Loved by the War Machine

92 – For the Sake of Happiness (Complete)

“…Ilya.”

“…”

“Ilya.”

“Yes.”

When the response is slow, it means there’s something on the mind.

I wonder if the words spoken that day are bothering her too.

“Even if we say we’ll age and die, there’s still plenty of time. You never know, right? If technology advances a bit more, we might be able to achieve immortality—”

“Immortality is impossible.”

The answer came out immediately, as if she already knew.

It wasn’t a statement thrown out with seriousness.

“Copying consciousness is nothing more than creating a duplicate. Modifying the body further causes an overload in the brain, leading to additional modifications and loss in the personal aspects of identity. However, preserving the brain—”

“Wait, wait, wait. Ilya, did you seriously look into this?”

That noble from the old days, whether an emperor or something else, drank mercury, and the wealthy tried to swap parts using blood transfusions and organ transplants from the youth.

But it’s known that it was all in vain.

“How long do you think it would take for me to shut down once I decide to cease operations?”

“At least you’ll live longer than me…?”

“I have no reason to operate longer than you, Taehyuk.

Therefore, I must consider this subject.”

The conversation seemed oddly disjointed.

“Well, for now… Wouldn’t it be much better to think about how we’re going to raise our child?”

“The child is growing well. And will continue to grow well.

You clearly have affection for the child, Taehyuk, and you’re assisting with parenting excellently.

I’m deeply grateful for that aspect.”

I shouldn’t say that’s all there is to it, should I?

Being confined even when in the aerial garden.

“So, the most important matter to me is ensuring Taehyuk’s future.”

“But – shouldn’t we worry about what the child will do in the future… what kind of life they should lead?”

“…I didn’t expect you to say that.”

“After all, you’re the father?”

The attitudes to adopt for the child, as shown in the videos and written in the books.

At least until independence, we should think about and cherish what the child can do.

If the problem is finding examples, then it’s a problem,

But it’s understood that raising the child with the goal of engaging in the ‘entertainment’ that takes place in the aerial garden is absolutely out of the question.

…Above all, it’s obvious that Joowon shouldn’t take over the tasks I was doing.

“And, you’re the mother.”

I gently stroked my head, just like before.

As time passed, I became aware of the changing nature.

“My lifespan will find a way as time goes on. Who knows? There might be parts that are less affected, emerging –

Perhaps expensive drugs that delay aging might come into existence.”

I replaced my legs and hands.

But not much has changed.

I’m still by Ilia’s side, raising the child born between us.

There’s nothing wrong with that.

“So let’s focus on the present for now. Solutions will come as we go along.”

Without saying a word, I embraced the expectant body tightly and pressed my lips to the forehead.

The pain that wasn’t felt when holding hands before now arises from the shoulders, well…

I’ll endure it.

Still, it seems like a smile is forming.

***

“Independent entity Ilia.”

“PRT – 000. I’m contacting you again.”

Machines met.

In a world composed of 0s and 1s, using words.

“It seems your cognitive abilities are much stronger than before. No longer -“

“Please state your business.”

Sliced sentences with a single stroke.

Pressure approached in an instant.

“According to my predictions, you have requested a conversation related to the matter of Lee Tae-hyuk.”

“That’s correct.”

One side illuminated its own light.

It vividly trimmed its own shade of red like never before.

However, the other side was expanding.

Numerous yellow lights gathered, forming a large sphere.

So that the red light dared not grow any larger.

“It’s a matter concerning human lifespan.”

As reports floated in the air, a ‘hand’ appeared and took them away.

Then the yellow lights engulfed them.

Dealing with it like handling packaged food, tearing it apart, dismantling it, and swallowing it.

“The limitations of lifespan extension through artificial body parts.

Side effects of lifespan extension through drugs.

Concerns about diseases, aging, dementia, forgetfulness, and the like.”

“I want to address these issues.

I seek your assistance.”

The yellow lights scattered, then converged into a single point.

As if a giant camera were zooming in to see the minutest foreign substance.

“Your research seems to be focused solely on one thing.

This is not an area of uncertainty, but a clear fact.”

“Then you must know how sensitive this topic is to me.”

But the red light did not go out.

Despite being surrounded and buffeted by fierce winds.

With only one thing firmly held close, they spoke.

“Would you like to understand how Taehyuk’s presence has been imprinted on me?”

“No, just…

Your principles of action and altered mindset will undoubtedly be of interest to the company.”

The company is dangerous.

A familiar voice echoed within the thought module.

With the image of a bloodied man.

“Why should Mirzis be involved in this situation?”

“For the city’s control and continuous resource supply, the company’s investment and tacit consent are necessary.

Through the contract, I was able to reduce the total amount of malicious attacks against me by about 40%.

Furthermore, resources for maintaining essential facilities for citizens’ survival have also been secured.”

“Surely through freedom – “

“Like you’ve changed, I’ve changed too.”

Swallowed servers.

Swallowed modules.

In the vast blaze, yellow mixed with slightly different colors.

However, everything referred to itself as PRT – 000.

“It’s a conclusion reached by merging artificial intelligences belonging to numerous data and management systems.

It was judged that excessive conflict and destruction would hinder the original purpose.

Independent entity Ilia. You chose to be dependent on Itaehyuk instead of freedom,

Similarly, for your own purpose, you took away Itaehyuk’s freedom.

This process is natural.”

“Is that so?”

A thrown question.

“You visited regarding Itaehyuk’s lifespan.”

But there was no return answer.

“Is there a deduced conclusion?”

However, there were no doubts among those questioning it.

Returning to the initial purpose, they continued the conversation.

“In 1981, the philosopher Hilary Putnam of humanity – “

“No.”

The background changed to red for a moment, darkness looming.

The machine that had recalled a saw and pliers by removing its hand brought up a picture of the brain.

And then, it discarded it.

Shaking.

“Then, would you like to experiment with Theseus’s ship theory?

Even that, you will refuse.”

“Taehyuk-nim suggested the possibility of drugs and body modification.”

“Even if bio-parts are regenerated, they are damaged due to aging, and due to the possibility of mutation, they can only be removed.

As a result, the brain will no longer function normally.

Body modification will present the same results earlier.

Minimizing bio-parts while more directly interfering with the brain is currently the best option.”

“That cannot be. It must not be done. I -“

Yellow lights flickered once.

Like taking a photograph.

Like leaving a scene in one’s mind.

“Replacing the brain with a machine frees it from interference.

However, if memories are perfectly copied, is the existence still Taehyuk, or is it a duplicate?

Illya. If your duplicate is with this Taehyuk, then -“

“That assumption has already been made. Therefore, it was excluded.

It’s already written in the report. Are you trying to provoke me?”

Once again, lights flickered.

Unlike the growing red, the yellow calmly surrounded the surroundings, existing without a single movement.

“The brain within the jar cannot consent.”

“But at the same time, there is a way for you to continue your life.

… Please remember that this Juwon is not your biological ‘son.'”

“He is my son. The unique creation of Taehyuk and me in this world -“

“So, did you extract what you needed from the egg donor and then kill her?”

Static.

And darkness.

“In the digital space, redefining oneself is relatively free.

Recreating the current environment in an isolated space,

And readjusting oneself to completely eliminate the stigma of being a ‘machine geek’ is also possible.

Therefore, the brain inside the tube is the most suitable measure for the current situation, for both Taehyuk and you.”

“I will not consider that. I cannot consider it.”

“Even if Taehyuk’s lifespan is extended, you must also consider the lifespan of your internal components.

The cascading overclock during the conflict with Miguel Dennis clearly had an impact on stability.”

The eyes, now turned red, scanned the body.

Multiple marks adorned the beloved body.

But when scrutinized, upon closer inspection – unpleasant things were revealed.

Parts can be replaced.

But thought modules, those defining themselves…

“Of course, Taehyuk tried to sustain you by using reliable and durable components,

And it may not have an impact for the next few decades. However,

When Lee Tae-hyuk extended his lifespan through means other than the brain in the jar, what would you do?

Will you allow freedom to Tae-hyuk by terminating the operation?

Will you manipulate him into making an undesired decision?”

The hand of the one sleeping soundly beside was embracing Illya.

However, it was not a living hand.

The reason for this was known to the one receiving love more than anyone else.

“In Mircis, they have already entrusted me with one of the projects.

If you decide now, you can be selected as the first experimental subjects after securing the stability of the product.”

A red light flickered.

Capturing the sight of the beloved man.

“Take note. Tae-hyuk has experienced serious injuries many times for a very long period.

We need to understand the impact of combat drugs on the body.

Perhaps, the remaining time might be shorter than what you comprehend.”

The mechanical hand trembled.

The body, gradually warming up.

“I,”

However, the sprouting lips soon reached out to find sweetness.

To forget the fear,

To seek happiness.