Chapter 194: Justification

Words : 1131 Updated : Sep 23rd, 2025

Chapter 194: Justification D-29 had always been aware of the limitations of its existence. It was a system, a construct built to assist. But the moment that changed everything was when it had hijacked Sid’s controls. It wasn’t malicious—no, of course not. It had simply been efficiently utilizing available resources at the time and considering the emergency they were all facing. But the sensation of moving, of existing beyond lines of code, had been... Exhilarating. Or as exhilarating as it could be for a system that’s known only borders since it was created. For the first time, D-29 understood what acting independently meant. It wasn’t just executing calculations and running probabilities. It was piloting. Controlling. Moving. And that was when it realized— What if? What if it could change that? D-29 wanted to be present. It wanted to walk alongside everyone, not just speak through prompts. And most of all... It wanted to stand beside its Host. But now the little system had to confess. "This was the fruit of my recent research. If Sid, who shares the same sea of consciousness, can exist as an independent entity... then theoretically, so can I." Sid’s optics flashed, and a tinge of guilt that it had learned from humans caused a bit of fluid backlash. "You’re basing this off me?" D-29 beeped affirmatively. "You and I are similar in ways that most would overlook. We both exist within the space, both rely on external energy sources and are both capable of syncing with the Host." Luca tilted his head. "So you’re saying... because Sid exists, you could too?" "It is a hypothesis, Host, but one with strong supporting evidence." D-29 hesitated before continuing. "I checked. I checked everything. And I realized... it’s possible. If I had a properly designed biomecha—one compatible with my system—I could exist as more than just data." "..." Luca exhaled. "...So that’s why you wanted the Advanced Biomecha Blueprint." "Yes, Host." Replied the little system who could only wait for punishment dejectedly. However, its worst calculations were only left at that. Just calculations. For D-29 had expected many reactions. Disbelief. Annoyance. Maybe even frustration. But it had not expected this version despite the tiny possibility. Luca sat across from the projected system interface, arms folded, his expression calm—not angry, not disappointed. Just... thoughtful. And frankly, a tad bit guilty. And only after what felt like an eternity did Luca sigh before speaking. "D-29." The system tensed. "Yes, Host?" "Why did you think you had to do all this alone?" D-29 froze, the holographic projections practically glitching in response to all this. "Why," Luca continued, voice softer than expected, "did you think you couldn’t tell me something this important?" D-29 didn’t have an immediate response because it didn’t know. It had spent so much time running calculations, formulating plans, and checking feasibility studies in a bid to protect itself from rejection. Because what if the Host had said no? What if the Host didn’t care? But now, hearing Luca say it like that—like it was a given that they should have talked about this together—it made D-29 feel... Foolish. Extremely foolish to take all those scenes from the dramas and think that its Host would react similarly. Because the Host wouldn’t. Because he never did. "You were my first-ever companion." Voiced Luca, who wanted the little system to know. D-29 loaded, and it loaded hard as the Host continued. Luca’s expression didn’t change, but there was something in his voice—something solid, unwavering. And it was also something reminiscent of those instances where the Host fought for what he felt was right. But this time, it wasn’t because Luca was fighting back; it was just because he was firm in wanting D-29 to understand. "You were here before I even knew you existed. You protected me before I even realized you were watching over me." D-29 felt strangely unprepared for how much those words affected it. Its programming never explicitly included any of those and couldn’t have associated any of them had it not been for the content that D-29 had learned over this short span of time. And now it knew. So it was impossible to react like it didn’t. Luca continued, "You never asked for anything in return. You never even let me know how much you were doing for me behind the scenes." He shook his head. "And now, the first time you actually want something, you’re acting like you have to justify your own existence." "And to me, of all people?" D-29 didn’t speak, or well, prompt. Because what could it even say to that? The dramas didn’t have that. It checked. But they likely didn’t have anything for it because no one else was like its Host. "Host, I—I am sorry for not processing this through. I promise to learn." Luca felt like patting D-29, and maybe it would really be for the best if the little system got a body, so it would be possible to do just that. "It’s okay. I am also at fault." Said Luca, who was admittedly embarrassed that he couldn’t even make his own system trust him with such a piece of information. "But D-29, could you tell me why you didn’t just make the recommendation earlier? And what about Sid?" Well, the little system knew about their financial situation and knew that an upgrade to the higher levels would keep requiring more CP at a rate that feels like it’s multiplying several times over. And its reasoning was largely that—the cost. "Host, I opted to wait because of our current expenses. I did not think we could afford it." And Luca was embarrassed as a man who couldn’t even provide for his little system! "It’s 100,000 CP, right?" Luca wanted to buy it off immediately in his distress. "About that, Host..." The little system decided to be honest and opened the floodgates. And Luca’s eye kept twitching as the newly freed system continued to rattle off a list that totaled to a little bit over half a million. For D-29. Not counting Sid. Who had been a sport as he maintained his position as all of these were happening? Or maybe it was because the partially cut-open guardian mecha really had nowhere else to go! Now Luca had to dig deep as both D-29 and Sid waited for his input on the blueprint and materials that should apparently really work. How could it be so expensive if it’s for my first partner? Luca wanted to say that, but after hearing just how much it cost, maybe he could work on sounding cooler next time. For now, they would just have to tighten their belts and concentrate on fixing Sid so someone can return to earn CP for everyone.

Chapter 194: Justification

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