Chapter 708: Ancient... Fools
"BEWARE.....THE AUTHOR AND THE INEFFABLE CLAN HAS ARRIVED!!!!"
A full week had gone by sent such a message had been announced to the entire source of expansion...
And seven days... that was more than enough time for the inhabitants of the source to begin feeling the presence of the Ineffable Clan.
The Source of Expansion was the usual mythical land of breathtaking wonder.
With the sky stretching overhead in a deep, vibrant red, illuminated by four suns that burned in perfect harmony—three white and one golden.
Ash strolled alone through one of the bustling towns nestled amid these wonders, hands tucked casually into the pockets of his simple baggy pants.
Even after all this time, he had no sense of style when it came to dressing—and he couldn’t care less.
Unless it was for a special occasion, he stuck to baggy sweatpants, bare feet, and, in this case, a plain black muscle shirt.
The streets were lined with massive structures—tall halls of carved stone and wood that blended seamlessly with the living landscape, their surfaces etched with flowing patterns that caught the warm, multi-hued light.
And Ash had also decided on his new look...
Now, he had shoulder-length black hair, threaded with ethereal white strands, that swayed gently in the breeze.
With smooth, light brown skin that glowed under the vibrant sunlight, while his eyes—ever shifting—sometimes held entire galaxies, and other times mirrored unfolding moments in real time, drifting across the lively scene with quiet amusement.
There were no horns, no pointy ears—only the elegant black-and-white infinity tattoo etched beneath his left eye and the matching earrings that swayed with his every movement.
He looked disarmingly human, a tribute, a throwback to those early days on Elaris.
The subtle weight of his presence seemed to drift with him—lingering glances followed, conversations quieted mid-sentence—but he hardly cared, the faint curve of his smile saying more than words ever could.
Over the past week since arriving at the Source of Expansion, Ash had spent most of his time lost in thought.
His mind kept circling back to the wager he’d made with NovelGeek2, which had become the central thread of his focus as he mulled over what he truly wanted his novel to be.
At last, he’d landed on an idea—still rough around the edges, still taking shape—but it was something, and that was enough for now.
---
"Three Divine Wishes... Yeah, I Became OP," he muttered as he kept walking.
"That sounds like the perfect title for my grandson’s journey..."
Just like his own novel had a catchy and obvious hook, he figured he’d stick to the same formula, especially since it would be set in Pantheos—and this time, the character would actually be related to him by blood.
Still, that made things trickier, because unlike Nullen, he wouldn’t be creating this character completely from scratch.
But that was a tale for another time...
Eventually, the town’s vibrant energy drew him to a sprawling, coliseum-like structure at the heart of the district.
Towering arches framed its entrance, worn by years of use and fortified with sturdy wards.
It was a fight club—raw and unpretentious—a place to test strength, place bets, and let frustrations fly beneath the gaze of the suns and moons.
At the grand doorway, a woman with crimson hair cascading like liquid blood and eyes sharp as polished rubies halted him.
She leaned against a reinforced pillar, clipboard in hand and an aura-sensing gauntlet glowing softly on the other, checking beings in and out with practiced efficiency.
But when her gaze landed on Ash—taking in the smooth lines of his face, the enigmatic shift of his eyes, the effortless charm of his form—her posture shifted.
A slow, inviting smile bloomed across her full lips.
"Well, well," she purred, stepping closer and letting her eyes trace him appreciatively.
"What’s a pretty boy like you doing wandering into a den like this? You sure you’re not lost, sweetheart?
This ain’t exactly the place for soft skin and dreamy eyes."
Inwardly, Ash shook his head but chose to indulge her with a lazy smile, tilting his head.
Though he had promised himself there would be no more women, he couldn’t resist as the flirtation flowed from him effortlessly, warm and playful.
"Where else would I be?" he replied, voice carrying that effortless cadence.
She laughed, a rich, throaty sound, and leaned forward with an easy shrug, her figure brushing just close enough.
One gloved finger pointed upward toward the four suns burning in the vibrant red sky.
"Maybe trying to break the boundary instead of wagering your powers in here...."
Ash chuckled, low and genuine.
"Well, I’m just taking a break... and wanted to kill a few people today."
The woman’s eyes widened for a beat before she burst into laughter, shaking her head as she waved him through.
"Pfft! How ridiculous. But I like your spirit, handsome. Go on in—try not to get that pretty face ruined too quick."
As Ash stepped past her, he only smiled. She called after him, voice still warm with curiosity.
"What’s your name, then? So I know who to watch for when the crowd starts cheering."
He paused just long enough to glance back.
"The Author."
The words lingered.
Her expression softened dreamily at first.
"Mmm, that’s beautiful... The Author..."
Then a flicker of realization crossed her face
. "Wait... you mean—"
But before she could finish, Ash was already gone.
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WUUUUUU!!!!!!!
RUMBLEEEE!!!!!
He stood now in the heart of the fighting arena, the roar of the crowd crashing over him like a wave of raw excitement and tension.
The circular pit was vast, its floor cracked and stained from countless bouts, the air thick with the scent of sweat, oiled leather, and the faint ozone of unleashed power.
Two hulking figures—a broad ogre brute wreathed in a red aura and a lithe elven assassin cloaked in flickering shadows—had been mid-collision, their punches thundering toward each other with bone-shaking force.
Ash appeared directly between them.
BOOOOOOOOMMMM!!!!
With casual grace, he caught both incoming fists in open palms.
The impact sent visible ripples across the arena floor, but to him it was nothing more than an idle annoyance.
He simply tossed them away—flinging the ogre-kin into the far barrier with a heavy thud and the elf spiraling into a cluster of spectators—then dusted his hands off as if clearing away dust.
"Well, then. I see this place is filled with a bunch of Ancient Fools."