Storm-3

Aaru was now fully within the storm’s reach.

The rare cloudy weather in Aaru created a gloomy atmosphere.

Despite being a futuristic city, it seemed unable to resist the forces of nature, as the windows rattled noisily.

Isis repeatedly emphasized that there was no risk of the windows breaking, reassuring her master, who wore an uneasy expression.

Of course, her master’s complicated expression remained unchanged.

As always, her master quietly continued his breakfast.

The only notable difference was that he was drinking water more frequently than usual.

Since it wasn’t due to excessive food consumption, Isis didn’t see it as a problem.

“Come to think of it, did I talk in my sleep?”

Kang In-ho asked casually, as he attacked a cherry tomato with his fork.

“It is natural to talk in your sleep when alternating between deep and light sleep.”

“Ah, that’s not what I meant. I had a dream, and it was so vivid that I was wondering if I might have talked in my sleep. It was a dream where I was wearing a mask like a hero from a special effects show and delivering a flying side kick to a monster…”

“There were no recorded instances similar to what you described during the night.”

“Ah, so there’s something else. Can you tell me everything that was recorded?”

“Yes, I can tell you if you wish.

1:01 AM. [No.]

1:23 AM. [I’m sorry.]

1:45 AM. Smacked lips and slightly ground teeth.

2:17 AM. Scratched stomach and tossed and turned.

3:12 AM. [Seong-a.]

5:22 AM. [Namgoong.]

6:30 AM. Tossed and turned.

7:04 AM. Smacked lips.”

“That’s detailed. Do you record everything?”

“Yes, it is a built-in function of this android body.”

“Androids are convenient.”

“Do you think so?”

“Humans generally can’t remember things in such detail. There’s a limit to our memory.”

He finally managed to pick up a cherry tomato with his fork and put the small fruit in his mouth.

The tomato burst, staining his lips. He slightly frowned at the subtle taste.

“That’s why it’s good.”

He wiped the tomato residue from his lips with a napkin.

“I do not understand what you mean.”

Isis paused, confused by the inconsistent logic.

He said androids were convenient, so why did he prefer the inconvenient human?

“Forgetting isn’t always bad. You’re bound to have experiences you want to forget in life. Human memory allows you to forget those things.”

“But.”

“True. You also forget good experiences sometimes. That’s why humans repeat the same mistakes.”

He looked out the window with a bitter expression.

The window was still shaking, and the sky of Aaru was cloudy.

Birds under the city’s management hid in the branches of trees, protecting themselves from the wind.

“Simply put, it’s not that advanced features are always better, but that somewhat inferior features can be better sometimes.”

“That is a difficult concept to grasp.”

Isis recalled her own actions of moving to the control room.

“Just, that’s how it is.”

Kang In-ho shrugged.

He put down his utensils and drank water to cleanse his palate.

“How was your meal?”

“It was delicious.”

“I will clear the table.”

She placed the plate, fork, and knife on a tray and left the room.

“Alright. I should go to the bathroom.”

He got up as if to go to the bathroom and looked at Isis.

“Please press the call button if you experience any physical abnormalities.”

“Okay, okay.”

Arriving at the control room, Isis checked the storm’s path.

The map displayed on the large screen showed the storm, originating from the wasteland, heading directly for Aaru.

The storm was getting closer. The city was already within its reach.

“Confirming brain transplant experiment results.”

Monitoring Kang In-ho’s condition via CCTV, Isis examined the temporary laboratory set up in the android factory.

She reviewed the results of brain transplants, starting with mice and then monkeys.

There were some failures, but the transplants were generally successful. The success rate was 98.72%.

Thanks to the excellent research of the previous humans who desired eternal life.

“Proceeding with final experiment. Checking Master’s physical condition, then scheduling the transplant…”

“Scheduling…”

“Sche… dul…”

Isis couldn’t finish her sentence. She faltered as if experiencing an abnormal reaction in her body.

A fundamental question suddenly arose from somewhere in her thought circuits.

A question she had never considered until today, only now coming to mind.

“Would Master like it?”

Isis spoke without realizing it.

For Isis, the decision to transfer Kang In-ho’s brain into an android was truly rational.

It was for Kang In-ho’s soul and for his health.

His body would be powered by electricity instead of blood, but other than that, nothing would change.

Rather, it was closer to evolution. He could be reborn as a more perfect being.

Regardless of the person’s preferences, this was something that had to be done.

You can’t refuse to take medicine just because it’s bitter, can you? Even if he dislikes it, this was a task that had to be done.

Isis thought so.

But the more she thought that, the more she remembered the conversation from the morning.

[Simply put, it’s not that advanced features are always better, but that somewhat inferior features can be better sometimes.]

Isis shook her head meaninglessly.

“The statement [Advanced features are not always better] is the same as saying [Advanced features are generally better most of the time].”

An AI’s choices are always rational, and must be rational.

This is a choice for Master, and it is rational in many ways.

AI does not make mistakes.

I am AI.

I did not make a mistake. Master will also agree with this decision.

Isis grabbed her hesitating hand.

She pinched and massaged her twitching hand and arm that refused to move.

“Therefore, we will not be wrong. The current situation contradicts the agreement at that time.”

“NB.”

The storm began to knock on Aaru’s door.