Chapter 390 – Cowardice (2)
Polis is the best city of our time, but surprisingly, not everyone visits it.
Since sleeping on the streets is strictly prohibited, there is a garden equal to the capacity of the building.
Entering a small temporary container building on the outskirts required a combination of wealth, personal connections, information, and luck.
Those who have nothing will be cut off and have to suck their fingers even if they try.
Those who had built up a foundation in the countryside abandoned it and were reluctant to take on uncertain adventures.
Those with skills or knowledge were treated well by strong camps and warlords in the region.
There are quite a few people who prefer living in a medium to large camp where they are treated rather than being nothing but villagers.
Apart from these practical reasons, there are also people who remain in rural areas for religious reasons.
-No matter how excellent it is, isn’t it still a machine? Is it really okay to live under the control of machines?
These are people who have anxiety about the Shelter forces that dominate the polis.
Previously, I was desperate for immediate survival, so I passed on it, but as the situation improved, fear began to creep in.
Those who hold these thoughts most strongly are scientists.
Engineering, chemistry, and biotechnology fields that can be classified as common.
In the war against infectious agents, scientists whose fields of study were of no practical use were abandoned and forgotten.
Because it was just a sandbox with high maintenance costs.
Therefore, the scientists invited by Artemis today were people who had been carefully divided among various warlords from before the war until now.
“Are you trying to improve your image? Everyone, please rest assured that I am not Skynet! Same?”
Fear of a reversal in relationships where humans are dominated by machines.
It’s a very realistic problem that can’t be easily dismissed as a joke.
Scientists often worked as advisors and technicians for garrison troops or large camps.
There are quite a few leaders who take their worrying words seriously.
“Fool.”
Artemis chuckled at me joking.
“The forum where intelligence gathers has been stopped for too long, hasn’t it? If the commander’s banquet was for your authority, consider this one for me.”
Artemis then raised her left hand. To be exact, it’s the wedding ring that sparkles on the ring finger.
“Of course, I agree that it is meaningful to appeal that it is human to sign and give instructions from the highest level.”
“You mean I have to participate too?”
“Isn’t it obvious? When the server goes, the administrator must be present.”
“Isn’t it usually the other way around?”
She was an arrogant young lady who had no idea about the expression “Thread is needed to sharpen a needle.”
* * *
“We have prepared everything you wanted. Please eat to your heart’s content.”
Artemis said during the luncheon.
As with her strong self-esteem, she did not say common comments like ‘I have nothing on hand.’
When sending invitations to scientists, questions about the food they would like to eat were also included.
It wasn’t a typical invitation, but since the world is the world, this wasn’t taken as an eccentric act.
Rather, they were scrambling to write down the foods they hadn’t eaten in over 5 years and that they had now forgotten the taste of.
“It really came out?”
“Then why did you ask? If it were a town-type shelter, there would be large-scale cultured meat machines and hydroponic cultivation facilities, but this is ridiculous.”
Like a scientist, the reaction was different from simple admiration.
Most of them were wearing researcher gowns.
Although it is frayed, discolored, or scorched, the gown symbolizes one’s pride and identity as a researcher.
In a situation where it is impossible to find a good suit anyway, there is no better dress code than this.
Artemis was also satisfied with the waves of researcher gowns filling the room.
“That’s sad.”
When I saw them eating, I said it without thinking.
[What is it?]
Kids asked.
Unlike Artemis, who is busy running around as the host of the event, it is no problem for me and the Kids to crouch in the corner.
“Until now, when you invite people to this type of dinner, everyone drinks alcohol or soda, right?”
[It was almost alcohol. Beer was the most popular.]
“But look what they’re drinking now.”
[You drink a lot of coffee?]
Drug and fuel for slaves.
The invited scientists were drinking as much coffee as beer even though a sumptuous feast was prepared.
Have I become addicted to it after decades of pumping gas to survive?
[Coffee itself probably isn’t that valuable, right? Moreover, there are probably many people who belong to warlords or Jeju Island government forces.]
“If it’s coffee powder that’s a few years past its expiration date, that’s probably true.”
But what they drink is franchise-style coffee with plenty of sugar, flavorings, and milk cream.
Mocha coffee, caramel macchiato, café au lait, etc. Are now more rare drinks than Western liquor.
It’s not appropriate to serve with food, but I drank it without hesitation.
In the past, things that could be brought for 4,000 to 5,000 won on the way to work, on the way to lunch, on the way home from work, or even while working overtime.
Scientists were constantly putting food into their mouths.
Although he looked a bit ravenous, Artemis looked at him with generosity, unlike at the commander’s banquet.
“Would you like to hear this too?”
It’s like offering a dessert cake to a man with a thin face but a bulging stomach.
[I thought Artemis would hate it, but it was surprising.]
“It’s probably a difference in whether you have the ability. The family that came to the commander’s banquet must have seemed like nothing more than a biological machine that made shit to that guy’s eyes. On the other hand, these people will give out useful things in proportion to what they eat.”
Moreover, regardless of whether it is useful or not, it is a valuable being that can be discussed through scientific discourse.
How bored would someone who likes chess be if they fell into a group of cavemen?
Rather, it was other scientists who looked with disdain at people stuffing food into their mouths.
Those who belong to Prime and work under us.
Since I could eat and drink good things on a daily basis, I maintained my dignity even at dinner parties.
“People… Aren’t they?”
“There are so many second generations.”
Those who came up from the countryside were amazed to see the nymphs serving.
“NS-6? As far as I know, the final model was NS-4…”
“Look at the lower left drive unit. The material seems to be organic. “When you touch it, it feels like body heat rather than mechanical heat?”
Two men who looked like idiots crouched down and followed behind the serving robot.
One person checked the lot of number on the back, and the other touched the area where the artificial muscle was used.
As they said, the serving robot delivered to the shelter before the war was the NS-4 version.
However, after five years of independent improvement by Artemis, it was upgraded to NS-6.
I highly value the spirit of exploration, but it was painful to see the sight of two bearded men holding hot dogs and waffles, mumbling along and following the robot.
Meanwhile, there were many tables where elegant discussions took place.
Among them, the place that shines the most is where Artemis is located.
“Are you saying that genetically modified livestock are being grazed in North Korea?”
The genetic engineer asked.
It was easy to tell them apart because everyone was wearing a nametag with their name and specialty written on it.
“I’m not saying we’re going to release it into the wild. “It will be raised by strictly controlled herders.”
Artemis said.
“If you do that and escape…”
“Isn’t it too late to worry about ecological disturbance? There are a lot of monsters running around. Now is the time to prioritize feeding at least one more person.”
“That too. I forgot about the world for a moment. “Coming here makes me feel like I’ve gone back to before the war.”
The genetic engineer said.
Most people involved in life sciences are people who escaped from Jeju Island.
This is because the government took most of the relevant personnel to research methods to combat infectious agents.
“I would consider it a satisfying dinner. “As someone who prepared, I’m just happy.”
Artemis smiled softly, covering her lips.
“Ugh, that cowardice.”
[Artemis has that kind of expression!]
Me and the kids were amazed together.
Artemis and her people gathered around her had a serious conversation about increasing her food production.
“A cow or a pig can understand people?!”
Artemis nodded to the astonished brain scientist.
“Understands simple human commands without training. For example, if you say ‘Get out!’ To clean the inside of the kennel, it will wait outside on its own without you having to lead it. They are born fully toilet trained. They have a very strong instinct to defecate only in designated areas.”
“Oh my god! For some reason, the horses in the carriages that travel around the police don’t have litter!”
A person with a veterinarian’s name tag tapped his forehead in an excited voice.
“Is that a big deal?”
“Of course. “Horses can’t be potty-trained!”
“Oh, I see.”
The reaction was muted, perhaps because it seemed to be an advance that did not really appeal to other scientists.
“You will be able to see the prototype livestock in person in the evening.”
At Artemis’ words, all scientists in related fields looked filled with anticipation.
Because there were so many people who wanted to ask questions, rotation was conducted between groups divided by major field.
Considering this, we scheduled a long luncheon, so there was no problem.
“I’m glad you look happy.”
[Sure. All advanced AIs are voyeurs.]
Kids laughed as if they knew that feeling better than anyone else.
To achieve results and to show them to worthy people. Enjoying that response.
Artemis has an instinctive desire for this.
Until now, Nara has been a show for only a single audience, but great performers naturally want to show it to a large audience.
Artemis looked very happy as she discussed achievements and future research.
But it’s not just about science.
She is my wife, but she is a truly beautiful woman.
An unrealistically perfect appearance and body, hair that looks like moonlight and transparent skin.
Today, I dressed up with even more care than usual, so I really looked like a goddess who had descended into the underworld.
There were many voices praising it.
“You are even more beautiful than when I saw you on the other side of the screen!”
Among the scientists in attendance, a uniquely handsome man spoke.
The researcher’s gown is a neat white coat. In this era, he was able to style his hair in a clever and sophisticated way.
He even wore a luxury watch and a tie, so he seemed to be enjoying a fairly decent position in a large warlord.
“Yoon Ho-seung, it’s been a while.”
“I’m honored that you remember me!”
“Because it’s written on the name tag.”
“Ah!”
She pointed at Yun Ho-seung’s chest with her white jade-like index finger. Cover your mouth with your other hand and smile elegantly.
“I feel like a fool standing in front of the chief researcher.”
Yun Ho-seung scratched the back of his head with an embarrassed face.
Chief researcher is the title that Artemis revealed to the outside world in the past.
For reference, scratching one’s head is something Artemis hates because it is considered unhygienic. I just said it.
At that moment, she glances at me.
Golden eyes blinked, and a voice record arrived through my brain implant.
‘It’s because I want to see you when the situation improves and travel to and from the mainland becomes possible.’
‘I’m more afraid of breaking up like this without even knowing your name.’
‘Your voice is really beautiful.’
This is the content of the communication sent by Ho-Seung Yun during a group communication with scientists from the Jeju Island government in the past.
“Oh, I remember.”
Personally, he was a guy who fell in love with Artemis and worked with her.
I shrugged my shoulders at Artemis and sent a cyber signal saying, ‘What should I do?’
Then she sends a signal that can be interpreted as ‘Hmph!’
It was an exchange of emotions that was only possible for those who could exchange radio waves, not verbal language.
“I wanted to rush to the shelter and see him, but I couldn’t get the chance because my father had settled down in the south, my hometown.”
Yun Ho-seung said with a soft smile on his lips.
“Aren’t you disappointed in me?”
“What a disappointment! That could never happen, right?”
In response to Artemis’ question, Yun Ho-seung looked up and waved both his hands.
“I am not human. My entity is a collection of circuits, electronics, and knowledge. It is artificial intelligence.”
Artemis touched her large chest.
Even if you hit it slightly, it flutters! The men’s gaze immediately went down and barely came up.
“This body is an avatar created to interact with humans. In the past, when communicating, I hid my identity by citing security regulations. “I wouldn’t have been angry at him.”
“Not at all! In fact, I was even more impressed. Aren’t you a being made of pure intelligence and scientific passion? “She is the most noble woman I have ever met.”
I clicked my tongue while watching.
“He’s a guy with unusual tastes. “I like you more because I’m not a person.”
[Hey there.]
Kids turned into an emoticon and looked up at me.
[I don’t think what the manager said was true… Eup! Town!]
As I moved my finger from left to right of the hologram mouth, as if filling a zipper, the zipper was actually full.
Even if he is a bit clumsy, he is quick-witted and never crosses the line.
Even if I make the slightest gesture of punishment, he immediately falls flat on his face.
Meanwhile, Ho-seung Yun was praising the other scientists without even having time to ask questions.
“If it weren’t for the shelter, the Korean Peninsula would have already come to an end. “The idiots who talk about machine threats are truly ungrateful.”
“Thank you for saying that. But that is the achievement of shelter manager Seo Jin-su.”
Artemis, who smiled elegantly, spoke firmly.
“I risked my life to collect scattered technologies and went to the other side of outer space to retrieve a vaccine.”
“Oh, of course he’s amazing too. Even though top managers are human, they have a lot of unnecessary worries.”
Yun Ho-seung briefly skipped over me.
“Furthermore, to construct a body of one’s own in order to interact intimately with humans, how could it possibly be this friendly to humanity?”
And then he started praising Artemis again.
He even subtly stretched out his hands and held Artemis’ right hand.
On the surface, it is a skinship similar to a handshake that purely expresses respect. But what are his true feelings?
The problem is that this was a big mistake.
This is because the mood of Artemis, who had been quietly watching my reactions and enjoying it, or more precisely, trying to make me jealous, had completely changed.
“Love makes you overcome many things.”
Artemis pulled out his right hand and raised his left hand.
She smiles so brightly that even I, who see her every day, lose my attention.
“Yes, love overcomes many things… Huh?”
Yun Ho-seung, who was about to be entranced by the goddess’s smile, discovered a sparkling ring on the ring finger of her left hand.
“Well, that is…”
It’s not a secret that Artemis and I are a couple, but it’s not well known either.
This is because Kids promotes achievements and accomplishments, not even things like marriage.
“He and I were the only ones left in the shelter, which had become a monster place due to the infection. “One human, one AI.”
Artemis hugged him with both arms and closed his eyes.
“He had the body and courage to fight, and I had the computing power and information to assist him.”
“I saw it! If anyone goes on a life-threatening journey together, they will fall in love.”
A female scientist said, waving both her hands enthusiastically.
“He was the only one who always risked his life.”
Not only the recovery of the shelter, but the entire journey I went through while leading the machine army was documentaryized and distributed as Kids’ work.
You can watch it on screens throughout the city, and it is often shown in theaters.
Those with Internet access can also download.
“We’ve been friends since we were building the shelter. Then the world is destroyed, surviving there, driving out the infection and normalizing the world. “On that grand journey, we always felt close to each other.”
“…”
Unlike Yun Ho-seung, who was silent, the female scientists looked happy and ready to die.
“The marriage of humans and artificial intelligence, who support and understand each other best, is like a scene from a movie. “It’s so romantic!”
One of them said, putting his hands together as if praying.
“That’s accurate. But I didn’t have a hand to massage his shoulder or stroke his cheek when he returned from his expedition.”
Artemis said, looking at her beautiful palms.
That vague appearance was beautiful, but it seemed really pretentious to me.
“Well, love stories are good, but can’t we talk about vaccines? “I feel so mortified when I think of my wife who is like a toad at home.”
When a middle-aged hairy man with a microbiologist name tag joined in, laughter broke out.
The only one who didn’t laugh was Yun Ho-seung.
Just a minute ago, I was full of energy, but now I was as lethargic as a corpse.
