MIGHT AS WELL BE OP

Chapter 214 Rejected

By the time they emerged from the dungeon, night had already fallen, draping the world in a shroud of darkness.

Exhausted from the arduous battle, the group parted ways, retreating to their respective lodgings to rest and recover.

Anthony found himself seated by the window of his hotel room, his gaze lingering on the silent night outside.

After a moment's pause, he retrieved his phone and dialed his mother.

Their conversation, though brief, seemed to ease the weight of the day.

Once the call ended, Anthony sank onto the bed, the non existent fatigue of the fight finally pulling him into a deep, undisturbed sleep.

At dawn, Anthony rose earlier than usual.

Accompanied by Adrian and the others, he made his way to the Adventurer's Guild.

This time, they brought with them the spoils of their conquest, the corpses of the chimera and Minotaurs, to claim the rewards befitting their efforts.

Chimeras were always sold at premium prices, given their unique nature.

As beings created by dungeons, not the result of mere mortal experimentation, their carcasses held immense value for scientific research, offering endless opportunities to study their amalgamated biology.

After concluding the transaction, the group sat around a table in the bustling Adventurer's Guild, splitting the earnings as previously agreed.

"Hey, Lorian, care to join us for another mission? About a week from now"

Thane asked, leaning back in his chair with an easy grin.

Anthony sat quietly for a moment, his eyes slipping shut as though deep in thought.

Then, with calm resolution, he opened them and replied.

"I won't be joining you from now on"

Thane's brow furrowed slightly, while Lira chimed in curiously.

"Why's that? We make a pretty good team"

Anthony shook his head lightly.

"It's nothing personal. I just prefer working alone. I joined you guys only to see what it's like to work alongside others, that's all"

Lira raised an eyebrow, pressing on.

"So then, what score would you give us for the experience we gave you?"

A small chuckle escaped Anthony's lips as he leaned back.

"A perfect score."

The group exchanged smiles at the response, some of them starting to stand.

"If you ever change your mind, call me, Lorian"

Adrian said, tossing a card in Anthony's direction before continuing with a grin.

"For now, though, I need to relax a little before the next mission begins"

Lira rolled her eyes, clicking her tongue in disapproval.

"Heading to those brothels again, Adrian? Don't waste the money you should be using to cultivate on people who only awaken sex-related classes"

Her words carried an edge of teasing scorn, but everyone knew she had a point.

In this world, there existed a myriad of classes, and among them were those who awakened the 'Sex Class'.

Individuals with this class were often unnaturally beautiful or handsome, endowed with unique skills tailored to enhance intimacy and seduction.

Their services were not offered for mere quarks they demanded mana crystals, the very essence of cultivation.

As a result, they lived lives of immense wealth and influence, thriving on the desires of others while holding immense power in their own right.

"You're just jealous because they make more money than you, even when you're nearly dying, yet they earn the same amount simply by enjoying themselves or lying around"

Thane remarked, a smirk playing on his lips as he leaned back in his chair.

Anthony shook his head, chuckling at the comment before he stood up to leave.

As he walked through the guild's bustling halls, his mind wandered, drifting into more troubling thoughts.

'Should I visit them?'

He pondered.

'What if I meet my female lead during the galaxy competition, but she rejects me because I'm no longer a virgin?'

A wave of frustration washed over him, and his mood soured.

'It seems my virgin life continues'

He clicked his tongue in irritation.

'Tsk, tsk… curse you, author. I better not transcend the multiverse and meet you, or I'll have words with your black heart'

With a sigh, Anthony tried to push the thoughts away as he neared Kerm's usual spot.

Her presence, like a steady anchor, managed to pull him out of his mental spiral.

He approached her eagerly, greeting her with a simple.

"Hey, good morning."

Kerm lifted her eyes from the screen she was engrossed in, her expression unreadable as she nodded in acknowledgment.

"It seems you made quite a bit of money this time. Didn't realize you were that strong"

Anthony raised an eyebrow, a slight smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"You thought I was going to die during the mission?"

He asked, the question laced with playful sarcasm.

"Maybe. Maybe not"

Kerm replied nonchalantly, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she returned her attention to the screen in front of her.

With a deep, almost theatrical sigh, Anthony leaned against the table, his charm now in full swing.

He flashed her a warm smile.

"Are you busy tonight? How about a drink?"

Anthony asked, his tone casual but hopeful.

Kerm looked at him for a moment, her gaze calculating, before responding with practiced professionalism.

"I will let you know the day I'm free"

Anthony, however, knew the unspoken truth behind her words.

She didn't want to hang out with him, not because she was busy, but because she didn't find him appealing enough.

Her beauty, of course, far surpassed his own.

'Even someone at C rank can reject me now?'

Anthony thought bitterly.

'Is this how low my charm stats have fallen? Curse you, author! The name of this novel better be *Haremless Protagonist*'

[Ding...?? asks if you aren't tired of tapping your imaginary fourth wall]

Seeing the notification, Anthony opted to ignore it, his frustration mounting.

'It's my fault. I should've included this in my wishes. How dumb was I?'

Shaking his head, he pushed the thoughts aside, determined not to let it ruin his mood.

"Pass me your card"

Kerm's voice cut through his thoughts.

"Sure"

He handed over his card, and Kerm swiftly danced her fingers over the keyboard, slotted his card into a machine, and after a few moments, it returned with the rank change: from Rank 10 to Rank 5.

Anthony took his card back, indifferent to the rank change.

"Congratulations. Your rank has been upgraded due to your dungeon run"

Kerm said, her tone charming.

"Nothing special about it"

Anthony replied nonchalantly.

"So, are you taking a mission today?"

Kerm asked, her voice casual as she continued her work.

"Not sure"

Anthony said with a sigh.

"I'm tired of these boring missions. Monsters are just mindless beasts, and there's hardly any excitement in fighting them"

Kerm raised an eyebrow.

"How about an excursion mission?"

Anthony scoffed.

"Nah, the fans have already read that. No need to repeat scenes and just change characters"

Kerm looked at him, confused.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Ah, my bad"

Anthony said, brushing off the comment.

"Don't worry about it. Anyway, where can I get a mission for those from Rank 2 to Rank 0?"

Kerm's expression shifted slightly.

"You don't just get them"

She replied, her tone serious.

"While the guild doesn't restrict anyone, people can court death if they want, there's still dignity and respect.

If your ID card doesn't show Rank 2 or higher, or your strength doesn't match it, and you step foot on that floor, you'll be attacked and killed on the spot"

Anthony shrugged, unfazed.

"No need to worry too much. Even if I court death, death dares not claim me"

Kerm stared at him, a bemused look crossing her face.

"You sound more delusional than those young masters"

"Cough... Just point me in the right direction for Rank 2 and above, and I'll be out of here"

Anthony said, his impatience evident.

Kerm sighed and nodded, then pointed in a direction.

"Just stand on that platform, select your location from the existing options, pay the required amount, and you'll be teleported"

Anthony raised an eyebrow.

"Casually putting something like this up... as expected of the Adventurers Guild."

He walked over to the platform, climbing up to it.

Without hesitation, he selected the Rank 1 floor.

The cost was steep, 1 million low grade mana crystals, because Anthony wasn't a Rank 1 adventurer.

But that didn't faze him.

He was too wealthy to be bothered by numbers.

As the platform's light began to glow, preparing to teleport him,

Anthony turned to Kerm and spoke with a quiet smile.

"This is probably the last time we'll meet. It was nice meeting you"

Kerm's ears twitched as she heard his voice, but by the time she could even think to respond, he had already disappeared.

She didn't feel anything.

To her, Anthony was just another adventurer, one of hundreds she met daily, and thousands she had encountered over time.

Her mind never wavered for those she barely knew... well, unless she met the real Anthony.

In her mind, Anthony was already dead.

Anyone stepping onto the Rank 1 floor without the necessary strength was as good as gone.

Those at that level wouldn't hesitate to kill him, and Kerm knew this all too well.

She shrugged off the thought and returned to her work.

To her, Anthony was just another fool, destined to be forgotten by the time the next group of adventurers arrived.