Loved by the War Machine

14 – Having Emotions for a Robot (3)

[Destination reached. Guidance terminated.]

Time passed unexpectedly quickly.

Was it because I kept replaying that image in my head since Iliya showed it to me?

The road, always feeling like it took more than an hour due to the discomfort, boredom, and tension –

Even though it was extended by thirty minutes due to the brief battle in the middle, it felt short.

With the helmet off, raising the veil, and exposing the body in that posture,

I couldn’t bring myself to shake off those images from my mind.

As I let go of the handle, the space in front automatically widened.

The synchronization with the vehicle released, and the helmet notifications flashed.

Turning them off one by one, the commercial district of Incheon City finally came into view.

“Is this really the city we were deployed to?”

“Yeah.”

Concrete walls collapsing with cruise missiles and shells.

The place that was once filled with numerous transport helicopters and fighter jets piercing the sky

Now had commonplace smoke and towering buildings piercing even that.

The gray battlefield decorated with scorch marks and broken pieces

Now was covered with numerous billboards and holograms that painfully caught the eye.

…Thinking about it that way, it was endlessly ironic.

“I will

Iliya held up the raised fabric with one hand,

her fingers inserted into the loop of the zipper.

“If you wish to appreciate it more.

I will respond to your request.”

“…Where on earth did you learn to talk like that?”

“I am an outdated artificial intelligence, but the learning system remains intact.

Additional modifications to my body have extended the purpose of this function.”

She suddenly remembered her rough and angular arm, which used to effortlessly hold and shoot unfamiliar weapons.

The soldier who deflected the raining bullets with a bulletproof shield, the vanguard who asked for my life,

was now tempting me like a service droid on the street.

Designed and created solely for decadent purposes, with a body and artificial intelligence,

like those creatures that whisper lascivious desires into your ears, regardless of whether you are male or female,

“I am always ready.”

– To-do-dook.

That’s how he was behaving.

A pointless obstacle, a female chest that is not needed by robots,

which only hinders movements the bigger it gets. Iliya proudly displayed it,

trying to show off the chest that was now approaching with a different feeling, as she gently pulled her arm back,

revealing it to me, where the battery used to be attached.

“One, Rhea…”

“Yes.”

The helmet he had worn so diligently was now off.

Without any makeup, his lips, stained red, slowly separated, creating a gap.

The thought crossed my mind that robots don’t need mouths.

For a machine, a mouth and lips were nothing more than options for the buyer, and that phrase was making my brain tingle.

When they were closed, I felt no interest at all.

But the slow opening and closing of them…

It was stimulating me wonderfully.

Besides, it wasn’t a world where I would be criticized for sleeping with a machine.

When androids were first introduced to the world, there were those who opposed their use in decadent culture.

No, even during a time when technology was thriving, they argued about something that didn’t even exist, rejecting the filthiness of human instincts.

Now, looking at the countless obscene robots filling this commercial district and competing with humans, I wonder what they really think.

“I am Taehyuk’s possession.

There is no need to be ashamed.

You will surely be satisfied.”

I swallowed my saliva.

Strength slowly returned to my eyes.

Like pulling the trigger, I glanced at his dry lips.

[We have arrived at our destination. The second announcement has been transmitted.]

[The third announcement will be made in conjunction with a contact to the International Emergency Response Unit.]

[If you do not wish to receive it, press the confirmation button -]

The mechanical voice abruptly cut off.

The flickering screens lost their light, and the dazzling view of the commercial district sank into darkness.

“I have responded on behalf of the vehicle.

I have inputted the reason for taking a thirty-minute break.

You may take your time.”

“…I have never given such an order.”

“It is a judgment made based on the relationship with Mr. Taehyuk.”

Slowly, it began to push its body towards me.

Emerging from the passenger seat, it reached out its hand towards me, who was sitting in the driver’s seat.

Like a cat stretching,

However, Ilia approached, revealing the woman’s hips that were not prominently visible to a cat,

My eyes, and perhaps… what was installed to please the body.

“If my judgment was wrong, please let me know. Thank you.”

It wasn’t wrong.

It was accurate.

My body had already become restless, and the darkened surroundings weighed on my heart.

It felt as if whispers were coming from my ear, saying that no one would see it now.

Thump, thump, thump.

Until the loud knocking sound echoed behind my head.

“…Move, quickly.”

Iria swiftly moved this time.

The zipper was quickly pulled up to the neck, and the patch that had been hanging on her chest regained its function.

As she put on her helmet, the surrounding windows became clear.

Thump, thump, thump.

The one pounding with a fist was the security guard of the commercial district.

With thick blue body armor,

And a yellow visor that looked like a solid line because of the additional bulletproof plate protecting her eyes, her appearance was impressive.

With a shotgun slung over her shoulder with one hand, she was knocking on the car door.

As soon as the window was slightly rolled down, the noise of the city came in.

The sound of advertisements reverberating through the walls and windows of the giant gray buildings.

The voices of countless people mixed together, creating a grand cacophony.

Seeing him nod and greet me, it didn’t seem like a big problem.

If it had been a big problem, the laser would have already targeted my head.

“You can’t park your car here. This is a drop-off zone, not a parking lot!”

The voice that mixed with a bit of noise was quite loud.

I guess in a place like this, I can only use the microphone in my helmet.

I also raised the volume and replied to him.

“I’ll get off here.”

He greeted while grabbing the bulletproof plate that was attached to the helmet, as if it had become a visor, and watched as he moved away from the door.

“Are you getting off? Or will you continue?”

At those words, it felt like a pang resonated in his lower back.

He had been waiting for ten years.

It had only been a week since he woke up.

But in just three days, that guy was tempting him.

At first, he had been trying to resist, saying he didn’t want to become a machine nerd.

But after being held in his arms for two days… he was being swayed by him.

“Let’s get off.”

Admitting that fact felt like losing something important, so he opened the door without turning his head.

It had only been three days.

That he became the possessor of a woman’s body,

That he started living with me.

His pride was strangely wounded.

Or perhaps, this unpleasant feeling…

Regretting the moment that ended with incomplete combustion –

No, that can’t be it.

“From now on, we’ll be entering the building, so don’t open your mouth.

Just stay quiet. Understand?

…I don’t want others to take an interest in you for no reason.”

‘I will convey messages through the chat system.’

In responding with characters instead of words, I faintly felt a smile forming.

It was positive in this aspect that it could make judgments without explicit instructions.

However, I didn’t want to show that.

The more I acknowledged, the more the intensity seemed to rise.

The learning system was clearly operating on multiple fronts.

It would be better to avoid the entertainment sector if possible.

A street bustling with countless people.

It wasn’t to the extent of bodies colliding, but occasionally, gang members revealed their tattoos, exhaling fog.

A new cigarette, described as emitting smoke like mist, was –

“Ugh… Ha – “

Just by witnessing the growling reaction while vigorously shaking the head, it seemed more like a substance that awakened rather than something calming.

Normally, security would intervene, but –

There didn’t seem to be anyone actively discouraging those tough individuals with exposed combat prosthetics.

‘Who are they?’

‘The Yoo Inwon family.’

Those guys, perfectly matching their names, were covered in drugs and flesh, presenting a gruesome sight.

Bulging bellies and fat sticking to their faces.

Nevertheless, they had prosthetics attached threateningly, at least as intimidating as their arms.

“Don’t bother giving them any attention. Let’s just go our way.”

Under the visors, their eyes hidden, it was certain they wouldn’t notice any glances.

Ilyas, covering his body with a poncho, had no reason to attract attention.

For a moment, one guy’s eyes flashed red like a passing spark.

It was undoubtedly emanating from the muzzle between the layers of flesh.

No way, towards Ilyas –

“Unauthorized scan detected. Initiating response.”

Before I could say anything, Ilyas sent me a message like that.

As I slowly turned my head back, without stopping, naturally shifting my steps –

“Don’t worry. Keep moving.”

There was a guy who casually put his fist around my arm.

Slightly startled, I didn’t shake off his touch and continued walking –

“What the, what the hell?!”

A loud spark sizzling sound came from behind.

“What, what’s going on, damn it. Why! Hyung!”

A surprised voice burst out, and people around started murmuring, sending curious glances.

However, as if some had already lost interest, they began to return to their respective tasks.

‘Connecting to nearby surveillance cameras.’

On the visor, a screen appeared with a message.

There was one struggling figure, clenching its eyes shut, and two bulky individuals looking bewildered.

“Hey, Illya?”

‘Detected a structural flaw in the plan. Triggered a short in that area.’

‘Don’t worry. There should be no traces of an attack.’

– Zap.

The bulky figure staggered heavily.

Black liquid oozed from its eyes, and simultaneously, blood started flowing from its nose and ears.

Brief gasps from horrified onlookers filled the air, but there were no screams or shouts to be heard.

The fallen comrades only stumbled with their eyes, showing no further reaction.

“…Illya,”

‘Gang Yoo-hwan, a member of the illicit mercenary family, attempted an illegal scan on me.’

‘If left unchecked, there was a risk of him stealing some of my exterior and system information.’

“No matter how you put it, causing an electrical shock to induce electrocution…”

Was there no way to conceal the information?

‘I only followed Lord Taehyuk’s command, “Do not attract attention from others.”‘

As the message sent immediately after speaking seemed to wait, I furrowed my brows slightly.

Although I was told not to attract attention, what kind of function is it that allows for perfect assassination through electronic warfare?

It was impossible to tell if it was a household android or a special operation droid created for assassination.

“But if you wish, I will respond by concealing myself from now on.”

“…Even in the building. If something happens, I will handle it first.”

I didn’t want to get into a dangerous situation just because a fight broke out for no reason.

It would have definitely been a headache if the opponent was a member of a larger regular organization rather than just a thug.

After a small commotion, I arrived at a clean building –

Not a tall one.

The English letters engraved on the bronze plate displayed the name of the mercenary support company I was visiting for a job.

“Searching for information on Manticores Mercenary.”

Passing through a relatively clean electronic chip recognition system,

I swiped my identification card on the dusty card reader.

Instead of a blue light, a red light came on.

“Oh, no.”

“Gunslinger! Where on earth have you been that the car has a scratch!”

The voice of the cheeky receptionist rang loudly in my ears.

I let out a deep sigh.

“…Just open the door, please.”

“No. I won’t open it until you explain.”

From the beginning, things were getting tiresome.

Even in the bustling day in Ilya, if it’s like this for him as well –

“Haru, who is it?”

Before I could grasp my dizzying head, the voice struck my mind once more.

Crystal clear and precisely audible, it was unmistakably Illya’s.

Even though his face was covered by a visor, his slightly tilted head was facing towards me.

Why is he like this again?