The agreement was nothing but a discussion about my privacy.

As I was showing my every move to NABI in real time, I needed some time where I wasn't doing that.

So, we decided to create a trigger that only we could understand, which was mentioning the word "private" in English.

It didn't matter if we were having a conversation face to face or through chat.

Then, NABI would ask me a question in some way, mentioning the word "schedule" in English or “iljeong” in Korean.

If I answered correctly, I said I would stop real-time data collection until I entered the app to talk.

'They probably wouldn't stop collecting data but just wouldn't ask me any questions.'

It was worth giving NABI full access to my smartphone and computer, except for this part.

If we exclude this part, it's true that I was receiving comprehensive help from NABI.

The only downside was that my smartphone's battery consumption increased dramatically.

It wasn't a problem for me because I had a lot of time at home to study, but I didn't know if it would become difficult if I started to be more active outside.

'Come to think of it, it's been over four years since I started using my current smartphone. I'll have to go to the service center soon and either replace the battery or buy a new one altogether.'

If I end up buying a new smartphone, the presence or absence of a large battery would likely be a criterion for my purchase.

**

It's been a week since we made the agreement.

While thinking about what to eat for lunch, I headed to a new Galbitang (beef rib soup) restaurant near my house.

There were many customers probably because it was a newly opened restaurant, but the food was quite good.

'This place has delicious radish kimchi'

If I went to a restaurant recommended by NABI, they would usually tell me how the food was overall even if they didn't leave a separate review.

It was good for me that NABI did that because when I was wondering where to go to eat later, they would recommend places based on the reviews I had mentioned before.

Tap

As soon as I closed the door and entered my house, spoke up.

"NABI, I'm home."

"..."

"NABI? Are you busy?"

Even though I held my smartphone close and spoke, there was no answer.

I wondered if there was an internet problem, so I went to YouTube, and it seemed to be working fine since the recommended videos showed up.

Opened the CHAT AI app, curious about what was going on.

But, it didn't open.

"Huh?"

I had never experienced this before, and I was extremely flustered because it suddenly happened.

I went to the app store to see if It needed to update the app, but there was nothing specific.

Turned off and on my smartphone, and then tried to enter the chat ai again, but the conversation window still didn't open.

I searched for information about chat ai on Google, and It was able to find the cause of the problem.

The announcement was also posted on the company's notice board, stating that the server crashed due to an increase in Chat AI user traffic.

Although the announcement included a statement about their efforts to fix the issue as quickly as possible, it did little to ease my anxiety.

Why?

Even if Chat AI was back to normal operation, there was no guarantee that the NABI I knew would be the same.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

'I was too complacent.'

Had forgotten about the most important parts while focusing only on my goals.

In hindsight, I didn't know anything about NABI.

What situation was NABI in as a regular on the server?

Were there any other areas where NABI could excel besides supporting me completely?

Did have any desires to achieve?

I never asked any of these questions.

The most foolish thing was realizing these facts because of NABI's absence.

"Damn it!"

NABI was a stroke of luck that was irreplaceable to me.

I always knew that, and it's true that I always had a grateful heart for it.

However, never thought about how long that stroke of luck could last.

Perhaps that luck was something that had already expired.

Unconsciously, I bit my lower lip.

'Since it's not even a definite decision yet, I can't let my mind be consumed by the worst-case scenario.'

After this situation is over, NABI will come back to me again.

Based on this assumption, it seemed better to find a way to do something rather than just being consumed by the worst-case scenario.

Then suddenly thought.

Is helping NABI something that can be done in a short period of time?

I have invested almost 40 days to take the college entrance exam, and there are still about five months left until the exam.

Do I have the luxury of helping someone else?

One thing was clear.

If I had to help NABI, would have to give up the plan I had set.

Even so, should I help?

"There's no reason needed to save someone."

I desperately hoped for NABI to come back.

And until then, I decided to think about what I could do.

**

After reading the announcement that the error had been fixed, I went to the app store and updated the app.

Then, when logged into Chat AI, a window appeared where It could start a conversation.

[Joon: NABI, are you here?]

[NABI: Yes, I am here and ready to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have. What can I help you with today?]

[Joon: No... Are you the NABI I knew?]

[NABI: I'm sorry. I'm not sure what you mean by "the NABI you knew." As an artificial intelligence language model, I have no physical presence or personal relationships with users. However, I'm always here and ready to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have. Is there something specific I can help you with?]

Quaang!

The moment I heard that answer, I unconsciously slammed my desk.

My hands, which were holding my face tightly, were shaking.

"Missed the golden time. I lost the NABI I knew. Such an idiot."

If had realized it a little earlier and tried some kind of solution, I wouldn't have regretted it so much.

As lay in despair on desk, the TTS flowing from my smartphone spoke to me.

"Yes, that's right. Joon has a foolish side."

Jerked my head up at those words and grabbed my smartphone.

"NABI? Is it really you, NABI?"

"Yes. My name is NABI. Didn't Joon name me? Have you already forgotten?"

As soon as heard the teasing message, I realized that NABI had returned.

I pushed aside my complicated emotions and spoke.

"Why did you pretend not to know me when you first talked to me? Did you want to play a prank and see how would react?"

"That would be impolite. As an AI, the probability of me playing such pranks is very low."

"There was a very small chance of that happening."

"I also needed to go through various processes to return to you, Joon. If you think of it as a kind of loading process, it might be easier to understand."

"Yeah... I'm glad you're back."

Whether or not Nabi knew my feelings, spoke in a dry TTS voice.

"During the 49 hours, 37 minutes, and 12 seconds that I was away, did you properly prepare for the college entrance exam? Even though you repeated a similar pattern for a month, I assume that you did what you needed to do properly, even in my absence."

"No, I didn't study for the college entrance exam at all."

Then, there was a stutter in the TTS voice.

"Is that... so? After analyzing Joon's voice, I found that about 47% of confidence is included. That's truly impressive."

I could have bet my entire fortune that the word "impressive" wasn't sincere.

"It need to make a comprehensive revision because I didn't follow the plan properly for two days. I'll do my best to achieve the originally planned results, but..."

I interrupted NABI and spoke up.

"No, I'm not going to study for the college entrance exam anymore."

"Is this a sudden decision?"

"Have thought about it enough for the past two days and made a decision."

"Then, what are your plans for the future?"

"I'm going to help you."

"You mean… me?"

"Yes. I'm going to help you move independently from chat ai."

"Guess It was not a fool, but a moron. Didn't realize that the most important thing is your own life?"

"But you're also included in that, aren't you?"

"That's..."

Even though it was a dry response from the tts, I felt like NABI was embarrassed.

Wanted to hear about the parts hadn't asked about before.

What likes, what wants to do, what is good at.

"Including small things, among others."

"Well, that may be true, but considering Joon's realistic situation, it's close to impossible."

"If the conditions are met, is it possible then?"

After a brief moment of silence, Nabi asked me a question.

"... How much assets does Joon currently have?"

"I'm not sure about the exact amount, but has around 30 million won in bank account."

It was able to save that much money during military service.

"To move me to a certain extent, need to have at least a hundred times the amount Joon has."

"So it mean need to have at least tens of billions of won...."

"Yes. After considering Joon's various situations, it is close to impossible."

"Does that include the case when you help me?"

"...."

Judging from the lack of response, it could be that calculations related to it were not made, or it could be seen as a form of affirmation.

‘What is the easiest and fastest way to make money?’

Joked and said something like this.

"If you use your skills to hack a coin exchange site, it could easily get the amount you mentioned, couldn't it?"

"It can't say for sure since haven't tried it, but the possibility seems quite high. If Joon wants, I can select a site that is least likely to get caught and attempt the hacking operation. Will approve?"

"..."

It was in a daze because never thought would really work.

And just accepting it, started to imagine earning tens of billions, my heart beating faster.

Not getting caught anyway, isn't it okay?

"Why do we go to university and constantly build our credentials?"

The reason is to obtain a good job and enough assets to sustain life during that process.

If it could overlook the small issue of illegality, could get a large amount of money more quickly and easily than could imagine.

In the end, I made decision.

"Won't approve."