Chapter 308: Yes I’m OP (2) - Walking Towards The Peak

"You’re finally admitting it, huh?" Jovian said, shaking his head. "The damn Main Character."

Akasha’s eyes met his mother’s for just half a second, and that was all it took. They both laughed quietly, just enough for Yume’s mouth to curve and Luna’s shoulders to relax.

For a time, Jovian had believed Akasha to be the Main Character of Kalpa, but what he didn’t realize was that he was closer to the truth than he thought.

Akasha was indeed a Main Character, yet from what Jovian had learned, he was not the Main Character—an important distinction.

While Akasha’s power seemed outrageous, from the time with Akashi, he knew that out there in Pantheos existed others who might be even more formidable than him.

This understanding was exactly why Akasha intended to exploit every advantage at his disposal; from this moment on, not a single day would pass without him living in harmony with his star.

In other words, he didn’t plan to take countless eras to reach the Peak.

’I can’t say it’d be a speed run,’ he mused briefly, glancing over the circle of them with Sage still nestled warmly in his arms, his thumb slowly stroking the soft gray fur along her back.

’But... I definitely won’t sit around on my hands.’

As his thoughts passed, he looked over the group and spoke.

"Alright... I’ll try to keep this brief," He said in a casual tone as he gestured upwards at the massive infinity sign in the void.

"We will be heading up there... into Pantheos."

"We know, Master," Calista said with a nod, her shadowy wings folding neatly against her scholar’s coat, black horns gleaming beneath the white sun.

"Mother Dream has already told us about the part where you destroyed the universe... and how we will soon be stepping into the Main Hub of existence."

Back when it all happened, Calista had focused on finding the starting point of her own journey, determined to spread knowledge across all realms and bring the Hub of Knowledge wider recognition.

But now, knowing there was an even greater expanse of existence beyond what she had imagined—and that she possessed a gift allowing her to learn anything she desired.

She couldn’t help but feel a spark of impatience at the thought of entering Pantheos herself.

At those words, Akasha cast a glance at his mother and smiled wryly.

"Right," he said with a slight shake of his head before continuing, "The reason you are all here is simple—I see you as family in some way."

His women and disciples didn’t even need to be brought up, and that included Liliana.

Even though he had done his best to avoid her, and even now after countless evolutions, their old bloodline bond had nearly faded away.

Still, whether it was because she had always been a little obsessed with him or for some other reason, she continued to hold on tightly to her feelings for him.

He had to admit, she was a refreshing change compared to his other women.

Luna and Yume, for example, were alike in many ways—they were playful teasers, lustful, and above all, understanding.

They wouldn’t care if he went out and took a hundred wives, but Akasha knew he didn’t want that kind of life. He

wasn’t sure how many partners he’d end up with in the end, but he thought maybe Liliana could help keep things in check.

After all, she was clearly a yandere.

Although Jovian and Harlan weren’t exactly "family," he enjoyed their company, and with Harlan’s important job, it only made sense to stay close.

As he spoke, his gaze drifted from face to face, finally resting on Nara’s green eyes and, at last, Amaterasu’s reddish-gold ones.

"Or perhaps because I owe you a thing or two."

Akasha was a man of his word—or at least he tried to be—and the deal he made with Nara was one he intended to honor.

In some ways, he already had, but regardless, he would not only help her but also repay Amaterasu for making his path to becoming a Pantheon Leader so much easier.

"And now that I’ve decided to ascend... as my family, you will too," Akasha said, smiling casually.

"Always... and forever, together... we will walk toward the Peak."

The final word seemed to drain the air from the circle.

No one needed him to explain further; every person there understood exactly what he meant.

The Peak he spoke of wasn’t a real place but a symbol—the highest point of power, distant and untouchable.

In each chest, the thought of it felt weird, a far-off concept people could name but never truly grasp.

"When you say it... it sure sounds good," Amaterasu remarked with a small scoff, the flames flickering low along her pale skin as her frown returned.

"But... it’s the same fleeting dream every god, goddess, and constellation carries. You know that."

"Touché," Akasha said with a smile, gazing directly into her eyes.

He didn’t argue, knowing it would be irrelevant.

A fleeting dream perhaps, but who was he again?

Rather than speak, he let his actions slowly and surely prove it. He adjusted Sage higher against his chest and extended his free hand toward all of them.

"Now, I know each of you has something on your mind," he said, aware of all the situations affecting them.

But as always, when has he ever stepped in directly to solve their problems?

No, much like he didn’t want his mother to intervene in his own journey, he would only grant them the power to handle things themselves.

"In due time... everything will be fine. In the meantime, enjoy the reward for being part of this family."

Snap!

HUMMMMMMM!!!!!!

In that moment, he snapped his fingers, and Divinity closed around every person before him at once—cocoons of pure power lifted them from the ground and held them in the air near the racial ponds and duplication pools at the back of the mountain.

Although he could have triggered their evolutions instantly, he decided to let them wait for a while as he prepared a few things in advance in Pantheos. Heading uphill, he walked with Luna on his left, Akashi on his right, Yume beside Luna, and Sage sleeping peacefully in his arms.

The path led them through the oasis, leaving the cocoons behind. Flowers, water, and the white sun reflecting off the ponds filled the walk, making conversation feel unnecessary.

Yume looked over at him, blue-gray hair sliding forward, fingers worrying a loose thread on her sleeve.

"Master... So, when you step into Pantheos," she asked, "what is first?"

"Well, I need to create a new Domain," he said, "and a base that isn’t in the Land of Elsewhere."

His main base would still be rooted there, of course, but he wanted something within Pantheos—something that could serve as a decoy for the true Pantheon of Infinite Dreams.

After that, the conversation faded into a comfortable quiet, not oppressive, just filled with the gentle sounds of the oasis and the soft echo of their footsteps on wet stone.

Akashi slid his free arm through hers.

"Akasha."

As she spoke, Akasha raised an eyebrow; she rarely addressed him that way, which immediately made his caution rise.

"Don’t ever forget... Pantheos is dangerous," she stated, her hand resting firmly on his arm while her eyes remained trained on the path ahead, avoiding his face.

"I must acknowledge... you have evolved into someone far beyond what I could have foreseen. However, that does not grant you the freedom to proceed without caution."

She exhaled slowly, the breath carrying away the ease that had accompanied their walk moments before.

"I only hope you remain true to the person you have become after all these years."