Chapter 70

The house guardian and family caretaker droid, Carebot series, was a type of joint product where Exatech provided the fundamental blueprints and Paradise maintained the production line for sale.

Ergonomic joints capable of delicate motions.

Thought circuits that faithfully execute given commands.

With proper management and care, durability that can endure even through generational changes.

This was the product description for the Carebot that I had seen when I visited in person, and sometimes appeared on random web ads.

The promotional message sounded quite plausible.

It wasn’t as if this was a completely destroyed world; if someone planned to live their life in the city with a regular job, a Carebot that could take care of bothersome chores is certainly a reasonable choice and could alleviate dull household tasks.

…If only the price hadn’t been set at a level that only those with exceptional money could dare to contemplate.

“I never imagined I’d gather it all at once like this…”

Having exited the twisted Paradise Tower, a product of malicious tastes, I headed straight for the robot store.

Having just left my old residence and having swallowed a chunk of corporate money.

I hadn’t overlooked the possibility of being followed like in a stakeout… but so what? It’s not like I’m running to a gambling den or planning to hide away in a shell company.

Of course, the action of squandering it all at once could be likened to gambling in a way.

Although Aaron would rightly question the strange decision to buy a Carebot without a proper residence and with the excuse of ‘life value’… I stood my ground. Um.

With that in mind, I strolled down the street lined with various stores, walking lightly.

There was no need to wonder if the stores had opened this early.

Even though it was an era where nightlife flourished, if we were to differentiate the members living inside the society, people would naturally be divided into those active during the day and those during the night.

Business—the backbone of society—could not afford to rest for a single moment.

“Oh, speaking of which… the year is about to change, huh?”

While mulling over the banner slogans hung from street lamps here and there, I realized.

‘Wishing you a prosperous year in Harvest Planet for 2196!’ It was an outdoor advertisement from Paradise Corporation, but the numbers were so staggering that I wondered why there was an attempt to stir up the motivation to work at this juncture… After pondering for a moment, I came to a realization.

“…In one year.”

Rolling it softly in my mouth caused my heart to tighten for no reason.

Time that could be long or short could slip by in the blink of an eye.

Had I wanted to prepare for grand plans, I would have settled down in Neo Haven long ago… but even so, letting valuable downtime slip away without doing anything felt too wasteful.

…Well, just because it’s 2197 doesn’t mean the world will suddenly turn into a hellscape or that everything will change drastically.

It’s simply that significant events or characters that could serve as triggers begin to reveal themselves one by one, and the tension rises beneath the surface.

And even with slight changes or differences, I had to have confidence in avoiding the gigantic landmines that I absolutely should not step on… confidence…?

“Oh?”

I stuttered! and corrected my slightly misaligned step.

Staying in a settlement for too long could lead to an entire town being attacked by gangs. Trying to make some money could involve being caught up in sudden terrorism and attracting the attention of Mega Cop.

There was even a time when I tried to help the heroine and ended up making headlines on the news.

At least I hadn’t experienced anything occurring as a result of my reckless actions. Yet suddenly, doubts crept in.

…Could it be that I lacked the effort to think thoroughly and consider from multiple angles?

Maybe that’s possible.

Everyone is the lead in their own life, but if I couldn’t find a special cause for it, it would make sense to think that there was something wrong with the reckless choices I made.

From now on, I must tread more carefully.

I passed through an entrance that lacked any significant reception staff and didn’t even have the common automated guidance voice that was so prevalent in other places.

Driven by my continued yearning for mechanical beauty, I made my way past the luxurious display areas into the lesser-known droid corner that wasn’t easily visible from the outside.

Among the nearby models, whether they were waiting for a master or had just rearranged their display order, a Carebot with merely a basic framework remained quietly in place.

Finally, I arrived at the starting line for heading to Neo Haven.

The only obstacle left was one. The tin can just had to wake up without any issues.

To do that, I first needed to confirm the purchase and request installation from the assigned representative….

“…Excuse me?”

Even quietly murmuring, the eerie atmosphere didn’t dissipate.

I was grateful that employees hadn’t arrived earlier when I was just a browsing customer without any credits to spend, but why was it so desolate even though I was the only visitor?

I didn’t specifically want to be treated like some nouveau riche planning to spend a large sum; I just thought I should be allowed to buy a cursed product.

If there were no cash registers and no staff, at the very least, they should have written some guidance on how they operated the shop…!

– Insufficient balance. –

“…Huh?”

Could it be that I’m too small to be noticed? Frustrated, I tiptoed and waved my arms to call someone when a strange mechanical voice suddenly played.

It was the ruthless and highly embarrassing announcement that often occurs when one forgets to recharge while riding a bus or subway.

Why did that come out here? Looking over the display case, there was a tiny solid line beneath the labeled prices.

Right, it seemed like if I placed the barcode implanted in my wrist against it, it would be recognized properly… that red line on the counter.

“Really… how stingy… stingy!”

Grumbling, I quickly shoved the credits I had been gathering separately from the rewards I’d moved into a black market account into my wallet. I gestured with my wrist as if to swipe a card.

– Thank you for visiting the Exatech Corporation’s direct sales store, Harvest Planet Branch No. 1! A manager who will assist you with customization and product reception is on their way to your location, so please wait a moment and we will serve you with utmost sincerity! –

A neat deduction of 100 million credits. And along with that, the courteous instruction to wait right there.

Having finally achieved the status of a customer, I would now be able to receive the service of this bizarre unmanned store….

“Thank you for visiting our Exatech store and for your product purchase! Now, please…! Come this way, dear customer!”

“…Yes.”

The master of mechanical engineering and maestro, Exatech.

Indeed… in the case of bodily loss due to accidents or disasters during work, there was a bizarre setup where, with the individual’s consent, experimental replacement procedures are given for free to build loyalty.

Could that be the reason why high-ranking staff at Exatech had far more metal than protein in their bodies?

So, was this person hit by shrapnel or something…?

“All items in the store are sample products, and the actual products for sale will be assembled in real-time while going through detailed option consultations here!”

A cheerful voice that was completely out of place with the exterior relaxed my tense nerves.

“I’ve personally brought parts that I absolutely want to replace. Can this…?”

“Customization is possible for as much as you want!”

When our eyes met through the narrow gap, the manager smiled assuringly.

He had an imposing face reminiscent of a iron mask and striking dark blue metallic prosthetic arms, and he guided me inside the consultation room.

From the structure, it appeared more like an interrogation observation room from a spy movie than a consultation room, but anyway.

Beyond the large window, the Carebot body I just purchased was surrounded by more than ten mechanical arms, waiting for its owner.

“Shall we start by looking at the transformer part that decides the output? Or would you like to choose the personality first? Or perhaps begin with the outer gloves that shape the impression? You can choose according to your preference, and there’s no problem taking it as it is! Since you’ve already paid, that is.”

“Ugh?!”

With the lengthy explanations, I let out a sound of surprise at the sudden thrust of the parts catalog towards my face.

Inside the screen, there were dozens of types of options, and the pages numbered in the thousands.

At a glance, the numerous fantasies that would excite a man’s desires blurred my vision, but there was a realistic issue.

With only around ten million credits available, it was challenging to add various options… but what scratched my nerves even more was the word ‘preference.’

Legally, it might be treated merely as a possession, but I wasn’t putting in this effort to gain a convenient servant. I was doing this because it felt right and because I promised while risking my entrusted heart.

…Click!

Without leaving a speck of dust, making sure not to scratch it, I revealed the form of the processing unit wrapped in a soft cloth under the bright lights after a long time.

I offered the soul of the tin can to the manager with caution.

If possible, I didn’t want to hand it over to an unknown person, even for a moment… but the cost of failing through unwarranted attempts by a novice was too great.

“I don’t need a personality installation. First… change the central processing unit with this and turn it on. You can let them decide on the options themselves.”

My words contained the suppressed urge that I wouldn’t let them off easy if something were to go wrong or if they wished to sneak a peek at the data stored inside.

However, whether the manager was aware of my terrifying resolve or not, he examined the parts I handed over with concern and explained the current situation with calm resolve.

“Oh no…! Customer, you’ve made a mistake. Occasionally, there are customers who wish to retain the personality of their old robot and economically bring their processing unit… but if no separate backup has been made, there’s a possibility that some volatile memories or data may be preserved incompletely?”

“Wh-what?!”

The mech’s expert explained that if I wanted to perfectly transplant the artificial intelligence, it had to be transferred to a new unit while it was operational, prompting me to unconsciously ask again.

Mistake…? My mistake? No, I couldn’t help it if I couldn’t see another way back then.

But what if the person I could use as an excuse for that had already vanished?

Would I have to face the consequences my selfishness brought upon me?

“…Don’t worry too much. It’s rare for important data to be classified as volatile memory, even if it’s recognized as low-level artificial intelligence.”

He seemed to consider my blank expression and stepped out to implement the requested service.

Even if I wanted to prepare my mind, data was something that becomes damaged if left long enough in a memory device with disrupted power.

The sooner an attempt to reboot was made, the better it would be for them.

Whirrrrr…!!

The intense operational sound echoed, and the mechanical arms began to move simultaneously.

It was merely the sight of swapping out parts, but to my eyes, it was no different from performing brain surgery.

The Carebot’s head opened in its dormant state, and it was replaced and joined with the tin can’s processing unit in a surprisingly brief moment.

“……”

– ……. –

Through just a thin glass barrier, I stared into the Carebot as light entered.

I couldn’t afford to have three scanners affixed like I did before, but with only one eye, it was easy to discern where that gaze was directed.

I had so much I wanted to say.

Due to the cautionary advice I received, fearful imaginations surged within me, and I found myself wishing to remain silent until that gaze turned toward me first. But… I hadlong since decided what my first question would be when this idiot’s power came back on.

“…Now, let me hear your real name.”

With that heartfelt request.

– Command received. –

The mechanical and monotone voice of the Carebot echoed back.