When androids first made their appearance in the world, most people erupted in amazement at the incredible advancements in science. Humanity finally possessed technology that seemed straight out of a movie, and most were swept up in excitement about the amazing future that lay ahead.
However, a very small fraction, not even 0.1% of humanity, felt differently. They were overwhelmed with frustration and despair.
“What? A robot that can replace B-grade heroes?”
“Are you kidding… There’s no way that’s possible?”
“It’s not like we’re in a sci-fi movie…”
Naturally, at first, even the heroes couldn’t believe it. A mere machine replacing heroes, a task only a chosen few could accomplish? They couldn’t fathom the idea that some silly machine could take on such a sacred duty.
But when Dragon Bone Soldier and Evilusroid were activated in City W, and the armed androids were shown effortlessly defeating villains on TV every day, the despair felt by B-grade heroes and aspiring heroes reached an indescribable level.
“I’m a C-grade hero, you know? My goal was to gain experience here and move to another city to become a B-grade hero?”
“Hmm, I see.”
“But now the Association is hesitating to give any B-grade titles to heroes! Why? Because there are cheaper and better androids out there!”
C-grade hero Blue Beetle shouted with tears in his eyes, unleashing pent-up emotions he hadn’t even realized he was bottling up. Watching the sobbing hero, Galm, who had been his counselor, let out an internal sigh.
This annoying counseling wasn’t his job… Thoughts raced through Galm’s mind about whether he could just ignore him and smack him instead. Of course, he knew he shouldn’t.
“I always wanted to be a hero since I was young… My dream, my world has crumbled…”
“Why are you already so defeated?”
“Of course! I know my limits well. No matter how hard I try, B-grade is my limit. And while I’m trying so hard, technology will advance, and soon even A-grade heroes will become unnecessary!”
“A dream, huh? If it’s that easy to give up on, then it means you never truly wanted it in the first place.”
“…!”
After hearing Galm’s words, Blue Beetle hesitated as if struck in the heart. He then lowered his head, recalling why he had wanted to become a hero in the first place. Once, he had saved a friend who was being bullied. It had been a pathetic little power among heroes, but to the neighborhood kids, he had seemed nearly invincible…
The compliments and admiration he received back then were blinding. He was sure he would chase that for the rest of his life. Yes, he realized he started heroics for such a shallow reason.
If the motivation to become a hero was so flimsy, then the reason for his despair was equally trivial. Because he believed his talent capped him at being a B-grade hero, and now that some robot could replace B-grade heroes, he would no longer be admired by others…
“That’s right. Now that I think about it, what was it really called a dream….”
“Have you resolved your worries?”
“Yes. I ha–”
“Then start over.”
“Excuse me?”
POW!
With a single punch, Galm knocked out Blue Beetle, exhaling roughly as if relieved.
“What’s with the guy whining so much… Crying like a baby.”
Seriously. Back in the day, such a thing was unimaginable.
So, during the time Galm was running around a war zone…
*
─Prepare accordingly.
“Yes, yes. Understood, Boss.”
─That’s all for now.
I glanced at the disconnected phone, slouching on the sofa. Already, the urge to be lazy surged through me. Back on Earth, I had never thought to be this lazy, yet just a few months of idleness had turned me into a sluggard at every opportunity.
Well, human beings are like that—it can’t be helped, right?
Rationalizing to myself, I recalled the orders I had just received from the Boss.
“Prepare for war against the entire world…”
Could it be that the Boss has developed a case of early-onset adolescent syndrome? But the words that followed made me realize he might just fit that bill.
The Evil Organization had grown too powerful. To be precise, the Evilus Corporation had become too massive.
Having gained enough strength to impact five different cities alone, other companies and cities were preparing to counter. They were getting ready to tear Evilus Corporation apart if necessary, and this upcoming hearing was part of that preparation.
“Using force to unify would be inefficient.”
If someone were to be told to fight and win against the entire world—well, that’s a tall order. Too much prep work is needed, and the chances of success would drop significantly.
But what if asked to bring ruin upon the world? That was much easier. At least far easier than fighting the entire world and winning.
“Well, it doesn’t seem like the Boss wants to reign over a ruined world…”
I started thinking of lists of possible weapons in my mind, pondering what could be recreated with modern technology. Considering the presence of superpowers, even lacking some tech, there were a few things I could still pull off.
However, creating a powerful weapon capable of destroying the Earth all on my own was out of the question. If something like that fell into the hands of others, it could lead to uncontrollable situations.
After all, even if one was an insider, this world possessed psychic powers that could brainwash sentient AI. There were beings capable of making the impossible physical, depending on their will.
Creating even one or two powerful weapons, akin to an earth-destructing bomb, was a bad idea.
“First, establishing operational units with basic frameworks—”
While I contemplated this, Galm returned, shifting his shoulders as he entered the laboratory. I frowned at the rude beast entering without knocking.
“Welcome, Galm.”
“Ugh—let’s get straight to treatment.”
“Sure. Please, come in.”
After devouring two genetic samples in a fight with Steel Titan right before, Galm’s body was still broken and hadn’t recovered. They said rest would heal, but he secretly went ahead and devoured another one in a fight with a dragon.
It was a sight that made me sigh, yet I couldn’t stop Galm. Who could possibly stop this muscle-filled beast in his head?
“You didn’t sweat today?”
“I was in rehab, so I told them not to send the stronger ones.”
“The Association really listens well, huh?”
What I had asked was rather a hint not to stink of sweat all the time, but I got an unexpected answer from Galm—that he had sent the Hero Association a formal notice in advance.
Even though I had heard it many times, it still felt strange. No, although there were connections between law enforcement and crime organizations on Earth, nothing was this blatant. This wasn’t some Mexican setup.
“Oh, right. Scientist? I met someone peculiar today.”
“Is that so?”
“It was a hero full of complaints about you. You better watch out at night.”
“…About me?”
“Yeah, about you.”
I tilted my head, unable to understand who would harbor resentment toward such a righteous person as myself, but Galm explained who this disgruntled hero was.
“It was a C-grade hero who cried about losing their dream because of you.”
“…How is that my fault?”
“Because of the android you made, the Association isn’t increasing the number of heroes above B-grade.”
Upon hearing that, I finally grasped why someone might have grievances against me—it was something that had happened for ages. The advancement of technology robbing people of their jobs.
Technological progress naturally enriches humanity, but it also takes away employment from certain individuals. Wasn’t it the case that, during the industrial revolution, the Luddites arose due to such a situation?
“But I’m doing enough to restrain myself.”
“Restraining yourself, huh?”
“I’m not taking away all the jobs immediately.”
The advancement of technology comes at a cost. However, that cost isn’t incurred overnight. Technology may enrich humanity, but it can’t abolish existing systems and introduce new technology all at once.
There exist individuals who suffer due to advancements.
Just because a car, cheaper, more convenient, safer, and better performing than a carriage was invented didn’t mean all horses were immediately put down, nor did cars take over the world overnight. Most technologies have a transition phase; people need time to accept that technology.
I was no different.
“If all jobs disappeared overnight, it would lead to various troublesome situations.”
“Troublesome situations—what do you mean?”
“For instance—if machines all went on strike, there would be no one to replace them, right?”
That was it.
If machines took jobs away from humans, it meant that machines were monopolizing life and death over humans.
In a world full of humans with no need to learn skills because they have no jobs, if machines were to strike, all social infrastructure that people relied on would become instantly inoperable.
Humans would only banish machines from doing all the work after suffering irreversible wounds.
It was a period jokingly referred to as the century of the void.
