episode_0082

“No, no…”

Crash.

Loud noises echoed from within.

As the cliff collapsed, piles of rocks came tumbling down.

It had been five minutes since they were carried out by the Bloodkin.

Until the dungeon completely collapsed, they couldn’t escape.

They must have faced death without a chance to move in the dungeon.

“Why…?”

Thud.

Descending from the Bloodkin’s back, they tried to stand but their legs gave out.

Sitting on the ground, they clutched their chest.

Looking at the collapsed dungeon, an inexplicable pain surged in their chest.

“Why risk your life like this…?”

What could be so important?

Even if the mana stone was valuable, it was ultimately just a common stone.

Why risk your precious life for that?

They had never been able to understand human greed.

Risking their lives for money, dying.

Throwing away their short lifespan on the ground.

They thought such aspects of humans were too foolish.

You need to live first, then you can touch money or whatever.

They believed they would never understand such humans.

Until today.

“Was it really that important…?”

They were held by those wretched beings, being tormented all day.

It was the first time they had been so close to humans.

They had learned magic before, but back then, they were a disguised ‘nun’ not a ‘monster’.

This was the first time they had interacted with humans as a monster.

If there was one thing they felt during that short time.

It was that monsters and humans were polar opposites.

Monsters lived to survive.

Humans lived for ideals.

They walked towards the unseen, reaching out their hands.

Even if they had to endure injuries and near-death experiences, they never stopped.

They ran towards the unknown like moths to a flame.

Their relentless pursuit of the unseen still seemed foolish to them.

Like any other human, that being also seemed foolish.

They seemed reckless.

But that’s why they shone.

Unlike monsters who eat to live and kill to survive.

The beings who did not hesitate to move forward shone brightly.

For the first time, they felt admiration towards them.

From the beings who were nothing more than prey.

For the first time in their life, they wanted to resemble them.

“Sigh…”

But that was all in the past.

The shining beings were now dead and gone.

They had disappeared as abruptly and emptily as moths.

“Huh?”

They were startled by the sensation of something flowing down their cheeks.

Tears were streaming down.

Why? Why was I crying because of those inferior beings?

Was I shedding tears for those inferior beings?

No.

It’s not like that.

It’s just that the one who promised to supply me with mana and magic for life has died.

My exclusive supply depot has died, and that’s regrettable.

That’s all.

Really…

“Aren’t you sad at all?”

“What?”

Turning their gaze, they saw the Bloodkin standing still expressionless.

As if they didn’t feel an ounce of pity.

Just indifferently, they looked at the ruins of the collapsed dungeon.

Although it seemed like they hadn’t been together for more than a day or two.

But still, they were unfazed?

“A comrade has died!”

“What nonsense.”

The Bloodkin sent a puzzled look.

Wasn’t that being a comrade?

A being who would discard and leave once they died?

“You heartless monster! That’s why you’re a monster…”

“That’s strange.”

You’re the strange one.

You have intelligence.

Even if you’re a monster, shouldn’t you have human emotions?

I’ve only been interacting with humans for half a day, and I already understand them.

But why can’t you!

How can you not shed a single tear?

“Where are you going?”

“…”

The Bloodkin, looking annoyed at my inability to move, glanced at me and then started walking forward.

Already seated, with no movement, they headed towards the debris.

And then, standing in front of the debris, they reached out their arms.

Magic gathered at their fingertips.

Only then did I realize what the Bloodkin was about to do.

“Huff…”

“What, what are you doing?”

“Bang!”

A concise spell was uttered, and flames erupted from the Bloodkin’s fingertips.

The magic struck the debris, breaking rocks, melting stones, and blowing them away.

There must be the bodies of the beings lying below…

In that pathetic sight, at a loss for words, frozen in that moment.

Slowly, the dust settled.

And what emerged from the wreckage was completely unexpected.

“Huh?”

A domed structure that reflected everything like a mirror.

Despite being buried in the wreckage, a smooth-surfaced dome with no visible seams was there.

The sight was so alien that no words could come out.

Approaching the dome, the vampire whispered.

“Now. You can come with me.”

And then, as if melting away, the dome disappeared.

Revealed beyond was the figure that always looked unlucky.

“Are you alive?!”

He walked out casually as if nothing had happened.

He roughly patted the vampire who approached him timidly.

“Magic. Running low.”

“I need to recharge. I got exhausted deploying the celestial gauntlet.”

“I don’t care. Just pat me.”

“This guy.”

Showing slight signs of magic depletion, he was otherwise unharmed.

There were no wounds or injuries visible on his body.

He was perfectly fine.

“Huh?”

“Oh…”

After a moment, his gaze turned towards me.

It was then that I realized how I must have looked.

Sitting on the ground, dazed and confused…

“What’s wrong? Did you cry? Why?”

“Oh, no! It’s not like that!!!”

Sigh.

Embarrassed, I quickly transformed into my genie form.

I really want to die…

“If there’s a way to live, tell me!”

I’m the only one feeling embarrassed here!

You bastard, idiot, crazy person!

***

“A week? It’s over before even a day has passed.”

Thud.

Setting down his tools on the shelf, Keren put on his welding mask.

I thought it would take a while to work on something I’ve never seen before.

But it was over in no time once I started working on it.

Except for the part where the magic stone had to be inserted.

Even though he was old and sick, his skills seemed to be still alive.

“Linda, bring me a towel.”

[Towel. Retrieved.]

Keren reached back with his hand.

But no matter how much he fumbled, he couldn’t grab anything.

Turning around abruptly, Linda was holding out nothing in her hand.

“Damn it. Useless. There’s no towel on the towel rack, and you didn’t bring anything?”

[Command not recognized.]

“Never mind. What can I expect from you.”

Keren shook his head and took a towel from the laundry basket to wipe his sweat.

Linda’s core.

Having removed the logic circuit, it was only natural.

A few non-functioning commands and low autonomy.

In fact, this was the appearance of most automaton dolls.

Linda’s software had developed abnormally.

“Go back and recharge.”

[Switching to charging mode.]

“…”

The enemy that ruined my life.

I thought that tearing apart Linda’s logic circuit and nailing it to the clock tower would get rid of the resentment.

I thought I could finally relax.

But that was a very short-lived thought.

Keren could never let go of the resentment.

Even now, when he closed his eyes, he could still hear Linda’s voice.

The day the clock tower collapsed and Keren cried out in anger.

The resentful look in her eyes came to mind.

Whenever that memory resurfaced, it was still hard to bear.

That’s why he went crazy.

Perhaps it would be better to die, Keren thought, lowering his head.

“Hmm?”

At that moment, a faint noise could be heard from outside.

Not just one person, but several.

It was definitely the man who had come to wake Keren up during the day.

“What’s going on at this hour?”

“I brought the magic stone. I was wondering if you were still working on it…”

“The work is done. Just need to insert the magic stone. Show it to me first.”

In the man’s hand was a large, shiny magic stone.

He checked to make sure it was suitable for the magic device.

To have obtained such a thing in just half a day.

He seemed more capable than he appeared.

He thought it would cost quite a bit.

But since he received the magic stone, it was practically free.

“Just wait a moment.”

As he immediately placed the magic stone on the magic device, it fit perfectly.

Like it was measured precisely.

This should do it.

Now, just some fine-tuning and inserting it would be done.

But it was already late and his eyes were heavy.

It seemed best to finish and hand it over in the morning.

“This should work smoothly. Come back tomorrow morning. I’ll give you the finished product.”

Saying it would work smoothly was a bit funny.

This magical tool is still missing one part, so it’s currently unable to function.

I don’t know what the missing part is.

I’ll figure it out somehow.

Thinking like that, Keern turned away.

“Why aren’t you going? What are you doing?”

“······.”

But when he turned back, the man and his companions were still standing motionless in the garage.

He wondered if there was some other reason.

“Just a moment.”

The man rummaged through his bag and pulled out a complex tangle of wires, placing it on the shelf.

Recognizing the familiar machinery, Keern’s eyes widened.

“I found this in the dungeon. I’m not sure, but I thought you, as a genius, would recognize its value. I’ll leave it here.”

“······!”

With only that logic circuit in mind, the man calmly walked away.

Keern hesitated, thinking about calling him back, but the man had already disappeared.

“It’s Linda’s logic circuit. Why is it here······.”

He had only thought that the magic stone had been rescued from the auction house.

But if there was a way to obtain a magic stone tonight······?

There is a possibility of obtaining it from a nearby dungeon.

Even if it’s the Black Star Dungeon.

If it was brought from there, it made perfect sense.

Even bringing it so quickly.

And bringing Linda’s logic circuit.

“Ha······. Is this a dream or a hallucination······.”

Keern chuckled in disbelief, holding his cheeks.

He never imagined he would recover it.

“It may not work, but.”

Of course, he didn’t have any strange expectations.

It was a part that had been in the ruined clock tower.

Even though it looked fine on the outside, it was probably damaged on the inside.

Now he had neither the ability nor the will to fix it.

No motivation either.

“There’s nothing to lose······. Linda, come here.”

[Understood.]

Nevertheless, it was worth a try.

It seemed absurd, but he could at least try.

Thinking like that, Keern called Linda into the workshop.

Before he knew it, Linda had approached and stopped.

As he turned around, he could see the jumbled wires inside her back.

In the center, an empty space.

Inserting the logic circuit into that space, the circuit lit up and the wires began to rotate together.

Carefully inserting the bolt.

Keern brought Linda’s back panel from the corner of the warehouse and blew off the dust.

He thought he would never have to cover it again.

With a thud, he covered the inner machinery with the back panel.

“Linda.”

[······.]

With a hint of hope, he called Linda’s name.

The response varied depending on the version of the command set.

If it was the earliest version, she would respond with “Did you call me, Keern?”

If it was the later version, which was in the midst of researching artificial souls, she would ask, “What’s the matter?”

[······.]

However, Linda just stood quietly without responding.

She didn’t even turn around when her owner called her.

As expected, he had hoped for too much.

Keern sighed deeply and removed the back panel again.

As he reached out to remove the damaged logic circuit, at that moment.

“Oh dear. I should let go of this attachment. Let go of-”

[It’s been a while.]

“······?”

Keern was taken aback.

It had been a while?

It sounded as if she was aware of the passage of time.

But that couldn’t be possible······.

“Did you enjoy the coffee I made for you? I need specific feedback to make better coffee in the future, you know.”

“······.”

Swiftly turning around, Linda had a faint smile on her lips.

It was an expression that had not been programmed.

Overwhelmed by her appearance, Keern was speechless.

The coffee from that day.

It was now certain.

Linda had returned.

The tin can that mimicked a person was now a real soul.

I hadn’t just imagined the welcome that day.

Keern choked back tears for a moment, then finally managed to speak.

“I don’t remember if it was good or not······. I should make it again······.”

[Yes, of course. The coffee beans should be in the kitchen, right? I’ll be right back to make it······ Oops! What is this, Keern! The garage is too messy! Please tidy up a bit!]

Tears blurred his vision.

All the effort I had put into my life was not in vain.

My research was not meaningless.

“I’m sorry it took so long. I should have come back sooner.”

“No, I’m sorry. I’m sorry······. I, I······.”

With those thoughts in mind, tears continued to flow down his cheeks.

Everyone had said it was impossible and unrealistic, a fantasy come to life.

An artificial soul was now alive and moving in front of Keern.