"Huh?"
My mouth hung wide open, agape in disbelief at what he just said.
It was as if I had just heard that my favorite game had sold out during the pre-order season. In other words, such a request was impossible for me.
Me, cooperating with him?
I had never even considered talking to him, let alone teaming up.
In truth, the idea of teamwork sounded utterly foreign to me.
Perhaps, it's due to the fact I've always played the role of a lone wolf. Surviving only with whatever resources were available, always feeling content with just those.
That's why I always felt this VR game was far too luxurious for me.
No, even worse—way too unrealistic and over-the-top.
"Heh, I asked a question and you're just gaping and zoning out? Answer me,"
She snapped, half-yelling, like some moody chick.
I tried to say something.
But before I could respond, my body suddenly started to heat up.
What the hell is this strange feeling?
Something was weighing on my heart, something that turned me on—and I had no idea what it was.
BEEP BEEP! BEEP BEEP!
The sound echoed in sync.
It seemed to come from the notification screens both Velvet and I had.
[2]
Two new notifications...
My thoughts immediately shifted as I opened the notification tab.
At a glance, Velvet appeared to be doing the same.
[NOTIFICATION]
[YOUR LIBIDO HAS INCREASED TO 25% - 5 minutes ago]
[YOUR LIBIDO HAS INCREASED TO 50% - just now]
Damn it. Must be that horny bear's doing from earlier.
I let out a sigh, keeping a straight face, trying to act indifferent about all this.
But not my roommate—currently sitting beside me on his bed.
His expression was grim, maybe even worried that something bad was about to happen.
"Midnight... please control your lust. I think this is part of the experiment too."
You're saying that with a face that screams the opposite.
Take a look in the mirror, damn it.
I rolled my eyes. "Maybe it's just you, femboy. Look at your own face."
His expression screamed thirsty, just like one of those streetwalkers by the roadside.
"Hey, don't get the wrong idea. I'm just... not used to this," he said, half-moaning.
I wanted to at least chuckle, but before I could—
ZZZZZZZAP!
"Ow, my bad~! What's wrong with you, can't even do a simple job right?"
"You're fired! Don't ever work here again! Out!"
There goes the bear, causing trouble again.
That pervy bear really is hard to kill. While he was busy yelling at his incompetent staff, I looked blankly at the girl—no, more accurately, the hypocritical femboy in front of me, who was currently struggling hard against the fire of his own desire.
"Don't stare! I'm embarrassed~ Please, just this once, respect my privacy. Aren't you a girl too?"
His expression was adorable—like one of those cool girls who suddenly get force-fed porn.
And honestly, it was so cute I almost wanted to kiss him, or maybe mess with this femboy a little…
Something like that. And just when I started enjoying this unusual sight, my libido also started to spike.
BEEP BEEP! BEEP BEEP!
Without hesitation, I checked the alert—something Velvet wasn't doing, still struggling with his own burning urges.
This time, he pulled out a rope from his bag and tied himself to the bedpost. Just like a scene straight out of a BDSM movie.
[YOUR LIBIDO HAS INCREASED TO 75% - just now]
ZZZZZZZZZAP!
"OKAY, WORKING NOW? GREAT, GREAT, I'LL PROMOTE YOU LATER, WAHAHAHA!"
That squeaky, grating voice I so badly wanted to punch into silence came back.
"ALRIGHT, UHM. HELLO AND GOOD... AFTERNOON TO ALL OF YOU~!"
"SO, HOW IS IT? HAVE YOU RECEIVED THE NOTIFICATIONS? IF YES, THAT'S GREAT..."
"CURRENTLY, YOU ARE PARTICIPATING IN A LIBIDO TESTING EXPERIMENT TO EVALUATE YOUR ABILITY TO WITHSTAND LUST."
"MAYBE SOME OF YOU ARE WONDERING... WHAT IS LIBIDO?"
"EXCELLENT QUESTION! THE ANSWER IS... OF COURSE, SEXUAL DESIRE!"
"ENERGY FOR SINFUL ACTS AND OTHER MISLEADING BEHAVIORS!"
"OH YES, AS A HINT, LIBIDO COMES FROM THE ID! THE PART THAT CONTROLS EXPLORATION AND DESIRE!"
"SO, YOU ARE ALLOWED—AND ENTITLED—TO DO ANYTHING YOU WANT TO YOUR PARTNER! BUT OF COURSE, THERE WILL BE CONSEQUENCES."
"WHICH ARE... THE RESULTS OF THIS EXPERIMENT WILL BE DISCUSSED ON STAGE WHEN THE FIRST ROUND BEGINS LATER!"
"OKAY, THAT'S ALL—ENJOY YOURSELVES!!!"
The shrill, piercing, annoying voice vanished in an instant.
THUMP! BANG! SMACK!
Sounds from the room next door, right by the wall where Velvet was trying to control himself—now tying his mouth shut—were loud and clear.
BEEP BEEP! BEEP BEEP!
Oh no… no wonder my body feels so sensitive and hot.
I forced myself to check the notification.
[YOUR LIBIDO HAS REACHED MAXIMUM LIMIT - just now]
And just like I feared from the very first notification, it happened. Then suddenly—
"AHHHHHH!!! THUD!! OWHHH~, OWHHH~, OWHHH~"
Sounds like the party next door has started too…
I said to myself, hearing that sweet, disordered moaning from the girl in the next room—like she was writhing in pleasure—clearly audible through the paper-thin walls. Almost like it was designed for perverted things like this.
It was obvious that in this test, many had lost control. Especially because gamers are the worst when it comes to controlling their libido.
Their consumer mindset is what causes this. Impatience, desire for everything to be instant—not to mention the toxic and competitive nature they have.
To me, it's clear that a trivial test like this is actually the greatest challenge for those gamers who've never once learned to control their temper.
Enslaved by desire for lust alone...
Meanwhile, Velvet seemed to be at his limit.
His hands were clutching his chest as he writhed and squirmed wildly, as if possessed.
I looked at that sight, torn between apathy and guilt, approaching him as he tried to resist. My hands untied all the ropes, then held his trembling hands.
And just like a man, I calmly said to him—
"If you really want it… how about we just fuck already?"