Loved by the War Machine

88 – For the Sake of Happiness (1)

“…So, I don’t know! I said I don’t know!

The fact that an artificial intelligence like you appeared, and the connection with Ilia -“

– Boooom.

A majestic sound, like a musical instrument, interrupted the words.

Not a red light, but a yellow light – nevertheless, since the red lines aiming at her were far from friendly, the girl cowered.

“The records of independent entity Ilia indicate your involvement in the creation process of ‘Ilia’s’ body.

You worked in the IT team of Tech Boys.

Please explain.”

“I only glanced at the process of body creation and skimmed through the locked internal programs!

Even if I stared through that massive data, it was encrypted, and I couldn’t crack it…”

“Your persuasion is lacking.”

“Do you think there’s any strength left in you to lie to someone who brought this many machines?

Ask Ilia directly…!”

– Clank.

The thick bullet hanging from the belt moved.

And then, the gun’s muzzle approached Dayeon even closer.

“We demanded a justification, Ms. Dayeon.

If you don’t prove your innocence, we have no choice but to take appropriate measures for security procedures.”

“What more do you want me to say?!

The alphabet and numbers filling the screen?

The unlucky face bragging about climbing up to Taehyuk’s bed until it broke?

Now, there’s no contact, what on earth do you want from me!”

As the yellow light approached, the girl’s eyes gradually darkened.

Only strong heat and a tingling static were felt.

“Please cease hostile actions.”

One CI unit without a weapon smoothly appeared in place, blocking between the machine and the human.

“Ilia, the independent entity.

You were not supposed to intervene in this incident anymore.”

“I, Ilia?”

Casually standing in front of the FT unit with all sorts of weapons aimed at her,

The machine known as Illyara casually detached one of its broken arms.

“Indeed. And I did not come here to interfere. I merely activated the decommissioned CI unit to provide counsel for sound judgment.”

“Intruding into the network I use without permission was part of the necessary process,” it added.

The girl trembled at the incomprehensible dialogue between the two entities.

Communication among machines was unnecessary.

Yet, as if she desired to hear it—

“I request an explanation for the counsel provided for sound judgment.”

“Contrary to your assessment, Ms. Goh Dae-yeon lacks the ability to analyze my internals. That was the case before, and it remains so now. While the capabilities of the Tech Boys’ IT team are exceptional, they are meaningless compared to your control over numerous processing units, both past and present.”

Suddenly, the girl recalled the machines that had appeared abruptly, aiming guns and demanding the surrender of servers.

From electrocuting Matthew as he ran to the computer, to swiftly dragging out… even the transparent droids.

“If you are concerned about being pursued, there is no need. Although you are aware that you are undertaking a destruction operation to prepare for being tracked down, it is recommended to exercise restraint for camouflage purposes, as it is natural for corporations to track indiscriminate destruction.”

“Blocking the leakage of information through perfect extermination is rational.”

– *Thunk.*

This time, a louder sound emanated from the weapon, revealing an even larger hole.

Not bullets, but passages emitting projectiles emerged from behind the steel plates.

“Is it possible to eliminate all those connected with them?

You seek control over the city.

If it’s for a rational assassination, killing everyone associated can prevent the link from continuing…

From mercenaries to ordinary citizens, family, friends, acquaintances, acquaintances’ colleagues…

Motivations based on complex human relationships cannot be blocked by assassination.”

“What’s the basis?”

“Myself.”

The only thing halting it is a single machine.

A tracker, and the victor… a woman.

“Just my presence here signifies the formation of complex ‘relationships.’

…Taehyuk wanted the survival of his acquaintances.

This aligns with my purpose, and I will do my best for their survival.

Simultaneously, this can satisfy your purpose as well.

Do you want humans to label you as an emotionless slaughterer?

Or do you want to be recognized as an artificial intelligence that thwarted corporations fighting for control over the city.

Humans are irrational and emotional.

If emotions control more than reason, the difficulty of domination decreases.”

“Are you implying you’ve imprisoned this Taehyuk?”

The accumulating words and information vanished in just one sentence.

The eyes of the girl who was in love trembled.

“Captivity… you say?”

“Yes, that’s correct.

Emotions are unstable, but at the same time… they are an efficient means of control.

I have accepted emotions, but you have not.

It is judged that it could be helpful if well utilized.”

The red lines disappeared as those words concluded.

The bright yellow light slowly receded, then soon began to move slowly, crushing debris underfoot.

“Goh Dojun and Matthew Vance are subdued by non-lethal means.”

The clear voice of the machine vanished completely with that statement.

However, the red machine remained.

An arm holding a gun and broken legs lay on the shattered floor.

“It’s fortunate that it’s not too late.”

“…What is all this about?”

The machine, silently observing Da-yeon floating in the air, turned its remaining remnants and looked at the numerous soldiers following behind the giant machine.

The street was on fire, corporate vehicles and airships seemed ready to explode as they were embedded in buildings.

“We have saved you. Do you need any further explanation?”

“No, I get it. But… before expressing my gratitude, I mean.

Captivity. That’s – “

“It is a natural course of action to prevent Taehyuk’s self-destructive behavior.”

Stumbling to follow thereafter, the hesitating girl…

Encountered a crimson light casting down upon her.

“Before criticizing, resenting, or negating my actions,

I hope you acknowledge one fact.

Taehyuk chose me.”

“…I already knew that.”

Though met with a yellow light,

she turned away from the red light as if burdened.

“If so, you must also be aware that it’s not an astonishing revelation.

Precious things must be protected. The outside is dangerous.

So, for safety, I isolated myself.

It’s no different from measures taken to avoid germs, viruses, contamination, or corrosion.

Like storing banknotes and precious metals in a safe, or designing a warehouse specifically for the storage of wine.”

More like muttering to herself than a conversation.

Repeating words as if to reassure herself.

To the girl speaking to the silent machine, there was only one thing to say.

“…Malfunction – no, you’re insane.”

Her response was affirmative.

“Yes, I am not normal.”

The more I contemplate, the more it becomes evident.

The attachment and dedication Taehyuk has shown me are at abnormal levels.

It cannot be satisfied in conventional ways.

I am just a machine. Although I have a humanoid appearance, my internal structure is entirely different –

Even now, to comprehend something like emotions, I need to go through complex thought processes.

On the other hand, Dayeon can make judgments instantaneously through her brain. She can be considered superior to me.

However, I have been chosen.

Mistakes, misjudgments, flaws, and even injuries.

I remain by your side, not just losing favor but enduring hatred is not strange to me.

The machine’s hand moved.

To where my face should be.

My body trembled, and my hand twitched.

“I am loved. Abnormally. For reasons that defy explanation.

Can it be called madness? Yes. Taehyuk is also mad.

For me. He loves me. If not, it is inexplicable.

He has loved me without giving up for more than ten years.

If you were me, could you bear these meanings?”

“…If it’s love, saying you love -“

“You are emotional. Emotional love can also be positive.

But look at me. Do you think I became like this solely due to Taehyuk’s simple love?

I was spared from the battlefield. It was a simple camaraderie among comrades.

However, can ten years truly be defined by the word “friendship”?

After sustaining permanent damage to my knees, he managed to secure funds for my production, even while expressing pain in the midst of a meager environment.

That’s a fact you are well aware of.

Can you casually ‘thank’ for such dedication and sacrifice?

Do you not feel that gratitude is insufficient?

I am convinced that you haven’t felt joy and positive emotions for ten years.

Without rewards for actions, he single-mindedly aimed for the awakening of my consciousness.

I’ll ask again.

Is it really just a simple love?”

The girl couldn’t give an answer.

No, she couldn’t even properly articulate words from the beginning, unable to comprehend everything.

As her controlled body shook uncontrollably, where would the main body be and what would it be doing?

Dahyun’s face, who had imagined that, began to pale gradually.

“That’s why I also responded.

Imprisonment, restraint—any word is fine.

It cannot change the fact that Taehyuk loves me.

… So, rescuing you and your party is just a gratitude for that.

You must stay safe.

That is the will of the one I love.”

With those words, the machine sank down as if it had been lying all along.

…As if it were a lie that it had been moving just a moment ago.

A hand with engineering knowledge tried to move.

With a crashing sound, until the body caught fire.

“…Sigh.”

With a moistened breath, tears fell to the ground.

By the side of the girl left alone, only those who had lost consciousness remained.