#096
Yoo Seong-woo finished his explanation briefly. He said this pill was obtained from a retired military android at the Jirisan recovery site.
He explained that it had the function of temporarily resolving abnormal states in androids. He also informed them that many military androids at the end of their lifespan often used it to complete their final missions.
“It’s not strange that Yacheon makes it. They produce many military androids here.”
“That’s true. But this drug is illegal. It constitutes abuse under international android law.”
After the Android Massacre incident carried out jointly by the European Union and the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Defense, involving Major Raven Shin and KW0911, international android laws had become more sophisticated. What would happen if it was revealed that the Ministry of Defense and Yacheon Technology were still abusing androids?
“If we informed overseas authorities, wouldn’t it cause a stir?”
Yeon Tae-soo pondered while touching his chin, then shook his head.
“For that, we’d first need to prove this drug was used for harmful purposes. Plus, it’s related to proprietary technology handled by the state, making it an even more sensitive issue.”
If they claimed it was a state secret and denied evidence of android abuse, even the International Android Union would find it difficult to intervene.
Seong-woo let out a small sigh and looked at the next page. Someone was holding that pill. No, looking closely, it wasn’t a person.
“This one next to it isn’t human, right? It looks like an android.”
This time Tae-soo stiffened. It was a model he had seen before. No, not just seen.
He had disposed of them with his own hands. They were learning android models he had killed at Jirisan under the Minister’s threats.
As he glared at the drawing similar to a photograph, holding his breath, Seong-woo turned to the next page. The android from before collapsed, with pills scattered on the floor.
Anyone could see it was a scene where the android had taken the pills, operated for a while, and then collapsed.
“First, we should meet that instructor in Jirisan.”
As Seong-woo rose as if about to dash out, Tae-soo hurriedly grabbed him.
“Wait, just wait.”
“We need to secure evidence as quickly as possible. That instructor might know something.”
“Seong-woo. Calm down.”
When his gaze wouldn’t return despite being pulled, Tae-soo placed his face directly against Seong-woo’s. When their foreheads and noses touched, Seong-woo inhaled sharply. Tae-soo stroked his back to let him breathe deeply. Simultaneously, he whispered in a gentle voice.
“I have someone planted in Yacheon. Let’s contact them first and ask them to look into it.”
“But if they’re discovered while acting on uncertain information…”
“They won’t be discovered. Even if they are, it’s fine. They’re high-ranking personnel who’ve worked there for a long time, so they won’t be fired.”
Speaking quickly but still gently, fortunately, Seong-woo’s breathing slowly stabilized.
“The proper order is to first investigate where the incident occurred, right?”
No matter how connected that android instructor was to Yacheon, the first step was to investigate where the drug was made. Seong-woo nodded readily.
“…I got excited.”
He could read the awkwardness in his words. He probably wanted to be of some help.
“Let’s save your excitement for when we’re in bed together.”
Pressing his lips firmly on Seong-woo’s forehead before removing them, he deliberately whispered the joke because he understood his feelings.
He felt Seong-woo’s stiff body relax as he stroked his back. Even in this situation, he found himself pathetic for thinking Seong-woo was cute.
***
However, Tae-soo’s spy embedded in Yacheon discreetly communicated that it was difficult for them to move.
The country’s atmosphere was unsettled due to a terrorist attack at the End of War ceremony. The perpetrator hadn’t been caught. The Minister seemed to suspect it was Tae-soo’s doing, but Tae-soo wasn’t so careless as to leave evidence at the scene.
Instead, the Ministry of Defense defined this incident as terrorism and claimed that there were disrespectful groups desiring war still mixed among the Republic’s citizens.
It wasn’t a particularly good choice. In an era of sustained peace, fear might have been effective, but citizens instead felt fatigue.
“How long has it been since the war ended, and they’re causing another commotion.”
“Isn’t preventing this the military’s job? Where are our taxes going?”
“If the Republic of Korea becomes a battlefield again, it’s the soldiers’ fault!”
Instead, public opinion blaming the military’s incompetence emerged.
Yacheon Technology was the number one supplier of military androids. Even without direct impact, they said the atmosphere was cautious.
“This pill is definitely for military use. But why would they give it to learning androids?”
What reason would there be to forcibly extend the operational period of something that wasn’t even a wartime military android?
Tae-soo shook his head. He was concerned about Tae-soo, who had become noticeably quieter.
“Is something wrong?”
“…No. I’m just worried about you.”
“Why me?”
Seong-woo tilted his head curiously but soon understood what he meant.
“I’m… fine.”
Both of them knew he wasn’t actually fine, but that was all he could say.
From now on, I’ll always be a broken existence to you. That made him a little sad.
Tae-soo, as if understanding his feelings completely, held him in his arms and comforted him.
Now the scent permeated him even without inhaling. He didn’t mind the feeling of stealing something human from Tae-soo despite not being human himself.
Something crossed Seong-woo’s mind as he buried his face in Tae-soo’s embrace. He raised his face and carefully broached the subject.
“…If it’s a safe place, can I go?”
“Hm?”
Tae-soo’s eyes were meltingly tender as he tilted his head slightly. Seong-woo felt his face heat up but didn’t want to avert his gaze.
“It would be better if… you came with me.”
Because of that tender gaze, shyness crept into his voice despite the simple statement. Fortunately, Tae-soo nodded.
“Yes, let’s go anywhere together from now on. Just say the word.”
The passing kiss was lighter than a deep one but sweet.
***
He had never thought an android’s database would be useful. Unlike humans, memories that must never be forgotten. Most of them were musical knowledge for carrying out missions.
But recently, his database had been filled with something else. It was Yeon Tae-soo.
Storing him in a place that wouldn’t be erased was one of the most human-like things he, who wasn’t human, could do, and it was also the action that deviated most from his intended purpose.
And this database served another minor role.
He still remembered his creator’s residence where he had stayed before.
“We should have examined this place first. If he received investment from Yacheon, there should naturally be evidence…”
“It was too dangerous for that.”
Tae-soo comforted him as he blamed himself.
“Even now, I wouldn’t have come if it wasn’t absolutely necessary.”
It had been quite difficult to persuade him. There was no reason to enter the enemy’s den when investors might be looking for Seong-woo. But Seong-woo’s opinion differed.
‘It’s darkest under the lamp, isn’t it? According to what Popo found out when I sent him last year, it seems to have been abandoned for a long time. They won’t expect me to come in the future. I can be certain of that.’
Tae-soo also thought there was reason in this. The investors had already concluded that Yoo Seong-woo, the prototype of Yoo-hyun, or ‘Yoo,’ was a failure. The reason they were still looking for him wouldn’t be because of Yoo’s ‘functions.’ Therefore, there was a high possibility that they no longer needed the creator or the technology used to make Yoo.
However, since it was still dangerous, several people moved. Just enough security guards remained so Eden wouldn’t appear empty, and the rest were appropriately positioned along the route.
‘As if the uproar caused by your face being revealed wasn’t enough.’
Though he didn’t tell Seong-woo, there was a commotion outside right now. Yoo-hyun, who everyone thought had suddenly disappeared, had appeared beside the war hero Yeon Tae-soo.
Although Kim Ji-heon had silenced the media, the public couldn’t be completely controlled. That made him even more hesitant to go out.
Tae-soo didn’t lower his guard until they entered the building. The house was on a mountain path with almost no people, and the descending path was quite rough, giving him an idea of how difficult it must have been for Seong-woo to leave this place. Even considering the passage of time and the growth of trees and grass, the path was rugged.
When they broke the lock on the closed door and entered, there was a smell of dust. It truly seemed no one had come since Seong-woo left; there was no trace of human touch. Dust was thick on the living room table and sofa.
Seong-woo paused for a moment seeing that sight. Tae-soo wrapped his arm around his shoulders.
“You don’t have to push yourself.”
Seong-woo shook his head.
“Having come this far, we can’t just turn back.”
Fortunately, Seong-woo didn’t seem very tense. His movements were natural as he crossed the living room with large strides and opened the door to a room. If anything, Tae-soo was more nervous and stuck close to him.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
