The glow from Tokyo Tower faded as Alex and Sakura slipped away into the night, her hand still warm in his from that passionate kiss. The virus had been purged, Mark repelled for now, but the weight of her revelation lingered like the cherry petals caught in her hair. "Hidden user," she'd said, and with it came hints of a larger agenda—investigating the system's origins, something about parallel worlds that mirrored his own glitches. Binding her had felt right, the gentle emotional line syncing their paths, but trust was a fragile thing in this game.
Back at the hotel, Alex collapsed onto the bed, the city's hum a distant lullaby. Sakura had parted with a soft promise: "We'll talk more tomorrow." Her kimono had swished as she left, a reminder of the cultural depths he'd only begun to explore. The system pinged, pulling him from reverie:
**[Volume Transition Complete. Level: Lv.41. EXP: 0/500. System Update: Virtual Mode Activated—Enable cross-distance interactions with bound partners.]**
Virtual mode? He sat up, intrigued. Desira's voice chimed in: **[Host, this upgrade allows seamless VR syncing, perfect for maintaining bonds remotely. But beware: Delays and emotional static can complicate things.]**
Perfect timing—he was due back in New York soon, the cross-ocean task wrapped, but Sakura's presence tugged at him. A new task flashed: **[Online Branch: Engage in remote VR intimacy with Sakura, achieving cross-country sync. Reward: EXP+200, Enhanced Sync Buff. Penalty: Emotional Doubt Debuff if failed.]**
Intimacy across oceans? The idea stirred him, but doubts crept in. Their bond was fresh, her agenda unspoken. He texted her: "Up for a virtual meet tonight? System stuff."
Her reply was quick: "Yes, but... I'm worried. The agenda I mentioned—it's risky." Emotional doubts already surfacing.
They linked in, the VR space materializing as a blended realm—Tokyo's blossoms meeting New York's skyline. Sakura's avatar appeared, still in her kimono, looking ethereal. "Alex," she said, voice soft but laced with hesitation, "this feels strange. Being apart so soon."
He reached out virtually, their avatars touching— a warm tingle fed back, but a slight delay made it awkward, like an echo. "I know. But the sync... it could strengthen us."
They talked, her shyness returning amid the digital divide. "My agenda," she confessed, "involves tracing the system's creators. It's dangerous—Mark might be involved." The revelation built tension, her emotional line conveying a gentle vulnerability that pulled at him.
As intimacy escalated, the VR heightened sensations—kisses lingering, touches electric. But network latency struck: a freeze mid-embrace, breaking the flow. Sakura pulled back: "This... it's not the same. I feel disconnected."
Doubt debuff loomed, but Alex persisted, using words and sync buffs to bridge the gap. "Focus on us," he whispered, guiding her through. The climax synced finally, cross-country waves crashing in unison, intense and consensual, leaving them breathless.
**[Task Completed. Reward: EXP+200. Buff: Enhanced Sync—Reduced latency in future sessions.]**
Yet doubts lingered—Sakura's emotional hesitance hinting at deeper issues. "Be careful, Alex. The system... it changes people."
Back in New York days later, the task evolved. System: **[Ally Acquisition: Connect with Victoria, European contact. Prove worth to gain her as ally.]**
Victoria messaged first: "Heard about your Tokyo exploits. Impressive, but I don't ally with weaklings. Meet in VR—show me your strength."
Her avatar was striking—tall, confident, with a commanding presence. "Prove yourself," she demanded, initiating a simulated challenge: a desire duel, testing wills.
Alex, using new buffs, matched her, but her strong personality pushed back: "Not bad, but why should I trust you?"
Through dialogue and sync, he won her over, her doubts turning to alliance. "Fine, you're worthy. But remember, I lead my own path."