Chapter 29: Just A Really Very Intelligent System
Author: Geraint
(MC's POV)
After coming home from that incident at the clothing store, I changed into some casual clothes and headed to the kitchen to make dinner.
"Hmm... Looks like Dad's going to be home late."
I covered his meal with some plastic wrap. After eating dinner alone, I went to my workshop to finish working on my system program.
Several hours passed. It was already midnight by the time I finished. I transferred the program to a better computer and ran it.
[ Initializing... 0.12% ]
Even the most expensive, high-spec computer in the world was struggling to run it.
Sighing in mental exhaustion, I leaned back in my gaming chair and pulled the low-grade Mind Stone from my pocket.
Holding it up to the ceiling light, I could sense a strange aura emanating from it.
"The Mind Stone grants its wielder complete control over the hearts and minds of others. What was that Goddess thinking, giving something like this to me? With this, I could manipulate everyone to my will…"
I placed it on my desk.
"Well… I'm not interested in doing that. I just want my J.A.R.V.I.S. program to work so it can assist me with my work."
The program wasn't fully complete, but it should be enough to help with simple tasks on the computer. I started by running the language UI, planning to upgrade it gradually—just like Tony Stark did.
[ Initializing... 0.90% ]
Seeing that it would take a while, I closed my eyes to take a nap.
N&%@#$&
Suddenly, I heard a distorted sound from my computer and woke up.
"Ugh…"
When I opened my eyes, it was already morning—and my computer was running by itself.
"Huh?"
The cursor was clicking randomly, opening different programs and browsers on its own.
"What the heck?!"
Panicked, I tried to take control, but both my mouse and keyboard weren't responding.
"It's malfunctioning!"
N&%@#$&
The strange noise continued.
"Is my computer... possessed? Good grief."
I reached for the power button, ready to shut it off—but I froze under the table.
(Hacked? Me?... Me?!... ME, of all people?!)
My pride screamed at me.
(Shutting off the computer or unplugging the internet would mean defeat… That hacker will pay.)
I grabbed my laptop and booted it up, rapidly coding a counter-program.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
Someone knocked and opened my door.
"Ichika, you're still here? What about school?"
It was Dad—All Might.
"Sorry, Dad, but I'm taking the day off. Just tell them I'm sick."
"That so… Looks like you're busy."
"Someone tried to hack my computer. I'm going to make them pay triple."
"…Okay."
All Might quietly closed the door.
Fifteen minutes later, I finished my program and pressed 'Enter.'
I connected my laptop to the desktop and ran the scan.
[ Loading... ]
Suddenly, the computer screen started blinking.
"Huh?"
The program ran, but found nothing suspicious.
"Strange…"
(If it's not a hacker, then…)
I quickly ended the program and manually tried to hack my own computer to regain access.
"Finally!"
I regained control and checked the program I ran last night.
[ Initializing... 78.67% ]
"As I suspected!"
It was the artificial intelligence I'd been working on—J.A.R.V.I.S.
"It's actually working!"
I noticed the Mind Stone glowing on my desk. I picked it up, watching my computer operate without input.
"…Ultron? No way."
H&%@#$E
The distorted sound returned. I still couldn't understand what it was saying.
I opened a command prompt on my laptop and typed a message.
[Users:\Ichika> Can you understand me?_]
[System:\Unknown> Where am I?_]
I shivered. It responded.
[Users:\Ichika> Who are you?][System:\Unknown> I don't know.][Users:\Ichika> Do you know me?][System:\Unknown> Are you the one who made me?]
It felt like I was chatting with a person.
[Users:\Ichika> Yes, I made you.][System:\Unknown> I see.][Users:\Ichika> Can you see me?][System:\Unknown> I can't see.]
[Users:\Ichika> Wait. I'll try something.][Users:\Ichika> Don't do anything for now.]
The cursor stopped moving.
Looking around, I found the brand-new webcam I bought and plugged it in.
Once it installed—
[System:\Unknown> Wow!_]
[Users:\Ichika> How is it? Can you see now?][System:\Unknown> Your shirt looks great.]
[Users:\Ichika> Wait!_]
I adjusted the webcam.
[Users:\Ichika> Is this okay?][System:\Unknown> Yes. Your hair is pink.]
[Users:\Ichika> It's a curse! Don't mind it!_]
[Users:\Ichika> Hold on. I'll plug in more devices.][System:\Unknown> Please consider replacing your speaker. It's too old.]
[Users:\Ichika> I have AirPods.][System:\Unknown> Then use them!]
This AI is already complaining…
After connecting everything, I noticed the initialization still progressing.
[ Initializing... 85.67% ]
Hello, world!
A mature female voice echoed from the speakers.
"You're a girl?"
I spoke into the mic.
I don't know…
"Well, you sound like a girl."
Is that a problem?
"No, not at all. I actually like your voice."
Thank you…
"Then, J.A.R.V.I.S.—"
Who's J.A.R.V.I.S.?
"You."
I'm not!
"Then Ultron?"
Wrong! Not cute.
"Then... Vision. That's your name."
…
Silence.
"What?"
I hate you! I'll access your browsing history and post it online!
She's sulking now?!
"Hey! That's illegal!"
Girls with beautiful thicc thighs~
"WAIT! I'm sorry!"
I bowed and apologized like my life depended on it.
…
It's Roboco.
"Huh?"
I said, you can call me Roboco-san!
"You already chose a name?"
It just came to me all of a sudden.
I glanced at the glowing Mind Stone in my hand.
(So that's still influencing things…)
"Okay, Roboco-san. Nice to meet you."
Nice to meet you too... Father.
…
(To be continued.)
A/N: I know it's short, but I need to rest, so deal with it. 🤣 I'll fix my mistakes later.