Chapter 4: Circuits, Sweat, and Sin

The Chrome Den reeked of scorched metal and synthetic smoke, the air still buzzing from the fight. The neon lights flickered in time with the bass, casting jagged shadows across the blood-splattered floor.

Elliot leaned against the booth, his breath still ragged, throat burning from where the Chrome Reaper leader had nearly crushed his windpipe. The System was unusually quiet — which worried him more than anything.

Nova, on the other hand, looked completely unfazed. Her energy blade had vanished back into her wrist, and she tugged at the collar of her bodysuit, adjusting the holographic weave as if this had just been another boring Tuesday night.

"Is this a… normal evening for you?" Elliot rasped.

She smirked. "In Nexus-9? This was a slow night."

[Correction: You survived by sheer luck and a sprinkling of my brilliant assistance.]

"You hid in the corner of my brain the whole time," Elliot muttered under his breath.

Nova arched an eyebrow. "There's that mumbling again."

Elliot forced a weak laugh. "Yeah… quirky habit."

Her violet eyes danced with something dangerous — curiosity, maybe. Or hunger.

The System pinged.

[New Mission: Debrief… or Unravel?]

Objective: Get closer to Nova.

Bonus: Gain information about the Chrome Reapers' 'package'.

Hidden Reward: ???

Elliot's stomach did a weird flip. "You really need to stop naming missions like bad romance novels."

[Says the guy practically drooling over Ms. Murder Barbie.]

He was about to retort when Nova suddenly grabbed his arm. "Come with me."

Her grip was firm — not that Elliot resisted. His feet practically floated after her as she pulled him through a side door, leading them into a dimly lit back corridor. The sounds of the bar faded behind a thick steel wall, replaced by the low hum of unseen machinery.

"Where are we—"

"Somewhere quieter," Nova cut him off.

The door hissed shut behind them. The hallway was narrow, lined with exposed cables that pulsed faintly with electric blue light. The air felt hotter here, charged, and Elliot realized they were standing next to a power core — the heart of the building's systems.

Nova turned to face him, stepping dangerously close.

Elliot swallowed. "So… what now?"

Her fingers trailed along his jaw — cool, mechanical fingertips skimming the stubble on his chin. "You fight better than I expected… for a rookie."

He tensed, caught between the thrill of her touch and the buzzing anxiety curling at the base of his spine. "I… aim to please?"

Nova smirked, and for the first time, Elliot noticed the slight glow along her collarbone — faint lines of circuitry just beneath her skin. She was more than human… and less at the same time.

"Tell me, Elliot…" she whispered, her lips grazing his ear, "are you working for someone?"

His brain short-circuited. "What? No! I—"

She shoved him against the wall — not enough to hurt, but enough to remind him how strong she was.

"Don't lie to me," she said softly, fingers still tracing a path down his chest. "The Chrome Reapers don't just attack random nobodies… unless they think you have something."

[Careful. She's either flirting… or calculating how hard to kill you.]

"I'm not working for anyone," Elliot managed, his voice hoarse. "I… woke up in this city tonight. Literally."

Nova's head tilted, analyzing him the way a predator studies prey.

Her hand slid lower — over his stomach, stopping just shy of his belt.

[Libido Meter: CRITICAL OVERLOAD. Initiate emergency shutdown? Y/N]

"Don't you dare," Elliot hissed internally.

Her fingers toyed with his belt buckle now, a faint smile on her lips. "You're a bad liar, Elliot… but you are interesting."

His heart thudded against his ribs. "I… get that a lot?"

Nova chuckled — low and dangerous. "You have something the Reapers want… or you wouldn't be alive right now."

Elliot's head spun. He was losing his grip — on reality, on logic — but mostly, on his ability to think straight with a cybernetic assassin pressed against him.

Then, Nova leaned in — her lips brushing his neck — just light enough to make his whole body jolt.

[Heart rate: 122 BPM. You're either about to die… or get very, very lucky.]

Her breath was warm against his skin. "Should I find out what's so special about you, rookie?"

Elliot's brain screamed danger — but his body was screaming something entirely different.

"Uh… define 'find out'?"

Nova's smile widened. "Cute."

Before Elliot could say something even dumber, Nova stepped back — just enough to let him breathe again. The sudden absence of her touch was almost worse than the intensity of it.

"Let's talk somewhere… more private," she said, turning on her heel. "There's a place I know."

The System's voice practically purred.

[Mission Update: Seduce or Be Seduced]

Objective: Follow Nova without losing your dignity.

Bonus: Don't pass out from sheer thirst.

"Please… shut up," Elliot muttered.

Nova glanced back. "What was that?"

He forced a smile. "Lead the way."

And just like that, Elliot realized something:

He wasn't sure if he'd survive the Chrome Reapers…

But surviving Nova?

That was an entirely different battle.