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.

Even now.

Neither Eve has changed, nor have I.

The only difference is that the AI I’ve always been with, now has a physical form.

But what is this feeling?

“……”

Though nothing has changed between me and Eve, it’s just that the AI (a beautiful woman) beside me in the elevator makes me feel uneasy.

I carefully observed Eve.

She had been marveling at the surroundings on our way to home, her artificial eyes filled with curiosity as she looked around.

She pressed every button on the holographic panel as we moved.

She stared blankly at the surveillance camera lens as if she had hacked into its feed.

I didn’t bother to interrupt Eve’s actions.

We would have to have a detailed conversation once we got home, but for now,I didn’t want to disturb her as she looked around her surroundings.

It would be a lie If I say I wasn’t curious.

Especially the maid outfit Eve was wearing.

The stares we received on the way here were overwhelming.

Anyway, the elevator stopped and a short bell sound rang.

Eve followed closely behind me as I stepped out of the elevator, like a chick trailing its mother hen.

Then, suddenly.

“Ah.”

I noticed someone ahead, and let out a small groan.

We already made eye contact, so I couldn’t just walk past.

I greeted the most notorious person in this world.

“…Mr. Bill, it’s been a while.”

“Hmm, yes.”

It had been a very long time since we last met.

A boy who appeared to be around ten years old responded casually to my greeting.

He was nearly a hundred years old, with hands clasped behind his back.

Although he seemed rude, I couldn’t do anything about it.

Well to be fair, ignoring him and going inside was an option.

However, as someone from a country that values politeness, I couldn’t easily ignore him.

I quickly tried to run away from Mr. Bill with some small talk.

But before I could do that, Mr. Bill got his eyes on the person beside me.

“…Who’s the girl in the maid outfit next to you?”

Even Mr. Bill, who seemed utterly unconcerned with the world’s opinions, found the maid attire perplexing.

…Hmm.

How should I explain about Eve? Then again, I didn’t need to explain.

But just as I was about to say that she was just an acquaintance Eve moved.

“?”

Ignoring my puzzled expression, Eve walked forward and lifted Mr. Bill.

“…Huh?”

Mr. Bill was too stunned to react.

It seemed he hadn’t yet processed that a woman he had just met pulled him up.

With his ten-year-old appearance, Mr. Bill couldn’t respond to Eve’s actions.

Mr. Bill regained his composure a moment later.

“W-what?! Put me down!”

Eve ignored Mr. Bill’s frantic voice.

Eve still holding Mr. Bill, walked down the hallway to his apartment door.

At the same time, she opened the door of Mr. Bill’s apartment.

“…It was locked, so how did you─.”

Eve set Mr. Bill down and slammed the door shut with a loud bang.

From the other side of the door.

Mr. Bill’s frantic knocking could be heard.

[What the heck, why won’t the door open?!]

The doorknob visible outside was turning, but it seemed he couldn’t open the door from inside.

I cautiously called out.

“…Eve.”

“This action does not violate any regulations of ‘Neon City’.”

“……”

Really?

[Translator – Late Dreamer]

[Proofreader – Seeker]

Well, now that I think about it, she might be right.

She didn’t use violence.

She didn’t illegally break into the house.

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]