Simon's Satisfaction System

Ch 4. Lose Your Virginity

Not knowing why, half an hour later, Simon found himself in the park. He walked around and tried to make sense of the events of the day when Robert’s huge frame appeared from behind a tree.

An exuberant handshake later, he offered Simon one of his foul black cigars while stuffing one into his own mouth. Simon waved him off.

He ignited the tip of his cigar with the flame from the Zippo lighter and took a deep draw until it glowed hot red. He inhaled the smoke deeply, holding it in his lungs before exhaling it in a cloud. 

Then, Robert extended the lighter to Simon. “Take it. It’s yours.”

“No, thanks, I don’t smoke...”

“Take it. Don’t make me say it again.”

Confused, Simon took the lighter. The moment his fingers touched the cold metal, a synthetic voice rang in his ears.

[System transfer process initiated]

[Please stand by…]

“What the—”

“Just wait,” Robert advised, taking another puff on his cigar. 

[System transfer complete]

[Satisfaction System now has a new user, Simon Turner]

[Warning! Fatal Error]

[System failure imminent]

[Root cause: User is a virgin]

[First mission acquired: Lose your virginity]

[Rewards: Unlock the full potential of the Satisfaction System]

“Whaaaa… What’s this?” Simon muttered. “Was something sprinkled on the lighter to make me hallucinate?”

“Nothing like that.” Robert chuckled. “It was a gift from a friend, and now I’m passing it on to you. It helped me satisfy women. Everything I gained in life was through the women who helped me achieve my goals in exchange for pleasure. The System instructed me on how to satisfy women. ”

“But what is it?” Simon asked.

"It's… unique. Oh, and it's different than all the mainstream stuff you're probably used to reading in online novels." Robert chuckled, seeing Simon's expression. "Don't make that face. These days, all sorts of people read those — pervs and geeks included. I admit, I was one of them, but hey, it was fun while it lasted. Now, I just want to retire."

Then he chuckled again and turned to leave on the dark alley among the trees. 

“Oh, and one last thing,” Robert said without turning around. “Tell Anne you’re the one she’s expecting and that I sent you to help her with the Glam Garb Fashion job.”

"What? What's that even supposed to mean?" Simon called out, but Robert had already vanished from sight.

Left with more questions than answers, he let out a deep sigh.

***

The next morning, Simon awoke with a pounding headache. His head throbbed with excruciating pain as if a thousand small hammers were pounding against his temples, ready to shatter his skull at any moment. He stumbled out of bed, took a shower, and then threw himself back into bed.

His eyes found the Zippo lighter on the nightstand. He picked it up and inspected it. Nothing out of the ordinary. It was a simple, silver Zippo lighter. 

Robert had been quite cryptic about whatever this thing was. 

[Satisfaction System has limited functionalities until the user completes his first mission]

Simon dropped the Zippo lighter in shock. Nevertheless, the synthetic voice speaking to him didn’t stop or change. 

[System failure imminent]

[Root cause: User is a virgin]

[Mission in progress: Lose your virginity]

[Suggestions: Find a brothel and get laid]

“What are you even talking about, stupid voice?” Simon jumped off the bed as if the lighter was a live grenade. “I barely have enough money to eat! Now you want me to spend them on something like this?”

[Please check your bank account]

With a raised eyebrow, Simon reluctantly grabbed his phone and logged into his bank account. To his astonishment, he saw a balance he hadn't expected—$5,000.

His eyes widened in disbelief. 

"Where did this money come from?" Simon muttered.

[That's just the beginning]

[Once the Satisfaction System has full capabilities, more funds and resources will follow]

"But what's the catch?" Simon questioned, his voice tinged with suspicion. "What do you want from me in return?"

[For now, all I require is your dedication to completing the mission]

[Your willingness to embrace new experiences and evolve as a person]

On one hand, the promise of financial support and the potential for a better life seemed tempting. On the other hand, he felt uneasy about being controlled by an enigmatic system.

"I need time to think," Simon finally said, his voice firm. "This is a lot to process, and I won't rush into anything."

[3 hours remaining until system failure]

[The Satisfaction System stands ready to fulfill your desires once the root cause of the problem is resolved]

With those words, the synthetic voice fell silent, leaving Simon alone with his thoughts. He stared intently at the phone screen, his eyes scanning his account details. 

As Simon continued to scrutinize the transfer history, his curiosity piqued when he noticed something peculiar. The $5,000 deposit came from a company named "Timeless Treasures Emporium." The name rang a bell, and a quick internet search revealed that it was a small antique shop located just a few blocks away.

"Why would an antique shop transfer me money?" Simon wondered aloud, his mind buzzing with questions. The connection between the Satisfaction System and the Timeless Treasures Emporium seemed puzzling, yet intriguing.

He decided to pay the antique shop a visit. He was determined to find answers and understand the link between this quaint store and the enigmatic system that had entered his life.

Using internet maps, Simon navigated through the streets until he spotted the place — a charming little shop. The display window showcased a gleaming brass telescope perched on an intricately carved wooden stand as if inviting passersby to take a glimpse into the past. Next to it, a collection of vintage pocket watches lay gracefully on a velvet-lined tray.

A well-preserved gramophone stood proudly amidst the treasures, its horn gleaming with polished brilliance. A dusty leather-bound journal beckoned to those who sought tales of forgotten adventures and lost romance.

The allure of the Timeless Treasures Emporium only grew stronger, and Simon knew that stepping inside would open the door to a world of possibilities and the potential answers he sought. 

[90 minutes remaining until system failure]

Taking a deep breath, Simon pushed open the creaky wooden door and stepped inside. The tinkling of a bell announced his arrival, and he was greeted by the warm aroma of old books and polished wood.

A friendly, elderly man, who appeared to be the shop owner, approached him with a warm smile. "Welcome, young man. Is there anything in particular you're looking for?"

Simon hesitated for a moment, then decided to be candid. "Actually, I'm here because of a peculiar deposit I received in my bank account. It was from your shop, Timeless Treasures Emporium."

The shop owner's eyes twinkled. 

"Ah, you must be Simon Turner," he said.

Simon's eyebrows furrowed. "Yes. Now please tell me… Do you know anything about the Satisfaction System?  Does it have to do anything with your antique shop?"

The shop owner chuckled knowingly. "Ah, that's a long story. The Satisfaction System and my shop have a unique connection — a bond that transcends time. This place is where its power can manifest in the physical world. This is the system shop — the place where users can buy items with points earned through the satisfaction system and redeem them for real-life rewards."

Simon was intrigued, yet perplexed. "So, the money was really from the Satisfaction System? What does it want from me?"

"Ah, I can’t tell you more than I already did," the shop owner replied with a mysterious smile. "First fully activate the system and we’ll talk more after."

When Simon opened his mouth to speak again, the old man cut him off with a wave of his hand and pointed toward the door. Swallowing his questions, he had no other choice but to turn around and head for the exit. 

As Simon left the antique shop, he thought of what kind of satisfaction the system could provide for him. Financial? Power? Immortality? Women? 

How would the very same people who once mocked and belittled him change their behavior if he was blessed with unimaginable riches? 

Thoughts of grandeur and revenge stirred his imagination, fueling his ambition to prove them all wrong. He imagined their astonished faces and stammering apologies, their once confident demeanor crumbling in the presence of his newfound wealth. 

He didn’t stop walking until he got in front of the flashing neon sign of a dimly lit establishment. He couldn't believe he was seriously considering stepping inside. 

[30 minutes remaining until system failure]