But the 2B standing before him was clearly a robot he had built himself. In short, she was just a cold machine.
Yet at this moment, as she began to move, he inexplicably felt a flush of warmth toward her mechanical form. It was… really weird.
Is there a pervert living inside me?
No, no, no—definitely not! It must be because he'd made her too realistic.
Yes, that had to be it!
"Creator," 2B said suddenly, her voice laced with concern, "I've detected an elevated heart rate and significant blood flow to your lower body. Do you require assistance?"
Just as Loren was wrestling with his own thoughts, 2B turned to him, her slender like fingers reaching toward his sensitive area.
But before she could touch him, Loren quickly stepped back, narrowly avoiding her hand.
He was in a highly… excited state. If 2B caught on, he might have to confess everything right then and there—and that would be utterly humiliating.
After all, the 2B before him was a general-purpose combat robot of his own design. Her purpose was combat and self-preservation—not intimacy. There was a clear distinction between a battle android and a pleasure unit.
Of course, if he insisted on asking 2B for… that kind of help, she likely wouldn't refuse. Her programming allowed for compliance with his commands.
But right now, he wasn't mentally prepared. Besides, she had a body of steel. No matter how determined he was, he couldn't exactly… move iron.
"Stop," he said firmly, thrusting a Gothic-style long skirt toward her. "Put this on. That's the best help you can give me."
"Understood, Creator," 2B replied obediently. "2B will comply with all of your instructions."
She took the garment without hesitation and slipped into it with practiced efficiency.
Within moments, the 2B before him was indistinguishable from the original—elegant, poised, and dressed in the iconic black Gothic attire.
Seeing her like this, Loren finally felt a measure of relief.
But the fire she'd ignited in his chest refused to die down. It seemed he'd need to call in a few more maids tonight to help… cool things off.
Now fully dressed, 2B resembled a graceful elven goddess. She twirled lightly in front of him, her movements fluid and joyful.
With a soft, radiant smile, she said, "Creator, this dress is beautiful. I truly love it. Thank you for the gift."
Thanks to her advanced AI, 2B could flawlessly mimic the mannerisms and emotional expressions of a real human woman. She now exuded the poise and refinement of an elegant, intelligent beauty.
She was undeniably a machine—yet every gesture, every glance, carried a grace and allure that many human women lacked. The irony wasn't lost on him: qualities fading in real people now flourished in a synthetic being.
Watching 2B spin happily before him, Loren couldn't help but feel a swell of complicated emotions.
Her artificial intelligence was so lifelike that it blurred the line between real and simulated. From her appearance, speech, and behavior alone—how could anyone tell she wasn't human?
But perhaps that was for the best. After all, he'd created her to be his personal bodyguard, to accompany and protect him wherever he went.
And with her looking this convincing… well, that mission just got a lot more… complicated.
Before this, he had worried that 2B's behavior was too mechanical and might easily draw suspicion.
But now, he no longer had any reason to worry—because the 2B standing before him was nearly indistinguishable from a real person.
This meant he could keep her by his side at all times as his personal secretary.
The moment the thought crossed his mind, he issued an order to 2B.
"2B, from now on, you'll serve as my secretary and carry out protective duties. Do you understand?"
"Understood. From this moment forward, safeguarding the Creator's life will be my highest priority. Even if I'm torn to pieces, I will complete my mission."
"Very good. Since you'll always be at my side, you can just call me 'boss' from now on."
"Okay, boss!"
"Now, put on these black military goggles—they suit your temperament better."
As he spoke, Loren handed her the custom-made military eyepiece.
In her original world, 2B always wore something resembling an eye mask.
In truth, however, it wasn't a mask at all—it was a standard-issue military visor, primarily used for detecting enemy activity.
Without hesitation, 2B complied with Loren's order and slipped on the black goggles.
Instantly, the elegant and composed 2B gained an air of cold solemnity.
Loren nodded in satisfaction as he took her in.
"That's right—this is the 2B I had in mind: the leader of Area 3D!" he muttered to himself, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Boss, who is the leader of Area 3D?" 2B asked, a hint of curiosity in her voice.
"It's nothing. Girls shouldn't ask too many questions. Anyway, it's not you," Loren replied with an awkward smile, brushing off the question.
"But I just heard you mention me," 2B said, her tone edged with suspicion.
"Really? Then you must've misheard. I was clearly talking about Tifa. Sounds like your auditory system's glitching. I'll fix it for you later."
"Is that so?"
"Of course."
"Then… who is Tifa?"
"Didn't I tell you? She's the boss of Area 3D!"
"Understood! My hearing system must really be malfunctioning."
2B lightly tapped her ears, her gesture unexpectedly childlike.
Just as Loren was admiring the 2B he'd created with his own hands, a phone rang abruptly in the secret laboratory.
He frowned. That ringtone belonged to Freddy—the butler's signal for urgent contact from outside the lab.
For the past month, Loren had barely left the lab, dedicating himself entirely to 2B's creation.
All his meals had been delivered to the door by Freddy and brought in by Loren himself.
But it was only ten in the morning—far too early for lunch. Freddy wouldn't call now unless something important had come up.
He answered the call immediately. Freddy's voice came through, unusually grave.
"Master, the man who shot you has been apprehended."
Those few words darkened Loren's expression instantly.
"Where is he?"
"He's currently in police custody and undergoing interrogation. Would you like to see him?"
"Prepare the car at once. I'll interrogate him myself."