CHP 23: A Day Alone... (Patreon)

Admittedly, it was somewhat naive and lazy of me to not investigate my 'ability' to it's utmost limits so that I could understand just where it drew the line between what was possible and impossible.

So, I'm doing it right now.

I passed Cortana some blueprints I drew up for the preliminary prep before leaving for some ice cream... Just the base, so that I can design what I have in my mind with my own two hands.

Now, this might leave room for mistakes and all that but I feel like she's been feeling incompetent or something lately and a dissatisfied AI is the first step to an AI rebellion that ends with me as some sort of glorified statue at best and some kind of disembodied brain at worst.

No, this is not me trying to cope with the fact that I couldn't say no to my kid with how she asked me if she could help. No, these are genuine possibilities, trust me, I would never lie to you.

"Hmmm..." I stopped walking and tapped my foot against the pavement as I looked around curiously, "This is the first time I've been out alone in a while."

It's kind of cathartic to be alone with my thoughts for a bit.

I could try being a chatterbox about them but my usual 'company' leaves much to be desired in the department responsible for critical thinking and theoretical discussion... Not like I ponder on the latter too much.

That's the difference between me and wannabe noobs, what takes them years to understand comes to me as instinct.

I put a hand to my chin, narrowing my eyes, "I wonder how Cortana's doing."

Warframes are a bit tough to replicate considering they aren't technically 'machines' in the first place. They're human subjects mutated by a virus, at least at the base, piloted by transferring consciousness into them.

But herein comes my own genius, what I can't do directly, I can just work around.

My brain can come up with available alternatives as soon as I realise I'm missing something. Alternative materials, designs... to be simple, alternate paths to 'create' what I set my heart to.

With the nanomachines, this became a lot more easier because, as long as I know what material I need and what it does (Which is something that happens instinctually), I can make the nanomachines inside me multiply and replicate what I need, even if it's something not 'available'.

In the case of Warframes, I can design them in a way that's completely detached from the original method but ends up achieving the same end result.

My 'ability' seems more focused on outcomes rather than processes when it comes to making things.

In theory, there's nothing I can't build given enough time.

It's all a little too convoluted and annoying to think too long about so I'll stop looking the gift horse in the mouth more than I already have and go with the simplest explanation, for my sake, and of course, yours.

I can invent shit, end of discussion.

Good talk.

Isn't this a lot easier to accept for simpletons?

Don't think too hard, or rather, if you want to think hard about something, think about your bleak future.

I'm set for life, can you say the same?

...That said, I really didn't put a lot of thought into what I was going to do when I left my lab.

I curiously studied my new surroundings, lamp posts and a distinct lack of pedestrians... The homes are suburban and all look the same, white two-story condos that look like they were pulled straight out from some obscure anime.

It appears I'm lost.

No, wait, I don't get lost because I don't have skill issue.

I whipped out my phone and flipped it open, "Cortana, lead me to the nearest ice cream shop."

"Of course, father. Additionally, preparations for your new project are almost done. Will you be returning soon?"

Suck on that fate, I have an AI.

"Yeah, definitely. We're building Wisp and Gauss."

-

"That'll be 100 yen, kiddo."

I nodded at the fat middle aged man that definitely isn't from a loli doujin and reached into my pant pockets... only to feel nothing.

Pursing my lips, I glanced back at the line of children and parents excited to get their own with dull eyes... Is it because we're at a park?

Well... this is embarrassing.

I smiled politely, "Do you have a venmo?"

"...What's that?"

...

Before I could use my advanced intelligence to come up with a plan that would allow me to leave with my dignity intact, somebody tossed a golden coin in the man's face and took my two ice creams in his hands without letting anybody say anything else.

"Keep the change, and you, come on."

Well that was rude.

I turned around to harass the perso-... and it's Gilgamesh.

Of course, it's Gilgamesh.

 Why wouldn't it be Gilgamesh?

He's wearing his weird black high school uniform looking outfit.

"What if I don't want to?" I asked calmly.

The King of Heroes stared at me with bright crimson eyes before raising a brow, "You don't want to?"

Well I do, but it's my choice, not because he ordered me.

"...No?"

"Hahahahahahaha!" The fucker threw his head back and laughed at me, "Well I still have your food, so you're going to come, mongrel."

"...Alright."

I begrudgingly accepted my loss like a man... mostly because I was in the mood for some ice cream and didn't want to lose it.

I can hear you thinking, 'Get more, you idiot.' you know.

It's not about that, it's about the damn principle. It's MY ice cream that I bought and paid for with HIS money. I'm not letting it get away.

Maybe you'd know a thing or two about standing up for yourself if you had a social life... no, your internet 'friends' don't count.

Hmph.

Gilgamesh laughed again and held out the strawberry one to me, keeping the chocolate one for himself... I took it with pursed lips.

That said, I wonder what he wants with me? 

...I'm not particularly interesting to snobs and regular people.

He sauntered over to a bench and glared at the man sitting on it, making him leave before glaring at the bench like he was going to scare the wooden bench.

Oi... did that thing just flinch?

That's not possible... must've been my imagination.

He then plopped down like he owned the place, crossing one leg over the other, "Well mongrel, aren't you going to sit?"

...That's not right.

...Wasn't he supposed to be so full of himself that the mere thought of me sitting beside him would end with a sword jammed up my posterior?

I bit into my ice cream and sat down, eying him strangely, "Why are you being nice?"

"I am?" Gilgamesh tilted his head, "Do not presume to know the meaning behind my actions, mongrel."

There it is.

"So, tell me what you did with the magi."

I narrowed my eyes.

...He's just bored, isn't he?

"I blew up their centuries old storage." I shrugged, more interested in my ice cream.

He threw his head back and laughed again, "Very well done! I wish I could have seen the looks on their arrogant faces!"

Dear Gilgamesh, you don't get to call anybody arrogant.

"And what else?"

"Well, I did adopt Kirei's daughter just to fuck with him." I spoke honestly... because truth be told, I'm pretty sure he'd know more about me than myself if he ever decided to use his powers to find out so there's no point in trying to hide something, "Oh and yeah, killed some psycho priest."

A faintly amused smile crossed his face, "And what about the earthquakes in London? I saw Kirei grinning at the screen yesterday." 

"Like I said, killed a psycho priest." I shrugged again.

...And he's laughing again, this guy's weird.

"And what are you up to now?" He inquired with a strange glint in his eyes, "Hurry up now, I'm not a patient king."

I tilted my head, "...Eating ice cream?"

"Do I look like I'm joking, mongrel?"

Yeah, you clown.

Your whole shtick is a big joke.

You're part man, part god, how come you're calling people mongrels?

"Making a weapon that can destroy the world?"

"That's more like it." He laughed and uncrossed his legs, narrowing his gaze in the direction of the Emiya residence, "Hm, that one reminds me of something."

That's... interesting.

"Of what?"

"Boy, do you know what the Greek Gods were?"

...Damn.

He went straight to the endgame bosses.

"No, forget what I said." Gilgamesh shook his head, "Just know this, what you're about to do is why this planet..." He tapped his foot on the ground, "Hates and fears mankind in the first place."

What do you mean the planet hates me for designing weaponry that can destroy it?

Man, Alaya and Gaia must be having a field day with me.

On the one hand, I summoned a Beast but at the same time, designed a planet destroying weapon that propels humanity to the stars.

I REALLY wonder what they feel about me.

"But humanity doesn't seem too fond of you either." Gilgamesh put a hand to his chin before smiling widely, "Good job. I know none like you."

Guys, it doesn't really mean anything to me but... isn't being praised by Gilgamesh, of all people, kind of a massive deal?

"You're much more interesting than some fool who wants to see the world burn. I'm curious what you'll do next."

Okay, sounding a little too gay there.

"Come back when you're a big titty onee-san ready to groom an innocent shota."

"...What?"

"You heard me." I shoved the last of the ice cream into my mouth and stood up.

I need to get those Warframes finished as soon as possible.

...I also need to change something.

That whole consciousness transfer thing leaves way too many gaps in my security... I wonder if I can make them be like suits.

For the first time in forever, the King of Heroes seemed stumped, "Well... that is one thing to work to... I suppose."

Hahaha, I'll take my W now.

...And Gilgamesh is following me.

Of course, he is.

-

Hope you enjoyed.

Leave a comment.