Chapter 12: The price of power: Did He Sell Himself to a Sugar Mommy?

Nox let out a long, drawn-out yawn, his body slouched lazily against the hardwood table in the vacant. The last rays of evening sunlight filtered in through the windows, casting long shadows that stretched across the empty floor.

After Lyra's departure, he had wandered the market for a while before returning home, only to realize he had nothing left to occupy his time. "I think it's about time I start making plans for my future." He crossed his arms, falling into deep thought. "It's been two days since I transmigrated to this world, and I more or less understand the basics now..."

"So what should I do next?"

"Start a business?" his brows furrowed at this thought, "It's feasible.. But i need to do market research and most important thing is...." Nox opened his communicator, and a projection appeared before him, ".... I need funds. Right now, I only have around 10,000 Federal dollars to my name. Although that's enough for me to get by for a few months, what about after that?" The thought gave him a headache.

Finding steady work should be his next agenda.

At this moment, A notification dinged. "You have a new message from Lyra."

Nox raised his eyebrow in surprise, "Message from Lyra? Does she need some help?" With some concern, he opened the message. 

"Here is the formula for Tier 1 Physical Enhancement:

[Physical Enhancement Formulae (C Grade)]

 - Gene Serum (C grade) x 1

 -Nano Booster (D grade) x 1

 -Stabilizing Solution x 1

Directions for Use:

...

_I will send the required Nano Booster and Gene Serum later. They should arrive at your residence tomorrow. However, you'll need to procure the Stabilizing Solution yourself. Consider this an advance payment for hiring you onto my project.

-Lyra"

"Holy shit!" Nox's eyes widened to the extreme after reading the message. "A Tier 1 Physical Enhancement Formula? And she's providing the gene serum and nano booster too?"

Nox stared at Lyra's message, eyes widening as he grasped the immense value she was offering. A Tier 1 Physical Enhancement Formula was no small matter- On top of that she has provided C grade Formulae. On the open market, a formula like this alone would cost around 80,000 Federal Dollars.

[There were different quality grades for each tier enhancement - A, B, C, and D.]

If Nox factored in the costs for the gene serum and nano boosters Lyra mentioned, the total could easily soar over 130,000...even 140,000 Federal Dollars.

"Is she that wealthy?" Nox muttered in disbelief as the realization struck him. There are two possible scenarios here, Either Lyra is filthy rich or he has been drastically underestimating his own poverty.

His surprise didn't last for long as it was soon replaced with worry.

"What exactly is this 'help' she needs from me? She said it was related to Virtual Space creation..." His brow furrowed as he paced around the room. "But creating virtual environments doesn't cost this much, does it? There has to be more to it."

He should be overjoyed at receiving such valuable physical enhancements, but now he couldn't shake his concerns.

Recalling Lyra's frank and often brash nature, Nox had a nagging feeling there were deeper layers to unravel. After all, the first thing she had proposed after meeting him was...to cut off his manhood.

"Or maybe I'm just overthinking this whole thing? Maybe she genuinely wants to support me." Nox couldn't get that thought out of his head. "I mean, we have shared a bed before..." A sly grin crept across his face. "So this is what it feels like to be a kept man, huh? Living off a woman's generosity. I could get used to this!"

"...Like hell! There is no way this is possible." His expression shifted, the grin disappearing as quickly as it had appeared. "There must be a scheme. I will not use Enhancement until I find the real reason." 

[Ding!] [Final Phase of mission completed successfully...]

[Mission: Enlightening Lyra] [Progress: 100%]

[Rewards being issued...] [Tier 1 Enhancement Formulae (Fragment x1)]

[Congratulations to the host for completing the very first mission!]

The system notification flashed across his vision.

[System is upgrading...]

[Upgrade in progress....]

Nox held his breath as pixels of light danced around him.

[Upgrade Completed!]

[It's detected that you have Tier 1 Enhancement Formulae (Fragment x3). Do you wish to merge them?]

"What the hell?" Nox muttered in disbelief, reading and re-reading the message. "Mission completed too soon? How come? Isn't it too fast?"

Confusion was etched on his face as the system responded.

[Host, the mission completed means only one thing. That you have unlocked all criteria for clearance.]

[Your task was to help her understand and experience the emotional and physical pleasure that can be derived from sexual intimacy.]

[You completed the physical aspect a while ago. So that leaves the emotional aspect. If the mission is complete, that means Lyra has become emotionally attached to you...]

Nox's eyes widened in surprise at the implication. "What?"

Is that really the case? Thinking till here Nox subconsciously glanced at the Enhancement formulae she had sent and fell into deep thought.

.....

Chronos City - a shining metropolis that stood as a beacon of scientific innovation and progress. Within its boundaries thrived numerous cutting-edge research facilities, each one a temple devoted to pushing the boundaries of human knowledge. But among them, a select few held a revered status that commanded respect across the academic world.

NexGen BioSolutions was one such elite institution, its towering spires of steel and glass dominating the skyline of the city's East District. 

Inside the facility, harsh fluorescent lights bathed the cavernous research facility in a clinical glow. Row upon row of cylindrical tubes lined the expansive space, each one containing a viscous blue liquid that sloshed languidly with every subtle vibration.

Within those iridescent depths floated wondrous biological constructs - part mechanical augmentation, part living flesh seamlessly intertwined. These hybrid creations appeared to swim contentedly through the preservative fluids, As White-coated researchers in crisp lab attire bustled about, tapping at tablets and scrutinizing data readouts.

At this moment, the automatic metal door slid open with a harsh hiss. As Lyra strode in, her heels clacking against floor tiles with a briefcase in her hand.

Lyra's sharp gaze swept across the cavernous lab, Her mouth pressed into a flat line as she seemed to search the scattered white coats for a particular person but didn't find one she was looking for.

With a curt nod, she turned on her heel and made for the elevator bank at the far side of the facility floor. Lyra punched a series of codes into the security panel, and the doors slid open with a muted hiss. She stepped inside, and pressed the 11th floor and the door was closed.

When the doors parted again, she found herself in a pristine corridor lined with opaque glass walls. A single room sat at the end of the hallway, Lyra walked toward the door, and upon reaching, She rapped her knuckles firmly against its surface and called out, "Leader, Are you present? I've brought the materials you requested."

The door flung open immediately as if the person was waiting at the other side of the door, and before Lyra could react, a figure emerged and embraced her tightly. "Oh my, Lyra you are back! How many times have I told you to call me Big Sister, not Leader?"

The woman nuzzled her cheek affectionately against Lyra's.She was a striking beauty, appearing barely twenty-five yet possessing an ageless radiance. Angular yet soft feminine features framed her face - a strong jawline, deep brown eyes upturned at the corners and framed by lush lashes that sparkled with mischief, a delicate straight nose, and raven black tightly coiled curls framing her visage like a wild halo.

Despite her petite, curvaceous frame, she exuded a commanding presence as slender fingers raked through Lyra's hair, playfully messing it. The flowing peasant blouse and fluid maxi skirt only accentuated her hourglass figure - the swell of full breasts, the defined waistline, the rounded curves of her backside. Plump, bow-shaped lips curved in a warm smile as she held Lyra close.

 "Leader, I have brought the materials," Lyra stated, extracting herself from the woman's embrace with well-practiced precision. But the woman clung to her like a persistent maggot, immediately reattaching herself.

"Thank you for your hard work," she cooed, plump lips brushing Lyra's cheek. "You can take the day off. Are you hungry? Let me make something for you." Her fingers found Lyra's face, pinching the reddened cheeks mercilessly.

Lyra's shoulders slumped in helpless defeat as she endured the onslaught of saccharine affection. She is no match for this woman in terms of strength. So she could only endure.

The woman's demeanor shifted abruptly as she leaned in close, deeply inhaling around Lyra's body with a deliberate sniffing motion. Her brow furrowed, eyes narrowing with subdued suspicion.

"Lyra...sniff...sniff..." She drew in a long breath near Lyra's neck and hair. "Where were you? I detect...a familiar scent...on you." Her voice took on a low, accusatory rumble as she spoke, finger rising to prod Lyra's nose gently.

The woman's nostrils flared as she drew in a deep breath, eyes fluttering closed to fully concentrate on the familiar yet elusive scent. "Although the smell is familiar… I can't remember where I smelled it.." she murmured, leaning in to sample the fragrance trapped within Lyra's tresses .Seeing the opportunity, Lyra slipped out of her grasp and rushed toward the elevator.

Seizing the opportunity, Lyra deftly slipped from the woman's grasp and retreated towards the elevator in a rush. "I-it's just sweat!" she called out over her shoulder, the panic evident in her wavering voice as if she'd been caught red-handed.

As the elevator gates closed behind them with a soft thunk, Lyra couldn't help but sniff herself surreptitiously. Could this woman's ancestry include being part bloodhound? she mused. How else can she still smell anything on me? As Elevator gate closed, Lyra sniffed herself in suspicion. I don't smell anything out of the ordinary, but I should probably take a bath later just to be safe.

The woman watched the elevator doors slide shut, suspicion etched across her delicate features. "Sweat? It smelled like that...but there's no way Lyra would do anything untoward. She's a good girl..."

A mischievous grin played on her lips as she mused aloud, "Well, whatever it was, I'll just have to sneak into her room tonight and investigate further. It's been too long since I've done that."

Stretching languidly, she arched her back, accentuating the graceful curves of her body. "Ah, but I've worked hard enough today. Now it's time to rest and reward myself," she purred, a relaxed smile gracing her full lips.

With a skip in her step, she hopped into the adjacent office, her bedroom lying just beyond. With a light step, she slipped into the adjoining office, her bedroom just within reach. Entering the room, she let out a delighted sigh and practically leaped onto the bed, rolling playfully on the soft covers. Her clothes were a mess, playfully askew, revealing a glimpse of her white tummy, soft and supple. Her hair, usually meticulously styled, cascaded down her shoulders in a tangle of loose curls, framing her flushed face.

"I worked hard today, So it won't be a problem if I reward myself a little right? I deserve this.." She whispered, with her hands rubbing her tummy unconsciously tracing the soft curves. She bit her lips, as she pulled the bedsheet up, burning herself completely. Only her bare feet peeked out, toes curling and uncurling.

A rustling sound emerged from within the bed sheet cocoon. A delicate blouse, a whisper of lace, and a skirt flew out, landing in a soft heap next to the bed. The bedsheet rippled and moved, the outline of her graceful figure highlighted against the soft fabric.

Suddenly, a slender hand emerged from the cocoon, fingers darting towards a nearby drawer. It opened with a soft creak, and the hand retreated back into the sheets, grasping something unseen.

"Hmmm," a soft hum escaped her lips, a hint of anticipation in her voice.

Beneath the sheets, her legs shifted restlessly, the friction of bare skin against fabric sending waves of sensation coursing through her body. Each movement, each subtle shift, only served to heighten the intensity of the moment, building towards an inevitable climax of passion and ecstasy.