The Taste of Life
"I have no idea what's going on anymore."
I recalled the last words of the Wanderer I'd spoken to in the central control room.
Wanderer of the Ashes — Isol.
There was definitely no setting linking her to any of the Ark’s AI originally...
But the personality of Wanderer, the main AI of Ark 69, was astonishingly similar to that of Isol.
Even the way she spoke.
Since I had put so much effort into raising her as a favorite character, my memory couldn't be wrong.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
Welcome to the ECHO's World, Commander!
Welcome to the ECHO's World, Commander!
Welcome to the ECHO's World, Commander!
"Haa..."
The 3rd anniversary festival of Echoes of Humanity - ECHO.
I could still vividly remember that crazy, flaming bitch who sent me to this world.
"...This feels so damn off."
But in my current situation, what could I do?
Nothing.
Without Ark 69.
Without Arclight Squad.
How long could I survive in this hellish world?
No joke—one week would be impossible; even a single day would be tough.
So, no matter how suspicious it felt, for now, I had no choice but to stick with them.
"Tch."
Until I figured out what that thing was scheming, I'd just think of it as sleeping with the enemy.
"Where's this?"
As I sorted through my jumbled thoughts and kept walking, a familiar plant sign caught my eye.
The underground water plant in Sector D-7.
Thinking of Alpha struggling to repair the pump a few days ago, I slowly headed inside.
Passing the plant entrance and going a bit further in, I saw Alpha humming a tune while checking the pipes, wrench in hand.
"Doing maintenance?"
"Ah, Commander! You're here?"
Spotting me, Alpha ran over with a bright smile.
She'd been handling this place alone, so it made sense she'd be happy for some company.
"How's the pump?"
"Still not great. It needs repairs right away, but... Pomen said she got materials for the pipes. I'm gonna try fixing it with those."
Alpha puffed out her chest proudly as she said it.
A mass-produced defensive model, somehow turned into the underground water plant manager and maintenance worker.
"Good, that's great. Give it a shot, and if it doesn't work, let me know."
"Yes! If it comes to that... we might have to replace the drainage pipes entirely. I'll do my best!"
I nodded at Alpha's words and looked at her.
"......"
Did she want something from me?
Fidgeting fingers and expectant eyes.
She looked just like a puppy begging its owner for a treat, and I couldn't help but chuckle.
Better for me to ask first than wait for an ECHO to speak up.
Seeing her reaction, I spoke first.
"What, need something?"
"Well... um, by any chance, do you have any more of that taste of happiness? Even just a little..."
"Chocolate?"
"Yes, yes!"
Was it that good?
Alpha was begging for chocolate with her whole body, wagging like a puppy's tail, and it made me laugh again.
But sadly, I had no cash to buy chocolate for her.
I'd need to go out and bash some zombies, but Noah's ironclad defense—claiming I needed rest—had me stuck doing nothing.
"I don't have any right now either. I'll get you some later. So until then, take good care of the water supply, okay?"
"Yes, yes! Got it, Commander!"
"......"
Watching Alpha wiggle her shoulders like she could handle it all, I suddenly noticed her sweat-soaked clothes.
This...
The smooth line of her waist was exposed below the knotted shirt tied at her midriff.
And that wasn't all.
Beyond the clinging, sweat-damp top that hugged her slender frame, the outline of her full breasts—no bra—stood out clearly.
At their peaks, pink nipples protruded boldly, asserting their presence.
"......"
Noah's cryptic talk about restoring light and her constant watch had left me pent up for days without release.
And the ECHO units of Ark 69...
Couldn't refuse my orders.
Ah, I shouldn't...
But once the desire flared, sticky fantasies filled my head.
And in the end...
"No taste of happiness, but I do have the taste of life. Wanna try it?"
"...Yes?"
I blurted it out.
"Su-Sure!"
Hearing me, Alpha nodded vigorously.
Her innocent eyes seemed to have no clue what I meant.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"How do I eat this taste of life?"
"Kneel first."
I grabbed Alpha's wrist and had her kneel.
She obeyed without resistance or question, as if it were the most natural procedure, sinking smoothly to her knees as I guided her.
"Now close your eyes. Open your mouth slowly."
"Ahh—!"
Alpha nodded, squeezed her eyes shut, and parted her small lips.
I stood before her and slowly undid the buckle of my belt.
As I pulled down the zipper, my heated member stirred quickly inside my underwear, lifting its head.
My hot, hard shaft slowly rubbed over her soft cheek and plush lips.
"Mm, ngh, huh?"
Feeling the unfamiliar sensation for the first time, Alpha tilted her head.
But with no order to open her eyes, she stayed still.
I stroked her cheek while gently parting her lips with my tip.
"What does it smell like?"
At my words, Alpha obediently sniffed.
Her hot breath hit my shaft, sending a thrilling jolt up my spine.
"Um... a bit salty smell. Is this the smell of the sea? And... it's warm."
"Good, remember that feeling. That's the start of the taste of life."
"Yes, Commander! Can I eat it now?"
I started to say yes but quickly changed my words.
"Don't bite. Lick it slowly with your tongue."
"Yes! I won't bite at all!"
With Alpha's firm reply, I pushed my cock between her lips.
Following my lead, she parted her mouth obediently and took it in.
"Gulp, mmph..."
Her small mouth was filled completely with my massive shaft.
I gently cradled her head and began moving my hips slowly.
Did she lack knowledge of sex?
Alpha just passively opened her mouth to match my movements.
She moved her tongue occasionally, but that was it.
Yet her clumsy motions only aroused me more.
"You can lick more with your tongue."
"Y-yesmph."
While enjoying her mouth, I slipped my hand into her top.
Grabbing her large breast, I pinched her nipple between my fingers.
"Co-Commmander…!"
Alpha mumbled with effort.
"How does it feel? Good?"
"Um... I don't know the taste yet. But it feels weird. The breast you're touching... it tickles."
"...Can't hold back any longer."
At her innocent reply, I gripped her head harder and pistoned wildly toward her throat.
"Grrgh, ngh! Mmph! Nngh!"
How long did I thrust like that?
As I reached my climax, hot, thick life essence flooded her mouth.
"Swallow, Alpha—!"
Startled by the unexpected hot liquid, Alpha coughed but obeyed my command, desperately swallowing every drop without spilling.
"Huuu..."
Having emptied everything, I panted roughly and released her head.
Only then did Alpha lick the traces from her lips and slowly open her eyes.
Her gaze traced my still-present member and realized what she'd greedily taken in.
"Wha-What?!"
Her eyes widened like saucers.
Dormant data in her memory exploded into activation.
"Ah, aah..."
Among it, human history, culture, and realizing she'd experienced love and sex—she gasped in awe.
"Th-This is fellatio? The noble act of relieving a human male's lust with your mouth..."
Alpha's eyes glistened with emotion.
"Co-Commander..."
Humans instinctively despise ECHO units.
So for an ECHO to serve a human man was nearly impossible.
"I-I'm sorry. Due to my ignorance, I couldn't properly relieve your lust, Commander. Can I have another chance?"
At her plea, I smirked in satisfaction and bobbed with my cock.
One mouth release wasn't enough for me anyway.
Might as well go all the way now.
"Comman… what?"
That's when it happened.
A voice laced with cold fury and shock echoed from the underground water plant entrance.
Turning on my heels, I saw Pomen standing frozen, arms full of materials now dropped.
"Wh-What... are you doing right now?"
Pipes clattered loudly to the ground from her hands.
She growled, strode toward me, and without hesitation took my half-hard member into her mouth.
"Slurp, schlop."
Like claiming ownership, Pomen sucked me roughly and skillfully.
It was an intense, sultry pleasure—worlds apart from the blowjob Alpha gave me.
"I couldn't do anything because of Noah, but you, Commander—you really—!"
Pomen glared up provocatively, devouring me even fiercer.
Losing reason at the sight, I pulled in Pomen and Alpha too.
For the first time, I experienced a threesome.
And I personally proved a once-controversial fact from the ECHO gallery.
Since ECHO weren't human, anal sex posed no hygiene or infection risks at all.