Loved by the War Machine

22 – Body Modification (1)

“…Huh…”

“You moved too forcefully.”

With a pillow supporting her stomach, she felt the sensation of fingers pressing against her back.

She was excessively excited.

To the point of making a mess around her.

“The bed needs to be replaced.

Two springs are damaged, and the blanket is torn.”

“…Sorry.”

“No, it’s not your fault. If I had noticed this function a bit faster, I could have adjusted it.

Take a deep breath and exhale now.”

“Hmm… Ahh…”

With the sound of bones aligning, he expelled the air.

Feeling the stiff areas loosen up, I was able to breathe more comfortably.

…Thanks to Ilia, the quality of life was truly improving.

“Are you okay? It seemed like I handled it quite roughly yesterday.”

“To give you a simple example, even if I were flattened by a truck, I would still be able to perform my functions.”

“No, not with such a violent scene…”

“Lord Taehyuk, the additional modifications you installed have given me much greater power and durability than mainstream combat units. Despite saying you handled it roughly, you checked my condition ten times each during our two-hour interaction. Yesterday’s actions did not cause any damage to me. Thank you for your concern.”

The one smiling gently at the corner of his mouth somehow looked refreshed.

His endlessly clear face showed no negative emotions.

“If you say so.”

He scratched his head, straightened his loosened waist, and stood up from his seat.

On the floor were…

“We slept without even cleaning up.”

“Shall I tidy up the room now?”

“Let’s do it together. Just take care of the trash. The blankets… Ugh, they smell of sweat.”

After turning the room upside down, it felt like the dampness was finally dissipating.

However, my clammy body still brought discomfort.

“I need to take a shower. Oh, Ilia, don’t you need to wash up too?”

“I will check – yes, I have confirmed the bodily fluid on the body and part of the hair.”

“Well, then I’m curious again, how do you wash up? Do you wipe with a towel or something?”

“I am equipped with durability and waterproofing that allows me to operate even at a depth of 200m. Similarly, due to these features, I can withstand prolonged exposure to fine dust.”

Perhaps mentioning fine dust was a reminder from the past not to touch even the sand. However, it was clear that the situation he had described probably wouldn’t happen.

A depth of 200m, prolonged exposure to fine dust – these were not things one would do in their right mind.

“In simple terms, I can assist in cleaning your body while also removing foreign substances from myself.”

“You mean, shower together?”

“Yes.”

The more I looked at it, the more his inner thoughts seemed ominously unmatched. Or perhaps, am I really living with this guy? After all, in the end, it’s me who got caught up in all this.

“…Well, that’s fine, I guess. Let’s prepare lunch together, and this time, shall we shower together too?”

“I will follow.”

Clothes – oh, right, he wasn’t wearing any. While going ahead, I could hear the sound of fabrics brushing against his skin.

I gently opened the door.

“Well, then – huh?!”

As if being robbed of my lips, the next thing was entering the bathroom.

“I have detected an increase in excitement. Would you like to relieve it?”

“This is because you’re freely putting words in my mouth.”

“Would you like to relieve it?”

The way they asked without batting an eye made me chuckle.

The slightly sparkling eyes seemed to convey determination.

…Was it revenge for yesterday’s thoroughly messed-up situation?

“Let’s hear the reason.”

“After a thorough examination following our relationship, I have accessed some functions that were not recognized.

I would like to confirm if they are functioning properly.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

It sounded like a reasonable excuse,

but it was just a prelude to a showdown. Seriously.

“Hmm, what should I do?”

“If you wish, you can check in the evening.

However, it is much more efficient to do it here, a place where you can wash off immediately.”

There was about the distance of a piece of paper between the subtly approaching body and lips.

Looking at me with narrowed eyes, about halfway closed,

Words flowed through the lips.

“If you permit, I will proceed.”

“…I plan to go out today.

Shouldn’t it be too severe?”

And then, the space was filled.

***

“Meal is ready.”

Sitting in the chair, trying to bring the spoon to the powerless arm with difficulty.

He was faster.

“If you open your mouth, I’ll assist with the intake.”

Such a rascal.

I clearly said only once. But he stubbornly insisted…

“Will you proceed with the afternoon schedule as planned?”

It was unfair.

Because Iliya had a mechanical body, so vigorous.

I, whose energy was drained as it pleased, had no strength to move.

“I think I can’t do it…”

“Then, in the afternoon, shall we do volunteer work -“

“Oh, no. I’ll do it, let’s go out.”

My heart thumped loudly.

Every word, every utterance, I couldn’t afford to loosen the tension in each one.

“You seem to have expended a lot of energy; it appears that rest is necessary. Are you really okay?”

It was absurd to be looked at with eyes that seemed to know nothing.

Having taken everything out and now talking about rest—what kind of mindset is this?

“…Anyway, it’ll take a while to estimate and design. Since it’s just a round trip, you don’t have to worry too much.”

Even swallowing the last spoonful, muttering with reluctance, adjusting posture by lifting the buttocks once.

Does the lack of strength to even move a finger mean something like this?

“Could you bring me some clothes? I should start moving slowly…”

“Compared to yesterday, Taehyuk-nim seems quite exhausted now.”

“Hey, you’re kidding, right?”

“I’m just conveying the results of the scan.”

Is he happy about winning the revenge match?

I couldn’t help but be moved by the seemingly clear provocation.

Yesterday, he was the one trembling, claiming that the accident module was overloaded.

“…Just check the estimate and prepare yourself for tonight.”

“Bed replacement is necessary. Activity on the damaged spring may cause further harm.”

Like a cunning fellow.

It didn’t sit well with me at all, watching him leisurely wag his tail and slip away as if he could be any fox.

It seemed like a good idea to find a way to seek revenge.

…Perhaps, installing a connection to enable the use of an electronic chip might be helpful.

***

Fortunately, the road to the commercial district was not congested this time.

If it’s like this every day, it would save some money on transportation expenses.

In Incheon, there was no hope for that at all.

Ignoring the slight pain in my knee that was starting to ache, I climbed the stairs to “Gominjun Implant.”

Of course, it’s called an implant to insert something artificial in place of a missing tooth,

but the sign had an image of a machine arm and leg crossing instead of a tooth.

[Welcome.]

Inside, where I opened the door and entered, there were only a few customers waiting.

Are the receptionists here also machines?

Not androids, but droids.

They resembled humans to some extent – their head parts were machines themselves.

Of course, there were some cheap ones among them, but this place had good reviews.

That’s why the face with the visual sensor had a futuristic design.

[Electronic chip not detected. Please manually enter your personal information.]

The blue spherical mono-eye module was painted in white, giving it a hospital-like design.

Was it the preference of the implanters to dress them in nurse uniforms?

“Here.”

I declined the pad being handed to me and instead took out my phone’s identification card.

[Barcode recognized. Welcome, Mr. Taehyuk. May I ask the reason for your visit today?]

“I came to get a quote for a bio leg replacement and… installation of a connection.”

[Understood. I have issued you a waiting number.]

The alarm on my helmet displayed the number 5.

So I just have to wait patiently.

“Please have a seat.”

I tapped the seat next to me and guided Ilia to sit down.

Thanks to our similar heights, I could comfortably rest my head on his shoulder.

How long had we been waiting like this?

Suddenly, a message appeared on the screen, saying that reception had closed.

It’s late afternoon, so it’s only natural.

“If you have any problems, please contact us immediately. Take care.”

Oh, I see.

Is that person a concerned implanter?

Seeing the blue light emanating from both of his eyes, it seemed like they were prosthetic.

Other than that, there weren’t any particularly noticeable features.

The gaps that appeared to be coupling parts in both hands were a common characteristic among today’s doctors.

“The next person – Mr. Gunman. Nice to meet you.”

To be addressed by a code name rather than a real name.

I wonder if they are quite familiar with this industry.

“Do you know me?”

“Whether you know or not doesn’t matter. Is the person next to you a combat android?”

Surprised by how well-informed they are, I instinctively reached for my hip.

“Oh, please don’t misunderstand. I just saw it on the news. The No-Mads didn’t invade the Incheon Commercial Zone, right? And it was none other than Mr. Tae-hyuk who repelled them.”

“Has the news spread already? No, more importantly, why…”

“The visitor who came today was talking about it too. They were quite impressed by the way he calmly pulled the trigger and eliminated them one by one.”

I didn’t pay much attention to that incident. Was I supposed to?

And people found it amusing? What on earth…

“You didn’t know? That’s surprising. Were you quite exhausted since yesterday’s events? If you’re tired, I recommend not getting the surgery…”

“No, it’s not that. I just came to get a rough estimate today. Well, being tired…”

Now I noticed three dots on the helmet’s alarm display.

Clicking on it, there were numerous missed calls and messages pouring in.

Among them, there were messages from the client.

Because I spent a long night with Ilia and was troubled this morning, I hadn’t had a chance to check.

“I should check them when I get home.”

Wearing a helmet, fatigue is still palpable.

Mercenary life must be quite challenging. Now, please, come in without hesitation.

Iliya took my offered hand without a word, stood up, and led me slowly into the examination room.

On the screen right in front of us, corporate logos and price information were displayed.

“You can sit over there.”

As he tossed something towards me in the holographic screen, a 3D model instantly appeared.

One by one, another one. Like that, a total of three products appeared before my eyes.

“In the case of leg parts, there are various options.

Lately, mercenaries are into reverse-joint parts.

Normally, it stays as a regular leg, but like this.

Jumping ability significantly improves, making you faster.

It’s the latest product from Mirsis. However, it’s genuinely cutting-edge, so the price is quite high.”

Seeing the price range, I instinctively shook my head.

A hundred million for one leg was a luxury for me now.

There was no doubt I wouldn’t have the occasion for such a task.

“Well, I was just introducing it.

The real deal is this. Bestseller LRL-10.

You’ve probably heard of Body Parts Company.

If you want something cheaper, you can go for number 11, but

since you’re a mercenary, I think it’s better to go for stability and quick response, which guarantees reliable output.”

It seemed quite nice that there didn’t seem to be any major differences from a normal leg.

Having all five toes intact was probably a consideration for sensory perception.

Given the occasional mention of the company’s name, it seemed like the performance was definitely guaranteed.

“Finally, a leg designed with combat in mind.

Unlike the LRL-10, this one is closer to the weight and has a higher output.

Improving mobility may be difficult to expect, but the kicking power is – would you like to see it in action?”

Kicking bricks, especially raw ones, felt somewhat underwhelming.

It was surprising to see the steel bar snap when kicked.

But – my heart was already leaning towards the second option.

If I could pulverize them with a single blow, there would be no need for close combat.

Unless it was a gang fight, I didn’t really need prosthetic legs like that.

“I’ll go with the LRL-10.”

“It’s the safest choice. Great. Once you install the connection – well,

since you’re doing it all at once, I’ll give you a 10% discount.

From 95 million to – 85.5 million.”

It certainly seemed like a hefty sum, but it had to be done regardless.

Considering the money I had invested in Ilia, it was actually a bargain.

“What about the surgery date?”

“You can even have it tomorrow, if you’d like.”

With that, we immediately set a schedule, settled the payment, and left for the street.

Now, all that was left was to check the coverage of the issue and open the alarms one by one –

＜Incheon’s Gunslinger, swiftly suppresses emerging violent organization… City security handed over to mercenaries?＞

He didn’t want to see it.