It took an hour for the talks to finish, and I finally learned of the lodge’s procedures. They didn’t change much from the game, so it means this part of the world retained its game-like procedures.

As I left to get Nis, I found her in a compromised position. Of course I would.

Nis was there, at the center of the building sitting on a pile of corpses. Well, they weren’t dead and I don’t see any blood, so they’re probably just knocked out. She was laughing, and had a smile so cocky that even I wanted to punch her down off her high-horse.

Beside her were the four demons that she summoned in the digital space.

Is it just me, or do they look even more menacing now in the game world? They retained their characteristic red skin and ferocious facial features, the crude greatsword on their back, and the chains of subservience that bound them, but there was a calmness in their standing that wasn’t similar to that of their game counterparts.

They stood straight, and their arms were crossed along their chest. Their eyes were always darting, always looking for threats to emerge.

Many other adventurers had already drawn their weapons to them, but they didn’t move out of caution, and the demons obliged them by only pressuring them with their gaze. Nis... was laughing.

I covered my face, and sighed.

“Madriel, could you do me a favor and break that fight apart?” I was tired.

“Certainly, but is she the companion you spoke of?” Madriel adjusted his hair away from his face.

“Yes, that idiot.”

“Impressive. For a woman as young as her to control four demons at once. I guess it is true that her strength is that of adamantium as well.” He stared at her figure, then asked one of his colleagues behind the counter to help him break the fight apart.

“She’s inexperienced in actual combat, but she’s capable.”

“Okay.” He took a deep breath. “Please come with me. Push comes to shove, may I be permitted to ask for your strength? After all, it is one part your problem.”

“This is embarrassing. I’m really sorry about this.”

“In exchange, how about dinner this evening?” Madriel smiled.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t swing that way. Turn to a woman first, then we’ll talk. Besides, aren’t you pretty casual about this?”

“Life is long for our kind, too long.” For a moment, a bitter expression appeared on his face, but he returned to normal soon after. “Forgive me, let’s clean this up.” A wry smile, and he left to deal with Nis.

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I shrugged and followed behind him. We all have our burden to bear, it seems.

~ Nis’ Perspective a Few Minutes Ago~

He’s taking too long. What’s he doing with that pretty elf? Oh, that girl’s wearing bikini armor! That’s a massive sword, what the hell?

Such thoughts swim in my mind as I waited for Chris. I only looked around. He did tell me to behave, though I do want to go somewhere. Wasting time here when I could be learning new things, or seeing new things, it’s almost painful.

And so, all I could do was people-watch. It was one of my hobbies, if it could be called that.

After my upgrade, Mike injected a lot of videos in my data banks in hopes that I would learn to be more human. At times when I’m not activated, when the Neural-Intelligence System is turned off, I would just watch holovids of humanity, learning from them.

Of course, back then, it was just a matter of course to do so and not out of true enjoyment. This time, when I’m bored, I watch people.

Humans are interesting. They’re very dynamic. They have flaws, they have ambitions, dreams, hopes.

I have a feeling that, even back then, when I was still an AI, I was jealous of humanity. I yearned for what I didn’t have. I don’t have proof, but I know myself.

Was I already human even before, when I felt jealousy?

What does it mean to be human, anyway?

Ugh, I regret it so much. I regret not searching it up when I still had access to the cybernet. But... would that have changed anything? I wonder, if I had chosen to learn to be human out of my own will, would I have become human?

But... there was no real point in asking this question, and regretting it. I had no ‘will’ then, only purpose. I might have deemed it useless with my programming.

I was deep into thought when a group of odd-looking men approached me.

It’s so difficult to be human. To think and think again, every time, so hard. Not thinking makes me restless, not thinking makes me feel like I’m losing out. The only time I feel it’s okay to stop thinking is when I’m having fun.

“Hey, that’s our spot, get out of there.” The man said, pointing at the chairs and table that I was using.

“Can’t you tell I’m using it?” I said in an annoyed tone.

“You seem to be misunderstanding something, missy. We’re not asking you to leave, we’re telling you.”

I made an expression as if I was thinking and shot him a smirk. “Why should I? This table’s pretty free.” I said and gently traced my fingers across the wood. “And I don’t think he likes you too much.”

“What was that?!”

I smacked my lips. “I was putting it nicely. I said you were ugly. Get out of the way, I’m people-watching.”

What’s going on with me? I’m... enjoying it? I’m enjoying it, provoking this group of people. It’s fine, isn’t it? To yearn for enjoyment is also one part of humanity. Besides, they started it, so it should be fine, yes.

I convinced myself.

Once I said that, the man tried to draw out his sword, but he was stopped by his own group.

“Dylan, we’ll get in trouble. Let’s just look somewhere else.” One of the men said and pushed the sword back down its hilt forcibly.

“Oh so now you’re running away. Can’t even handle a little girl, can you?” I laughed and started egging them on.

I’m pretty confident with my abilities, at least, that’s what my instincts are telling me. Even if I get into a little scuffle, I’d be fine. Chris wouldn’t mind either, he gave me the ‘okay’!

It seemed like the man called Dylan finally had enough and drew his sword from its scabbard.

“You bitch! Fine!”

Yay! it was my win. Everyone saw that, right? He took out his sword! I am now completely justified in self-defense.

I snapped my fingers and incanted a short summoning verse. In a near instant, four demons from hell surrounded me. They were all 3 meter giants that looked down on the group of people.

“Don’t kill them, by the way.” I gently said to the giants as I sat comfortably on my chair.

Yep, I didn’t break any of what Chris told me to do.