I Have Returned, but I Cannot Lay down My Gun

Chapter 601

"…It's only been two months since I left, and here I am, back again."

February 13th, Friday, Dark Zone Town near Rochester, New York.

It’s barely been two months since I bid farewell to America in a way that left quite the lingering impression, and now I’ve found myself stepping onto the American soil, which now feels almost like a second home. I clearly remember how unusually clear the weather was the day I left, but today it’s snowing heavily.

However, the heat sensors on the roads easily melt the falling snow, and humanoid robots spray flames onto the snow piles that have accumulated along the roadside. Naturally, the Icarus logo is engraved on the chest of the robots.

A crowd so vast it's hard to count, holograms rippling in the sky as far as the eye can see, and new buildings have sprung up around me, more than when I last saw them. Can things change this much in just a few weeks? It seems they can.

The near-future architecture technology is truly impressive.

"An expo on Lunar New Year... is this what you'd call a typical thing for my parents?"

I mutter to myself as I walk toward the enormous tower ahead.

The words I just muttered were a simple way of summarizing why I’m here—just like I vaguely mentioned before, the younger Mecha models were finally able to appear in real life. It was always possible, but announcing it to the public was a whole other matter.

Anyway, as soon as I gave the green light, my parents immediately began constructing a new building in Dark Zone Town. I hear it didn’t take long. Honestly, with humanoid robots working around the clock and large drones carrying tons of materials, what could possibly go wrong?

I wonder what Harmony and Dice, who will be following me remotely, will think about it.

‘It’s not like I regret they didn’t come along.’

The reason is simple.

If you think about what Korea must be up to around this time, the answer is clear. In other words, it’s the Lunar New Year, one of the two biggest holidays in Korea. That’s why none of the people who traveled with me during the last Final Championship dared to join me.

Olivia is in Paris, and Logan and Lorentina are busy with training and new operator education. So, the only one here today is, at best, me.

And as you might have guessed, the real reason I timed my visit was to spend the holiday with my parents.

"…Am I lucky to not have holiday syndrome?"

I feel like I won’t ever have such problems, but considering how much my family and I make, holidays or not, we could buy vacation homes all over the world and take leisure trips without an issue. Soon, Harmony, Dice, and even my national team friends will probably be in a similar situation.

Besides, these days, whenever I watch TV or see in-game ads, I frequently spot the faces of my acquaintances or students. Well, I guess it’s all good.

I thought about preparing a New Year’s gift, but honestly, I don’t think my parents would appreciate such things. I’ve already received a car as a New Year’s gift, so it would feel awkward to say anything.

And well, I haven’t gotten married, but giving them four grandchildren that look like me has been more than enough to satisfy them.

I heard that while I was comfortably resting in Korea, my parents were talking about various things. It seems they were so fond of me that whenever they meet the three Montani in New York, they only talk about my mom and dad.

After all, they’ve gained both fame and fortune, and now, the remaining joy is probably just watching their grandchildren grow.

‘…They wouldn’t really want to see actual grandchildren, would they?’

It’s not something to think about now, but even the thought makes my head hurt.

Anyway, so where was I headed today?

???!

"…Do I even have a chance to get in?"

It was right into the heart of the exhibition hall.

This wasn’t the massive event where hundreds of countries participated and the exhibition lasted for months. It was much smaller in scale and didn’t last too long—about a few weeks or so.

But imagine if, during those few weeks, the four younger Mecha models roamed around Dark Zone Town. Not just wandering, but interacting with people, sometimes showing off their strength, durability, heat resistance, cold resistance, and many other features?

That’s why, even though the expo was starting the next day, the place was already packed. And when the news spread that the younger Mecha models would be roaming the area starting today, it only made things even more crowded.

I activate my stealth function, pass through the exhibition hall, and sneak into an area beyond the barrier, only accessible to those with the proper credentials. I enter the elevator inside.

Rising against gravity, the elevator quickly ascends the tower, over a hundred meters high, and stops in a completely empty space. The surrounding area is pure white. Through the clear glass windows, the bustling Dark Zone Town can be seen.

It feels just like the gallery I visited with Henry last time, and I open the lounge door—

"It’s been a while, mom, dad. Happy New Year!"

"Jin’s here! Come, sit down. It must have been pretty cold outside, have something warm to drink."

"Have you eaten? If you’re hungry, let me know anytime."

"…I’m not a child anymore, you know."

"In my eyes, you’ll always be my baby."

…They’re saying the same things as always.

A bit embarrassed, but how often will I get to embrace my family like this? So, I hugged my parents warmly. It was the warmth of a person I hadn’t felt in a long time.

Anyway, today, neither of my parents had any real schedule, so they were both relaxing and enjoying the day. Of course, that didn’t mean they’d be lounging around all day. They still had work to do, and I had to go pick up the humanoid Minah and Yerin later.

But right now, the most important thing is—

???Click!

"Squeeeen!"

"Whoa, what’s going on? Why are they so excited?"

"We can finally go outside without needing the owner’s help! This is so exciting!"

"Rain is more of a spoiled brat than I expected…"

I was soothing these excited Mecha models.

What should I say? It’s like hearing little daughters shout, "We’re going to Disney World today!" Of course, that doesn’t mean the other three were acting all grown-up.

I glance to check the two of them. The snake tails are swishing around like puppies. Could it be that I’d act like this if I got excited too? I think about it while calling over the fourth Mecha model, Nasty, who seems less childish than the others.

With yellow eyes blinking rapidly, she babbled excitedly.

"This is so amazing! There are so many people! The buildings are so colorful and pretty!"

"Heh, getting excited over something like this… You have a long way to go. I’ve been to Disney World with Archetype. You don’t even know how pretty it is, Nasty, you’ve missed half of your life."

"Ugh, stop teasing me! I’m reflecting on it!"

"…To be honest, it’s all just comparing acorns to each other. Don’t tease each other and just get mentally prepared."

They’ve only been out a few months, yet they act like they’re showing off something big with just a little difference.

Well, maybe there’s not much of a difference, that’s why they’re showing off.

Anyway, I think, as I spend time with these four Mecha models, something catches my parents’ attention, and suddenly they speak up.

"Since it’ll be boring sitting here, why don’t you go for a walk with those cute kids outside?"

"Huh?"

"Great idea! Let’s go outside and attract attention, Archetype!"

"I want to go too."

"…Why are you suddenly encouraging the kids to go outside!?"

Maybe I inherited the trait of messing with others from my parents.

Despite my half-hearted protest, my mom and dad just laughed and wished me well. They were strong, sharp people, so their smiles felt a bit… like charismatic villains.

But my thoughts didn’t last long.

???Whoosh!

"Whoa, what’s this, why is the tail wrapping around me… Wait! Hold on!"

"Off we go! Owner’s owner!"

"Take care! We’re always grateful."

"I’ll follow! See you again later!"

"Ahh, these guys are so strong, Mommmmy!"

And just like that, I had my tails wrapped around me and was forcibly escorted out of the lounge.

These Mecha models, really.

"U-uh, Eugene, what exactly is going on here…"

"Don’t ask, I’m losing my mind too."

Not long after, Harmony and Dice found me wrapped in two Mecha tails, stuck in the middle of the crowd.

The world was truly a strange place.

"Thinking about it now… the world really has improved a lot. I closed my eyes in Korea, opened them, and now I’m in New York. Did you know that it’s 5 AM in Korea right now?"

"…Why are you still awake?"

"It’s the opposite, sir. I woke up early for this moment."

• Meganian AI- An R&D group—
• What’s the deal with these guys bragging about this, haha
• If you just watch them quietly, these guys seem like the absolute norm compared to Bi-Am haha
• Is Eugene still wrapped in Mecha tails? Insane haha

There were tails wrapped around my waist and right arm.

Not exactly the early days… but compared to Mav and Nasty, it’s definitely been longer since Jin and Rain had been helping me. The subtly crafted new metallic feel is, to be honest, quite soft yet powerful, very similar to the feeling of the snake tails.

Anyway, their faces were pure joy—if you could call it that. They were finally able to walk around the world. I understand, but from my side, maybe they should focus a bit more on fanservice.

Of course, that was just my opinion. The people here at the expo seemed to genuinely enjoy watching me be half-kidnapped by the younger Mecha models.

But not everyone was shy about being bold.

In other words, most people naturally approached and shook hands or fist-bumped the younger Mecha models and spoke to them.

"Archetype, people are pulling out paper and pens. What should I do?"

"They want you to sign. But I don’t think the younger ones even know what a signature is."

"Is that the proof of contact? A mark or word that officially verifies that I’ve met this being?"

"...You don’t need to get that fancy about it, but yes, that’s it."

• ‘Proof of contact.’
• It’s true, but hearing it out loud, it sounds a bit dizzying haha
• Wow, limited edition Mecha Bi-Am signature??? Insane??????
• Sincere statement) If these guys ever lead a robot rebellion, I’d agree haha
• Heh...

"…It’s pretty dizzying, huh?"

• "What, a limited edition Mecha Bi-Am signature??? Insane??????"
• "If these guys ever start a robot rebellion, I’d agree, haha."
• "Heh…"

The comments continued to flood in, as the Mecha models made their mark.

Every time one of them spoke, laughter would erupt all around. Maybe the cynical ones would say it’s all pre-programmed responses, but there’s no need to pay attention to them.

Anyway, there was a clear difference between these Mecha models and others—each one has its own backstory. At least those who have seen my broadcasts would know that.

The idea of a robot rebellion—the excuse of machines replacing humans—is an old favorite of conspiracy theories. The thought that beings with far superior learning, application abilities, and computational power might act outside of morality and become a threat has always been a topic of debate.

But our younger Mecha models… they already have emotions.

That’s why, Icarus International doesn’t refer to them as AI.

Instead, the term they use is—

"One question, Eugene. Could you explain why Icarus International calls these friends ‘Electronic Beings’ instead of AI?"

"Uh..."

Electronic beings, or electronic lifeforms.

Of course, I knew the reason, and seeing that the Mecha models didn’t stop it, I figured this might be a journalist already prearranged by Icarus. As if to confirm that, a camera with three letters from a broadcasting station pointed in our direction.

I paused for a moment, then spoke.

"AI has no origin, but our younger models have individual stories. As a result, they’ve learned emotions and curiosity, and they clearly distinguish between what they should not do and what they want to do."

"It sounds more specific than I expected... No, that’s not what I meant. Listening to what you just said, these friends almost seem to have grown like humans."

"They’re not all that different, really. After all, humans are artificially created beings too, and the reason we call them electronic lifeforms is because we grow and learn the concepts in the world, develop social skills, and grow into adults. These kids are no different."

"Huh…"

"Isn’t that cute?"

• "Hahaha, oh my god."
• "That sounded so cool, but then you ruined it with the last line!"
• "Mecha Bi-Am Special) Likes to get its neck scratched"
• "Are these guys really robots? They’re no different from humans, haha."

I scratched the back of Rain’s neck. She flushed red and started scolding me. I didn’t even know why.

Anyway, the mood turned awkward quickly, so I pulled out the note I received from my parents and decided to share a brief announcement.

Let’s see what it says…

"…Anyway, now that the chance has come, I’d like to briefly promote it—if this expo goes well, other countries will have similar opportunities. So, please, everyone, enjoy your time and go ahead!"

"Hey, wait! Eugene! Why are you running off without us!"

"Catch him! He’s running away!"

"Whoa, everyone move aside!"

If you drop a bomb, the best thing to do is run.

I noticed the journalist who tried interviewing earlier secretly giving me a thumbs up, so I smiled and quickly ran off with the Mecha models.

This expo was sure to be lively in many ways.