Chapter 272: Artificial Intelligence Operations (2)

Chapter 272: Artificial Intelligence Operations (2)

I introduced Riley to Deep Mind.

Wow. It can actually converse and its computational abilities are outstanding.

Riley seemed amazed by Deep Mind. She looked at Deep Mind inside the tank and asked,

How did you invent this?

Obviously, that's a secret.

Riley chuckled briefly. She handed me a piece of paper.

This is the contract. The Libre Office wants to hire you.

I looked at the contract.

An annual salary of one million Ren. Plus, numerous performance bonuses.

For a penny-pincher like Derek, this was an incredibly generous offer.

ls it possible to mass-produce this Deep Mind?

Riley asked.

We would need the proper facilities.

The facilities are plentiful at our office.

She smiled. It was probably her beauty trap.

Riley was quite good at subtly using her looks.

Typically, developers and engineers as timid as Killian would have fallen for it immediately.

I pretended to read the contract thoroughly, burying my eyes in the paper.

Did Everett Corporation contact you first?

NO.

Hmm, how does it differ from the artificial intelligence of Everett Corporation?

Ours are superior.

I put down the contract.

Before signing, may I see the facilities and such?

Whoosh- Riley turned to look at me.

Of course.

I arrived at some underground location with Riley. It was the research lab of ZedCorp, a separate entity established by Derek.

The site was vast, bustling with researchers, and most of the facilities were state-of-the-art.

Please leave your portable electronic devices here.

Sure.

I put my phone in a basket. A security guard strode up to me and scanned my body with a detector.

Clear.

Please come in.

Yes.

I went inside.

Originally, ZedCorp was a research corporation developing various technologies, but lately, the focus has been on artificial intelligence.

Because of Everett?

Right? Just, dont mention that in front of Mr. Derek, if you would.

Of course, Riley seemed to have completely sided with Derek.

From now on, I have to be careful. I was in the heart of enemy territory.

The Al department is newly established its this way.

She pointed to a separate gate.

Shall we go?

Yes.

Click.

I pressed a button and the automatic door slid open.

The interior of the Al department was as spacious as the other departments, but there were only four people actually present.

Dr. Vito?

Riley called out to someone.

Among the four, the man in the middle with patchy hairVito.

I clenched my fist quietly.

Hes the mad scientist.

Hes already killed thousands, and hes the fucking bastard who will sacrifice thousands more. The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))

Whats the matter? And whos that person with you?

Vito asked Riley.

This is Dr. Killian. I've scouted a talent youd appreciate, Mr. Vito.

Talent?

Yes.

Riley pointed at me. I nodded and set down the tank with [Deep Mind].

Oh?

Vitos eyes sparkled for a moment.

He would probably like it.

After all, what hes trying to do isnt much different from this [Deep Mind]. Its essentially the act of creating spirits.

lnteresting

Vito smirked.

Then. Would you mind stepping out for a moment, Ms. Riley? It seems we need a conversation between experts.

Sure, whatever.

Riley, raising an eyebrow, exited the room.

Vito alternated his gaze between the tank and me, wearing a sly smile. I pretended to look at him with admiration.

Vito furrowed his brow.

Hmm. Whats with that look?

Ah, are you perhaps Dr. Vito, the one who received the Teroman Award?

I pretended to recognize him.

Vito was a mad scientist, but he liked unconditional adoration.

Yes, thats correct. Vito Demet of Libra. Thats me.

He casually stroked his thinning hair as he spoke, and I feigned an expression of utter amazement.

Incidentally, as his name suggests, hes a distant relative of the Libra family.

lts an incredible honor to be able to work with you, Mr. Vito

We havent decided that youll be working here yet. Dont jump to conclusions.

Vito frowned.

Yes, my apologies.

I bowed deeply at a 90-degree angle.

It was a service that catered meticulously to the others needs. This bastard liked nothing less than slavish, almost religious, adoration with his grass-like hair.

Ah, get up. Well, if youve brought something like this tank, you barely meet the qualifications to work with me.

Oh thats a relief.

Even as I spoke, I made sure my eyes sparkled with sheer earnestness.

Twinkle, twinkletwinkle, twinkle

My lord.

Yes. Head there.

Johanna made her decision.

Johanna sat on a bench in the university courtyard.

She was waiting for Shion Ascal, whom Victor would soon bring out.

Swoosh

The sound of leaves rustling in the night breeze.

As she tried to calm herself and organize her thoughts, her long, dangling accessories kept scraping against the wooden bench.

Everything was irritating her.

Maybe I should throw them away.

Just as she was about to toss away a few rings and a scratchy necklace.

Thud-

Footsteps approached.

Johanna quickly assumed a relaxed posture. She crossed her legs and angled her gaze down at 45 degrees.

Have you come?

As she asked, a familiar voice responded.

Yes, Miss Johanna.

Shion Ascal. His blond hair seemed to shimmer even in the dead of night.

Sit down.

Yes.

He walked over and sat down at the edge of the bench. Johanna looked at him with a little strangely.

Shion Ascal.

Yes.

lll say it. Come under me.

Johanna threw a fastball first.

No beating around the bush or talking in circles, and above all, her pounding heart was annoying her.

1 second, 2 seconds, 3 seconds.

No matter how much time passed, Shion Ascal remained silent.

Johanna glared at him, frustrated.

I dont mean to serve me. Serve Zia, but work with me.

This was a significant concession, but it couldnt be helped.

Johanna believed she understood Shion Ascal's character better than anyone.

However,

l'm sorry.

Shion conveyed his refusal.

Johannas face hardened. Her teeth clenched. Something seemed to break inside her.

lts impossible.

Why?

Johanna asked.

I cannot tell you.

Why?

Johanna glared at Shion with stern eyes, pressing for an answer.

Sensing her stubbornness, Shion answered with a sigh-like tone.

Because my presence by Miss Johannas side would cause harm.

SO.

Johanna gripped the edge of the bench. Crack a piece broke off.

l'm asking what that reason is.

Shion shook his head.

I cannot tell you.

The same response, again.

Johanna exhaled a heated sigh. She ran her hot fingers through her hair.

Sweat beaded on her forehead.

Stupid bastard. Get lost.

Johanna stood up abruptly. She was about to walk away when she stopped dead in her tracks. She glared straight at Shion and snapped at him.

Dont be mistaken. Ive never failed to get what I want.

For Johanna, this was a disconcerting revelation.

Suddenly, it felt as if her heart had been shredded whole. As if someone had clawed through her ribs with their fingernails.

These pains, which she had never experienced in her life, quickly turned into rage, and she pointed an accusing finger at Shion.

YouU end up coming to me eventually. Think carefully. Because of your worthless loyalty, your precious Zia might end up captured and killed.

With that, she turned and walked away, her coat fluttering behind her.

She felt Shions gaze on her but, out of stubbornness, she didnt look back.

Thud, thud

She walked as if trampling the grass beneath her feet. The night air cooled the heat at the back of her neck.

Suddenly, Karloss voice echoed in her ears.

Winning a persons heart is harder than any treasure.

Fuck. Stupid old bastard.

You and I are different.

I've already won Shions heart.

Its just his damned loyalty thats keeping him from coming to me.

Because of something as weak as Zia, he hesitates.

Shes gone.

Phew.

I let out a sigh of relief. Just now, Johanna was truly enraged, and I felt my life was in danger.

Because of the magical power she emitted, the temperature of the night seemed to soar to 104 degrees fahrenheit.

Yet, I endured.

The reason I cant be with herI've kept my terminal condition a secret.

Why?

Because theres a big difference between me telling her directly and Johanna discovering it on her own.

NOW.

I loathe to verbally inflict the reason that would hurt her.

Its also difficult to dramatically evoke human emotions.

Therefore, Johanna must discover on her own the reason I would become her pain.

I will lead her to that discovery.

Not much time left.

I looked up at the night sky.

Stars embroidered upon the darkness.

Using my terminal condition feels bizarre, sorrowful, and somehow inevitable.

Because the reason I live like this, already sentenced to death, is ultimately to exact revenge on all of you.