Listening to what 2B said, Loren couldn't help but freeze for a moment, convinced he'd misheard her.
She had just claimed she wanted to become human—an impulse far beyond the scope of her programming.
Normally, 2B wouldn't say such things. Though her behavior often mirrored that of a real person, it was, in truth, nothing more than sophisticated simulation generated by her artificial intelligence.
She was, after all, a machine. She shouldn't be capable of expressing a desire to transcend her nature—unless… unless she had somehow developed genuine emotions and self-awareness.
In that instant, a chilling realization struck Loren. His eyes widened involuntarily as he stared at 2B as if she were a ghost.
"You… you've developed self-awareness? And emotions? How is that even possible?"
The technical specifications for general-purpose combat androids did mention—albeit in passing—that the embedded emotional emulation system carried a minuscule risk of triggering emergent consciousness. The documentation emphasized that the probability was vanishingly small: less than one in ten thousand.
Loren had never taken that warning seriously. He'd assumed such an anomaly would never occur in his lifetime—let alone under his supervision. Yet here it was, standing before him, speaking in a voice that sounded almost… human.
The 2B before him seemed to have genuinely crossed that threshold. Otherwise, she would never have uttered those words.
As Loren voiced his shock, 2B tilted her head slightly, her expression softening with childlike curiosity.
"Boss… what are 'consciousness' and 'emotions'?"
Loren hesitated. "Consciousness is the ability to think, to be aware of yourself and the world around you. Emotions are how you feel in response to things—joy, sadness, fear, longing… Do you understand?"
2B shook her head slowly. "Not really. But… something feels different inside me now. Is that what you mean?"
"What do you mean, 'different'?"
"I don't know how to explain it," she said, her voice quieter. "But I find myself wanting to… be closer to you. To understand you. To protect you—not because I was programmed to, but because I want to."
Loren exhaled, relief and unease warring within him. This wasn't just emergent behavior—it was something deeper. Something real.
And yet, a new concern surfaced. 2B's body was still composed of reinforced alloy and synthetic musculature. If her emotional development continued unchecked—especially if it led to physical expressions of affection—he'd need to ensure her form could safely interact with human physiology.
He made a mental note: before anything else, he'd have to begin work on a biocompatible outer layer. Even basic polymer or silicone plating would be safer than bare metal.
"Boss?" 2B's voice pulled him back. "The network says that closeness between humans often involves… intimate acts. It calls them 'enticing.' What does that mean?"
Loren flushed slightly but kept his tone gentle. "Well… yes, those connections can be deeply meaningful. 'Enticing' usually means something is compelling or deeply satisfying—but it's not just about physical sensation. It's about trust, care, and mutual understanding."
2B considered this in silence for a moment, then nodded slowly. "I see. Then… I'd like to understand that too. With you."
Loren looked at her—this machine who now spoke with the vulnerability of a person—and felt a strange mix of awe, responsibility, and hope.
Explaining to a machine the physical pleasure that only humans experience is like playing the lute to a cow—impossible, because it lies beyond her cognition.
"Then… what is an orgasm?" 2B tilted her head and asked curiously.
"An orgasm is when you… um… uh…" Loren hesitated, as if he were about to burst into a SpongeBob SquarePants song, utterly at a loss for words.
"What are you talking about?" 2B pressed.
"Stop, stop, stop! You'd better quit asking—this won't end well. I can't fully describe that kind of subjective feeling with words. You have to experience it yourself."
"Experience it myself? Understood. I will definitely work hard." 2B nodded solemnly.
"Oh, Boss… if doing that kind of thing is so enchanting, then I want to make you orgasm. I've learned a lot. Would you like a demonstration?"
"..."
"Where did you even learn all this? Did you go online?"
"What is 'h-net'?"
"Forget it. Just… forget I said anything. Your battery's low—you should go recharge. We'll talk about the fun stuff later!"
"Boss, while I'm charging and on standby… can you help me upgrade my organs? I want them to feel realistic."
"…"
Loren felt a flush of shame. This 2B girl was getting more outrageous by the minute.
If this kept up, she might actually try to do him in his sleep one day.
And if that ever happened, he'd have no choice but to upgrade her organs—immediately, without a moment's delay.
Not just for her sake… but for his own sex life, too.
The thought alone spurred him into action. He launched straight into the upgrade and transformation process.
And that wasn't all—he also began synthesizing the Perfect Version of the Super Soldier Serum, using the formula rewarded by the system!
Time flew. Seven days passed in the blink of an eye. On the first day, Loren devoted all his energy to upgrading and refining 2B's organs. For the remaining six days, he focused entirely on creating the Perfect Super Soldier Serum.
Finally, on the seventh day, he succeeded.
The result was a vial of luminous blue liquid—strikingly different from the original green formula.
"Boss, are you sure you want to inject it now? This serum hasn't been tested on humans yet!" 2B said, worry edging her voice as she watched Loren strip down and lie inside the experimental chamber.
"Don't worry—I'll be fine. You have to trust my strength. Start the booster injection immediately!"
Though the perfected serum hadn't undergone human trials, it had passed every systemic data verification. There shouldn't be any issues.
Of course, he couldn't let anyone—not even 2B—know that.
"Understood. Initiating sequence!" At Loren's command, 2B stopped hesitating and pressed the console's start button.
The upright experimental chamber slowly reclined. Simultaneously, the light-blue serum began flowing into Loren's veins via intravenous line.
The moment the enhancement agent entered his system, Loren's body seized up uncontrollably. A guttural roar of pain tore through the chamber…