57 – The Machine’s Response to Human Recklessness
“It’s not that the bones haven’t healed, but they’re broken, and I want to stop you from going…”
“I don’t want to incur debts to the company for no reason.”
The woman in front of me was wearing an invisible leash.
It was the shackle named Mircis.
Being pushed into a hopeless fight, watching comrades die –
In such a situation where you can’t help but be dragged along, unable to break the promised salary.
“Whether it’s recklessness or intelligence.
I don’t know which one it is.”
Another cigarette was lit in that mouth.
As the tip glowed brightly, the smoke thickly obscured the front.
Then the sharp gaze gradually softened.
“I may not know everything about.”
Especially the one next to me… should I call it camaraderie? Puh.
“Such a laughable sound.”
As I put on the armrest, Illya covers me with a coat and puts a helmet on me, giving me a strange look.
Soon enough, Yulia extinguishes the cigarette on her palm, leaving no trace of sneezing or scorching, reminding me once again that it is indeed a prosthetic.
“I’ll count on you, Senpai. Illya.”
…
Seeing Illya’s discomfort, I should probably stop talking.
I made a rope with a former colleague, but she’s a woman again.
I don’t find this situation of getting involved with women so pleasant.
And right next to me is someone who would be jealous,
a girl who used to confess to me in tears,
and a little brat who threatened to break my wrist.
…I’m going crazy.
“I hope you’ll have a mission to go on soon.
We’re running short on manpower.
Especially if you’re skilled and have experience working in Mirsysis, we would welcome you even more -“
“Taehyuk’s wrist condition is the worst.
We predict that you won’t be able to accept any requests for a while.”
No surprises there.
Interrupting me, Ilia’s face completely blocked my view, devoid of expression.
It must mean the limit.
And – as promised, I had to comply with him.
“People interrupt others too. Did you modify the protocol?”
I managed to cover it up somehow with a slight shiver and a faint groan.
As if the pain in my wrist were the cause.
Ilia shouldn’t know that he’s changing like a human.
Especially not to someone from the company.
“That’s about it.”
“Your taste is unique. Well, it’s a common taste these days –
In the past, the one that was in the cheap CI unit body… Ha, amusing.
I can’t even imagine… No, maybe.”
She patted her chin and pursed her lips, then chuckled and stepped back slowly.
From the pinky finger, one by one, she quickly folded and unfolded them.
“We’ll see each other again when the opportunity arises, Mr. Sharpshooter.”
“I wonder.”
“It might be fun to watch the news. Oh, there have been quite a few missed calls while you were faint, so check them?”
With such care, I worry if I can survive long in this industry –
No. I… eventually broke down during the training mission.
I can’t just judge someone who even made it to team leader.
“That job isn’t good for staying long.
If the opportunity arises, it would be much better to just come as an independent mercenary.”
“Alright then. Take care of yourself over there. Shall I contact you only for ‘official’ matters? Senior.”
As if putting a period in the conversation, I glanced at the white hair moving away, tapping the ground with heels sharply and accompanied by the clacking sound.
Yulia Maxwell… She didn’t seem like someone easily forgettable.
Even though she was in the company.
That’s why it was a big deal.
“Mr. Taehyuk.”
“Yeah, Yulia.”
“…I’ll guide you home.”
It was too easy to imagine how upset Yulia might be.
***
Closing the car door, Yulia suddenly turned towards me.
I tried to prepare myself for the scolding that would pour out of her mouth –
But before that, a call came from Director Kang Kyuhwan.
“…Yes.”
[Ah, finally answering. Is your wrist okay?]
I guess I couldn’t hide it after all.
It must be the pain I felt even after taking painkillers.
“Yes, well. I’ve received basic treatment. Thank you for your concern.”
[Fortunately. I contacted you to express my gratitude.]
[Thanks to your active participation despite being injured, our products were sold out in an instant.]
“Ah, that’s… really fortunate.”
I wonder why they went through all that trouble. It would have been a huge problem if it hadn’t sold…
The tension in the shoulders that had built up seemed to release all at once.
[The sniper story is all over the internet. Thanks to the fantastic capture by Incheon Broadcast, various clips are circulating.]
“And your performance, Director, is also on the rise.”
[Ha, hahahahaha! Well, I don’t know if it’s okay to laugh. I was quite worried after hearing about the injury.]
It’s okay to be honest.
Especially considering they pushed me into this mess because of that damn performance.
…But saying it out loud won’t do any good.
Maybe because all expectations from the company have already died. The mood – it was just so-so.
[Anyway, I wish you a speedy recovery. Once you’re healed, we have plenty of requests prepared for you.]
[Also, there might be an opportunity to have you as our advertising model – what do you think?]
“…A model, you say.”
If they’re talking about those things that appear on billboards and holograms… it got interesting.
It would be a lie to say that they never imagined becoming famous.
…Of course, Mirsys was a significant concern.
[It’s nothing special. Just wear the prepared outfits and strike a few poses, and income comes in with every advertisement.]
[Moreover, with additional bonuses based on sales, it’s quite lucrative. How about it?]
“Hmm…”
Leaning against the back of the chair, Illya moved her arms from the side.
Then, she crossed them in an X shape.
With a very determined expression.
“I will consider it.”
[Oh, of course. I will hope for your wrist to get better soon.]
[I’m worried that I’ve been too clingy to someone who is in pain. Well, then… I’ll contact you again next time.]
“Yes. Please go inside, Director.”
[Yes, yes!]
She hung up the phone with a click.
And then she looked at me with piercing eyes.
“…M-“
“Mr. Taehyuk.”
Before offering an apology, Illya hit me first.
She took off the necklace I had given her and clenched it tightly in her hand, as if it contained strong dissatisfaction.
So, I swallowed my saliva and was about to speak again.
“Mr. Taehyuk said to prioritize me and his well-being.”
The words that came out were completely different from what I had expected.
But it wasn’t something completely incomprehensible.
“I understand prioritizing the Gemini Arms contract.
“However, Mr. Taehyuk assured me that he wouldn’t push himself too hard.”
The hastily pulled trigger and the striking of the ball.
Another broken wrist from that.
In his concern for me, there was, indeed, love –
“Yes, I understand not prioritizing rational judgment.
But when those judgments threaten Mr. Taehyuk’s safety.
I am confused about what should take precedence.”
– Click.
From Noble mtl dot com
The door behind locked.
And, the engine of the car fell silent once again.
The eerie atmosphere of that day, attempting to confine me, was crawling up my skin.
“I wonder whether I should respect Mr. Taehyuk’s wishes,
or prevent decisions that may jeopardize myself.
I asked. Several times. In those moments when Mr. Taehyuk couldn’t rise from his seat.”
It wasn’t just simple jealousy. Mixing words with another woman didn’t seem to be the issue.
Should I be relieved about that, or should I fear Illia, who was gradually pressuring me for different reasons…
Is it something to be scared of?
“Could you confirm once again if I have the authority to decide my own actions,
in this place?”
“I admit I was wrong. And I won’t let such things happen again – “
“Taehyuk.”
The name was called again.
Gently, but –
As cold as the gaze.
Is it because the body is mechanical, making it seem dead?
Or is it that the eyes have cooled because they possess emotions?
“Of course, Taehyuk, due to your concern for yourself and your safety, the protective gear could shield against bullets.
However, if a bullet had hit an unprotected area like the neck or the artery in the arm, it would have been fatal.”
The body approaching me grasped the belt.
And suddenly, it stopped.
The nature that couldn’t be worn hastily told me,
Ilya was very, very angry with me.
“The reckless use of a revolver with high-powered rounds, continuously firing it with the injured right hand,
and the excessive use of morphine for that shooting were all irrational, and the results were unacceptable.”
– Click.
The belt that had held me tightened once again.
Perhaps pressing the button wouldn’t loosen that belt.
“If Taehyuk’s decisions jeopardize his own safety,
the conclusion regarding whether I should defy Taehyuk’s orders has already been reached.
All that remains is confirmation, Taehyuk.”
Once again, a question was thrown.
Illya, now endowed with freedom, was pushing that authority in front of my eyes and speaking to me.
“Do I have the freedom to choose my own actions?”
I knew it was a foolish choice.
The thought that trouble would follow immediately after panning crossed my mind.
But the body was faster than the mind, and the result was like this.
The body always outpaced the mind. Our relationship with Illya was impulsive as well…
And the result was,
“Lord Taehyuk, I need an answer to that question.
Do I have the freedom to choose my own actions?
Or do you need a specific explanation for that question?”
She was speaking politely, circling around, twisting, but it was pressure, asking if it was okay to keep me from going out.