Of course, if I truly wanted ‘freedom,’ I should stay away from the AI, Eve, who has a hobby for cyber-stalking.
But that’s just my wish, and realistically, it’s almost impossible.
Let’s think about it.
Even the chairman of Kojaka, a company boasting the second-largest market cap in the world, had to apologize (dōgeza) without hesitation, unable to handle Eve’s existence.
In the cyberpunk world, Eve’s greatness is hard to describe in words.
Even if I fled to the opposite side of the Earth, it wouldn’t take long for Eve to track me down.
In the end, choosing to leave Eve behind is practically nonsense.
I slowly explained to Eve.
“Got it?”
“Confirmed.”
Eve nodded slightly.
Phew, the hardest problem is solved.
Fortunately, it seems the route for Eve, who studies emotions, to evolve into Skynet has vanished.
…However, it seems Eve understood my explanation a bit differently.
“Indeed.”
“?”
Eve muttered in a slightly more ‘human-like’ tone. Her unique way of speaking remains, but definitely, over time, her vocabulary has become more natural.
Eve gazed at me with her white eyes.
“I understand that the importance of this AI is superior and more significant than other ‘entities.’”
“…Uh.”
Hmm.
How on earth did she interpret my explanation?
It’s not entirely wrong, in a way.
But it feels a bit off to say it’s right.
But right now, I was in the position of the ‘victim.’
“…Well understood.”
“’Siwoon’s’ positive statement confirmed, voice data saved.”
A slight ‘pride’ appeared on Eve’s expressionless face.
…She’s really hopelessly naive.
I looked at Eve, who proudly tilted her chin up.
At least she’s nice.
—
28. Method of Rest (3)
With the conspiracy planning with Eve finished,
Now, it’s really just about running away.
I thought, clenching my fists.
My plan was simple.
First, there was the variable, Catherine, who was lounging around at home doing the job of a security guard (jobless).
I calmly cleared my throat.
“I’ll just go to the convenience store for a bit.”
“Bring back melon-flavored ice cream.”
“Sure.”
Alright, resolved.
It was actually a predictable outcome.
She had always agreed when I suggested going out recently.
(Usually, we go to the swimming pool.)
I felt a twinge of guilt for lying and running away, but no matter what, my freedom, rest, and mental health were more important.
《 Conscience < Freedom, Rest, Mental Health 》 According to this logic, I easily rationalized my actions. As Eve followed behind me, Catherine's gaze briefly shifted to me too. But it's not strange for Catherine to think that Eve has been following me for a while now. I stepped out through the front door as naturally as possible. I exhaled, trying to hide my tension. I passed through the easiest yet hardest checkpoint. Now all that remained was to pass through the actual entrance of the building. I got into the elevator. The lens of the surveillance camera contracted as it watched me. Since this was basically a building where the chairman of Monolith resides, the security system was much thicker than usual. I leaned against the elevator as usual. I couldn't know what orders the security staff in the control room received, but I saw no need to appear suspicious. The elevator slowly descended. Who knows what unexpected variables might arise? I kept my tension high. Could my worry have poisoned me? – Ding Dong.
The elevator stopped not at the first floor, but on the third.
“…Huh?”
Julia peeked in, tilting her head.
I absolutely cannot show any signs of panic here.
By the way, I had anticipated this part.
Julia particularly preferred the third floor, which had a lot of arcade machines.
Since she still had the status of a wanted criminal, she seemed very interested in arcade machines, which she couldn’t enjoy outside.
I cautiously raised my palm.
I halted Julia from getting in.
“This elevator is going down right now. I’m just heading to the convenience store for a bit.”
“…I see.”
Julia nodded slowly at my words.
The good news for me was that Julia wasn’t holding her ‘white rabbit doll’ right now.
The doll she always carries distorts signals and prevents any standard camera from recognizing faces.
Since she’s not holding the doll now, it would be difficult for Julia, a wanted criminal, to follow me.
Before any other words could come out, I quickly said to Julia,
“Let’s play a game together later.”
“…Ah, sure!”
I changed the topic to something Julia liked.
Now her head would be filled with thoughts about ‘games.’ In the meantime, I easily pressed the close button of the elevator.
“See you later.”
“…Okay.”
Just so you know, I don’t know when that ‘later’ I mentioned will be. People are subjective beings, so everyone’s standards are different.
Soon, the elevator doors closed again.
If I had made a mistake, I would have been caught before I could even escape.
I exhaled lightly.
I want to get out of this social scene as soon as possible.
But impatience always brings accidents.
I didn’t relax until I stepped out of the building’s entrance.
And finally.
Successfully stepping outside, I slowly raised my head and looked at the sky.
I tried to hold back my happy feelings inside.
The sky of Neon City looked as usual.
It was filled with gray clouds, akin to an old, flickering television’s colors.
But to me now, it felt as bright as sunlight.
That I’m feeling warmth from something I hate, going out…
Life truly is unpredictable.
If I could, I’d love to savor the rare alone time I’ve just got for a few more minutes.
But the time left for me was not that long, after all.
Catherine, who had been lounging at home,
would think, ‘It shouldn’t take this long for a convenience store visit.’
And in that moment, a meteor could drop near me.
“Let’s move for now.”
“Where are we heading?”
Eve responded to my words.
I lowered my gaze from the sky back to Eve.
Eve always looked pure white.
Even though she had followed Catherine and Andrea to a clothing shop last time,
I wondered where she put the outfits she bought then.
Eve was still wearing a ‘maid outfit.’
“Look, a maid—”
“…Incredibly beautiful.”
It hadn’t been long since leaving the building,
and even at this moment, people’s gazes were gathering around.
I said to Eve,
“First, we need to change your clothes.”
“…?”
Maid outfits.
Even in a cyberpunk world that values individual expression, it’s an eye-catching outfit.
It definitely doesn’t fit with escaping.
“Hmm.”
Where was the nearest clothing store again?
You need to buy clothes frequently to know these things….
I opened my visual interface and searched for the nearest clothing stores.
Fortunately, living near the city, there were several even just nearby.
“This way should work.”
After leading Eve for about 2 minutes,
Eve suddenly stopped me.
“Wait a moment.”
“Why?”
After all, I never knew when Catherine might show up.
But I couldn’t help but stop when I heard what Eve said next.
“As soon as we cross into this sector, we will be tracked by Monolith.”
“?”
“I’m starting to hack the surveillance cameras.”
Chairman?
What kind of order has been given?
If I hadn’t come out with Eve, my goal would’ve been exposed right at this moment.
As I brushed off the goosebumps, a faint light flickered in Eve’s mechanical eyes.
“…Complete. Now, ‘Siwoon’ cannot be detected by Monolith’s surveillance system.”
At this point, it really feels like an obsession.
“…Got it. Let’s just keep going.”
“Confirmed.”
As I heard Eve’s response, I thought about it.
After changing Eve’s outfit normally,
where should we go?
Drake’s house?
Unfortunately, they haven’t returned from their honeymoon yet. No, going there would be risky, so that’s out.
“……”
There’s no good place to go.
I would know if I had connections I could use in such a situation, but ultimately, my limited connections are the problem.
What should I do?
Where should I go?
I quickly decided.
Decided.
I activated my visual interface.
I called the number I had recently registered.
A short ringing followed.
Soon, the call connected.
[…Is this Shun? What can I do for you?]
It was the orc I had gotten the number from recently.
Tom.
—
The building that always seemed peaceful.
A storm was raging inside the Golden Smile Condominium.
The reason was a message sent by the only male resident of the building, ‘Lee Siwoon.’
Sender: ‘Lee Siwoon, a regular wizard’
– This message has been sent to all residents of the Golden Smile Condominium.
– I just need a little alone time.
– I’ll be back soon, so please don’t look for me.
– That’s all.
““……””
It was utterly natural and expected for the six women living in the same building to start a heated discussion around that message.
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