Chapter 2

"Beep! Player 001 is detected to be increasingly unwilling to complete the mission. A Mid-Tier Punishment will be given, reflected within the next 24 hours!"

Another punishment? Fine! I wanted to see what this stupid app would try next.

I couldn't even concentrate on my presentation deck anymore and just waited anxiously. Ten minutes later, my phone rang.

It was the hospital. The call came from Bianca Biles, a nurse at the hospital where Grandma had been admitted. She had asked me for my number earlier.

"Nate, I overheard Dr. Ferrell discussing your grandmother. He said that she was in terrible condition, and I thought I'd let you know so you'll have enough time to prepare yourself."

I swear my heart stopped when the call ended. All the color had drained from my face.

Bianca had kept talking after breaking the bad news to me, but I hadn't been listening to her. I couldn't understand why Grandma's condition would deteriorate so suddenly. My thoughts were all a mess.

If this was what the app meant by a "Mid-Tier Punishment", then what was the "High-Tier Punishment" going to be like?

Would Grandma lose her life?

I had been abandoned as a baby, and Grandma was the person who found me at the garbage dump and raised me. She collected cardboard boxes and aluminium cans for recycling as a living, and she'd even managed to put me through school with what little money she made.

We relied on each other for survival and went through lots of hardships together. She was my only family!

I didn't care if the app was a prank or not anymore. Instead, I quickly tapped on the "Start Mission" button on the screen.

There had been a time limit imposed on the mission. I was supposed to complete the mission within 30 minutes, but because I had hesitated earlier, only ten minutes remained on the countdown.

I gritted my teeth and hurriedly stripped off my clothes. The run-down apartment I rented didn't have central heating, so I was shivering from the cold as I grabbed the cat ears, maid costume, and thong before putting them on.

I didn't even have to check myself in the mirror to know that I was blushing all over from the sheer embarrassment.

After that, I clipped my phone to a stand and tried my best to mimic the poses and expressions in the instructions. I had never struck such sultry poses nor made those kinds of expressions before.

The first pose showed the model lifting his skirt on the maid costume, exposing the fluffy tail straight to the camera.

The second pose showed the model hugging his thighs in an M-shape.

The third pose showed the model crouching over in bed, tongue half out.

I followed every pose for the first eight photos. However, I found myself getting stuck at the ninth and final photo.

The final pose showed the model wearing a mix of emotions on his face, somewhere between pain and pleasure. He was obviously aroused, and there was also a spurt of white coming from his lower half, forming a perfect semi-circle.

I slowly tugged down the elastic band of my thong in shame.

Suddenly, the phone began to chime.

"Beep! Time's up!"

No!

"Beep! You have one chance to extend the mission duration. Would you like to proceed?"

I tapped "Yes" without hesitation.

"Beep! Your time has been extended by 20 minutes. While taking the final photo, kindly call the last person you called on your phone and maintain a conversation for a minimum of three minutes."

What the hell?

However, I'd already come so far in the mission. I just couldn't afford to gamble with Grandma's life, so I decided to throw all caution to the wind.

I tapped on my recent contacts, and the first name that appeared was Felix Kingston.

He was the company's newest trainee, and he had asked me for some information earlier today, right after work.

My first impression of him could be summarized into two words—tall and handsome.

It wasn't an exaggeration at all. Felix had caused a massive commotion at the office when he showed up on his first day of work in his black leather jacket.

His appearance was close to perfect. He stood tall at six-foot-two with a head of soft, fluffy hair, sharp yet impressive facial features, and mesmerizing eyes with a piercing gaze.

Literally every woman at the office had a crush on him. They lightly teased him for most definitely being the most handsome guy on campus in his college days and even joked that he must have lost his way to an idol audition instead.

However, Felix was naturally cold and aloof. He barely acknowledged the women around him with how icy his demeanor was.

Rumor had it that he actually came from a poor background, which led to his current cold and unfriendly personality.

Somehow, I felt like I could empathize with him. I used to be part of the trainee team too, and I'd even taught him how to format his reports a few times in the past.

I didn't know why, but my hand started sliding down my body when Felix's face came into mind. Then, I started touching myself.

When I was close, I called his number.

"Nathan? Can I help you?"

Felix had picked up on the first ring, his voice low and relaxed. Maybe I imagined it, but I thought I felt a hint of teasing in his tone when he addressed me.

Hearing him just say my name with that deep and rich tone of his nearly sent me over the edge.

"H-Hello, Felix… I-I've just been sent back to the trainee team. Can you… Can you please send me a list of requirements that I… I need to prepare beforehand?"

Three minutes later, I finally hung up.

Then, I uploaded the final photo to the app.

With that, I collapsed onto the couch, my entire body flushed red and completely spent as I shivered and gasped for air.

Luckily, the person I had to call was Felix.

I wasn't quite close with him, and he didn't strike me as the type who would gossip or tattle. I couldn't imagine how bad it would have been if I had to call my ex-boyfriend instead.

I thought I managed to hold it together without having exposed myself during the call. At least, I hope I did.

I'd been so anxious when it happened that my mind drew a blank when I tried recalling the details.

"Beep! Good boy. You completed your mission perfectly. Your reward will be distributed shortly.

"Your second mission will be announced within the next 24 hours. Thank you for your patience!"

…

The next morning, I dragged my haggard figure to the company and arrived at work half an hour early, since I was going to have to move desks to a different office.

Also, the app had just informed me of my second mission just this morning.

"Beep! Good morning, Player 001! Your second mission is here!"