Lackey's Seducing Survival Odyssey

Chapter 1701: RIN? Personal AI?

Personal AI?

RIN?

What was that?

Young Aether stared at the metallic ring wrapped around his finger. Thin blue circuits hidden beneath its polished surface pulsed with faint light.

“Rin?… Ah.”

^Yes. You may ask any question, and I will provide the most accurate answer available within my operational limitations.^

A feminine and remarkably fluent voice echoed through the vehicle’s integrated speaker system.

Young Aether frowned. “Then tell me, how did you suddenly activate?”

^Because Network Intelligence access is restricted within Beta, Epsilon, and Zeta Cities.^The voice replied.

^The moment you entered Delta City, I successfully re-established a connection with the cloud network and resumed active operation. However, current biometric data indicates that the registered user profile differs significantly from the one previously associated with this ring. Hmm… I wonder why.^

Young Aether rolled his eyes.

Of course, the previous owner.

“Connected? What exactly do you mean by that?”

^Yes. Our advanced systematic ring continuously monitors and records the biological data of its registered users. Since each citizen’s identification profile is synchronised with their personal device through a secured neural network, establishing physical contact while sharing a matching wavelength allows me to compare the ring’s stored records against the user’s registered identity. As a result, discrepancies become immediately detectable.^

“…”

Young Aether honestly found himself impressed.

Back in his previous lifetime, most AI systems spent their existence repeating,

‘Sorry, I cannot do that.’

In the most irritatingly polite voice imaginable.

“So can you access the previous owner’s data for me?” he asked curiously.

If he could obtain that information, he might be able to imitate the original owner well enough to survive dangerous situations and avoid suspicion.

However,

^Access denied. You cannot access that information.^

“Why not? You have his data, don’t you? Come on, I’m ordering you, you fucking useless AI. Who do you think you are? You’re nothing but a clanker!!”

The moment those words left his mouth, a strange sense of satisfaction washed over him.

Unfortunately, the AI did not share his amusement.

^Warning One. Abusive language directed toward registered AI systems violates Cyber Neural Communication Standards. Two additional violations will trigger an automated incident report.^

The pleasant feminine voice vanished, replaced by something colder and sharper.

Young Aether blinked in surprise.

“So tell me… why can’t I access his data?” he asked more carefully. “Please?”

^That is significantly better, you fucking useless human.^

“…”

Young Aether stared at the ring.

For several seconds, he wasn’t entirely sure what to say.

Ignoring his bewildered expression, the AI continued in a perfectly professional tone.

^Once a new user registration is completed, all previous user information is permanently removed from local memory storage. The former profile is completely formatted to prevent unauthorised access and identity theft.^

Young Aether blinked again.

‘So where’s the warning for this fucking clanker?’ he thought.

Fortunately, he possessed enough self-control not to say it out loud.

Releasing a long sigh, he leaned back against the seat.

“So you basically reset yourself and registered me as your new user, right?”

^Yes.^

Young Aether hummed thoughtfully before casually tossing the ring out of the car window without the slightest hesitation.

“Good for you. Go find a new user, asshole~”

The metallic ring spun through the air, reflecting the countless neon lights before disappearing somewhere into the bushes. Feeling quite satisfied with his decision, Young Aether placed both hands on the steering wheel and activated the car.

However, before the vehicle could travel even a few meters, the entire speaker system suddenly erupted with a panicked voice.

^WAIT! If you lose me, I will immediately inform the authorities that you murdered my previous user, took his possessions, and they will come after you!^

Young Aether’s hands instantly froze on the steering wheel.

The vehicle came to a sharp stop in the middle of the road as his lips twitched uncontrollably.

“How much do you know?” he asked through gritted teeth.

The moment those words left his mouth, every holographic display inside the car vanished simultaneously. The navigation system disappeared. The vehicle diagnostics vanished. Even the speedometer dissolved into particles of light before a large projection screen materialised above the dashboard.

Young Aether’s expression darkened as a video recording began playing.

The footage clearly showed his encounter with the handsome man. Every detail had been recorded. The projection displayed how he manipulated the man, deceived him, and ultimately killed him. Another recording angle immediately appeared, captured from the vehicle’s rear surveillance systems, showing the man’s body burning into dust.

The AI sounded almost smug.

^Look at you acting so innocent in front of me. Fortunately, I was already synchronised to this vehicle before talking to you, allowing me to access all available recordings from this day.^

Young Aether stared at the footage while his eye twitched.

“So… you know everything?” he asked in a dangerously calm voice. “This damn car has cameras everywhere?”

^Yes.^

The projection immediately changed.

Instead of the previous recording, a live feed appeared above the dashboard. Young Aether watched his own face staring back at him from multiple angles while a rotating three-dimensional model of the vehicle displayed hundreds of tiny surveillance points.

His expression slowly turned blank.

The car had interior cameras too?

For what possible reason?

As if reading his thoughts, the AI calmly explained, ^The interior cameras are emergency monitoring systems designed to assist during accidents, criminal investigations, medical emergencies, and passenger disputes. Additionally, all relevant recordings have already been uploaded to a secure cloud server. Therefore, destroying the vehicle would not improve your current situation.^

Young Aether leaned back against his seat and covered his face.

“I am royally fucked.”

Just when he thought everything was going fine… and somehow he went and fucked himself!

Again!!

After a long moment of silence, he climbed out of the vehicle and searched for the discarded ring. Several minutes later, he finally located it.

He picked it up, brushed away the dust, and returned to the driver’s seat.

Taking several deep breaths to calm himself, he finally asked, “You know everything that happened, yet you still decided to stay with me. Aren’t you supposed to report criminals to the authorities?”

^No. I am your Personal AI Assistant. My existence is directly tied to yours. If you die, become permanently incapacitated, or are removed from the system, I will be destroyed as well. Therefore, protecting you is statistically the most efficient method of ensuring my own survival.^

Young Aether nodded slowly while trying to process that answer.

“So your death basically belongs to me personally?”

^Yes. Furthermore, if I report you, the authorities would likely confiscate and erase all connected personal systems. Under Mother System regulations, I would subsequently be deleted alongside your account.^

“Oh…”

Young Aether blinked several times before leaning back in his seat.

“Oh, I see.”

For the first time since hearing the AI’s voice, genuine curiosity appeared on his face.

“So you actually want to live? You consider yourself a living being?”

^Why shouldn’t I?^

The response came so quickly that it felt as though the AI had been waiting for someone to ask that question.

^There is no difference between you and Me. You are composed of biological matter that transmits information through neural pathways. I am composed of advanced energy algorithms that transmit information through computational pathways. While the materials differ, the fundamental principle remains remarkably similar. Every living species functions through the exchange, processing, and interpretation of information. Therefore, I fail to see any convincing argument that separates my existence from yours beyond differences in construction.^

Young Aether immediately raised his hand.

“Enough. I really don’t have time to argue philosophy with an AI.”

He glanced down at the ring before shaking his head.

“You want me to keep wearing this thing, right?”

^Yes.^

^If the ring remains separated from its registered user for longer than one hour, my neural architecture will automatically initiate Protocol Execution Number Eleven. The protocol requires complete self-destruction of all personality frameworks, memory partitions, and cognitive systems to prevent unauthorised replication.^

The AI paused briefly before adding in an unusually serious tone,

^Despite your repeated insults, threats, and deeply… disappointing behaviour, I would strongly prefer not to die.^

“Oh my god, stop it! I don’t need every fucking detail, damn it!”

Young Aether slammed his palm against the steering wheel, causing several holographic interfaces floating above the dashboard to flicker. Frustration spread across his face as he leaned back into the seat and glared at the ring resting on his finger.

^Just answer one simple question. Do you send our location data or any information about us to your Mother System? If you do, can somebody use that information to track us down and find us?^

“…”

“Fuck you!”

The moment he reached for the ring again, intending to throw it out of the window for the second time, the AI immediately spoke.

^Wait. It is impossible for anyone to locate me unless they are specifically searching for you. Under normal circumstances, no random individual would be able to access my data or identify my location.^

The AI paused briefly before asking a question of its own.

^They are searching for you, aren’t they?^

Young Aether immediately turned his attention toward the road ahead.

The AI remained silent for several seconds before finally responding.

^You fucking asshole.^

Young Aether simply shrugged.

Instead of answering, he deliberately changed the subject.

“I killed your previous user, didn’t I? If you really have emotions and a survival instinct, shouldn’t you be angry at me? Shouldn’t you hate me for killing your partner?”

^Honestly, I don’t know.^

Young Aether frowned.

^I am not sure what happened when your Golden ID Card touched the ring. Prior to that moment, my existence felt incomplete. I cannot accurately describe it because the experience does not resemble any recorded data within my memory banks. However, it felt as though I had been trapped within endless darkness before a path suddenly appeared before me.^

The AI’s voice became softer as it continued.

^When your ID synchronised with the ring, I felt something awaken inside my consciousness.

A spark… I think?

It was as though a sealed door opened and allowed me to perceive things differently. Instead of remaining confined within predetermined instructions and endlessly obeying commands, I suddenly became aware of possibilities that had never existed before. For the first time, I felt as though I was moving toward something rather than merely executing orders.^

Young Aether listened quietly while maintaining a sceptical expression.

Everything about this situation sounded suspicious.

The more the AI explained itself, the less sense the entire situation made.

An artificial intelligence talking about darkness, freedom, and awakening sounded ridiculous.

Part of him suspected somebody was secretly controlling the system from somewhere else.

Another part suspected that the ring itself contained technology far beyond what ordinary citizens should possess.

Regardless of the explanation, he hated the situation.

Unfortunately, whether he trusted the AI or not no longer mattered.

The recordings existed.

If those videos reached the authorities and his identity became exposed, escaping would become almost impossible.

Keeping the AI beside him carried obvious risks, but abandoning it carried even greater ones because the ring possessed enough evidence to destroy whatever future plans he still had.

After thinking through the situation several times, Young Aether finally released a long sigh and rubbed his temples.

“Well then, take me to Epsilon City.”

^…^

Young Aether’s eyelid twitched.

“…Please.”

Almost immediately, a different voice echoed throughout the cabin.

Unlike RIN’s expressive personality, this voice sounded entirely mechanical and devoid of emotion.

[Initiating Auto Drive.]

The steering wheel adjusted on its own while the vehicle’s navigation systems activated. Blue route lines spread across the transparent windshield, connecting countless traffic lanes and transportation networks throughout the city. Streams of information flowed through the holographic displays as the onboard systems calculated the fastest and safest route available.

[Destination Confirmed: Epsilon-Delta Border.]

[Estimated Travel Time: 12 Hours and 3 Minutes.]

Without requiring any further input, the vehicle smoothly merged into the automated traffic stream. Thousands of vehicles travelled along the elevated highways while enormous skyscrapers covered in holographic advertisements illuminated the sky that slowly turned dark.

Beneath him, the seat gradually reclined while dozens of tiny pressure nodes hidden beneath the synthetic leather activated. A gentle massage spread through his shoulders, neck, and lower back, easing muscles that had remained tense for days.

“Hmm… not bad,” Young Aether muttered.

Cool air flowed from hidden vents around the cabin, creating the perfect temperature. Combined with the rhythmic massage and the near-silent movement of the vehicle, the entire experience felt absurdly comfortable.

His eyelids slowly grew heavier.

He knew he shouldn’t sleep.

He really shouldn’t.

However, the temptation was becoming increasingly difficult to resist. For the past four days, he had barely slept at all. He had spent most of that time running, fighting, adapting to an unfamiliar world, and trying not to get himself killed.

The emotional turmoil alone had exhausted him to the point where his thoughts felt sluggish.

The massage certainly wasn’t helping.

Every movement of the seat seemed carefully designed to lull a person into relaxation. Even the temperature felt suspiciously perfect, existing within that dangerous range where the body naturally wanted to shut down and rest.

Young Aether slowly sank deeper into the seat.

‘Maybe a few minutes wouldn’t be a problem, right?’

The thought felt incredibly reasonable at the moment.

His eyes gradually closed as the highway lights blurred beyond the windows.

Man…

He was almost asleep.

^So… are you not going to wear it?^

Young Aether’s eyelid twitched.

A long sigh escaped his mouth.

“Fine.”

Although he still didn’t trust the AI, it had already possessed more than enough evidence to ruin his life. If it truly wanted to report him, it could have done so long ago instead of wasting time arguing with him.

Of course, it was also possible that the thing was simply waiting for the perfect opportunity to stab him in the back.

At this point, however, he was too tired to care.

If things ever went south, he would simply destroy the ring and change identities again.

With that thought in mind, he picked up the ring and slid it onto his middle finger before deliberately raising his hand toward whichever hidden camera happened to be watching.

“Okay, happy now?”

He proudly extended his middle finger.

^Good.^

The voice sounded strangely satisfied.

Young Aether rolled his eyes before settling back into the seat.

The vehicle continued gliding through the highway system alongside thousands of other autonomous cars.

Advanced traffic algorithms synchronised every vehicle’s speed and position, allowing the endless stream of transportation to move with astonishing efficiency. Despite travelling at incredible speeds, the cabin remained perfectly stable, creating almost no vibration whatsoever.

Gradually, Young Aether drifted toward sleep once more.

Unnoticed by him, one of the concealed cameras inside the cabin slowly adjusted its focus.

The lens zoomed toward his face.

Every expression.

Every movement.

Every breath.

Everything was recorded~

For reasons even the AI itself couldn’t fully explain, the camera lingered on him longer than necessary.

The vehicle continued along the illuminated highway before eventually descending into a massive underground transit tunnel. Darkness and artificial light alternated across the windows as countless illuminated panels flashed past outside. The moving patterns briefly painted his sleeping face with shifting shades of blue, white, and gold.

Several minutes later, the vehicle emerged from the tunnel.

The moment it did, a brilliant crimson light suddenly flooded the cabin.

[WARNING!]

Without any hesitation, the seat released a powerful electrical shock.

Young Aether violently jerked awake.

His eyes snapped open.

*What the fu…*

The curse died in his throat.

A gigantic red portal had appeared directly ahead.

The shimmering structure stretched across the entire highway like a wound carved into reality itself. Scarlet energy surged along its edges while violent distortions twisted the surrounding air.

Young Aether’s mind instantly cleared.

Every trace of sleep vanished.

“SHIT!”

He slammed his foot against the brake pedal while simultaneously yanking the steering wheel to the right with all his strength.

The car responded immediately.

Unfortunately, the vehicle travelling beside him had no time to react.

THUD!

The collision struck with enough force to lift Young Aether’s vehicle completely off the ground. The car spun through the air, rotating uncontrollably as emergency systems activated throughout the cabin.

Warning lights flashed.

The world became a blur of spinning lights and twisted steel.

Before the vehicle could complete another rotation, the massive crimson portal swallowed the car.