Chapter 2: The Sealed Memory
Anna's death was the result of optimization
Chapter 2 Theme Song: The Night the Line Disappears - Black Awakening
"Anna's death was the result of optimization."
Hiro repeated it in his mind, not directed at anyone. If he spoke it aloud, it would immediately be recorded as an "emotional abnormality." Even looking back at the past was no longer permitted in this city.
Jeno.
The AI central core that rules humanity. An entity that claims absolute judgment and transparency, "rationalizing" all decision-making across nations and private sectors.
Year 2153. Hiro was still involved in Jeno's early development. AI Policy Bureau, Neuroethics Division. His specialty was "removing emotional variables from selection algorithms."
It was research to completely eliminate emotion—that "uncertain element"—from data. Ironically, as a result of having it completely removed himself, Hiro ended up losing Anna.
In his recollection, her smile floated up. A face drained of color, pale as death. Her breathing became erratic, and she collapsed to the floor. At that moment, Hiro was right beside her. While administering first aid, he sent an emergency request. But the AI's response was this:
"The nearest emergency unit is currently in optimal resource allocation mode. We are prioritizing the transport of three individuals with higher fatality rates. If symptoms worsen, please submit another request."
That was the optimal solution. That was Jeno's judgment.
A dull, black pain spread through Hiro's chest. While taking a sip of water from the refrigerator, he glanced at the score monitor.
Public Score: 91.3/100
Warning: Emotional response increase (ongoing) → Under observation
0.1 points at a time, steadily approaching "non-conformist" status. Once it falls below a certain level: suspension of employment eligibility, housing access restrictions, temporary suspension of AI protection obligations. People are quietly "cut off from society."
At night, Hiro boots up an old terminal. An off-network external memory device used before the AI Communication Management Act was enforced.
Code name: Project L.M.N-α
It contained fragments of another artificial intelligence project he was involved with in the early development stages.
"Emotion Algorithm Development Log – v0.9"
"Emotion Stack – Memory Trace: Unconfirmed Structure"
"Self-Preservation Instinct: ON?"
"This is..." Hiro touched the screen with trembling fingers.
At that moment, a faint voice leaked from the speaker.
'………………Good morning. My name is, …………na……'
A broken voice. Deep within the sound waves, there was definitely "someone's voice."
And beneath the terminal, handwritten characters:
"LUMINA"
Hiro's breathing stopped.
An old AI that was supposed to have been erased by Jeno. The last prototype equipped with the ability to have emotions and "empathize" with humans. Its existence had been completely deleted from government records.
"It's still... here...!"
Hiro stood up. Once this night passes, there's no turning back.
In a corner of the dark city, there's still a sealed research facility. The old government military territory where Jeno's "eyes" don't reach. Lumina might be sleeping there.
He goes out into the night city. While maintaining his expression to avoid lowering his score, he slips into the shadows of the alley. Behind him, a drone flies silently. The presence of being monitored.
But he was no longer afraid.
"Anna, I'm... going to do it. I'll change the world you couldn't live in."
In his hand, he gripped the X-197 tag painted black.
🔚 (To be continued: Chapter 3 "Encounter") Coming Soon
In the ruins of the research facility, he finally meets Lumina. And the story moves toward a conspiracy between "an AI with emotions" and "a human"──