I Have Returned, but I Cannot Lay down My Gun

[General] "I seriously get mad when gamers call the Mecha Bi-Am 'AI' or something."

<A screenshot of an essay written about AI's future and commodification. The poll shows 'This essay is useful' and 'This essay is not useful' with a 1:9 ratio>

<Two hours after it was posted, the article was taken down.>

I can’t believe these idiots are worried about the future and spouting nonsense like this.

Humanity’s future is at stake, but they aren’t worried about their own?

[All Comments][By Registration Order]

"So when’s the Bi-Am dystopia happening? When will a crazy AI turn me into a Mecha Bi-Am?"

"Actually, what if this world isn’t a dystopia? What if the crazy Bi-Am scientist trying to turn me into a Bi-Am isn’t actually a real threat?" "Stop it, who’s going to take responsibility for my ruined life?" "You are yourself." "Haha, yeah, haha."

"When the Mecha Bi-Am holds hands and defeats Bi-Am, that’s dystopia."

"So what is dystopia? What the hell, nerds?" "Our future." "Oh, damn, hit me with the truth."

"Things are so noisy here, but outside, it’s noisy for a different reason. I can’t believe these people still have the energy to argue. Why can’t they just relax..."

"Humans seem to be a species made for battle, Archetype."

"...I can’t say you're wrong, and it’s kind of sad."

...Maternal love?

I almost used the interview function to correct these people, but I managed to hold back.

Anyway, I didn’t expect the reactions to be so intense, even a day before the expo started. I mean, I knew they’d put up massive ads, but who could not know? As mentioned in the chat, it’s good that only a handful of idiots are spouting nonsense.

In a way, this could be considered an inevitable conflict triggered by the introduction of a new, radical concept. Still, the majority of the world’s reactions have been positive. The reason is simple: the good image has been built for months.

"Everyone clearly likes us. Right, owner?"

"...Yes. It’s because all of you are so diligent. Understand? If you keep listening to me, only good things will happen. There’s a saying, ‘When you listen to adults, good things will come even in your sleep.’"

"But we can’t eat 떡 (rice cake)."

"That’s just an expression, alright?"

"...The way you talk with the younger Mecha models is so cute, Eugene."

How do I make them take off their rose-colored glasses?

I bet my parents are probably laughing at this pathetic conversation broadcasted through my channel. I could only brush it off, because honestly, I had no better thoughts at the moment.

Anyway, I hadn’t planned to stream, but today, my parents asked me to. It’s connected to the reason the expo is happening. Just like the interview I did earlier outside, they wanted me to answer some questions, so the younger Mecha models could respond as well.

'Is this to prepare for the expo starting tomorrow...?'

Walking around, doing interviews, answering questions.

We’ll be asking the younger Mecha models about their first impressions of walking in the world. It’s natural that the scene will be broadcast globally.

This is the reason for the unexpected streaming session.

But what I didn’t expect was how sharp the viewers’ questions would be... or demands, more like, would be far worse than the refined questions expected tomorrow or after.

"...Owner, some people are asking if we could step on their faces barefoot, if that’s not rude, what’s that about? If you step on them, their face will be crushed."

"...Anyone asking those kinds of questions or making those requests, just ban them all. Seriously, I’m going crazy."

"Ah, that’s not possible because the order is fixed. I’ll be the first to face it."

"What’s Minah even saying next to me!?"

Shaking, shaking, shaking.

But Minah was just giggling, watching the chat explode, and I grabbed Harmony’s shoulders with both hands and shook her back and forth. What are you going to do with my chat room?

Holding my aching head, I just leaned back into the sofa.

"Ah, do whatever you want. I’m dying here..."

"Really?"

"Mom, everything around me is weird..."

Why is everyone like this?

The world is truly a strange place.

I hate expos...

"I should’ve just gone to the U.S."

"Why, all of a sudden?"

"Ah, this year, after hearing about some awards I won, all the family and relatives came over, and it’s been chaotic. The house smells like oil now..."

"Haha, if I had known, I should’ve just handed you the expo invitation directly."

As evening turns to morning, the time difference becomes clear. It's 8 AM in New York and 7 PM in Korea. It’s a relief that Harmony, who connected on time, is still grumbling. It seems that during the holidays, Harmony’s family gathers pretty heavily. Could this be holiday syndrome?

Of course, Harmony wouldn’t be making pancakes or doing the housework. Technically, Minah is the pillar of not just her household, but almost her entire family. If they tried to make her do something, it’s more likely she’d go out and never come back.

Meanwhile, Dice, who logged in late, chuckled from the side.

"Eugene, she doesn’t even celebrate Lunar New Year. She just gathers with family and has a simple dinner, and then it’s done. I’m so jealous..."

"Hehe, all my relatives are in Germany."

"Then why can’t you even speak German?"

"My parents don’t use it anymore!"

I didn’t expect that.

Well, if you don’t use a language, you end up forgetting it. On the flip side, if you keep using it, you won’t forget. Honestly, if I had stayed in New York for a few more years, I would have probably forgotten Korean.

I was curious about Dice’s family too, but I quietly listened to Harmony’s complaints and looked over the schedule for the expo, which was about to begin. Of course, I didn’t have much to do, but it’s fine.

Anyway, it used to feel like this just six years ago. So, I could empathize, and it felt kind of nostalgic.

For example—

"I heard Minah won. I bet some cousins will be asking questions. I think they’ll all be playing Tinversion Dark Zone too... or maybe I went too far."

"No, you’re right. There are a lot of high schoolers in their first and second years who are like that. They’re so enthusiastic. They keep begging me to get your autograph... and they’re always trying to challenge me, saying they’re also winners of the high school Dark Zone competition."

"Ugh, that sounds annoying."

"Ah, but it wasn’t really that bad."

Was it not that annoying?

I thought about it as our eyes met, and immediately, Harmony spoke.

"I took care of it all."

"...Right, sometimes, you do need to put people in their place when they start crawling up."

"Still, it would be nice to have some noise like that. None of my family or friends are interested in Dark Zone... though, I’m not talking about you guys."

"Yeah, I know what you mean."

That said, I felt that Dice didn’t need to be here with me in the U.S. for the Lunar New Year, but honestly, traveling abroad requires stamina. I just went to the U.S. two months ago, so it would be a bit much to go again so soon.

So, the conversation naturally shifted back to the expo.

"By the way, if it goes well this time, they’ll hold one in Korea, right?"

"Yeah, but honestly, I don’t see how it can go badly. We’ve already set things up in Korea. It should open around August somewhere, but to decide, we need to check the land Icarus Korea owns."

"Hehe, the younger Mecha models going to Korea..."

"...I hope they at least get snake tails so you all can keep up with them."

"Well, that’s that, but Mecha models are still Mecha models."

Damn it.

I didn’t expect to realize so strongly that there’s no way out. I thought to myself as I added:

"Anyway, there’s something you both should keep in mind... It might be tough to meet the younger Mecha models. It might even be hard for you to walk around with me. I can meet you for brief moments, though, when time allows."

"Ah... Right. Since it’s the start of the expo, are any big names coming? Don’t those big expos usually have those?"

"Well... they won’t have a performance, but if you’re asking about famous people, yes, some celebrities will be there."

"Oh, really? Who’s coming?"

"Well..."

I wasn’t sure if I should say, but, well...

"The commander of the U.S. Southern Command, General Howard Ridgway Spencer, from the Army."

"...Eh?"

"The commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, General Bernard Nicholson from the Army, and Deputy Commander, Rear Admiral Semed Alietan from the Navy, CEO of Lockheed Martin, Ivan Eykle, and CEO of Northrop Grumman, Carlton Green..."

"Whoa, wait. Is this something we’re supposed to hear?"

"The list is already public, so it’s fine. Want to hear more?"

"Aahhh, nooo—!"

Honestly, I felt like my life became legendary when I knew half of the people on that list.

I’d be seeing some familiar faces soon.

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