MIGHT AS WELL BE OP

Chapter 698: Established Fact

Klaus could feel the sadness and anguish coursing through Anthony’s body, as though the boy’s emotions had spiraled out of control, breaking free from the calm facade he wore.

’It seems my daughter has found herself a good man,’ Klaus thought silently. The thought lingered in his heart, but he would never speak it aloud, never. Or, at least, not in Anthony’s face or presence. Some truths were better left unsaid.

Klaus had never expected Anthony to suddenly pull off a miracle, nor to produce some divine pill or artifact that could solve the problem. How could he? Even Klaus himself, a man far wealthier, far more experienced, and with resources Anthony could not even imagine, had been unable to help his daughter.

”It seems you truly love my daughter,” Klaus intoned at last, his voice even, his eyes sharp.

Anthony, hearing Klaus’s words, turned his blue eyes toward the man. ”I think this is already an established fact. I would not have fought you to the extent of summoning Voryss if I did not care. Besides, I am sure that if I were with your daughter for shallow reasons like her beauty, her wealth, or her connections, you and your wife would have discovered it long before I ever stepped foot on the porch of your home.” Anthony’s voice was calm, carrying neither arrogance nor hesitation.

Klaus smiled faintly, though his words carried no softness. ”What you said is indeed true. If a man ever dared to date my daughter without truly loving her, I would have killed him, and his family, for birthing such a fool.”

Anthony simply nodded, unbothered by Klaus’s choice of words. He agreed with the sentiment, if not the extremity. If a man approached Vega with baseless words of affection, claiming to like her without sincerity, Anthony would deal with him as well. However, unlike Klaus, he would not go so far as to wipe out the man’s entire family. That was Klaus’s ruthlessness, not his own.

Klaus noticed Anthony’s lack of reaction and simply smiled. It pleased him. From an early age, he had taught his daughter never to show mercy to her enemies or those who would harm her. If one sought to uproot something, uproot it completely, leave no trace behind. That philosophy ensured that no swarm of pests would ever rise again. It was this very teaching that had made Vega unfazed when Anthony had annihilated the Second Supreme’s entire bloodline.

Anthony, however, let out a sigh and turned his head to the side. His voice was steady but commanding as he spoke: ”You may come out now.”

Without a moment’s hesitation, space twisted unnaturally, forming a swirling portal. From its depths, a familiar presence emerged, stepping out with casual grace.

It was StreamGhost.

Klaus’s expression darkened immediately. His brows furrowed as he realized he had not sensed this being until now. If Anthony had not spoken, he would never have known StreamGhost was standing with them all along.

”It has been a while, Favorite Child of the Heavens,” StreamGhost said, a smile hidden behind his mask. His wide-brimmed hat shaded his head, and a camera rested casually in one hand. His presence was relaxed, yet his aura was unfathomable.

Klaus’s eyes narrowed further, and he turned toward Anthony. ”You know him?”

Anthony nodded. ”He is StreamGhost, the one responsible for livestreaming the purging of the Forsaken Cult.” His tone was calm, as though introducing an old acquaintance.

Anthony was not surprised that Klaus had been unable to sense StreamGhost. After all, both of them, Klaus and StreamGhost alike, were beings considered utterly broken, anomalies in the system of existence.

”It is an honor to finally meet you, Mr. Klaus,” StreamGhost continued, his tone polite, though his masked smile carried an air of mystery.

Klaus, however, only stared at him, an unknown light flickering in his eyes. He had already begun probing, attempting to unravel information about this enigmatic man.

”But I must inform you,” StreamGhost said smoothly, as if reading Klaus’s mind, ”you will never uncover anything about me, no matter what ability you use, no matter what power you wield.”

Klaus’s eyes narrowed further.

StreamGhost had anticipated this. After Anthony’s stunt the last time they encountered each other, he had taken far greater precautions, ensuring that no information about him could ever leak.

”Have you been listening to our conversation?” Klaus asked coldly, his voice sharp. The air itself seemed to tense, his aura pressing outward as though he were ready to strike at any moment. If this man had heard their secrets, that alone was reason enough to erase him from existence.

”Do not bother, Klaus,” Anthony interjected calmly. ”Even if you wanted to kill him, you would not be able to.”

Klaus frowned, confusion flickering across his stern features. Before he could demand an explanation, Anthony tossed him a memory crystal. Klaus caught it effortlessly, and in an instant, the information Anthony had stored within flowed into his mind.

”I see...” Klaus muttered as his eyes sharpened further. ”So, he is just like me, his awakened class completely misunderstood.” He digested the memory’s contents with speed, his mind racing to process the revelation.

”Do not trouble yourself with him,” Anthony said. ”He was only here to record our battle, and the one between you and Voryss.”

Anthony’s voice carried certainty, for he knew the truth of StreamGhost’s existence. Though StreamGhost could obtain countless secrets and information, his Cameraman Class bound him with absolute restrictions. It was simultaneously one of the most overpowered and one of the most restrictive classes in the known universe. There were no loopholes to exploit.

”Indeed,” StreamGhost replied smoothly, ”I was only here to record. Although...” his masked face tilted slightly, ”I also happened to capture this moment between you both. If you like, I could provide you with copies of the video and pictures I took, of course, for a fee.” His words dripped with the air of a merchant making a casual deal.

Klaus did not respond, his mind elsewhere. ’How is it that Anthony has information about this StreamGhost, yet I, with all my power, do not?’ The thought lodged itself in his mind.

Anthony himself remained unmoved. He had no interest in StreamGhost’s recordings. Even if he wanted such things, his Quantum Manipulation could create them effortlessly.

StreamGhost, realizing he had nothing left to gain, chuckled lightly. ”Until your next great battle, Heaven’s Illegitimate Child,” he said, his voice carrying an eerie finality. With that, his body shimmered and vanished, as though he had never been there at all.

Klaus shook his head, unwilling to waste his thoughts on the enigma that was StreamGhost. Yet within his mind, he silently made a list of priorities.

Number one: Anthony, discover why the boy possessed abilities he should never have.

Number two: StreamGhost, unravel the secrets of a class that was both absurdly broken and impossibly restrained.

”Let’s head back,” Klaus intoned at last, his voice calm but firm. ”I am certain my wife and daughter miss me.” Without waiting for Anthony’s reply, he vanished, taking Anthony with him.

The barren planet that had served as their meeting ground fell silent once more, unaware that it had just borne witness to the presence of three of the most enigmatic beings in the galaxy.