoken promise of reward mingled with the harsh reality of the battle's cost.

The Emperors nodded in agreement, their expressions somber but appreciative, recognizing the unwavering determination and skill that had been shown by the adventurers who stood beside them in this grim victory.

After speaking, Zael turned to the remaining Emperors, and they all nodded in unison, their eyes now fixed on a particular building that had remained untouched throughout the chaos of the battle.

It stood tall and imposing, a silent witness to the carnage, its structure untouched by the destruction around it.

Without a word, the Emperors soared into the air, their bodies a blur as they flew toward the building with precision and purpose.

The air crackled with anticipation as they approached.

Upon reaching the building, they were confronted by a formidable barrier, an intricate formation of glowing runes that pulsated with an aura of foreboding power.

The runes shimmered with an almost sentient awareness, repelling any attempt at entry.

However, Zael appeared unsurprised, as if he had anticipated the barrier's presence.

He reached into his space ring and retrieved a peculiar object.

It was a key, carved with elaborate runes that seemed to hum with ancient power.

Zael stepped forward confidently, placing the key into the center of the formation.

With a swift turn of his wrist, he rotated the key clockwise.

The formation responded immediately, glowing with an intense light before flickering and vanishing in a series of blinks.

"Let's move"

Zael commanded, and the Emperors followed suit, stepping into the building, their footsteps echoing through the hollow structure.

The interior was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of age and dust, as if the building had been untouched for centuries.

They moved deeper into the building, the silence broken only by the sound of their footsteps until they arrived at a massive door.

This one, too, was sealed by runes, more intricate and formidable than those on the exterior.

Zael wasted no time, drawing the same key from his ring.

He inserted it into the lock and turned it with practiced ease.

The runes flashed once more, their glow fading as the door groaned open with a low, menacing creak.

The Emperors stood before it, their gazes unwavering as the secrets of the building lay just beyond the threshold.

Anthony's eyes widened slightly as the scene before him came into focus.

Treasures.

Piles of artifacts gleamed under the dim light, radiating faint auras of power.

Mana crystals of various sizes and colors lay scattered, their energy pulsing like silent heartbeats.

Weapons, scrolls, and objects of unknown purpose were heaped in chaotic abundance.

This wasn't just a cache, it was a hoard fit for kings.

The truth of the battle became painfully clear.

This wasn't about righteousness or justice, nor some noble crusade against the cultists.

This was about profit.

The cultists had amassed unimaginable wealth, and the Emperors had simply made their move to claim it.

Without hesitation, the remaining Emperors surged forward, diving into the trove like vultures descending on a fresh carcass.

Greed lit their eyes as they stuffed artifacts and valuables into their space rings with reckless abandon.

The room filled with the sounds of shuffling, clinking, and whispered exclamations of triumph.

But Zael was different.

He moved with measured purpose, his steps deliberate, as if he already knew the layout of this room.

His gaze didn't linger on the shimmering piles of wealth or the gleaming artifacts.

Instead, he strode toward a shadowed corner of the room, where something seemingly unremarkable caught his eye.

There, nestled inconspicuously amidst the chaos, lay a flower.

It was small and unassuming, its petals a faint silvery hue that seemed to shimmer subtly with each breath of air.

To the untrained eye, it might have been mistaken for a simple bloom, but nothing inside this vault could be ordinary.

Zael's lips curled into a grin as he crouched down and plucked the flower with practiced care.

He turned it over in his hand for a moment, inspecting its delicate form before slipping it into his space ring without a word.

Whatever this flower was, its true value clearly transcended the treasure piles that had ensnared the others.

Anthony watched Zael's actions with quiet interest, his sharp eyes lingering on the now empty spot where the flower had been.

What kind of treasure was worth Zael's singular focus?

He wondered.

But before the thought could linger, the sounds of frenzied looting around him drew his attention back to the chaos.

'System, what was that flower?'

Anthony asked inwardly, his tone sharp with curiosity.

[Ding...]

[Replying to Host...]

[Elysian Bloom

Description:

This plant blooms once every million years and dies if not plucked within 24 hours of blooming.

Effects:

Permanently increases the user's cultivation rank by two major realms without any backlash or side effects.

Limitations:

Only effective for those below the Sovereign rank.]

Anthony's mind froze for a moment.

Sovereign rank.

The realization struck him like a thunderbolt.

This was the next stage beyond the Emperor rank, a realm so lofty that it existed in legends for most adventurers.

Then, the puzzle began to assemble itself in his mind.

Zael.

The pieces fit too perfectly.

Zael must have planted a spy within the cultists' ranks, ensuring he had insider knowledge about this secret realm.

Everything, right from the recruitment of adventurers ranging from Rank 1 to Rank 3, had been orchestrated.

The promise of guild compensation?

A smokescreen.

Zael wasn't relying on the guild's resources.

He planned to pay everyone using the wealth accumulated within this secret realm.

Wealth he had already claimed.

As for the Elysian Bloom, it all made sense.

The cultists couldn't use it.

Once they pledged allegiance to the demons, their path of cultivation was forever bound to chaos.

Anything related to pure mana became unusable to them.

But why keep the plant?

The answer was simple: manipulation.

The cultists needed to lure allies, spies, mercenaries, or even adventurers, to their cause.

They couldn't simply rely on threats or coercion; greed was a far more reliable motivator.

Mana based treasures like the Elysian Bloom were perfect bait for such schemes.

Even if the cultists couldn't use them, they could corrupt certain treasures into chaos based resources or barter them for loyalty.

Anthony's gaze swept over the looters, their hands darting greedily through the scattered riches.

"Existence itself revolves around resources"

He mused silently, his expression unreadable.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

To most, the trove before them was a priceless opportunity to advance their power and status.

But to Anthony?

These so called resources were no different than trash to him.

Without another glance, Anthony turned away from the looted building, his steps calm yet purposeful.

Daelen hurried over to Anthony the moment he spotted him, his expression a mix of relief and frustration.

"Lorian, where were you? We agreed to act as a team"

He queried, his tone carrying a faint edge.

Anthony turned to him, his demeanor casual as ever.

"Ah, sorry about that. I was attacked by an Emperor ranked cultist and had to fight elsewhere. If I'd stayed, you all would have likely died from the collision"

His reply was straightforward, devoid of any pretense, but it left Daelen stunned.

Mira looked at Anthony and wanted to say something but refrained.

She had seen how everyone had basically ignored him earlier, but she knew it wasn't her place to ask. It could also be one of his skills.

"An Emperor?"

Daelen finally managed, his voice low with disbelief.

He had felt the force of that distant clash, a pressure so overwhelming that it could have annihilated weaker adventurers from miles away.

Anthony waved it off, his tone calm, almost dismissive.

"Don't worry, I already killed him. No big deal"

Mira's eyes widened in shock, her mind racing.

"You killed an Emperor?"

She blurted, the weight of his words crashing over her like a wave.

She hadn't seen the fight, her own battle had demanded all her attention.

Even if she'd had a moment to observe, she doubted she could have followed such a high level clash.

The thought left her reeling.

Anthony shrugged nonchalantly.

"It's just an Emperor. You'll reach that rank soon enough"

He said, his tone matter of fact as he turned and began to walk away.

As he strode off, a faint smirk tugged at his lips.

'So this is how it feels to flex in a modest way'

He mused, amused at the rare opportunity to humblebrag.