Chapter 196: The Uncanny Test

An android was one of the most impressive engineering designs to have been created by the human mind. Or at the very least that was how the average person thought.

While humanity had created mechas of all shapes and sizes contributing to the war effort, they had also created humanlike personal assistants that would grant the wishes of their owners for as long as it didn’t put a human’s life at risk.

Varying prices indicated different purposes. For instance, there were ones that lacked any resemblance of human appearance; with the exception of having similar stature, they were mostly used for industrial purposes, replacing cheap labor.

There also was a rise in the popularity of a certain type of android, one with soft skin and the ability to emulate human-like features, making them almost indistinguishable from real people. Despite them being much pricier than the industrial models, these androids were more popular.

It wasn’t surprising that a stunning creation, capable of mimicking nearly every human function while being programmed to serve its owner, became a market sensation. Some economists even argue that the rise of these robots has contributed to declining birthrates in certain regions more than any war ever could.

Regardless of what purpose they were used for, though, they all bore one similarity. They appeared human on the outside while remaining robots on the inside.

“…”

That was why Michael had always avoided interacting with androids. Despite their usefulness, he found them unsettling due to the uncanny valley they give off.

But now, all of that had come to nothing. There he was, standing in front of the room he had rented, with an android patiently waiting.

“You have to be kidding me.” He muttered in dejection.

He and Richard had decided to order food to regain their strength, but Michael hadn’t expected the room service to be delivered by an android.

[Good evening, esteemed guest.]

The android said respectfully, pushing the tray of food toward him.

[I have come to deliver your order. May you find our food to your satisfaction level.]

After a quick bow, it continued.

[If you don’t have any further requests, I shall take my leave.]

Michael didn’t respond, his gaze fixed on the android instead. It had the appearance of a woman, with certain ’enhanced’ features. It wasn’t hard to imagine that the AI was designed to offer specific kinds of services that some men would find hard to resist.

“I have a request.”

Just as the android turned to leave, Michael’s words halted it in place.

[Of course.]

An artificial smile spread over the android’s face.

[You may ask any question. Additionally, if you desire further services, you will be charged in advance.]

“Don’t move.”

Michael said coldly, getting closer.

Abruptly he released his killing aura, his eyes growing crimson. His body tensed to an unbelievable level as he gathered the strength in his left arm before he punched forward.

Swosh!

Stopping before his fist collided with the android’s face, a powerful wind kicked up from the force of his punch, sending dust swirling through the hallway.

“…”

Retracting his hand, Michael studied the face of the robot.

’No indication of self-preservation, nor any trace of disobedience.’ He analyzed coldly.

“You are free.” He said a second later, allowing the android to retreat.

“B—Boss?! Are we under attack?!” Richard shouted from beyond the bathroom. The Grandmaster had been busy showering until he almost got a heart attack, startled by Michael’s aura.

“Don’t worry, they just delivered our food.” Michael answered, bringing the tray inside.

What he had done was check for any signs of conscience from the AI.

’It almost slipped my mind. Venus was where the AI uprising happened. If that’s really the case, then they’re probably behind the disappearances…’ He heaved a sigh.

The AI uprising was supposed to happen much later. But given how much his actions had already altered the future, he decided to treat this as yet another shift in history.

However, there was a catch. While he knew from his previous life that the uprising would happen on Venus, he didn’t know the specifics. Back then, he had been caught up in other matters and never got the chance to learn the root cause of the rebellion.

As for how it ended, it was rather lackluster. The AI and human forces fought with everything they had, only for the aliens to arrive, wipe out both sides, already exhausted from the conflict, and seize control of the planet. Burying any trace of what had caused the AI to turn against humanity.

’I have Bypasser, it will prove immensely useful. But despite becoming many times stronger than the last time I used it, it’s still a Mythic technique. Abusing it is out of the question…’ He thought, a plan forming.

Soon after, Richard finished his bath, and the crew gathered in their room. The reason for the large tray of food was because they were going to eat together while brainstorming a plan of action.

“Anybody got ideas?” Victoria asked, shifting her blonde hair to the side, which seemed especially lustrous today. The benefits of the special minerals clearly worked.

“To be honest, I think this is all overreacting on our part.” Enzo said, his mouth full with food. “I mean, think about it. With Venus being in a dire situation, the civilians must be creating rumors to shift their attention from the losing war.”

“What about the cases of disappearances then?” Claire arched an eyebrow. Her question caused Enzo to go silent, clearly not having thought about that.

“Must be the work of gangs or something.” Richard suggested.

As the crew exchanged varying ideas, Victoria noticed that Michael was unusually quiet, eating his food unbothered.

“Do you have an idea or suspicion of what caused the disappearances?” She asked.

“I figured it out.” Michael shrugged nonchalantly.

“Wait… what? This fast? But we haven’t even investigated anything yet, and you have arrived at a conclusion?”

Michael nodded calmly. It was true that aside from the aliens that ravaged the planet, they also had to deal with an AI uprising while not knowing much about their capabilities or goals.

But that was for tomorrow morning. This evening dinner took priority.

Nobody was liberating a planet on an empty stomach after all…

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep