MIGHT AS WELL BE OP

Chapter 356 356: GIRLFRIEND-2

Anthonyʼs body trembled the moment his eyes scanned the reward.

It defied belief.

No—

It transcended possibility.

That which he had long desired.

That which he had relentlessly pursued.

That which he had yearned for with every fiber of his being.

He couldnʼt believe it.

In his previous life, he had remained a virgin, never once having experienced the warmth of a lover.

Not once had he held a girlfriend.

There were women he had admired, fleeting crushes that stirred within him, yet he never dared to act, never summoned the courage to confess.

Time had never been on his side, consumed as he was by the relentless demands of work.

Nor had he possessed the financial means, he had barely scraped by on his own, let alone shouldering the burden of another.

And even if fate had been kinder in those aspects, he lacked the looks that would have granted him an advantage.

But now?

Now, he surpassed every requirement, and even had more.

Face? Flawless.

Height? Perfect.

Physique? Sculpted to perfection.

Wealth? Limitless.

Charm? Unquestionable.

Voice? Deep and alluring.

This time, he didnʼt just check every box, he redefined the standard.

In that moment, Anthony was overcome with an overwhelming impulse to kneel and bow at ???ʼs feet.

Such a reward, granted on his eighteenth birthday, was nothing short of extraordinary.

”Finally. That wretched author has finally done something worthy”

Anthony murmured, his voice rich with contentment.

Happiness radiated through his words.

”What a flawless night. What a perfect time to be eighteen. What a perfect time to embrace manhood”

A smile stretched across his face as he spoke once more, the satisfaction evident in his every word.

Then, in an instant, a blinding flash of light erupted beside him, and a small figure materialized, effortlessly settling atop his head.

It was Romulus.

”You werenʼt even this joyful when you first saw me. Yet here you are, weeping over a woman”

Romulus remarked, settling more comfortably atop Anthonyʼs head.

Anthony scoffed in response.

”Youʼve turned my head into your throne at this point. And when did I ever cry? Did you see a single tear fall from my eyes?”

He paused, a mischievous grin playing on his lips.

”Besides, beings like you have probably been single since the dawn of eternity. Spare me the lecture on women”

Romulus grinned, clearly entertained by Anthonyʼs words.

”Oh, of course, Iʼve been single. Do you truly believe anyone in existence could be worthy of becoming my wife? Not even your so called gods. Not even those a step below ???. And unlike you, I didnʼt waste over thirty years of my life as a virgin”

At Romulusʼ words, Anthony felt a surge of frustration welling up inside him.

What was so wrong with being a thirty year old virgin?

Why did everyone feel the need to ridicule him for it?

But it seemed Romulus wasnʼt finished.

”You even seem so pathetic that ??? had to personally hand you a girl. I wonder what your reward for your nineteenth birthday will be? A broken V-card, perhaps?”

Romulus taunted, his smirk deepening as he gazed down on Anthony from his perch atop his head.

In their shared perception, they could lock eyes without a single movement of their heads or even a shift in their gaze.

Anthony fell silent for a brief moment, the sting of Romulusʼ words gnawing at him.

It was a fleeting moment of doubt.

But then, with a sharp exhale, he shook his head, dispelling the lingering feeling.

”At least I have a girl. Something youʼve never had. I wonder what that must feel like”

Anthonyʼs voice remained steady, his words cutting through the air as he refused to let Romulusʼ words drag him down.

Romulus remained silent, his response seemingly lost in the air. It was clear he had finished playing his games for now.

”So, why are you here?”

Anthony asked, his tone shifting to one of genuine curiosity.

”Why leave your honorable sanctuary? I thought everything beneath you was... beneath you. Or did you suddenly feel a spark of curiosity?”

Romulusʼ gaze remained steady, his silence hanging in the air.

Then, with a subtle shift in tone, he replied.

”Everything is indeed beneath me. But you were so elated, so thoroughly moved that even your soul quivered. I had no choice but to come out and witness it for myself. I never imagined you could be this desperate. But whatever. Letʼs see this girlfriend of yours”

Anthony nodded, unbothered by Romulusʼ mockery.

Anthonyʼs thoughts spiraled, his imagination racing faster than ever before.

Countless scenarios flooded his mind, each more vivid than the last.

What would she look like?

What shade would her skin bear, radiant or fair?

What tone would her voice carry, soft and melodic, or strong and commanding?

What color would her hair be?

Flowing like silk, or a fiery cascade of locks?

How old would she be?

Would she be tall, her presence towering over him? Or short, her delicate frame a contrast to his?

What kind of love would she offer him?

Would she be a Yandere, possessive and intense?

A Tsundere, hiding her feelings behind a tough exterior?

A Kuudere, aloof yet tender?

Or a Dandere, quiet and shy but loyal to the core?

Anthony was prepared for any form of affection, whatever it might be, he was ready to embrace it.

His mind already began mapping out every possible outcome, every conceivable plan, each a potential future with the girl who had suddenly become the center of his thoughts.

But then—

His thoughts ground to a sudden, jarring halt.

No girl appeared before him.

The space around him didnʼt ripple.

Reality didnʼt twist or bend.

Nothing changed.

The night remained still, as though nothing had shifted at all.

A frown crept onto Anthonyʼs face, a knot of unease forming in his chest as a bad feeling slowly began to seep into his heart.

”OP system, what is happening?”

Anthony asked, his voice laced with confusion.

The familiar mechanical chime of the system echoed in the air.

[Ding]

[??? wants the Host to find the girl himself and progress things forward on his own]

Anthony stood there, stunned into silence.

He wasnʼt the only one.

Romulus, too, was taken aback, his eyes narrowing as the unexpected twist unfolded.

Anthony had expected his girlfriend to appear in a grand, majestic manner, much like how Romulus had materialized.

Romulus had assumed the same.

But it seemed ??? wasnʼt about to make things that easy.

[??? says life would be too easy if he handed you a girlfriend without you putting any effort. He has already provided you with a girlfriend. All that remains is for you to meet her and build the relationship yourself]

Anthonyʼs shoulders sagged, the weight of the words pressing heavily on him.

He felt as though the very foundation of his expectations had been ripped away.

He wanted to drop to his knees and cry.

All the anticipation, all the excitement he had built up, had come crashing down.

He had imagined meeting her right then and there, but reality was far more complex.

”But I donʼt know where she is. What if sheʼs on another planet? Or another galaxy? Or an entirely different universe? Is the author planning to make me go through an entirely new arc, after the military one, just to hunt down a girlfriend?”

Anthony spoke seriously, his voice laced with mock despair.

It was as if he was already preparing to abandon the upcoming military arc in favor of diving headfirst into the girlfriend hunting arc, eager to face whatever challenges awaited in this unexpected new direction.

[The Host doesnʼt need to worry. She is in the military. Good luck, Host]

With that, the systemʼs voice vanished, leaving Anthony to process the revelation.

His mind gradually settled.

At least now, he knew she was in the military, and he was already headed there tomorrow.

”I shouldʼve known ??? wouldnʼt make things this easy. But still, it was a good show, watching your expectations and happiness crumble”

Romulusʼ voice echoed, tinged with amusement.

”Iʼm heading to bed. I donʼt have time for single men at this point in time”

Anthony replied, his tone firm.

He needed to sleep as soon as possible.

The sooner he slept, the sooner tomorrow would come, and the sooner heʼd meet his girlfriend.

Romulus shook his head, the faintest smile in existence graced his lips as he disappeared.

He was happy for Anthony, but such feelings would never leave his lips.

And with that, Anthony drifted into sleep.

This time, his dreams werenʼt of saving a princess from a Demon King.

No, he already had a girl waiting for him.

He couldnʼt start cheating now.