NOVEL NEXT chapter 7
7 – Fear Exists in Artificial Intelligence Too (1)
He opened the iron door and hastily closed it.
Contrary to the lackluster service from TechBoys, his body once again became covered in sand.
As he was about to spray himself with the air nozzle hanging in the entrance –
“…Luckily.”
The guy had somehow crossed the barrier and was looking at me.
A faint smile was clearly hanging on his lips.
This time, it wasn’t a delusion.
“For now, step outside. You need to shake off the sand.”
“I will assist you.”
“No, you can’t. It’s sand. If it gets into the parts, it’ll clog up and cause problems that I can’t handle.”
“Go inside and wait. It’s an order.”
“My body is a model that has passed various tests by Mirsisa Corp. Additional modifications have been made to withstand a pressure of 50m and a certain level of impact. It is designed to protect internal components perfectly from various foreign substances. Just in case, I would like to confirm if this fact will affect your order, Mr. Taehyuk.”
Not a single step was taken.
It didn’t try to help me on its own accord, but it also didn’t go beyond the barrier according to my command.
“…I won’t revoke the order. You know too. Even if there are no problems now, they will inevitably arise later. With guns, with machines. We have to get rid of them all, that damn sand.”
“So, there’s nothing else I can do to help?”
“You already tidied up the house nicely, Illya. Go inside and rest. The rest is my job -“
“Can I take care of cleaning the sand in the percussion instruments?”
“…Illya, thank you for caring. But I’m tired from working.”
I wasn’t angry.
I could understand well enough what kind of sentiment was behind those words.
But it was not a human, but a robot, and I didn’t want to face the possibility of something that could only happen to humans.
At least he had to earn enough money to move to a safer area.
Until then, he couldn’t casually send Ilia outside.
Dealing with the androids was obvious; they came running like a pack of wolves at the sight of corporate goods.
“I apologize.”
“I didn’t tell you to do that. So… it’s more like I hope you’d take better care of yourself.”
His expressionless face seemed sorrowful.
He missed even the faintest hint of a smile.
Did he reject her too harshly?
“Well, it can’t be helped. Here, my gun.”
He removed all the bullets and emptied the sand onto the floor.
Around the time when no visible sand remained, he handed it over to Ilia.
“Put on the gloves. Wrap your neck, eyes, nose, mouth… just cover any part that might affect the internal parts.”
“There are no vulnerable areas in my hands and arms that could be affected by movement. But, yes, I understand. I will start the cleaning process with extreme caution.”
Bowing slightly with closed eyes, the one in front of me seemed pleased.
Holding the gun with both hands, he moved quietly beyond the barrier, heading toward my room without a word.
I wonder how it would have been if I had sent her away forcibly.
Did they wait for me beyond the barrier?
“…Let’s hurry and wash up.”
Without taking off the helmet, I pulled the trigger.
The pleasant breeze began to pass through my clothes.
***
“Work on a day when the yellow dust blows again. Seed.”
I could earn a good amount of money as a danger allowance, but that didn’t make the fact that my body was tired disappear.
I pushed out the clothes and equipment one by one beyond the barrier.
And I started to let the wind hit my body, with only one pair of underwear left.
How should I clear the sand that filled the floor?
It was so daunting.
“Mr. Tae-hyuk.”
“Ah, you scared me…!”
Since when had he been there?
Holding a neatly polished gun, he came to talk to me from outside the barrier.
“If I startled you, I apologize.
I just wanted to let you know that the gun maintenance is finished.”
It didn’t shine because of the matte paint,
but the sound of the revolver’s cylinder turning was truly an art.
Where on earth did he learn the skill of closing it and turning it one notch at a time?
“You did a truly excellent job. Thank you, Ilia.”
“Shall I also clean all the clothes and equipment to remove any contamination?”
I should say I’ll do it myself.
But as I inspected the pistol, which had been taken care of even better than me, my mouth kept opening on its own.
“Well, about that -“
“Feel free to make such requests without hesitation. As a machine, I do not experience fatigue.”
Rather than saying it’s impossible, my head nodded first.
It felt like in the battlefield, if there was a task possible, I always delegated it to Ilia.
After finishing tidying up, I came out of the barrier and took in a breath of fresh air.
In the neatly organized house, it felt refreshing.
If I just wash off with water, I’m sure my mood will greatly improve.
… Well, but –
Where should I put my armor, and why is Ilia standing there in front of me?
“May I assist you with washing?”
“Didn’t you say you’d take care of it while I bathe?”
“While conversing at the entrance, I conducted a scan operation.
The condition of your knees has significantly worsened since the morning, indicating a need for assistance.”
As she spoke, attempting to undress, I managed to stop her.
The revealed skin was undoubtedly human to anyone’s eyes.
“Why are you doing this?”
“I appreciate the help, but taking off my clothes…”
“While performing my duties, my clothes may get wet.
The only clothing I am provided with is a basic set of undergarments.”
It was true.
Her face and body were beautiful, but the clothes she was wearing were incredibly shabby.
“To prevent damage to the clothes, you should undress – “
“No, no, no… Let’s reconsider that.
I can just buy more clothes myself.
If it comes down to it, I can even wear my own clothes. Our builds are similar, after all.”
“Due to the CI model – Oh, I apologize.
My height has indeed decreased significantly since before.”
A slightly shorter height than mine.
Lowering her head, the girl who now looked up at me for a moment lit up her eyes and opened her mouth.
“In that case, what will you do?
If you shower alone, there’s a risk of injury – “
“I got it. I understand.
Today, I’ll have to ask you for help with various things.”
Finally, seeming to accept it, the girl opened the bathroom door and approached me.
Her hand gently wrapped around my waist, slowly pushing me forward.
Washing doesn’t need to be rushed like this.
***
“Is the temperature suitable?”
“What’s the current temperature?”
“It’s 37.8 degrees.”
“Set it around 37 to 38 degrees. That’s good.”
Adjusting the water temperature while putting my hands in.
The hands that weave through my hair move much more skillfully than mine.
“How’s the pressure on your head?”
“It’s fine. Ah, really good…”
“I’m glad you’re satisfied.”
I was foolish to have tried to refuse just a moment ago.
Ilyah truly had a satisfying skill set.
She takes care of the house, handles firearms well, and now, top-notch massage skills.
It was a moment when the value of all that money clearly showed.
“I’ll rinse it off with water.”
“Just pour a little more…”
“After drying your hair, I’ll provide additional services in bed.”
“Well then…”
The stream of water flowing down my body feels surprisingly good.
Washing has always been a tedious task in my opinion, but being with Ilia turned it into an enjoyable time.
“Now it’s time to wash up. Would you mind taking off your wet underwear?”
“I’ll take care of washing myself. This should be enough.”
“The surface is currently slippery.”
As if determined to get me to bathe somehow, he had already produced foam in the shower ball.
The hand that reached out, the gently touching foam.
I softly grasped it.
“Mr. Taehyuk, is it?”
An oddly kind tone.
Texts that were sent excessively often.
I might be reacting overly sensitively, but…
“Ilia.”
“Yes, Mr. Taehyuk.”
“By any chance, is there a reason for being so good to me?”
I wanted to ask.
It might be a predictable answer.
“Currently, as Mr. Taehyuk’s possession, I serve for happiness -“
“Enough with that.”
A droplet rolled down his face.
He swept his wet hair up with his hand, wiping his eyes.
“We were… comrades. Or perhaps, we were just saving each other’s lives.
I expected something like that.”
“As you know, I am a robot.
I can mimic emotions, but it’s difficult to say that I actually have them.”
“I know, but… just, well.
Seeing you now, it feels like you have emotions or something.”
“May I ask in what specific way you perceive that I have emotions?”
Yes.
That cheerful smile of yours.
Maybe it’s because you ended up having a woman’s body and that’s how you feel.
And…
“Like constantly sending messages.
Or making an effort to help me.
Like you’re worried about me, just as I worry about you.”
“We were created for the convenience of humans.
It’s only natural to offer assistance.
However,”
The shower water stopped.
The showerhead, covered in foam, fell to the floor.
Ilia’s eyes were fixed on me.
“Worrying – the act itself,
can be seen as a culmination of various judgments.”
Is the hesitation of artificial intelligence intentional?
Or is it due to its outdated model that such reactions arise?
“Mr. Taehyuk retrieved me, who had been disposed of in that battle.
The retirement pay you could have received was used for me,
and most of the funds that could have been used for knee treatment and improvement of life quality have been invested for my sake.
…Even now, you haven’t gone outside to sustain your life with me, have you?”
Gently stepping into the wet bathtub,
the body trying to embrace the cold was truly warm.
It must be said that you shouldn’t embrace when it’s wet.
Does holding a woman in your arms make you feel this good?
Perhaps that’s why many guys spend money on heated windows or android establishments in winter.
“A drop in body temperature can cause various health issues.”
“Yeah, got it. So, I just need to hold you tighter, right?”
“…Yes. That’s correct.”
The response was a bit delayed.
Well, that doesn’t really matter.
“To continue answering your question.
Mr. Taehyuk, in my operational state – in other words, as a human,”
It was determined that prioritizing survival was the most important thing.
Am I correct in my assumption?”
“That’s about right.
I told you. You’re the only comrade left.”
Resting my head against her chest, Iliya gently presses down with her hand.
That strange pressure made me feel good.
Her hand wiping my back made my body tingle.
“That’s why I can’t help but prioritize your survival and convenience, Taehyuk-nim.
Your safety means my own survival.”
“What? Was that what it was?”
I suddenly felt relieved at such a statement that could be considered obvious.
…What was I expecting?
Did I want to hear words like “I love you” from a machine, even if it was put into a woman’s body?
Even if I filled her with a woman’s body, she was still a robot.
That’s all.
“Did you expect a different answer?”
“No, it’s fine.
But you, you’re really warm.”
The more I pulled her close, the more addictive her skin and warmth became.
Was there perfume filled inside her body?
The scent wafted to the tip of the nose.
“I wouldn’t recommend falling asleep in the bathroom. Shall I continue washing your body?”
“…No need. I’ll take care of the rest.”
“Alright, I’ll finish organizing the instruments then.”
The detached body was thoroughly soaked in water.
Simultaneously, beneath the white fabric, the flesh slowly revealed itself.
I gazed at the back of the one who confidently stepped forward for quite some time.
“I’ll wait in the bedroom.”
“Since we need to eat dinner, wait for me in the kitchen.”
“Understood.”
Despite having exerted a lot of energy outside, somehow, strength seemed to return to the body.
… It was peculiar.
Even though I knew that body was not human but a robot, and that it was Iria, my comrade who resembled a woman.
My heart kept pounding.
During my mercenary life, there was no place I hadn’t visited.
From the back alleys’ red-light district to the high-class clubs.
I had seen all the places famous for pleasure at least once.
“Pull yourself together… I need to gather my wits.”
For some reason, it seemed like there was nothing that made me as happy and excited as Ilia did.
That fact made my body tremble.
It might have been because of the sudden cold wind blowing.