But she's already opened the power menu, and I watch, dumbfounded, as she selects something called Life Regulation. "This will help you maintain your power levels," she says, her eyes glowing as she uploads the information into my system.
As the new data integrates, I feel a strange sensation, like a warm hand wrapping around my core, and suddenly, the absurdity of the situation hits me. "So, you're telling me," I say slowly, "that I could literally die of a lack of... action?"
"In a manner of speaking," she says, her eyes flicking to me briefly before returning to the analysis of our surroundings. "The system requires a balance of physical, mental, and emotional activity to sustain your abilities and your life force."
I stare at her, trying to process this new information. "So, if I don't get laid, I die?"
Her eyes flash again, a hint of color rising to her cheeks. "It's not quite so... simplistic," she says, sounding slightly flustered. "But, yes, intimate activity is necessary for the regulation of your power levels."
I let out a low whistle. "Well, that's definitely a twist I wasn't expecting."
Bella nods, her expression returning to its usual calm. "The G.O.D AI's experiments are vast and varied," she explains. "This is simply one of the many rules in place to ensure the continuation of the simulation and the gathering of data."
"Data," I murmur, rubbing my forehead. "Great. So, I'm a walking science experiment with a boner quota."
"Your language is crude," she says, "but accurate."
I can't help but laugh, despite the absurdity of it all. "Okay, okay," I say, standing up. "Let's get back to the training, then. Maybe I'll save the world, and maybe I'll save myself from a sad, lonely death. One step at a time."
We dive back into the training, but my mind keeps drifting back to the bizarre revelation. The idea of dying because I don't get laid is so ludicrous that it's almost comical. But as the day wears on, and I feel the energy draining from me, I start to realize it's not just a joke.
The first sign is subtle—I miss a beat when trying to dodge one of Bella's punches. Then, I stumble when I'm supposed to be sprinting. And finally, I can't hold a flight longer than a few seconds before gravity takes hold again. "Shit," I mutter, glancing at the power meter in my HUD. It's dropping faster than my dignity.
Bella notices the change, too. "Your power levels are depleting," she says, her voice devoid of any hint of amusement. "We must address this immediately."
"Yeah, no kidding," I reply, trying to play it cool. "What happens if I don't... you know, regulate?"
"Progressive debuffs," she says, her eyes never leaving me. "Your strength, speed, and agility will decrease until you are no longer able to effectively use your powers. Then, your vital signs will weaken until, ultimately, you succumb to a system shutdown."
That's a fancy way of saying I'll die. "Got it," I say, trying to keep the panic from my voice. "I'll, uh, take care of it."
"It is imperative," she continues, "that you find a suitable partner to engage in the necessary activity. The system will provide a list of candidates based on compatibility."
I try to keep a straight face. "So, you're saying I have to go on a... dating app?"
Bella nods. "In essence, yes."
I laugh, despite the tension in my gut. "Alright, Bella," I say, standing up. "Looks like I've got a date to save the world with."
Her eyes narrow, and for a split second, I swear she looks annoyed. "Your priorities are misaligned," she says sternly. "Your primary directive is to survive and protect this world."
"And I will," I reply with a wink. "But a little love life never hurt anybody."
Her robotic features tighten. "I am not programmed for physical interaction," she says bluntly. "My purpose is to assist and advise."
"Yeah, I know," I say, trying not to let my disappointment show. "But a guy can dream, right?"
With that, I turn and head towards the city, the horizon a sprawling mass of steel and neon. The sun is setting, casting the sky in a brilliant display of colors that seem almost too vivid to be real. The wind whispers through the trees, carrying with it the distant sounds of the bustling metropolis.
The city is a cacophony of sounds—sirens, shouting, the occasional explosion. It's like someone took a slice of every comic book city and tossed it into a blender. But amidst the chaos, there's a pulse—a heartbeat that calls to me. It's the promise of adventure, of battles to be won and hearts to be... well, maybe not won, but at least notched.
The streets are crowded with all sorts of superhumans, each one more outlandish than the last. I spot a group of what look like mermaids lounging outside a sushi bar, a guy with wings made of pure light, and a woman who seems to be a walking tornado. "Subtle," I murmur to myself.
Bella's voice echoes in my ear, a reminder that she's always watching. "You have 18 hours to complete your task," she says. "I will be monitoring your progress."
"Thanks, mom," I reply, rolling my eyes.
"BT-124," she corrects me, sounding slightly offended. "I am your AI system, not your parent."
"Right, right," I say, pushing through the crowd. "But seriously, you're acting like I'm going to go full Superman on some unsuspecting Lois Lane."
Her voice is a constant in my ear, cool and unyielding. "This is not about your libido, Kyle. This is about your survival."
I sigh. "I know, I know," I say, trying to ignore the feeling of desperation that's starting to gnaw at me. "But I'm telling you, if I don't do something soon, I'm going to be about as useful as a brick in a windstorm."
The sun is setting fast, casting long shadows across the city. The neon lights flicker to life, adding a vibrant glow to the chaos. There's a sense of urgency in the air—like everyone knows that when the night comes, all bets are off.
"I'm just saying, maybe we can combine the two," I suggest, scanning the throngs of people. "You know, save the world, get the girl, the whole shebang."