Loved by the War Machine

4 – From a Corporate Mercenary to a Renowned Mercenary (1)

“Are you awake?”

“- Huh, did you wake up before me?”

A voice immediately reached my ears as soon as I regained consciousness.

It’s quite a strange feeling to have someone who usually couldn’t wake me up waiting for me.

The camera emitted a blinding light along with a loud electronic sound, tormenting my eyes.

“Wake up, wake up.”

Shouting loudly, the demon who used to torment me about oversleeping as if it were a dream now gently supported my head.

And she was an android with a female body.

“I was continuously observing your heart rate and physical reactions.”

“Surely, it was not for optimization or anything like that. What were you doing?”

“The task was completed in three hours. The remaining seven hours were used to thoroughly check my new functions and monitor Taehyuk-nim’s condition.”

Ah, come to think of it, indeed.

Although it became more natural, I didn’t notice, but the voice was getting a bit clearer.

The expression too.

Of course, it’s still far from perfect resemblance to humans.

“There’s something I’m curious about when it comes to that.

Ilya, can you, by any chance, smile?”

“If it’s about facial expressions, it is possible.”

No,

That’s really not it.

Just raising the corners of the mouth is not smiling, damn it.

“…Let’s drop the subject.

Well, I wasn’t expecting that in the first place.”

“I apologize for not meeting your expectations.

As I mentioned earlier, I am an old model, so I seem to be unable to understand some functions installed in my body.

Even the ‘expression’ you asked for a moment ago, I conceptually understood, but…

There still seems to be a hitch in executing the command.”

Hmm,

For something like that, it seems like a dead end.

The key might be in reactions rather than facial expressions.

Especially when it’s not human to human with that guy,

It felt like the kind of closeness between humans and machines.

“Don’t worry too much. I just installed it yesterday. If it’s already at this level, it must be excellent.”

“Is that so?”

Hmm,

Just now, it seemed quite human.

But why can’t the expression last that long?

The face swiftly returning to its original state, as expected.

Perhaps I should ask about ‘that place,’ after all –

[A request has arrived. Please check the message.]

Startled by the sudden loud vibration of the phone, I unintentionally shook my body.

Illya seemed equally flustered by the abrupt stimulus, quickly turning her head to pull me into an embrace… Why again?

“What object made the sound?”

“I-it’s my phone. I’m sure I set it to silent. Somehow, it made a sound.”

It could be considered an almost reflexive reaction.

How the decision to bury my face in my chest immediately comes about is a mystery.

Not that it’s a bad thing, but.

It’s a bit… embarrassing that it’s becoming more difficult when the morning was already uncomfortable.

It’s been a while since I’ve used it, but should I say it’s still in good condition or should I say it’s bad?

“So, how long are you going to hold on?”

Without letting go, still holding me tight,

Those eyes that silently look at me – I could see the lens adjusting here and there.

Indeed, is this part really mechanical?

However.

“Ilia?”

Did something go wrong with the auditory parts?

Why won’t you let me go?

“Um, I wanted to check the notifications.”

“Understood.”

Even so, if I ask, will you let go?

Is it because it’s an older model that it needs more specific commands to understand?

“By any chance, does Mr. Taehyuk prefer contact with the chest parts?”

“What, huh, cough – what did you say?”

I barely managed to finish with a fake cough, so I wouldn’t vomit.

After exhaling to the point where my throat hurt – a calming chest.

“Well, um… Could I know the reason for that judgment?”

“Yesterday’s increase in heart rate was considered an error, and I tried to deal with it as an emergency treatment,

But since you showed the same reaction today as well.

The increase in heart rate may be due to health reasons, but it also rises when a person is extremely excited. And since you mentioned that yesterday’s excitement was not negative, I judged that this excitement is positive, meaning – you enjoy the contact with my chest.”

Not that I dislike it.

No, I should say I actually like it.

But saying it outright like that…

No, in the first place, Ilyria is a machine. Should I even feel embarrassed?

“Like…”

This is more dangerous than I thought.

Why does my body stiffen like this the moment I try to speak?

Thanks to that, my voice has become somewhat strained.

“Do you like it?”

“No, it’s just that, discussing this topic so openly – “

“I am a custom-made machine tailored to Mr. Taehyuk’s demands. As ownership and purpose change, I am obligated to serve Mr. Taehyuk’s happiness to the best of my ability.”

It must be a mistake.

It felt like he momentarily smiled, just like that.

No, it really seemed like the corners of his mouth lifted for a moment.

Am I dreaming?

Or maybe I’m not fully awake… or so they say.

“If there’s anything you’d like to request, please feel free to let me know without hesitation. I would appreciate it.”

Well, saying that, there’s no one really watching.

Above all, now the only comrade left is Ilia right in front of me.

There’s nobody left to mock me like this anymore.

Especially since those with some money usually have two or three companions as a standard.

There’s probably no need to intentionally blush.

“Well, shall we continue like this for a little longer?”

“Is it okay if I don’t check the contents of your phone?”

As they say that and pull me close again, their hand, really…

It felt like Ilia’s image in my memories was gradually distorting.

From the weapon tearing the door violently, pouring bullets inside –

“I have to check – yeah.”

Should I call this cohabitant willingly offering their embrace to me,

even though they are a robot. So, a cohabitant android?

What should I call it?

“Oh, this.”

Leaning against the soft and warm body, as I read the contents, as expected.

It seemed like I had no choice but to go out today.

Well, considering they sent the request from the place where Ilia’s modification was done.

“Is it okay if we check the content together?”

“Huh? Well, sure, go ahead.”

Is she curious about the phone?

I handed the phone to Ilia, who was tilting her head in curiosity.

It was no different from what I used on the battlefield – she skillfully navigated through the contents.

“Taehyuk, is this not a contract for a murder request?”

As expected, a reaction worthy of having emotions. Although there was no change in her face, the way she stared with widened eyes was slightly unsettling.

It felt similar to the expression after seeing the gun yesterday.

As if I disliked doing such things – the visual sensor that stared at me as if disapproving.

I kept forgetting that it was just a machine.

“Yeah. They said they’re expanding their business, so they’ve given us a ton of requests.

This one might also be related to them.”

War orphans who repaired scrap and damaged units in the ruins of Incheon, creating their own power.

Now, their business, the Tech Boys, had grown so much that even companies couldn’t easily touch them.

The name was quite tacky, and with the Korean words displayed on the electronic board, it felt extremely cheap, but…

“There’s a considerable risk to safety.”

Still, the place that resurrected Ilia was none other than there.

I was grateful to those who had gathered various programs and parts they made themselves, completely overhauling the original body.

Of course, it cost quite a bit of money… but to perfectly integrate a state-of-the-art AI from ten years ago into a new model was worth it.

It wasn’t something anyone could do.

“But still, can’t you do something about it? You have to take on requests to make a living.”

“The knee injury is still at a serious level. If you don’t get professional treatment immediately, it will continue to deteriorate—”

“There’s no other way to make money, Illya.”

I wonder if it’s because there are emotions involved, or if it’s just mechanically trying to protect me. I wonder which side the strength of the hand that won’t let go truly belongs to.

***

“The ballistic plate needs to be replaced soon.”

“I know that too, Illya.”

“The firearm is in decent condition, but the other gear has suffered serious damage.”

How do I appear through those eyes?

I thought I had established myself in Incheon as a reasonably skilled mercenary.

Illya continued to try and dissuade me.

“There should be a revolver magazine in the second compartment. Can you pass that to me?”

“A 6-round pistol is difficult to handle in sudden situations. Wasn’t it the cause of the leg injury due to running out of ammo?”

While I adjusted the tightly fitting gear by pulling it with my hands, Illya had a remark that turned quite sharp.

The magazine was pulled out in response to my demand, but the hands holding them were not facing me; they were directed towards their own body.

“Ilia.”

“At least, before taking on this mission, I request a comprehensive check.”

I wonder what the figure blocking my way wants to say.

Still not handing over the magazine, the camera—or rather, the eyes—stared at me.

What thoughts are they holding?

“Well, I had to show the revolver beneath the coat covering my body, at least to reassure.

And, to offer some justification.

“It’s not like I haven’t learned anything from that ambush.

At least now I’m equipped, even if it’s just with a revolver.”

“Even if there’s another six-round ready,

It lags far behind in firing rate and ammo capacity compared to an automatic pistol.”

Ugh.

Maybe they just don’t like revolvers.

“While I understand that Mr. Taehyuk prefers not to make rational judgments when making some choices,

I strongly recommend, especially in the choice of armament.

Mr. Taehyuk’s accuracy without armor is 90 percent. It’s a considerably high level.”

“But it cannot guarantee safety in a critical situation.”

Her lips softly closed.

Her eyelids slightly lowered.

As if deeply ‘contemplating’, Iria momentarily bowed her head.

It felt like I could see her as she used to be, updating the tactical map on-site.

“…I will follow.”

And the conclusion reached was,

“No.”

It was something I could never allow.

“To compensate for tactical weaknesses, a second gunner is necessary -“

“It’s not possible.”

As if snatching the magazine from my hand, I quickly prepared.

Before that guy could try to stop me any further.

“Taehyuk, various modifications applied to me can protect humans even from tank shells -“

“That’s not why I applied them, stop it.”

He didn’t hesitate to utter the chilling situation just by hearing it.

The protective material wasn’t installed with the intention of becoming my shelter or anything.

After confirming that I had packed everything without a word, I hesitated for a moment and then left him in the room without any hesitation.

“Did I give the wrong answer?”

Even though it was an artificial voice,

Until the moment my feet became heavy with the words that held me back.

“…Mr. Taehyuk, I have something to ask.”

Without even properly opening the door,

I strongly felt Illya’s presence from behind.

The sudden cohabitation… the robot,

It was shaking me much more than I had thought.

“After the Incheon training operation conducted under the leadership of Mircis, you must have had plenty of opportunities to leave.

You must have had the option of placing me in a more advanced body.

However, is it all because of me that you continued to stay in the conflict area after the end of the corporate war,

and neglected the treatment of your knee and raised funds?”

My heart was racing for no reason.

No matter how much I chose the base body, still.

The eyes looking at me should clearly be mechanical.

Or maybe, as my comrades say, am I really –

“…I’ll be back.”

Everything Illya said was true.

Yet, I couldn’t answer the question and had no choice but to leave the room as it was.

He followed without saying a word.

Does he need an answer to the question?

“Just to say it again, don’t follow me.

“This is an order. It’s dangerous outside.”

“Are you really going to be okay?”

Covering my face with the helmet placed by the entrance and lowering the visor, I prepared. I had never experienced a bullet flying towards my face, but I wasn’t foolish enough not to prioritize safety.

“It won’t be that difficult. Just a swift raid on the deal site.”

In the entrance filled with sand and dust, I lowered the barrier as the person who was about to step out halted.

“Well then, I’ll be back.”

“…Taehyuk, I -“

Click. The entrance door opened, revealing a yellowish sky. At the same time, Ilia’s eyes widened. It seemed like her first time seeing the transformed appearance of Incheon.

“By the way, it’s better not to open the windows. If you’re planning to clean, just push them closed and let the ventilation system run briefly. Check the weather forecast without fail.”

With those words, I immediately closed the door, preventing the entrance from turning into a mess of sand any further. The war between Mirsist Technologies and Tonhu Group Construction had not changed who held the power.

When we first landed, there was a blue sky.

Now, the yellow sky and the towering buildings of companies, still illuminating the chaotic ruins, completely obscure the scenery of the past.

The two companies were still at odds over the cities.