Memoirs of the Returnee

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, don’t 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… it’s 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 hair—Vito.

I clenched my fist quietly.

He’s the mad scientist.

He’s already killed thousands, and he’s the fucking bastard who will sacrifice thousands more.

“What’s the matter? And who’s that person with you?”

Vito asked Riley.

“This is Dr. Killian. I've scouted a talent you’d appreciate, Mr. Vito.”

“Talent?”

“Yes.”

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

“…Oh?”

Vito’s eyes sparkled for a moment.

He would probably like it.

After all, what he’s trying to do isn’t much different from this [Deep Mind]. It’s 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. What’s 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, that’s correct. Vito Demet of Libra. That’s me.”

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

Incidentally, as his name suggests, he’s a distant relative of the Libra family.

“lt’s an incredible honor to be able to work with you, Mr. Vito…”

“We haven’t decided that you’ll be working here yet. Don’t 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 other’s needs. This bastard liked nothing less than slavish, almost religious, adoration with his grass-like hair.

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

“Oh… that’s a relief.”

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

Twinkle, twinkle—twinkle, twinkle—

I looked at Vito's famished body and skull-like face as if it were something to marvel at.

“Ask if you have questions. Don’t just stare.”

Vito lifted his chin, perhaps finding his best angle.

“May I ask how long you’ve been researching artificial intelligence?”

“Not long. I was originally researching immortality.”

“I m m o rta lity…?”

“Yes.”

Vito grinned.

This crazy fucker is spouting nonsense about immortality.

I was utterly dumbfounded, but I quickly regained my composure.

“…lf it’s Dr. Vito, it seems possible.”

“I know. That’s why I’ve found a theoretically possible method.”

“lmmortality is possible?”

“Of course. There’s a condition that requires a healthy and finicky body, but… Well, actually, it’s somewhat similar to the artificial intelligence you’re research ing.”

Vito glanced between me and the tank.

“Look at this.”

Vito smirked and pointed to a large glass pane on one side of the lab. It was a dark room.

“Here.”

He pulled a lever.

Suddenly, the inside of the lab lit up brightly.

“…”

I was momentarily lost for words.

There were countless tanks.

Hundreds, maybe thousands.

Anyway, people were inside cylindrical tanks the size of oil drums. All of their bodies were already dead, bleached white.

“What do you think?”

Vito asked me.

The reason he showed me such an astonishing scene on our first meeting was probably to kill me immediately if I showed any suspicious reaction.

But I'm not so easily dealt with.

“…lt’s incredible.”

Instead, I wore a face filled with sincere longing. Vito scrutinized my expression and then burst into laughter.

“Huhu. Isn’t it?”

“Yes. It’s exactly what I’ve been hoping for”

“I know. You must have created something like [Deep Mind] in the same way.”

“lndeed. You recognized it at a glance.”

Admiration and awe should be offered as frequently as one breathes—effortlessly and generously.

“Of course, how could I, the master, not recognize it?”

“lndeed… Ah, by any chance, does Everett use a similar method?”

“lt’s similar, but I’m superior.”

Vito crossed his arms.

“The ones trapped in these tanks are societal negatives—homeless, criminals, that sort of scum. I extract their souls, overwrite them, and after direct training, I sell them as originals. They're personal Al assistants for the elite.”

Vito scanned the lab full of people as if they were pigs led to slaughter.

“On the other hand, Everett uses a method of digitally duplicating souls for distribution. That might allow for mass production, but it makes higher-level Al reasoning impossible.”

“…I see. That’s very much like you, Dr. Vito.”

Clap, clap, clap. I applauded as if I couldn’t help myself. Vito smirked at me.

“You’re Dr. Killian, right? I like you.”

“Oh, I’m not a doctor. I only have a bachelor’s degree… couldn’t afford more.”

“That doesn’t matter. If you can create something like this, you’re better than a thousand average doctors.”

He gestured towards the Deep Mind.

“May I take a moment to observe?”

“Yes. But it’s a sensitive creature.”

“I understand. 30 minutes will be enough.”

“That’s doable.”

I watched Vito. He stared intently at the Deep Mind inside the tank, asking it questions.

Do you want to speak, what are you thinking, and so on…

“Hmm. The overwriting is incomplete. It’s an imperfect, unfinished product.”

“Yes, overwriting is something I hadn’t even considered”

Overwriting , literally, is the act of writing a soul blank. Erasing all memories from life, turning it into something that’s not even a soul anymore—an act of eradicating existence.

It’s something I have no intention of doing.

“Take this one with you. Use it as your Al assistant… Can you start work to m 0 rrow?”

Vito asked.

I nodded with enthusiasm.

“I can. I would work with you, Doctor, even without a penny in pay.”

“…Take the money when it’s offered. If you say that in front of Lord

Derek, he really won't pay you.”

“Yes.”

I answered and casually surveyed the interior of the lab.

Everything here was illegal, everything was against humanity.

A horror where basic human rights were shattered.

I, Killian, will become the whistleblower exposing the secrets of this place.

The timing of the expose—when Derek’s investment reaches its peak.

That’s when Vito and his lab will crumble, and Derek will suffer countless losses.

This lab will be the catalyst for Derek’s downfall.

Johanna had joined the gambling tables at the Golden Casino. She had once backed Karlos, but now she was playing poker with the cartel guys who had since shut their mouths tight, and she won every time.

She had won a considerable sum of money, but her mood was far from good.

“…Victor.”

In the car on the way back to the mansion.

Johanna asked Victor, who had taken Beckman’s place.

“Yes?”

“Why doesn’t he come to me?”

“…”

That ’he’ was probably Shion Ascal.

Johanna had been lost in thought the whole time she was gambling.

For what reason could he not come to her?

What kind of nonsense is it to say that he can’t be by her side because he likes her?

“My lord. We can turn the car around.”

Instead of a direct answer, Victor suggested a course of action.

It meant she should go and ask him directly.

Johanna sank deep into the seat.

The thought of actually going made her unexpectedly nervous. Her heart was pounding, and suddenly she felt irritated.

“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.”

“l’ll 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 don’t mean to serve me. Serve Zia, but work with me.”

This was a significant concession, but it couldn’t be helped.

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

However,

“…l'm sorry.”

Shion conveyed his refusal.

Johanna’s face hardened. Her teeth clenched. Something seemed to break inside her.

“lt’s 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 Johanna’s 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.

“Don’t be mistaken. I’ve 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.

“You’U 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 Shion’s gaze on her but, out of stubbornness, she didn’t 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, Karlos’s voice echoed in her ears.

—Winning a person’s heart is harder than any treasure.

“……Fuck. Stupid old bastard.”

You and I are different.

I've already won Shion’s heart.

It’s just his damned loyalty that’s keeping him from coming to me.

Because of something as weak as Zia, he hesitates…….

“……She’s 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 can’t be with her—I've kept my terminal condition a secret.

Why?

Because there’s 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.

It’s 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.