Chapter 2: System Mission

Nox was momentarily at loss for words as he took in Lyra's unexpectedly casual and unguarded appearance and words she spewed with expressionless face.

If I hadn't gone through some of the memories, I would have thought that she is pulling my leg.

Nox thought to himself speechlessly. From memories he knew who this girl was and who Elysium was in her mouth. Basically, Elysium is some kind of casual hookup app.

The previous Nox, Had a profile on Elysium and both him and Lyra were somehow matched by algorithm yesterday. And today was their meeting date.

But….

'Isn't this too fast?'

'I know it's some kind of casual fling but even so shouldn't you spend some hours getting to know each other…?'

'I mean, Who the hell starts stripping just after meeting a stranger through some online platform?'

[Ding!]

[Mission Released]

[Mission: Enlightening Lyra]

[Mission Objective: The mission is to guide and educate Lyra about the joy and satisfaction of sexual intercourse.]

[Mission Description: Lyra lacks interest in sexual activities, Viewing it as waste of time. Your task is to help her understand and experience the emotional and physical pleasure that can be derived from sexual intimacy.]

[Mission Reward: Unknown.]

'System, Are you broken?'

As the mission details materialized before him, Nox's immediate concern wasn't the ludicrous nature of the objective, but rather whether the system itself had malfunctioned.

Glancing at Lyra, who stood calmly toweling her damp hair, he scoffed. Her cool, appraising gaze swept over him, entirely lacking interest or desire.

'Lacks interest in sex? Are you pulling my leg? By the way this frosty fembot is undressing, she's about three pumps away from hopping on my lap like a rabbit in heat.'

'Oi, system! You can't be serious about this mission?

Nox thought to himself in disbelief as he thought about the mission as he looked at Lyra but he did not get any reply from the system. But the system remained silent as a nun after dropping that absurd objective, like it had never even occurred.

"What?" Lyra tilted her head, catching Nox's lingering gaze. "Can we proceed with the virginity clearance now?"

She checked the time. "I only have thirty minutes before my cybernetics lecture." A hint of impatience crept into her tone.

Nox resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He didn't know how to deal with this situation. Should he just have sex with her? 

Glancing again at Lyra, he noted her flawless skin and alluring figure partially concealed by the towel. Okay, physically she was attractive, he couldn't deny that. But her blunt impatience was a turn-off. And the way she talked about sex so clinically, like it was just another to-do list item to check off…

Perhaps the system mission wasn't so far-fetched after all. Beneath that glacial exterior, maybe Lyra truly did lack any genuine interest in or understanding of intimacy. Though based on her aggressive eagerness to drag him into bed, that seemed highly doubtful. 

A thought suddenly occurred to him…..

"Lyra, can I ask - have you ever been physically intimate with someone before?"

Lyra tilted her head slightly, a few damp strands of hair falling across her face. She brushed the loose hairs behind her ear and said. "As I have clearly stated previously, I am here for my virginity clearance." She enunciated each word crisply. "Therefore, no, this is my first experience with sexual intercourse. Is your comprehension truly so lacking?"

'Yup, that was a brainless question,' Nox thought, wincing. He did remember she said that previously but her smooth actions and words don't match at all.

"So what's your reason for having this...um...virginity clearance?" Nox spoke slowly, carefully phrasing each word. "Is it just for fun?"

Lyra's brow furrowed as she cocked her head slightly, sending a few damp tendrils of hair spilling over her shoulder. "Fun? What's so fun about it?"

"I fail to perceive any amusement to be derived from such an archaic and biologically unnecessary activity."

She smoothed the errant strands back with slender fingers. "If I wished to experience enjoyment, I would attend a riveting lecture on the marvels of gene technology. Now that is truly fascinating." Lyra looked over, Her crystalline eyes locked onto his as she continued, "Physical intimacy pales in comparison."

Nox furrowed his brow, perplexed. Was this the norm in this world?

"Now that I've cleared up your confusion, will you please start undressing?" Lyra rose gracefully and moved to sit beside Nox on the bed. "I only have 28 minutes remaining."

As she settled next to him, the plush white robe remained wrapped snugly around her lithe frame. Even with it closed, Nox caught tantalizing glimpses of soft curves and cleavage and faint floral fragrance emanating from her damp skin.

He averted his gaze quickly, attempting nonchalance. "If you truly find intimacy so boring and unnecessary, then why are you so intent on doing this?"

"Would answering that question make the process faster?" Lyra asked while she gazed at Nox sitting beside him.

"Uhhh… yes!" Nox said awkwardly, Inwardly he was thinking If not for the absurd system mission piquing his curiosity, he wouldn't have bothered talking to her. She is really annoying.

Lyra gave a thoughtful nod. "Very well then. If that's the case, I'm willing to answer your questions."

"If I am being honest, Yes, I have a reason for it !" Lyra paused, Her gaze shifting to the floor as she continued, "Since I was young, My Mother said 'There are some things technology can never replace for humans'..."

She smoothed her hands over the plush robe, "But I've always firmly believed the opposite to be true. That science and technology can surpass and enhance any human function."

"For example, centuries ago reproduction could only occur through the archaic process of copulation. But then gene technology emerged and changed everything." Her delicate features hardened with conviction. "Humans no longer need to roll around entangled, growing hot and sweaty in bed..." Lyra's nose wrinkled unconsciously in distaste as she said the word 'sweaty' showing her dislike.

"From that point onward, humans gained an additional option for reproduction - a far more hygienic and superior process." Lyra's tone regained its steely conviction. "Which is why I firmly believe biological copulation is obsolete - a waste of time that carries unnecessary risks with no tangible benefits compared to gene reproduction."

Lyra paused talking till here and then continued, "And yet...my mother still insists that gene technology can never truly replace the primal process." A crease appeared between Lyra's sculpted brows. "In her words, 'Reproduction is not just about the end result, it's about the journey - the physical and emotional investment of feeling and time'..."

She shook her head, that errant lock of hair falling across her face once more as confusion tinged her voice. "I simply cannot comprehend the reason behind her argument."

"Which is why I've decided to personally test out and find reason in this 'primal process' of reproduction." Her eyes met his again, regaining their piercing clarity. "To experience the sensations of rolling entangled on bedsheets with a man."

"So, are your doubts cleared now?" Lyra asked crisply. "We only have 20 minutes remaining to complete this. Can we please proceed?"

Her words broke Nox out of his reverie. In truth, he had been utterly absorbed by her story and reasoning.Now he understood - she wasn't here out of base desire, but curiosity. To understand her mother's stance that technology could never replace the emotional impact of physical intimacy.

She wants to know the reason for her mothers argument. Is her mother wrong for saying all this? Intimacy wasn't just a biological act but an expression of trust, affection. Nox agreed those emotional facets could not be replicated artificially.

Is Lyra wrong? No! Her thought process is sculpted by the environment and society itself and her reason to believe that is entirely true too… 

So should he proceed to have sex with her after knowing the reason? Nox, Felt it was wrong. Lyra wasn't wrong per se. But consenting to her out of sheer academic interest would be wrong.

Nox inhaled slowly, lifting his gaze to meet hers. However backwards her approach may seem, she had revealed her beliefs with candid sincerity. He owed her an equally honest response.

"Lyra..." He called out, pausing to find the right words. Those glacial eyes fixed on him as he gathered his thoughts. "I'm afraid I can't agree to your request."

He met her piercing gaze steadily. "I agree wholeheartedly with your mother's perspective. What she said about reproduction being about the journey, the emotional and physical investment - I believe that's one hundred percent accurate."

Searching her expression, Nox saw no outward reaction, no cracks in that frozen veneer. He pressed on carefully.

"And I think having your first intimate experience with a stranger you met online, solely for the sake of curiosity or to prove a philosophical point - that doesn't feel right to me. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

"Understood!" Lyra gave a small nod, her expression betraying no reaction to Nox's reasoned refusal. "Your perspective on this issue holds validity."

"However..." She paused, and for a moment.

"However, what?" Nox prompted. 

"I am not one who appreciates wasting time." Lyra rose abruptly, the bathrobe swaying open to offer a teasing glimpse of thigh before she cinched it closed. "We agreed upon this scheduled meeting yesterday and now you have changed your mind."

Nox blinked as she strode across the room with resolute steps. Next to the neatly folded pile where she had disrobed earlier, a small bag rested. Lyra snatched it up and turned back to face him.

"Your reasons are your own," she stated flatly. "But that doesn't change the fact that my time is wasted."

So?" Nox raised his eyebrows inquisitively. She is not wrong, it was agreed indeed but not by him but by previous Nox.

"So, I have a proposition to make both of our time meaningful." Lyra began rummaging through the bag, her slender fingers deftly sorting through its contents, "Originally today, at this time of day, My schedule was to assist in a neutering surgery.." She paused, extracting a small toolkit and setting it on the floor with a solid thunk, "...but I canceled it for Virginity clearance…"

Then Lyra took out a lab coat and swiftly donned it over her bathrobe. "If I can't have virginity clearance today, then at least I can perform a neutering surgery instead...."

Nox furrowed his brow, perplexed. "But Lyra...I don't have any pets here for you to neuter."

Lyra angled her head. "Pets? Oh no, it seems there's been a misunderstanding." She gave a brisk shake of her head. "I never meant to spay or neuter animals."

"I will perform the neutering procedure on you."

"Don't worry. Even though I'm still an intern, I'll ensure the process is mostly painless."

All color drained from Nox's face after hearing this. 

'You fucking donut! That's Sterilization not neutering!'