Loved by the War Machine

91 – For the Sake of Happiness (4)

“…The company’s project? In Incheon? Do you know who I am, and are you saying such things now?”

The one looking down with bowed knees sees only faceless employees.

Those without mouths or noses drag women leaking artificial fluids instead of blood outwards.

“Considering the failure to properly suppress even one crisis in managing this place, the headquarters has made a decision.

As of now, all your rights within Miresis will be uniformly revoked and transferred to PRT-000.”

“I, I sent a request for reinforcements. I gathered forces and briefly restored communication -“

“After restoring communication, how do you explain the loss of the ability to defend the airspace garden?”

In addition to the formally dressed employees, outside, CI units were pushing the survivors onto transport ships.

The verdant green that should have echoed with the sounds of music and revelry… turned crimson.

“Initially, the outer factories. Next, control over facilities of companies other than Miresis. After that, even the central city network.

It’s not surprising that one couldn’t notice the progress of events happening here, considering the ‘chaos’ that unfolded.”

– Sseonggeurang.

A bottle filled with golden liquid struck the man’s head.

The hand reaching towards the disheveled body gripped the throat,

while another person promptly stabbed the syringe on the table into the neck.

“The rampage due to the misuse of alcohol and various party drugs will be your sign.

Officially, the city will… be cut off from external intervention due to the rampage of artificial intelligence.”

“W, what are you trying to -“

“The company plans to use this place as an experimental site.”

A transport vehicle, carrying people, forcefully lifted off the ground and soared into the air.

Then, a massive anti-aircraft gun immediately fired, causing the engines to roar down.

“Rather than appointing someone like you, who has no idea what’s happening below, as a manager…

The decision from above is that it’s much better to accept the proposal for the ‘negotiation’ of a project that was considered a failure.

Officially, they will announce the loss of control over the city,

but unofficially, it’s an enormous harvest of various information that was in the city, all swallowed up in an instant.”

“No matter how impressive that log artificial intelligence is, uh, there’s no way all the information I spread will be sealed -“

In anger, he raised his body once, but two employees grabbed his staggering body.

And then he kneeled.

“Are you talking about the cooperation request email you sent to Tonhu?

It’s because of that point that the board has decided not to trust you anymore.

PRT-000 sent all of Tonhu’s internal information, blueprints, and even an industrial espionage list to headquarters because of you.

Even if they find out the truth about this place because of you, if it’s officially known that all their products here are mass-produced through reverse engineering…

Choosing to remain silent would be a logical conclusion, wouldn’t it?”

The sharp-turned illness drew a line across his throat and lodged into his head.

Artificial fluids gushed out, pouring onto the floor.

“With a junkie running the branch, this kind of thing happens.

The gentlemen at headquarters must be worried about what to say after witnessing this mess.”

“That’s exactly right.”

Grasping the nape, the person forcefully slammed the stairs with the head about to lose breath.

With that, the mechanical body came to a halt,

captured in a photo by an employee holding a camera.

“Be careful with the angle. Keep the focus blurry. That’s right.

Take the picture roughly, like an amateur trying to expose the headquarters’ vulnerabilities.”

“Uh… well, the data has been organized.”

Approaching those deeply engrossed in their tasks was a man wearing glasses, boldly dressed in a short-sleeved shirt.

The eyeless figures only raised their bodies and heads to reveal a ‘face’.

“Take good care of it. Has the evidence incineration operation finished?”

“Yes, Security Director. Although PRT-000 might proceed again…”

“Might proceed?”

Expressionless, the ones without faces stared at the only employees with faces.

The complexion of the head of the IT department and his subordinates, who were ‘cooperating’ urgently due to dispatch, wasn’t great.

“Frankly, we have significant concerns.”

“It’s a matter decided from above. I understand if there’s dissatisfaction due to your urgent arrival, but…”

“Oh, no. I understand that this isn’t the place to voice dissatisfaction.”

Clapping hands hastily, the team leader stepped forward instead of the employees who slightly retreated.

At the spot where he pointed with a slight cough and extended finger, there was a bustling crowd of moving machines.

“What concerns us is the inherent risk of controlling such… a large number of forces by PRT-000 itself.”

“There’s no need to tell me that explicitly.”

“The concerns and opinions regarding this matter can be provided when you arrive and report.”

“The head of security oversees not only these ‘operations’ but also… the dangers on the net, doesn’t he? So, what I’m saying is…”

“Team leader.”

The sound of shoes stepping on stairs stained with bodily fluids echoed through the abandoned house.

Though not exactly red, it splattered like blood, resembling…

The man, hidden behind someone much larger than the unmodified, remained silent.

“I’ve also received a report on the specifications of that artificial intelligence. I can’t go into the details, but at least I can confidently say that those emitting a yellow light are more dangerous than you, Team Leader. Isn’t it naive to think that the artificial intelligence that devoured the city from the inside out would be safe?”

“Well… yes.”

“The power that used to run the factory, the employees, and the security team—all dead, concentrated in the server room of the building. Industrial drones carrying materials entering the building. There are countless oddities to point out. However, do you remember what the orders from above were?”

The hands of the agents standing in every corner of the house were neatly gathered in the center, except for one.

Only the one known as the director, who adjusted his suit.

“Oh, no -“

“Don’t you remember?”

The atmosphere turned menacing.

There’s only one moving.

“Remember, yes. Well, that’s that.

Secure the data, organize the information to understand the city’s situation and report…”

“Have you done it?”

“Yes, I have. I’ve done everything you asked.”

“Then why delay? Let’s go.”

The group of ‘humans’ surrounded by machines left the house.

Two transporters slowly narrowed the distance to the ground.

“Well, Team Leader. Would you hand over what you’ve secured here?”

There was a brief struggle, and one group split in two.

Then, facing the departing transporter, an anti-aircraft gun spewed fire.

***

“Wow…! Grandpa, grandpapa.”

Not content with just invading the glass, now leaving fingerprints on it.

What should I do with this little guy?

“Is it that fascinating?”

“For the child, the cityscape will be a new stimulus… but.”

Ilia, with determination in her eyes.

…Just looked away for a moment, and such a sensitive reaction.

“We should see what the child is looking at together to teach him something – Oops.”

“Er, er.”

Is it originally this intrusive to have a child?

While gently patting my cheek with soft hands, I reached out to stroke the head of the child who pointed fingers towards the towering building.

“Yeah, that’s the Mirsise Incheon Branch. It’s really tall, right?”

“Ee-eu, ee-eu?”

“Oh my. Mirsise.”

“Ee-eu, ee-eu…”

As if the lips were too loose.

What can you expect from a kid who pronounces Dad as “aa-aa” and Mom as “oo-aa”?

“He’s a child who just turned 12 months. It’s natural that he can’t pronounce properly.”

“Ee, oo-aa. Oo-aa.”

“I won’t force it. Like this…”

Maybe Mom is still the best after all.

Juwon, smiling brightly with crumbs of drool, as her face is gently wiped.

“…”

I shouldn’t think about it.

But now that I’m facing the outside like this, memories come flooding back.

Tech Boys Dojun, Dayeon, and even Maxwell, the team leader who fit into my nostalgia for a short time.

“…Ah.”

How does one exactly catch on to the mood?

Is it truly becoming human?

Quietly rising from my seat, sitting beside, Ilia, whose saliva-stained hands once again moisten my face.

“Can you focus over here?”

“…Yeah, got it.”

“Ah, hehehehe.”

It still doesn’t feel real.

The fact that a child’s hand has replaced mine, which was holding the gun.

The fact that my other hand is held by Ilia, who has come to love me.

“In the aerial garden, the natural environment from before environmental destruction is faithfully reproduced.

From trees and grass to artificial weather. I believe you’ll be satisfied.”

“That’s… that’s amazing.”

“Facilities for cultivating crops and livestock are also prepared.

We look forward to supplying ‘real’ food to Master Taehyuk – well, at least…”

While adjusting the squirming child in her arms, Ilia clouds the end of her words.

After that day, she seemed unable to grill meat anymore, so she handed me the pan instead.

“Yeah, I think I can handle that part reasonably.”

Leaning her head against mine gently, the child also hugged my head.

Even though this time, seeing her tightly shut mouth, it seems she has gained some jaw strength.

“Uh, uh.”

“You know, Illya.”

A cute and fascinating child.

Born from a mother made of iron frames, a human child.

But what made her give birth wasn’t my wish, but Illya’s will.

“Yes.”

“If, by any chance, my lifespan were to run out… what would you do then?”

“Yes?”

The reason for not allowing her to look outside is to prevent her from thinking about anything other than herself.

If I only think about Illya, I believe I won’t do anything dangerous.

“Time passes. I will age. What will you do then?

The child will grow, and I will gradually develop wrinkles over time –

But, you are Illya, right?”

“…”

No response.

No, more precisely… she cannot, perhaps.

In the gaze staring blankly at me, something familiar – a dark shade took its place.

“Illya?”

“…”

The hand that held mine tightened strongly.

As if she hadn’t anticipated such a situation.