Chapter 53 – A Little Scary (2)

[Translator – Late Dreamer]

[Proofreader – Seeker]

Chapter 53 : Little Scary (2)

After finishing the brief conversation at the cafe.

Drake got into the vehicle that had arrived.

It was a special car sent by Natasha, supposedly tough enough to withstand a tank running it over.

That meant there shouldn’t be any problems on the way to ‘No Answer.’

Additionally, since it was a self-driving vehicle, so there was no need to worry about being overheard

Drake was the first to speak up to break the stifling atmosphere inside the vehicle.

“...Wow, I never thought there would actually be such a thing called super AI in this world.”

Drake’s green eyes were visible through his black sunglasses.

He turned his head carefully to look at others in the vehicle.

Behind Drake’s seat were two women, each gazing out of a different window.

A golden mercenary and a red elf—Catherine and Andrea.

Normally, Deus would also be riding with them.

But he made a quick excuse and escaped without looking back, claiming he had urgent business.

Wondering what everyone was thinking, Drake leaned back in his seat when no one replied.

‘I’m tired.’

Dealing with the Megacorps was not something one could handle with ordinary mental fortitude.

But even so.

He was certain of one thing—that the three of them in the car were thinking about the same person.

Her name was Eve

A scene from the amusement park flashed through Drake’s mind.

Dozens of ninjas collapsed on the spot, unable to do anything.

The Megacorp’s firewall, which should have been guarded by dozens of professional security administrators, was breached in an instant.

The sight of the city’s lights, which had been bright day and night, was suddenly disappearing...

It was terrifying.

He could only move past it because his trusted friend and colleague, Siwoon, had explained it to him.

Otherwise, he might have mistaken it for work done by a city or a large nation, such as a ‘game changer.’

The fact that it was an AI, and its performance and abilities were so incredible that he couldn’t believe them even after seeing it with his own eyes.

‘...It’s really beyond comprehension.’

If this information leaked to the Neon City, or the megacorp side, who knows what would happen?

It could immediately disrupt the daily life around them, especially Siwoon’s.

Yet still.

‘To talk about something so important in a cafe...’

Did he not think much of it?

Was he just not worried at all?

Drake couldn’t understand the thoughts of his colleague, Siwoon.

Siwoon must have had his reasons, just as he helped his comrades, but still...

Drake couldn’t help but wish that Siwoon had trusted his comrades enough to tell them that in advance.

‘Well, it would be fine if he told us now.’

Drake covered his face with his hand.

Their destination was ‘No Answer.’

Because the operation to kidnap the vice chairman was planned by Natasha, the owner of No Answer.

Drake had no idea how he would explain to her about what had happened.

It was enough to make him think that maybe Siwoon had run away because of this.

Drake gazed at the city’s lights beyond the window.

By now, he’d arrived home.

He sighed briefly, worrying about his friend.

And then, there was the matter of the woman in the maid outfit.

However, he had discovered his friend’s new taste, which surprised him.

‘Interesting taste.’

He couldn’t help but be impressed.

***

People are peculiar beings.

Even in my case.

Eve, the artificial intelligence.

Nothing has changed between Eve and me in the current situation.

AI and its owner.

The lost item and the one who found it.

Our relationship had remained the same for quite some time.

I first met Eve during the last mission I took on with my comrades.

I have had enough time to adapt and get used to Eve.

She merely placed Mr. Bill from the hallway into his apartment.

I felt momentarily confused.

I looked at Eve, who had walked back to me.

She stood there expressionless as if nothing had happened.

I sensed a hint of satisfaction behind her expressionless face.

...Right!

You were also stressed out by Mr. Bill too, huh?

I looked at Mr. Bill’s firmly closed door.

“That was satisfying.”

“I agree.”

It seemed my guess was correct.

Eve nodded slightly.

“I am learning what it feels like to be satisfied.”

That was just a casual remark.

I’m feeling grateful to Eve.

If Mr. Bill had talked to me in my current tired state, respect for the elderly could have turned into an attack on the elderly.

...Thank you!

I walked down the hallway, dragging my tired body with me.

...

Anyway.

Do I have to live in the house with Eve, who has a human body now?

My house is not spacious.

I thought about buying another house on the same floor.

“Excuse me.”

“Yes.”

I paused for a moment to look at Eve.

Eve’s white eyes stared at me intently in the middle of the condominium hallway.

I had thought since I first met her at the amusement park, but the beauty of her face was indeed remarkable.

She looked like the 3D model I saw on her stream.

Ah.

I shook my head to clear my mind.

I was momentarily captivated by Eve’s appearance.

I spoke to Eve.

“Wouldn’t it be better if we lived in different houses–”

“I refuse.”

Eve’s answer was very quick.

“The purpose of this AI is to serve the human ‘Lee Siwoon’. Therefore, I calculate that being in a female body is the most efficient method.”

Her pronunciation was as precise as an announcer on the NCB24 news program.

However, her speech was as fast as a video which had been sped up by 1.5 times.

“I dare to say it’s not a good choice because I’ve already ordered furniture to improve the living conditions.”

“Wait, there’s furniture delivery?”

When did that happen?

“Yes, this artificial body has implemented all the functions of a human. Therefore, elements such as sleep and meals are necessary.”

...So the artificial body eats too.

Even with my limited knowledge, it seemed like a very inefficient design.

“This is also to serve the human ‘Lee Siwoon’.”

How on earth does eating and sleeping contribute to serving me?

I couldn’t understand. In any case, we couldn’t continue this conversation in the hallway.

“Alright, let’s go in for now.”

I walked past the hallway and entered the passcode for the front door.

...Well, come to think of it, nothing really changes.

It was the same as living with Eve when she was stored in my data module. The only difference was the presence of a physical body.

I decided not to think too much about it.

Yeah, I’ll just live as I always have.

With that thought, I opened the front door.

...

“Hold on a second.”

I said, looking around the room.

Aside from the fact that there was a lot of new furniture, I wondered why the ‘single bed’ I used to use had been replaced by a ‘double bed’ size.

“...Eve?”

“Considering the size of the room and the number of people living, this is the most efficient choice.”

Do AIs feel embarrassed? It sounded like she was making excuses.

[Translator – Late Dreamer]

[Proofreader – Seeker]