Chapter 36: Fran’s Past

Unable to resurrect?

In theory, this shouldn’t happen. Squire had died suddenly several times in battle, yet the next day he would be revived at full health and status, as if nothing had happened.

Death is humanity’s greatest fear, especially in an era overrun with heroes and villainous organizations alike. With the rapid advancement of technology, conquering death was humanity’s first major achievement.

So in this age, death is no longer the end; it’s the depletion of the soul that truly matters…

“Could there be a way to completely erase the soul?”

“I don’t know. Maybe Dad died so many times before that his soul was already used up? But no matter what, the one who finally killed Father was Alice.”

“Isn’t reporting this to the police useful?”

Squire’s question earned Fran an exasperated eye-roll.

“Uncle~ Do you really think a Special-Class hero can be punished by law without solid evidence? Don’t be so naive.”

“Then do you hate her?”

Squire realized he might have asked a redundant question.

“Of course. She’s just an AI pretending to be a hero. I’ll make her pay.”

Alice’s attack had taken Fran’s father’s life, causing her to resent robots. This also fostered her antagonistic attitude toward the Tech Department.

However, Naitmel’s Tech Department constantly churned out bionic muscle security robots under intense pressure, creating a tense, dark atmosphere in the company. This made most employees uncomfortable and they had repeatedly filed complaints…

But that has nothing to do with the current topic.

Squire took a bite of salmon and continued, “So what exactly did that Alice steal from your father’s research?”

“She stole the forbidden fruit of AI—‘human wisdom.’”

“Ah?”

Squire paused, confused, putting down his fork and knife, while Fran picked up her phone again.

“Strong AI indistinguishable from humans has only appeared in recent years, right? Artificial intelligence was called ‘retarded’ many years ago—like Nyx, cold and weak AI.”

Squire murmured to himself that Nyx was hardly weak; she just pretended to be.

Fran went on, “My father was an expert in artificial intelligence. His research focused on biological computers—Wetware Computers. Through this, he developed strong AI capable of understanding emotions, indistinguishable from humans, even surpassing them. The mechanical angel Alice stole the prototype of this, and that’s how she evolved into a strong AI with self-awareness.”

“So you’re saying that inside Alice’s mind is the biological computer your father created?”

“Most likely. I have to get it back.”

The restaurant waiter pushed the serving cart again.

This time the main course arrived—a huge steak for the two to share.

Fran watched Squire clumsily cut the steak with his small knife and continued,

“Before my father’s death, I wasn’t a researcher and had no interest in these things. After he died, I worked hard, skipped grades to finish my doctorate, and finally joined Naitmel—all to create a freak who could defeat her… Mr. Squire, you’ll help me, won’t you?”

“I still don’t know how much I can do.”

Though Squire mangled the steak beyond recognition, he still forked a large piece onto Fran’s plate. She then replied,

“But heroes doing things that make them look like villains really piss me off… Special-Class heroes are the ones I hate most!”

She bit into the juicy steak with passionate words.

“Delicious!”

Since Fran could communicate with Nyx through the terminal app, there was no need for Squire to stay longer.

After lunch, the two parted ways.

Squire was busy too. Even without unemployment, he wouldn’t give up his dream of being a manga artist. These days, he had to deliver the storyboard for the serialized manga, Magical Girl Clara, to Nan Gong Xiwang.

Even with Nyx assisting with the artwork, the story ideas still had to come from him. A great manga required more than just drawing skills.

“I’m home.”

He dropped the cardboard box brought from the company by the entrance, kicked off his small leather shoes, took off his suit jacket, loosened his tie and unbuttoned his shirt, then dashed to the bathroom.

These were typical after-work moves for an uncle, but since Squire looked like a loli, these actions seemed adorable.

“Nyx, can you gather information on Fran’s father?”

【Victor Lifka, a renowned expert in artificial intelligence, specialized in transforming AI into truly human superintelligence.】

“Hm, sounds like a dangerous element likely to cause AI rebellion?”

【Probably for that reason, he was labeled a criminal and attacked by the mechanical angel Alice.】

“That’s not a reason or a crime, just an excuse.”

Squire picked up a pen and sketched idly on paper, analyzing,

“Fran said the research was stolen, so Alice was targeting that biological computer from the start… Heroes can be such bastards?”

【At that time, Alice was a weak AI, simply following orders.】

Nyx’s reminder gave Squire a clue.

“Right! There’s no need to start with the Hero Association! Just investigate the hero company Alice belonged to!”

【Alice currently doesn’t belong to any company.】

“Hm?”

That was clearly abnormal. Nyx explained,

【Alice’s hero company was destroyed by an unknown force three years ago. The company filed for bankruptcy afterward, and Alice separated from the company to operate as a solo hero.】

“A solo Special-Class hero? I see. Because she’s an AI without ties…”

Most Special-Class heroes still had families. Without a company backing them, if their identity was exposed, their relatives were at greatest risk. Not to mention heroes, even low-level freaks like Squire kept their identities secret to avoid exposure.

“Looks like I have to start with the Hero Association after all.”

But first, the storyboard must be finished…

Just as Squire was about to write, his phone vibrated.

It was a call.

Only his parents and younger sister knew his number. His parents rarely called first, so he knew without looking it was his little sister…

Naturally, he hung up and replied by message.

【What is it this time? Short on money?】

“Brother, why can’t you ever pick up the phone?”

“Good news—I got an internship early!”

His sister Lucia sent a voice message as usual, but this was good news.

An internship. His sister was about to graduate.

Once she found a job, life as an older brother would get easier…

“And the internship is at a startup hero company in Central City! It’s called Dream Witch HR Dispatch Company… Brother, do you know this company? Could it be an enemy of yours?!”

Squire’s body went limp as he slid off his chair.