MIGHT AS WELL BE OP - Chapter 832
832: Double Standard 832: Double Standard Names continued to be announced, and many continued to enter.
Both the strong and the weak were introduced without any reservations, as everyone here demanded respect for their names.
The air itself seemed to hum with authority and presence, a subtle tension threading through the crowd as each individual’s reputation preceded them.
Soon, everyone settled down, as all names had been announced and every participant was now within the immense building.
The echo of footsteps and murmurs gradually faded into an expectant silence.
The announcer, who had been diligently calling out the names, suddenly vanished from his position, his work complete.
A faint ripple of cosmic air lingered in his place, a reminder of the subtle mastery over space that many here possessed.
Suddenly, the vast space seemed to dim, the ambient light lowering as though the space itself was holding its breath.
But nobody shifted or reacted; everyone present could perceive perfectly even in darkness if they so wished, their senses honed to levels far beyond ordinary beings.
With the middle of the ever-stretching hall, a huge screen appeared, its presence shimmering like a perfect hologram suspended in the air.
As it materialized, a male member of the Voidwalker race appeared before it.
As the man emerged, recognition flickered across the faces of Anthony, Lucian, Aaaninja, and Charles, their expressions flickered subtly as they stared at the Voidwalker.
They weren’t the only ones; many others also recognized him.
He was the Overseer for the Starborn Tournament held three years ago, a man who seemed to live for battle and carnage more than almost anyone else they had ever encountered.
He would also serve as the Overseer for this meeting.
The Overseer wore a familiar smile on his face, one that carried both calmness and a faint predatory edge.
He turned to his right, where the older generations from each race, power, and organization had gathered and taken their seats.
Their presence was heavy, oppressive even, an immense weight of authority that pressed subtly against the younger participants.
Then he turned to his left, where the younger generation sat, matching the composure of their seniors in calmness, but their presence dared not stir or even rise in deference to the older generation’s overwhelming dominance.
“Welcome, everyone.
I suppose I need no introduction at this point in my life.
And if I need to introduce myself for you to know me, then you are probably too weak for me to bother with,” the Overseer began to speak.
His tone was casual, almost playful, but the implication cut sharper than any blade.
His words caused many to frown slightly.
He had already insulted millions here by implying they were weak, despite the fact that every single individual present was Planetary level in power.
But, even as they absorbed the slight, they remained in their seats.
After all, the man was from the Voidwalker race, and they were within an infinitely stretching space, a domain no different from his own personal territory.
The Voidwalkers were renowned for their innate control over space and void itself, making defiance or display of anger a potentially dangerous move.
“I’m sure many of you are eager to know the reason for this meeting,” the Overseer continued after a brief pause, his words deliberate.
“But if you have thought that this is another gathering for the Starborn Tournament or anything of the sort, then you are mistaken.” He paused dramatically, the faint smile never leaving his face, and allowed a moment for suspense to settle over the hall.
“The reason we are all here is for something that affects us all… a Galactical Conquest.” His words erupted through the hall like thunder striking in the silence.
“Galactical Conquest?” a man from the older generation murmured, disbelief flickering across his face.
“Has another Galaxy been found after eons of searching?” a woman intoned.
It was only natural that those at the height of their power would have scoured the cosmos in search of new territories.
Expansion meant not only resources but also opportunities to ascend to higher planes of existence, a chance few could refuse.
“It seems another Galaxy has been found.
Is this meeting to gather our forces and invade?” another asked quietly, his tone edged with excitement and calculation.
“It seems so…” someone replied from the side, their voice almost lost amidst the low murmur of discussion spreading through the older generation.
Some older generation members speculated amongst themselves, quiet excitement burning in their eyes, plotting strategy even as they tried to appear composed.
But those who understood the truth of the matter simply remained silent, patiently waiting for the Overseer to continue who seemed to be enjoying the misunderstanding, relishing the ignorance that danced before him like a flickering flame.
It wasn’t only the older generation whispering.
Even the younger generations were conversing amongst themselves, though most had only partial understanding.
They had yet to reach the peak of their own galaxy’s power, and thus lacked the foresight or knowledge possessed by their seniors.
Many had only ever dreamed of cosmic scale events; this was their first glimpse at the machinations that governed galactic affairs.
Anthony, Aaaninja, Lucian, and Aura remained seated, their expressions carefully neutral.
Their eyes scanned the hall, measuring reactions and anticipation without revealing a hint of surprise.
“I think you all are somewhat mistaken,” the Overseer’s voice tore through the space, instantly silencing the hushed conversations.
The sheer force behind his words left no room for debate.
“When I said Galactical Conquest,” he clarified, his smile widening as though savoring their reactions, “I meant the Conquest is against our own Galaxy.
Another Galaxy is invading us.” As the Overseer spoke, lost in his own visions of bloodshed and conquest, the eyes of many in the hall widened in disbelief.
Minutes ago, they had been imagining themselves as the invaders, having discovered a galaxy ripe for plunder.
Now, the reality that they were the ones being invaded struck like a cold, crushing wave.
They couldn’t quite believe it.
But, again, why hadn’t the Overseer phrased his words more clearly?
His deliberate ambiguity had made it seem as if they were the ones mounting a conquest, not the ones under attack.
“Impossible.” “Who dares try to invade us?” “Have they gone mad?” “What foolish alien race has such audacity?” “How did they find us?” “How strong are they?” “How accurate is this information?” “What is the source of this intel?” “How many have already been killed on our side?” More and more questions erupted from the older generation, panic and disorder spreading like wildfire.
One moment, they had been elated by the prospect of conquest; the next, they seethed at the audacity of another galaxy daring to challenge them.
Their double standards, blatant and unashamed, seemed boundless.
Various voices echoed through the air, overlapping and intensifying the chaos.
The Overseer listened to their panic and desperation with visible glee, his eyes alight with amusement.
Meanwhile, the younger generation dared not voice their thoughts.
How could they?
Their role was to observe, to acknowledge, and to learn, not to challenge the elders or reveal their ignorance.
The hall, once filled with orderly presence and authority, now trembled under the weight of disbelief, fear, and mounting tension.
Every whispered speculation, every frantic question, and every drawn breath seemed to feed the Overseer’s enjoyment.