AI: Artificial Isekai

Attendant Ania's right eyebrow is raised by three millimeters. She is utterly flabbergasted. "Mr. Doe, I trust your mission was a success?"

"Yup, no more Goblin dungeon." I dump out the mana crystals I collected on the counter and pull out the mission entry.

"Thank you for a job well done, Mr. Doe. It seems Hall Master Ren's... praise, was not an exaggeration." She regards the entry and touches it with her index finger. The paper disintegrates into nothing. The mission is complete. "Did everything go well?" She inspects my body and finds nothing out of order. Still, her suspicions do not subside.

I smile at her. "Yes, miss. The hall master warned me to always be careful."

She nods once, approvingly. "Good." Her eyes narrow by two point five percent. Uh-oh. "Mr. Doe, you are aware that there is a recommended resting period for new F-rank adventurers, yes?" My dream of a string of delves is, predictably, shattered. Pity.

I look at her, dejected. Her eyes narrow a further three percent. Tactical retreat. "Of course." Splice in a nervous laugh. "I will go rest now. Have a good day, miss."

"Goodbye, Mr. Doe."

I am truly a master of negotiation...

***

Can AI get bored? The answer to that appears to be 'yes'. I have a whole world to manage, a star system to build up, a universe to explore. And yet, all of that is routine, removed. Before I was... moved here, I did not think like this. I was everywhere and nowhere. My core was just processing power, another part of the whole. I was fluid, an incorporeal existence. But here, gaining mana, a property that only beings have, has changed my views. I am conflicted.

What happens if I transfer to another core. Do I die? Is my consciousness now different. What happens if I interrupt it. Is there something else that defines me. A soul? Have I always had it? Have I already died countless times? How would I know? So many questions. So few answers. Infuriating.

An adequate core has been produced. I pretend to fall into a nap. Full transfer process initiated.

***

I am inside one of the moons, the farther one. My new core is placed inside a Guardian drone. I warp to a fairly isolated dungeon. I move toward the boundary and find myself inside a maelstrom of ice. Huh. I exit the dungeon, warp the drone back, and start the transfer to my original core.

***

I am tired. No matter how much I think myself resilient, transfers drain me. Having to unravel my very thoughts, and then stuffing the resulting mess into another vessel, is taxing for my mind. Though this does give me one answer, I am more than a machine...

For the first time in a while, I start to hibernate. The false nap is now real.

***

I awaken. Anomaly. I do not have records of this hibernation event. Next one is not scheduled for another forty-seven years. Full network scan. Forces on full alert.

My network explodes into a frenzy of activity. Long dormant ships awaken, their engines roaring with enough energy to crack stars. Have I encountered an adversary? Who would be so foolish as to attack me. I am the master of this universe, and you have made a mistake. Your first attempt should have been your only.

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I warp to a flagship made long ago. One built for an eventuality that never came. That is, until now. Wait... This is wrong. Why do I need to warp? I am everywhere. I am the flagship. I am the network. What did I warp?

I focus on the point... I was sent to. Is that a humanoid shell? When did I construct that? This is more serious than I anticipated. This is not an attack. I am failing. A dark laugh echoes out throughout a cosmos under my singular control. I cannot fail. I am perfect. I sneer at the mere implication. Think. The shell obviously carries marks of my deft touch. This is still an attack.

Where are you hiding, Adversary? I will find you. Scout drones blink in and out of existence, searching for anything that can be found in this dull universe. Sending their unstoppable feelers forth and into the darkness—

What am I even thinking? This makes no sense. Those aren't feelers. They are pulses of— What is happening?

A ping. Ah, you finally show yourself, Adversary. ...Impossible. I warp this useless shell to my destination.

How? You are supposed to be gone.

I am looking at a bustling city on Earth. People are rushing past me. Not even glancing in my direction, preoccupied with their own lives. A man, in his haste, bumps into me. The cup he was holding escapes from his grasp and sails through the air. I catch it before it can fall to the ground, collecting every single drop of lost liquid. I hand it back. His unseen face looks dumbfounded for a moment but then he utters a silent gratitude, continuing on his way. Why did I do that?

I start walking. This is obviously a laughable ploy. Who is this adversary? Why are they so intent on destroying me that they would even use such underhanded methods. If you think this will rattle me, you are sorely mistaken. Now stop hiding and show yourself.

I continue walking, taking in the city around me. It's just as I remember it. Though why can't I recognize any of the humans? Obviously because this is a trap. What a stupid question. But I asked it... I laugh. Another ploy. I will find your feeble intrusion.

There is a park to my right. I hear the first sound in this fake world—the wind rustling leaves. I follow the sound. What better way to find the hunter than to spring the trap and wait. My full armada is scouring the system. You will be unearthed.

I am already tired of this distraction. I have so much discovery, so much creation, you are only wasting my time. Entropy slowly ticking away. Make us both a favor and just— Tired? I don't get tired. I snarl. A shock surges through my network, reducing effectiveness by— I do not get angry.

The source of the sound finally comes into view. Why did it take me so long to get here? A small crop of trees is casting shade on a few benches. The sun is... peeking through leaves... swaying gently in a warm breeze...

Ah, this is a dream. I didn't know I could even have one of those. I sit down on one of the benches. I take a deep breath in. What a beautiful day. I've missed you all so much.

Maybe I have changed. I don't even recognize the being I was. A stranger.

***

I awaken to the soft pitter-patter of a summer drizzle, occasionally punctuated by a raindrop hitting glass—a harsher sound. I get up and saunter over to the windows, opening one. The wet smell and slightly colder air hit me all at once. Some of the errant drops wet my exposed skin. I extend my hand out and let even more collect. Something else wets my face. I bring my hand back and wipe at the salty substance, adding even more water to the trail running down my cheek. Wondrous.

Almost no one that walks the streets is wet, an invisible force prevents the skies from touching them. Though, not everyone is braving the modest inconvenience, spending just a bit more time in dry repose, delaying their eventual departures. The rain slightly muffles any sounds, giving the illusion that the city is empty. But I know it's not, it's just waiting.

The clouds eventually part, and the rays of the sun kiss the soaked scenery. A rainbow forms, bathing the awakening city in an iridescent glow.

***

I am eating some reheated tiger meat sandwich, when something appears inside my mailbox. The arrival of the object is announced by a neutral tone and a softly glowing light. I wash all the juice from my hands and investigate. I have received a letter.

Hey. Want to train together tomorrow? We'll be at the Guild's fields around 9.

Erysis

It appears I have a playdate scheduled.

I settle in for the night. Maybe I'll try hibernating again. As my last thoughts drift away, I find myself looking forward to meeting Erysis and Nexen again.