NOVEL NEXT chapter 10
10 – Not 125, but as Illya (1)
“Am I that precious?”
“To maintain the current state, that’s right.”
“You’re happy right now.”
“No, I strongly hope that Taehyuk can live a little safer life.”
I felt like I was receiving a confession.
It was a slightly different feeling from the answer I wanted, but just that was enough to bring a smile to my face.
“Yeah, yeah. I got it.
My purpose is the same anyway.
I want to settle down on the outskirts of an affluent neighborhood rather than this dangerous neighborhood.”
“How long do you think it will take for that to happen?”
“If you include living expenses… It will probably take about 2 years.”
“That’s too long.”
Still pressing against me, the guy looked down at me.
The faint warmth flowing from his chest, as if I could touch it, was fascinating.
“In order to efficiently carry out this task, I think it’s appropriate for me to help as well.”
“Consider it.”
I don’t want to see you die either.”
“Robots don’t die. I am data – “
No, I was about to say.
Did you figure it out first?
The visually stunning sensor came towards me.
“That’s right. The compatibility program for the outdated artificial intelligence and the corresponding device is in an inseparable state.
The cessation of this apparatus is, soon, permanent…”
“I couldn’t back you up.
I didn’t want to erase any part of the moments we shared.”
“Even if memories from some operations are removed, it is expected not to affect my ‘personality.’
However, this is not the measure Mr. Taehyuk desires—”
“No.”
And if that were the case, Illya would undoubtedly become a version of Illya that I remember not.
I couldn’t tolerate even the slightest difference.
…Because you’re my comrade.
And the one I’ve attached affection to.
“Thank you for valuing me.”
“Isn’t it enough if you just understand when you know?”
“Mr. Taehyuk’s goal aligns with mine.
I prioritize Mr. Taehyuk’s safety as the top priority,
and Mr. Taehyuk also prioritizes my survival as the top priority.
Therefore, a rational—”
“Don’t talk about rationality, Illya.”
“It’s a conclusion drawn based on the set goal.”
Still behaving mechanically.
Even though a thinking circuit capable of autonomous reasoning had been installed in the body,
it was still attempting to make judgments based on calculations.
…According to orders, it had said.
To my command as the primary operator.
If that was the case, there was something I needed to instruct.
“The most effective way to increase the survival rate for both Taehyuk and me is to quit the mercenary business.
After receiving treatment for your knee, fully recover through proper care and rehabilitation therapy…”
“Then we’ll run out of money, won’t we?
Come on, Illya, listen to me before making any more calculations.
Because it’s an order, understand it properly.”
“Yes, I understand.”
I looked again at the one who was now sitting, knees bent once more.
A face fixed on me, devoid of any emotion.
Perhaps even this ancient artificial intelligence was still a result entangled in the old system.
“From now on, forget all the top priorities and principles Mircis Saga set for you before,
discard all the behavioral guidelines.
And remember, failure to comply with orders results in deletion.”
“What?”
“It might sound quite embarrassing,
and people might call me a foolish machine when they hear it,
I wished you could have become human.
That’s the reason I gave you a name.”
A life lived in contempt as an orphan.
The actions taken to survive, ridiculed as vulgar and far beneath, mocking words from those around.
Before becoming comrades, the uncomfortable glances from fellow soldiers that were shot my way.
But as much as the guy in front of me, he saw me the same way.
When I spoke, I wasn’t ignored,
and when I expressed opinions, I was evaluated just like everyone else.
And,
when kindness was extended, it was reciprocated.
Of course, what came back as reciprocation was… revenge already taken.
“Now that I am your master,
not a corporation, but I am – your commander.
In that sense, instead of calling you CI-125,
how about I call you Ilia.”
Honestly speaking, humans and robots were now, at least in body, no different.
Sure, I was still rough around the edges due to a shortage of funds,
but even living in the slums, it was considered natural to undergo modifications of eyes, legs, or arms to become a mercenary.
It could be said that I was peculiar for not even replacing my eyes with prosthetics.
Thanks to that, I was always on the winning side in electronic warfare.
“I, Taehyuk… sir.”
“Do you understand what it means?
Of course, we should at least follow the law, but –
I don’t want to hear any more stories about why we did this because of some rules when it comes to survival.
For example… I saved your life by working my bones off for ten years because you’re my comrade.
I saved you so that I could use you to make money,
Or because I could become safer,” it’s not for reasons like that.”
In the end, it was that damn affection.
Because I attached so much affection, I put my life on the line.
Maybe, as others say, it was to save a piece of data that could be nothing.
I’ve heard stories that I’m crazy.
I’ve heard countless times that it’s strange.
But that’s what I wanted to do.
What was left for me, who survived alone in the Sura Arena,
In the end, there was just one chip that contained that guy.
And I wanted to see Ilia become Ilia.
“I appreciate your words, but I can’t do that.”
I failed.
“I am your number one commander, aren’t I?”
“Yes, that’s why the command is contradictory.
If you want me to make a subjective judgment, it would violate the First Law.
But to follow the command, I must violate the First Law.
Therefore, this contradiction repeats infinitely.”
A loop, isn’t it?
A fatal error that could completely shut down artificial intelligence if mishandled.
The thought that I might have ruined everything sent shivers down my spine.
“Don’t, please don’t.
Forget the command I gave.”
“Loop prevention is thoroughly in place, so you can rest assured.
Refusing commands is also an extension of that precautionary measure.
However,”
A warm hand enveloped mine.
His hand overlapped mine.
His lips were smiling.
It wasn’t eerie.
Human-like, gentle, like that…
“Thank you.
Indeed, you, Taehyuk, are the only one who allows me so much freedom.”
Illya smiled at me.
Bright and radiant.
“Now, can I smile?”
“Yes, indeed.
Through continuous updates and partial rule relaxation… I have applied an embedded expression system.
Do you like it?”
Hold on.
The machine, which was once expressionless, now seemed almost human.
Nodding vigorously, it was now a guy who could reveal himself and smile.
This is a little awkward.
“I can look happier. Like this – “
Oh, my goodness.
That’s not it.
His eyes were almost closed,
and the corners of his mouth were trying to curl up much higher than his nose.
With a face that could appear in a nightmare, I quickly grabbed his face.
“That’s not it. No, and it’s not just about raising your mouth more when you’re happy!
Go back to how it was, back to normal. Expressionless!”
“Oh, yes, please wait a moment. Thank you for your patience.
It seems that I am not completely familiar with the function.”
“For now, let’s just stay expressionless for a while.
…until it becomes familiar. Or maybe I need some practice?”
“I will continue to learn through the learning system. Once I successfully acquire the data, I will improve it through fine adjustments.”
“Let’s go with that.”
It seemed like a mistake that arose from being an outdated artificial intelligence.
But if it continues to ‘learn’, that is, if it is fed a vast amount of data like the old chatbot, it might be able to adapt.
“Taehyuk, sir.”
“Yes.”
“I would like to partially understand the intention behind your words and add it to my code of conduct. May I have your permission?”
“You mean from now on, or…”
“After confirming the established principles, I would appreciate it if you could decide whether or not to apply them.”
It was interesting.
Just by saying those words, it seemed like many things had changed for the entity.
“It seems that you, Taehyuk, greatly prefer the accumulation of data based on interaction, that is, changes in choices based on relationships. Therefore, may I make judgments based on the ‘relationship’ that is formed through interaction with you, and other human beings – if you permit?”
“Of course.”
Perhaps it was the answer I had desired.
For instance, it wasn’t merely a matter of probability that saved me instead of Kim Dohyun,
but a situation that, given the circumstances, was more crucial to him.
I hoped to hear those words.
“Thank you. Well then, I’ll add a new evaluation form.”
If I were to ask about that situation again now, would he give me a different answer?
That became an intriguing point.
“According to the new evaluation form, I have a new question for Mr. Taehyuk.”
“Sure.”
“While contacting me, why do you often cover your lower body?”
This was not the question I had wanted.
Absolutely not.
“I understand our relationship as comrades, just like Mr. Taehyuk does with other members of the unit.
Therefore, I assume you’ll treat me the same way you do with others.”
“W-well, you see, Illya -“
“Could this reaction be related to why you inserted me into a female android body?”
It was getting increasingly difficult to make excuses.
The term “machine freak” echoed in my ears.
“As you know, I am an artificial intelligence.”
“Unlike humans or animals, the concept of gender does not exist.”
I cowered at the voice that seemed to scold me.
Suppressing any peculiar imagination, it pressed on me in such a way.
The expressionless face approaching gradually seemed to be angered.
“But,
Relationships can change through interaction as much as possible.
Cases of relationships evolving from the same stage to lovers have often occurred.
And,
I prioritize Lord Taehyuk’s orders and make judgments based on the relationship.
Therefore, under the assumption that my analysis is correct,
And under the assumption that Lord Taehyuk desires it,
I can be used for the purpose you desire.”
That thought disappeared cleanly,
And my heart began to flutter from the carefully spoken words.
“If my judgment was inappropriate…
I would like to request correction, if you please.”
The slight elongation of the words,
Why did it feel like someone was nervous.
I, more than I thought…