First mission failure

Chapter 2: First Mission... Failure?!

017’s screen flickered, frantic error codes scrolling across its display.

"No, no, no—this can’t be happening! I can't be stuck with you!" it wailed, floating in panicked circles above Lucien’s throne.

Lucien rested his chin on one gloved hand, watching it with deep amusement. “Is this the part where you self-destruct? Please say yes. It sounds entertaining.”

"I don't self-destruct!" 017 snapped. "I... I course-correct! I realign! I... oh no. Oh no no no—"

A fresh set of panels appeared before 017, flashing urgent blue:

[New Objective Generated: Initiate Heroic Behavior in Host]

[Beginner Mission #1: Perform an Act of Kindness]

017 seized on it like a drowning sailor grabbing a lifeboat.

"Right! An Act of Kindness! That’s easy! Even you can do that!" it cried, pointing a shaky holographic finger at Lucien.

Lucien arched a brow. “Define ‘kindness.’”

017 puffed itself up importantly. "Kindness! You know—compassion, generosity, selfless good deeds!"

Lucien tapped his chin thoughtfully. “Selfless, you say...?”

Without warning, he rose from his throne, the room trembling faintly with the shift of his power. His crimson eyes gleamed.

“Very well. Let’s find someone... worthy of my ‘kindness.’”

017 hesitated. "...Why did you say it like that?"

Lucien only smiled.

It wasn’t a nice smile.

Fifteen minutes later

The nearby village, a battered collection of crooked houses and suspicious glances, lay before them. Smoke curled from chimneys. Tired faces peered from windows.

Lucien strode into the center square, black cloak swirling dramatically.

017 hovered nervously at his shoulder. "Okay! Easy task! Help an old lady cross the street! Rescue a puppy! Buy bread for an orphan!"

Lucien snapped his fingers.

The sky darkened instantly.

The villagers gasped as chains of glowing red magic wrapped around the corrupt mayor, lifting him into the air.

"You have exploited your people for years," Lucien declared, his voice booming unnaturally. "By the laws of the Crimson Spire, you are relieved of duty."

The mayor screamed as he was flung into the horizon like a very corrupt comet.

017 froze. "...That... that wasn’t exactly what I had in mind."

Lucien turned to the stunned villagers, who immediately dropped to their knees in terror.

"There. I helped."

017’s screen twitched. "THAT’S NOT HELPING! That’s... that’s violent regime change!"

Lucien smirked. “Semantics.”

A system notification dinged softly:

[Beginner Mission #1: Partial Success.] [Note: Definition of 'Kindness' disputed.]

017 buried its face in its tiny hands.

This was going to be so much harder than it thought.

Later, back in the Throne Room

017 floated miserably in a corner, opening a System Portal for emergency communication.