Chapter 2: Circuits and Sin

The streets of Nexus-9 were alive — a chaotic blend of neon lights, synthetic music, and the constant hum of machinery. Buildings rose like jagged teeth into the dark sky, their facades plastered with holographic ads: everything from cybernetic enhancements to more... adult services. The rain fell in a steady stream, glowing where it hit the neon-lit pavement.

And Elliot was following a woman who looked like she belonged on both a runway and a battlefield.

Nova walked ahead, confident and dangerous, her silver hair flickering with faint bioluminescent highlights. The holographic tattoos on her bodysuit shifted as she moved, emphasizing curves Elliot had no business staring at but couldn't seem to look away from.

[Libido Meter: Elevated. Thirst levels rising. Deploy cold shower? Y/N]

"Shut. Up," Elliot muttered under his breath.

Nova smirked without turning around. "You talk to yourself a lot, rookie?"

"Uh—yeah. Coping mechanism."

[Correction: You talk to me. I'm not imaginary — I'm impossibly helpful.]

Elliot bit back a groan. This damn System was going to drive him insane.

They crossed a busy street, dodging a sleek, driverless car that whizzed past, its undercarriage glowing with blue plasma. The crowd was a wild mix of street punks, corporate suits, and mercenaries — some sporting glowing limbs, others with full facial augments. It felt like stepping into a futuristic blender set to "murderous."

Finally, Nova stopped outside a bar with a flickering neon sign: The Chrome Den.

The music inside pulsed through the walls — a low, throbbing bass that seemed to vibrate in Elliot's bones. The entrance was guarded by a towering bouncer whose arms were clearly more machine than man. His eyes scanned Nova, then locked onto Elliot.

"Friend of yours?" the bouncer asked, his voice distorted through a voice modulator.

Nova smirked. "He's... a work in progress."

The bouncer grunted and stepped aside. "Don't start trouble."

Elliot wasn't sure if that was a warning to him or Nova.

Inside, the bar was a sensory overload — flashing lights, booming music, and half the patrons seemingly plugged into the digital ether, their eyes glowing as they surfed cyberspace in real-time. Holographic dancers performed behind a glass screen, their bodies glitching and reforming into provocative shapes with every beat of the music.

"Nice place," Elliot muttered.

[Oh yeah, real classy. I give it five exploding head emojis.]

"Get us a booth," Nova said, scanning the crowd. "I need to find someone."

Elliot slid into a booth near the back. The seats buzzed faintly — everything in this world seemed to hum with hidden circuitry. His mind still struggled to catch up. One moment he was an office drone, the next he was smashing cyborg thugs in a rain-soaked alley.

And now? A smoking-hot woman with combat implants had dragged him to a bar straight out of a dystopian fever dream.

He rubbed his temples. "What the hell is my life now?"

[Better than spreadsheets and sad desk lunches, don't you think?]

"Debatable."

"Talking to yourself again?"

Nova had returned, this time with a drink in each hand — some electric-blue cocktail that fizzed and popped like it might dissolve his insides. She slid one glass to him and sat unnervingly close.

Elliot cleared his throat. "Thanks."

She didn't move away. If anything, she leaned in more. "So, rookie… what's your deal?"

He blinked. "My... deal?"

Nova traced the rim of her glass with a cybernetic finger, the tip glowing faintly. "Guys don't just show up in Nexus-9. Especially not ones who fight like they just learned what a pipe is."

Elliot's mouth went dry. "It's... complicated."

Nova smirked. "I like complicated."

[Warning: Flirtation detected. Engage or retreat?]

Elliot ignored the System. "Let's just say I'm new in town. Very new."

Her violet eyes studied him, glowing softly in the low light. "You've got secrets. I like that."

Her fingers drifted to his arm, the touch light but deliberate — cold metal against his skin. Elliot's heart hammered in his chest, the heat rising despite the rain still dripping from his hair.

[Libido Meter: CRITICAL.]

"Not. Now," Elliot hissed under his breath.

Nova tilted her head. "What was that?"

"Nothing! Just... thinking out loud."

Her lips curled into a wicked smile. "You're a terrible liar."

Before Elliot could respond, a sharp ping echoed in his head.

[New Mission: A Dangerous Liaison]

Objective: Gain Nova's trust.

Bonus: Survive the night.

Reward: Advanced Combat Training (Tier 1) + Potential… intimate interaction.

Elliot blinked. "Wait—what?"

Nova arched an eyebrow. "Wait what?"

He coughed. "Nothing. Again. Thinking."

The System practically purred.

[Come on, champ. She's right there. Say something bold. Or stupid. Same thing, really.]

Desperate to shift the mood, Elliot blurted out, "So… are you always this touchy with guys you just met, or am I special?"

Nova's eyes flashed, and for a second, Elliot braced for a slap.

Instead, she laughed — a sultry, genuine sound.

"You're definitely special, rookie," she whispered, leaning so close her lips brushed his ear. "But don't think for a second you can handle me."

The air between them cracked like static.

[Libido Meter: OVERLOADED. Emergency shutdown recommended.]

"I hate you so much," Elliot muttered internally.

Nova's hand drifted lower, resting just above his knee, and for a moment, he wondered if this was part of the mission… or something else entirely.

"Tell me, rookie…" she purred, "are you afraid of me?"

Elliot met her glowing violet gaze, his pulse thundering. "Depends… should I be?"

Nova smiled. "We'll see."

The System's voice buzzed gleefully in his head.

[Achievement unlocked: Flirt with Death. Reward pending…]

Elliot exhaled. He was so screwed.