MIGHT AS WELL BE OP

Chapter 284 Dark Horse

The Overseer momentarily set aside his thoughts, refocusing on his duty.

”There is no need to waste time on words. Let us proceed to the next match, shall we?”

Without hesitation, he took action.

Once more, the ancient technological screen flickered to life, cascading with shifting names.

But this time... the anticipation was palpable.

Everyone longed to step forward, their hearts pounding with exhilaration.

Battle hungry and restless, they yearned to be chosen, their blood ignited with the thrill of combat.

The screen flickered one final time before coming to an abrupt halt.

A hush fell over the arena as two names emerged in bold, glowing letters:

Null Anthony VS Charles Evander.

Seated comfortably, Anthony arched an eyebrow in mild surprise.

He hadnʼt expected to be called so soon.

But what truly caught his attention was his opponent.

Charles Evander, the dark horse of the Starborn Tournament.

A human dark horse.

For once, this battle would not pit human against beast, mage against monster, or warrior against alien bloodlines.

This was Human VS Human.

All eyes shifted toward Charles.

He sat with the quiet authority of a sovereign, a ruler without subjects, at least, none present here could claim such a title.

His demeanor was unwavering, his presence commanding.

He had not spoken to anyone, nor had he spared a single glance in any direction.

Anthony recalled the first time he had set foot on the Barren Planet, the dwelling of champions.

Even then, Charles Evander had stood apart.

One of the indifferent ones.

The championsʼ eyes gleamed with intrigue as they read the names on the screen.

Since the very beginning of the Starborn Tournament, no human had faced another.

But now, it was finally happening.

Most onlookers relished the prospect, not out of admiration, but for the sheer pleasure of watching humans tear each other apart.

”Itʼs my turn again, huh?”

Charlesʼ voice echoed through the entire space, his tone carrying a lazy indifference, as if, given the choice, he would have preferred to postpone the match entirely.

”A fellow human this time. How interesting”

He mused aloud, finally shifting his gaze toward Anthony.

Yet Anthony, seated with the same sovereign ease, remained unfazed.

Even the simple act of eating popcorn exuded the majesty of an emperor, the subtle influence of [Emperor Demeanor] weaving its charm into every movement. Experience tales at

He didnʼt need to turn his head to meet Charlesʼ stare.

With all around vision he had already sensed it.

Anthony rose from his floating seat, descending from the sky with effortless grace.

Despite the speed of his movements, his landing was impossibly smooth, light as a feather, yet carrying the weight of his presence.

Charles followed suit, stepping down with the same unshaken composure.

Now, they stood face to face, mirroring each other in perfect stillness, their auras steeped in an almost unnatural calm.

Before either could utter a word, the Overseerʼs voice echoed from above.

”Hoooo… A human fighting another human. This should be interesting, shouldnʼt it?”

His tone carried a note of amusement, his gaze flickering between them with intrigue.

”How about I alter the battlefield terrain to something you humans typically like?”

The moment the Overseerʼs voice fell, his Void Dimension expanded outward, unfurling like an endless dome.

In an instant, the entire space was consumed by darkness, a void so absolute it devoured even light itself.

Then, with a mere wave of his hand, an overwhelming surge of mana erupted from the Overseerʼs core, rippling through the abyss like a celestial tide.

The void trembled.

Then, just as suddenly as it had appeared, the oppressive darkness shattered, dissipating like mist.

And in its place, a transformed battlefield emerged.

A City.

The Overseer had constructed an entire metropolis from nothing.

Towering skyscrapers loomed over the landscape, their glass windows reflecting the light of this conjured world.

Other high rise buildings stood alongside them, interspersed with bungalows, duplexes, and fortified structures.

Streets stretched in every direction, lined with curbs, alleys, and intersections.

Cars and trucks were stationed at random, as if frozen in time, their presence making the illusion all the more vivid.

It was a masterpiece of creation, an entire city manifested from pure mana and Void Dimension.

Yet, something was missing.

Residents.

Or perhaps, it already had its inhabitants.

Null Anthony and Charles Evander

This was the pinnacle of the Void Dimension ability, its true power.

It could influence reality itself, bending the fabric of existence to the will of its user, though only to a certain extent.

But it was not absolute.

Unlike the Aetherians, whose vast will allowed them to shape reality with naught but their thoughts, creating and destroying with ease as long as their will was enough, the Void Dimension could only manipulate the world on a more fundamental level.

What the Overseer had just demonstrated was its fullest potential: Shaping a city from the void itself.

Yet, in its simplicity, it was more than enough.

For within the confines of their personal Void Dimension, they were bound only by the laws of the universe.

And with that understanding, almost anything could be achieved.

Anthony and Charles surveyed the newly formed city, their eyes drifting over the landscape for a few moments before returning to meet each otherʼs gaze.

Charles, ever the enigma, cracked a smile, a subtle, almost playful expression, as he spoke.

”Three humans in the top ten. Thatʼs gotta be a record, right?”

His voice, heavy with indifference, still carried the same lazy tone, as though even standing and speaking were tasks he exerted a lot of efforts for.

Throughout the entirety of the Starborn Tournament, Charles had remained seated, observing from the sidelines, his presence felt more than it was seen.

”Well... I donʼt really know. Knowing the history of the tournament doesnʼt exactly influence my chances of winning”

Anthony replied, a smile playing at the corner of his lips.

His calm demeanor never wavered, even as he met Charlesʼ gaze with a knowing look.

”I really want to know… how are you this handsome, by the way?”

Charlesʼ tone was almost teasing as he followed up with another question.

”I was born this way. I guess I can only thank my genetics for it”

Anthony replied smoothly, though his attention had shifted.

His gaze wandered over the towering structures the Overseer had conjured, his mind momentarily lost in the surreal landscape.

”So, do you think youʼre going to win this match between us?”

Charles asked, his voice tingling with curiosity.

Anthony, still not looking directly at him, responded with a calm, unwavering tone.

”I donʼt think...”

Charles opened his mouth, ready to comment on how humble Anthony seemed.

But before he could get a word out, Anthonyʼs voice cut through.

”I know”

There was no arrogance in his words, no proud boast.

It was a simple declaration.

A truth, not of arrogance, but of quiet certainty.

”How do you know so?”

Charles probed further, his curiosity piqued, though his tone still carried a hint of amusement.

Anthony, with his back turned to Charles, almost as though this were no battlefield at all, spoke calmly.

”Because I am the protagonist of this story”

The words hung in the air, leaving Charles speechless for a brief moment.

”Protagonist?

Story?”

He blinked, processing the absurdity of it.

His gaze shifted between Anthony and the shifting battlefield around them.

”You mean weʼre in a story, and youʼre the protagonist? HAHAHAAHA”

Charlesʼ laughter rang out, loud and genuine, like a breath of fresh air after an age of silence.

It was the best joke he had heard in decades, the absurdity of it tickling him to his core.

Anthony simply shook his head, an amused but serene smile tugging at his lips.

”Iʼm glad you found that funny. Was just trying to lighten the mood”

The response was casual, as though heʼd made a passing remark.

As Charles opened his mouth to reply, the Overseerʼs voice sliced through the air, cold and unyielding.

”The time for your introduction has ended. This isnʼt an interview”

His face remained placid, indifferent to the discussion between the two.

The atmosphere shifted, turning tense as his words echoed with finality.

Then, with a chilling, commanding tone, the Overseer spoke once more.

”You may BEGIN”