MIGHT AS WELL BE OP

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a soft amber glow over the gathering hall where Rank 1 adventurers had come to rest.

Their conversations hummed in the background, a chorus of voices filled with respect, authority, and anticipation.

The atmosphere was far from the chaos Anthony had left behind on the lower floors, here, there was a certain reverence in the air, a mutual understanding that each person within this space had earned their place through blood, sweat, and an unwavering pursuit of mastery.

Anthony stood at the center of the hall, his posture unshaken, his eyes scanning the faces of the adventurers who now regarded him with a quiet curiosity.

His presence had been undeniable, a force in itself, and over the past few weeks, the word of his extraordinary mission completion rate had spread like wildfire.

No one here could deny the sheer power behind his abilities, nor the audacity with which he approached every task laid before him.

Among the small group of Rank 1 adventurers, a few had become familiar faces.

They were not friends, but allies of circumstance.

In a world that revered strength, social bonds were often forged in the crucible of battle.

Anthony's gaze shifted to a group gathered around a table, the murmur of their conversation rising and falling like the tide.

Anthony approached, his expression as inscrutable as ever.

He was tall, his attire simple yet functional, a stark contrast to the more ornate, regal garb worn by some of his peers.

But the manner in which he carried himself told a different story.

His eyes were sharp, his every movement purposeful.

"Lorian"

A man with a slight smirk on his lips greeted him, rising from his seat.

His name was Daelen, and he was one of the more prominent figures in this circle of Rank 1s.

His hair was dark, slicked back in a disciplined fashion, and his gaze bore the weight of experience.

"I was wondering when you'd show up. The room was getting a little too noisy for someone of your disposition"

Anthony offered a nod, his expression neutral.

"You know how it is"

He said coolly.

"I prefer to keep to myself, especially in such... distracting company"

There was a brief chuckle from Daelen's companion, a woman by the name of Mira.

She had a sharp, angular beauty, her hair a silvery white that contrasted sharply against her dark, battle worn armor.

Her eyes were a vivid violet, a remnant of her past as a mage of formidable talent.

"Well, your reputation certainly precedes you, Lorian. No one here is surprised by your mission completion rates. They say you're faster than even some of the veterans on this floor. What's your secret?"

Anthony met her gaze without flinching.

"No secret"

He replied simply

"Just efficiency and a focus on results"

A pause settled over the group as they exchanged knowing glances.

The conversation shifted, veering into the territory of rumors, as rumors were wont to do in such a place.

"You've heard the latest, haven't you?"

Daelen asked, his voice lowering slightly, though there was a glint of curiosity in his eyes.

"Word is that Rank 0 adventurers are gearing up for a major mission, and for the first time in a long while, they're allowing adventurers from Rank 1 to Rank 3 to join"

Anthony's expression shifted slightly, his interest piqued.

"Is that so?"

He mused, his tone thoughtful.

"I thought the Rank 0s usually handled their affairs alone"

"That's what we all thought"

Mira chimed in, her voice laced with a mix of incredulity and excitement.

"But the word is that this mission is of such magnitude that they've decided to include others. Some say it's a matter of scale, that they'll need the extra hands, especially if this is as dangerous as the rumors suggest"

Anthony's lips curled slightly, a half smile playing at the edges of his mouth.

"If they need Rank 1s and 2s, it must be a significant undertaking indeed. What's the nature of the mission?"

"I've heard it's related to a power struggle"

Daelen said, his voice dropping lower still.

"Something that's been brewing beneath the surface of the more powerful factions. But the specifics are all still murky. No one's confirmed anything yet, but if it's true, it could be an opportunity like no other"

The group fell into a brief silence, the weight of the implications hanging in the air.

Anthony's mind began to whirl with possibilities.

A mission of this caliber would certainly prove to be a fitting challenge, perhaps even the last mission he needed to close this arc of his life.

"I'll be watching"

Anthony said, his voice calm but resolute.

"If they truly are allowing participation, I'll see if the timing is right for me. Perhaps it will be the final mission before I step away"

Anthony's thoughts drifted to the mysterious Rank 0 beings who stood above the King realm, their power legendary and shrouded in enigma.

He had always wondered what it would be like to face such titans, beings whose strength transcended everything he had ever encountered.

After his brutal battle with Kush, his body and abilities had surged forward, his strength reaching new heights.

Though his cultivation had not advanced, his battle prowess had leaped ahead, sharpening his instincts and techniques.

Even his physique had undergone a remarkable transformation, a result of the intense battles with kush.

This was why, despite the fact that champions from every race were at the King realm, like Kush, he had fought with minimal effort.

His enhanced physical and magical capabilities allowed him to withstand and counter the overwhelming force of those who once seemed to be his equal.

The idea of clashing with those beyond the King realm made him smile internally, eager for the challenge that awaited.

There was a brief moment of quiet before Mira spoke again, her voice tinged with a mix of admiration and intrigue.

"You've been relentless, Lorian. Most adventurers would take a break after the kind of streak you've had. But you... you just keep going. What's your endgame?"

Anthony tilted his head slightly, a glimmer of amusement in his eyes.

"Endgame?"

He repeated, as if testing the word on his tongue.

"There is no endgame. There is only the next mission"

The others exchanged knowing glances.

There was something in his tone, something that suggested Anthony wasn't just an adventurer driven by the thrill of combat or the pursuit of power.

No, his relentless pace was something more.

It was a quiet determination, an unyielding need for something beyond simple victory.

Mira leaned back in her chair, her fingers tapping thoughtfully against the table.

"I suppose we'll all see what this mission is about soon enough. It could be the beginning of something far bigger than any of us"

Anthony nodded, his gaze unwavering.

"Perhaps. But I'll deal with that when the time comes. For now, I have one last mission to finish"

"Ah, one last mission"

Daelen murmured, raising his glass in a mock salute.

"You're going to retire soon, then?"

Anthony's smile was brief but knowing.

"That's the plan"

The conversation continued, the details of the upcoming mission still speculative, but the undercurrent of anticipation was undeniable.

The idea of Rank 0 adventurers, beings of such unparalleled strength, venturing forth with the help of Rank 1s to Rank 3s was a tantalizing one.

For the adventurers of this floor, it represented a chance to prove themselves, to rise beyond the usual limits and test their mettle against powers they had only heard of in whispers.

As the hours passed, Anthony's mind wandered.

He wasn't one for idle chatter, but he couldn't help but entertain the thought of this rumored mission.

If it truly was a challenge worthy of the highest ranks, then it would be an opportunity to end his adventuring career on a high note.

After this mission, he would retire, leave the halls of power behind, leaving behind the legacy of a Rank 1 adventurer whose name would be whispered in awe and reverence. and begin his training.

But that was a thought for another time.

For now, the mission awaited.

He stood up from the table, his movements fluid and purposeful.

"I'll take my leave"

He said simply, and with a nod to the group he turned around and left.