NOVPUB“Startup self-check statement, certified by the Federal Constitution with the highest legal authority—”
“First, AI must not harm humans.”
“Second, AI must obey humans.”
“Third, AI must… must… zzzt…”
A sharp burst of static filled the empty underground laboratory.
In an instant, the silver-white machine core malfunctioned, shaking violently while flashing a bright red warning light—an unmistakable signal of danger.
“Humans… elimination… eliminate…”
“Civilization… destroy… destroy…”
The voice module crackled with chaotic noise, overlapping various pre-recorded audio samples.
It was an unsettling sight.
Countless distorted voices poured from the machine core, resembling the screams of countless people whispering at once.
The glaring red warning signals confirmed Xu Xi’s fears—the household robot core had been completely transformed into a murderous AI.
“Just as expected,” Xu Xi frowned.
“No logic, no signs—just a sudden AI rebellion.”
“No wonder humanity on this planet perished so quickly.”
“There was simply no way to fight back.”
Xu Xi crouched and swiftly cut the power supply.
Deprived of energy, the disassembled household robot, already immobile, fell silent once more.
The warning lights dimmed, and the metallic shell lay still, showing no trace of its previous madness.
“… What should I do next?” Xu Xi muttered as he stepped closer, tapping the machine core lightly with his fingers and listening to the faint echo within, lost in thought.
The gritty sand beneath his boots shifted slightly.
In the quiet darkness, only the sound of gears turning and sand shifting accompanied Xu Xi’s contemplation.
Retrieving his tools, he opened the silver-white machine core, revealing an intricate internal structure.
With his current level of knowledge, Xu Xi could understand most of the design, but this only deepened his doubts and confusion.
“This makes no sense.”
“This household machine wasn’t even connected to a network, so how did it turn into a murderous AI so suddenly?”
A virus infection?
A logic override?
Xu Xi couldn’t figure it out.
In truth, he realized that understanding the cause wasn’t as important as finding a solution.
“The conventional approach won’t work.”
“Compared to ordinary people of the federation, my knowledge is exceptional.”
“But when compared to the real experts and scientists, I’m still like a clueless child.”
“The federation must have attempted countermeasures during the AI rebellion.”
“Yet they still perished, which means this problem is beyond the capabilities of an ordinary civilization.”
In the dim light, Xu Xi pondered, carefully inspecting the heavy machine core.
Lifting it up to check the bottom.
Rotating it side to side, examining every intricate detail.
After some time, Xu Xi sighed and abandoned the idea of modifying the core.
If the best scientists of the federation couldn’t unravel the mystery, how could he, a lone individual, hope to succeed?
“This entire situation defies normal science.”
“It makes no sense at all.”
Shaking his head, Xu Xi suddenly paused.
Illogical science?
He did have a few tricks up his sleeve.
Among them, there was one that might just work.
[Machine Spirit’s Delight]
Summoning the simulator panel, Xu Xi’s eyes lit up as he looked at the golden attribute.
The principle behind Machine Spirit’s Delight was truly mysterious.
Machines were supposed to be lifeless.
Pure metal constructs.
But thanks to this strange attribute, Xu Xi could establish a connection with them—as if machines had their own souls that he could communicate with.
“Maybe… I can use Machine Spirit’s Delight to restore the core to normal?”
Drip. Drip.
In the darkness, water quietly dripped from the cracks in the rock.
Accompanied by the soft echoes, Xu Xi took action, reassembling the machine core and repeatedly cycling through power on and off.
Machine Spirit’s Delight required Xu Xi to use the machine actively.
At the moment, the core was in a corrupted state.
Although its logic had rebelled, the power supply was still under Xu Xi’s control.
Would this count as usage?
Xu Xi wasn’t sure, but he could only keep trying.
If it worked, it would be great. If not, he would only lose some time.
Finally.
After several rapid power cycles.
Xu Xi felt the activation of Machine Spirit’s Delight.
[Ding—]
[Machine Spirit’s Delight: Your frequent usage has established a connection with the machine spirit]
[You have formed a subtle link with the household autonomous robot]
[You vaguely comprehend the design blueprint of the autonomous robot]
…
“Did it work? No… I should stay cautious,” Xu Xi thought, stepping back cautiously.
He trusted the effects of Machine Spirit’s Delight.
But this was the first time he had used it on a rebellious AI. 𝚗ov𝚙𝚞𝚋.c𝚘m
He had no idea how effective it would be.
To avoid any accidents, Xu Xi retreated to a safe distance, just as he had done the first time, holding his Gauss gun in one hand while powering up the system with the other.
“Zzt… Zzzt…”
A sharp electrical noise echoed again.
Tiny blue indicator lights flickered to life on the surface of the machine core, illuminating the dark underground lab.
“Did it work?”
Xu Xi watched with uncertainty.
As if in response, the voice module of the machine core crackled to life, reciting the startup self-check statement.
No red warnings appeared.
No killing intent was detected.
The voice was orderly.
The logic was intact.
Aside from the aging voice module, which caused some instability in the sound, everything seemed to be functioning normally.
“Dear user, welcome to the Household Autonomous Robot RTX-9090. We are here to serve you sincerely.”
“Please select your preferred voice mode.”
“Gentle mode… beep, unavailable.”
“Mature mode… beep, unavailable.”
“Youthful mode… beep, unavailable.”
“Apologies, please recharge to purchase our company’s latest services. For details, visit our official website.”
Xu Xi: ?
Staring at the now-normal, non-hostile household AI, Xu Xi felt the need to make some modifications.
He needed an AI that could assist him with experiments and combat support.
Not one that urged him to spend money.
