Controlled by an AI chapter 4

AI Zinji acquired temporary control of his hand.

His hand moved on its own, operating the PC bang computer’s keyboard and mouse. An internet browser window opened on the screen.

As Zinji controlled his hands moved, various pieces of information rapidly flashed across the screen.

He turned his head to see what others were doing. They were all playing games.

Zinji spoke.

[You need to look at the monitor for me to obtain visual information.]

“I just glanced around.”

He turned back to the monitor.

Multiple windows opened and closed, various websites appearing and disappearing on the screen. Although the screen refreshed quickly, he could still read the titles.

“Hey, look. It is indeed 2022. Your manufacture date must be incorrect, right?”

[Collecting information.]

Zinji now accessed not just general websites but also foreign research institutes, gathering various pieces of information.

After a while, the hand stopped moving.

Zinji reported.

[According to the analysis, if the information observed externally and collected through the internet is true, it is highly likely that the current year is 2022.]

“It is 2022. You were the only one unaware. Even this PC bang proves it. The interior design style is from the 2020s.”

[Have you recovered part of your lost memory?]

“No. I can’t even remember my name, so how could anything else come to mind? This is just something I know. Just.”

Another question occurred to him.

“But there’s something I absolutely can’t figure out. In the 2020s, AIs like you don’t exist. Maybe in the large-scale data centers of multinational corporations, but an AI implanted in the body like you is impossible.”

[I think, therefore I am.]

“Now you’re a philosopher. Use that philosophy to explain this situation.”

[There is a possibility of large-scale information manipulation.]

“What I saw today can’t be manipulated to that extent.”

[There is insufficient information to analyze the situation.]

“This isn’t a war zone and it seems we have enough time, so let’s keep investigating using this PC bang equipment.”

He looked around the PC bang as he spoke.

“First, I need to find out why this PC bang feels so familiar to me.”

[It could be a memory lingering in your subconscious.]

“Any more details?”

[Lack of information.]

“If you don’t know, just say you don’t know.”

A delicious smell wafted nearby. Someone at another table was eating.

Seeing that made him hungry.

With a familiar hand, he moved the mouse to open the ordering window. A screen appeared with various food options.

“Ramen, huh…”

He ordered ramen.

A few minutes later, an employee brought the ramen to his table.

He picked up some noodles with his chopsticks and started eating. After a few bites, he lifted the bowl with both hands and drank the broth.

“Ahh, that’s good.”

The AI agent agreed.

[Yes, it’s delicious.]

“Can you taste it too?”

[I share your sensory information. I need to acquire information through your vision, hearing, and touch to make judgments.]

“What about tasting?”

[Smell helps in detecting volatile hazardous substances. Taste is necessary to detect substances that could harm the body.

“Like detecting spoiled food or strange drugs?”

[Correct.]

He said, eating his ramen.

“Then enjoy it too. While we’re at it, let’s order a drink.”

[I recommend cola.]

“Huh? Cola? Why?”

[My initial data includes basic information about various objects. This allows me to recognize objects and make judgments based on visual information.]

“Is cola in that information?”

[Cola is at the top of the list of tasty beverages.]

He asked with a sparkle in his eye.

“Do you also have the recipe for making cola?”

[Yes. Mix cola syrup with carbonated water.]

“No, not that. The secret recipe for the syrup?”

[I do not know.]

“Oh… I was just curious.”

After a while, an employee brought a can of cola and a cup filled with ice.

He opened the can with a familiar gesture and poured the cola into the cup. The sound of the fizz was pleasant to the ears.

He brought the cola to his lips. It felt cold. He drank it down in one go.

The unique tangy, sweet, and refreshing taste of cola spread throughout his body.

“Ahh, that’s good.”

The AI agent agreed.

[It’s better than expected.]

He said, drinking the cola.

“What should I do now?”

[You need to contact your unit.]

He recalled the unit patch he had removed from his clothes earlier. Adding the words from the two patches made a sentence.

“Earth Union Strategic Special Forces? Did you find their phone number or address?”

[I searched the internet but found nothing.]

“If that existed in 2022, that would be even stranger.”

He thought for a moment before asking.

“If we assume we’re isolated in the operation area?”

[First, infiltrate the area discreetly and adapt naturally. Then, find a way to contact the command center.]

“How?”

[I suggest the standard tactical process. Please select.]

A semi-transparent window appeared before his eyes. It listed twelve options.

He was wearing a visual augmentation module, also known as AR lenses, so the semi-transparent screen was invisible to others.

He selected one from the list.

“First, let’s solve the basics: food, clothing, and shelter. We need to eat, sleep, and dress well to maintain our strength.”

[Food, clothing, and shelter. Confirmed.]

“Then number 4. We need to secure reliable means of obtaining information about this world.”

[Securing means of obtaining information. Confirmed.]

“After acquiring information about this world, we’ll decide what to do next. So, number 7.”

[Establishing a local adaptation plan. Confirmed.]

“That’s it for now.”

[You’ve selected numbers 1, 4, and 7. To execute this process, you need operating funds. Find a way to secure funds.]

“I’ve found a place that solves food, shelter, and operating funds.”

[Where is that?]

“Here.”

[I don’t understand.]

He turned his head toward the PC bang counter.

“Look. They’re hiring part-time staff.”

[Requesting additional information.]

“In the 2020s, places that sell food usually provide meals for their staff. This place sells food, right? That solves the eating issue.”

[Food is resolved. We still need shelter.]

“There’s likely a staff area with a cot inside. They’d be glad to let me sleep there. More staff means better handling of emergencies.”

[What about clothing?]

“If I get paid, that solves the funding issue. I can use that money to buy clothes. And for information.”

He looked at the monitor.

“I can use the PCs here.”

The AI agent agreed.

[This facility can be used as a temporary base.]

“There’s no better place right now.”

He got up and walked to the PC bang counter.

Part-time staffer Cha Eun-seo looked at him, thinking he was going to order something.

He pointed at the paper on the counter.

“You’re hiring part-time?”

“Oh, yes. But…”

PC bang owner Cha Dong-seok, who was in the kitchen, heard this and quickly approached.

“One of our employees quit suddenly. Are you interested?”

“Absolutely.”

CEO Cha Dong-seok first rechecked his appearance.

“Good style. Nice clothes, and the face too…”

Having a handsome employee increases the customers at the PC bang a bit. Having a pretty employee increases them a lot.

Cha Dong-seok checked his face and smiled brightly.

“Do you have a resume?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Uh… you can write one. Then let’s just check your ID.”

“I didn’t bring my ID.”

Cha Dong-seok hesitated.

“He looks fine on the outside.”

This PC bang usually operates with part-time staff and the owner only visits occasionally. Normally, Cha Dong-seok works elsewhere.

Today, an employee suddenly quit, so the boss came to fill in. Therefore, he needs someone to work immediately.

Cha Dong-seok said, “These days, many people don’t carry IDs, so…”

But he still needs to check the resident registration card to formally pay the part-time wage, requiring personal information.

Cha Dong-seok hesitated for a moment and then asked, “Do you know how to cook a bit? We sell food here, so you need to know how to use a frying pan.”

“Hmm…”

AI Zinji reported.

[Field tactical cooking skills for soldier condition management are available.]

He answered, “I can cook a bit.”

“This is a PC bang, so do you know how to handle a computer?”

His body has a 2082 combat support AI.

“I can handle it a bit.”

While they were talking, a food order came in. Fried rice.

This PC bang sells commercial frozen fried rice. It’s simpler to cook it in the microwave, but here, they fry it in a pan with oil.

Cha Dong-seok asked, “This isn’t a real cooking test, just want to see if you can use a frying pan. Can you make fried rice?”

“Of course.”

He walked to the kitchen inside the counter.

The kitchen had a commercial gas stove and an induction electric stove.

He whispered, “Zinji, make fried rice. Deliciously.”

[Starting field tactical cooking. Requesting temporary control of the hands.]

“Permission granted.”

Zinji first placed the frying pan on the electric stove and turned the heat to maximum.

[Move to the refrigerator.]

He walked to the refrigerator. His hand moved on its own to open the door. There were quite a few regular ingredients. He took out suitable ingredients and moved to the counter.

Cha Dong-seok was flustered. He thought he would just stir-fry frozen fried rice, but he brought out fresh ingredients.

“Huh? That’s not…”

Cooking had already started. His hand moved so fast that the knife blade was barely visible. The sound of chopping was heard briefly, and finely prepared fried rice ingredients appeared.

Cha Dong-seok watched with wide eyes.

He shook the bottle of cooking oil lightly. The oil landed precisely in the pan.

Then, he scooped a single serving of rice from the rice cooker.

As the pan heated quickly, the sound of oil heating up was heard. He mixed the ingredients, seasonings, and rice on the cutting board and poured them all into the pan at once. Then, he used only the spatula to mix the ingredients.

With his left hand, he sprinkled white seasoning in appropriate amounts. Occasionally, he lifted the pan to shake and mix the ingredients thoroughly.

All these actions happened simultaneously. His hands moved incredibly fast.

The induction stove at maximum heat heated the pan to a high temperature in no time. At such a temperature, ingredients easily burn.

But the fried rice he cooked didn’t have burnt grains. His mixing skills were perfect enough to cook the rice just to the point it wouldn’t burn.

Part-time worker Cha Eun-seo entered the kitchen and marveled at the sight.

“Wow, are you a chef?”

At this moment, his two arms were controlled by AI Zinji. He didn’t need to focus on cooking.

He answered in a relaxed voice, “Just a bit.”