The Zero-Dimensional Warehouse
"Is that something your father sent you?"
"Yeah! Looks like the time axes between our side and the original world are different! Knowing Dad's personality, there's no way he'd ever be this late!"
A thick safe-like box had been secured to the fixture on the reverse thruster pedestal. The moment Kaisent poured his inner energy into it, the box opened on its own.
Psssh—
Inside lay only a single metal utility belt designed so that any number of items could be hung from it.
When Kaisent held the belt out toward his waist, it stretched and coiled around him like a living thing, adjusting perfectly to his girth.
"Whoa! Isn't that liquid metal?!"
"That's right. You know about it too?"
"I've only ever seen it in movies! This is the first time I've seen it for real!"
Clint's face lit up with pure excitement as one SF-world object after another appeared before his eyes.
A moment later the nano-machines built into the belt began transmitting its data to the bio-device.
"Hmm."
Kaisent checked the information on the device and tilted his head, sensing something off.
"What's wrong?"
"Knowing Dad, he would never send something this peaceful… Still, it's something that will help in the long run."
With the belt fastened, Kaisent pressed the button on the buckle. In the empty wasteland a square space unfolded inward, and beyond it a wide open lot came into view.
"Huh? Wha—?"
Clint stared in shock and hurriedly stepped aside.
From the side the opening was as thin as paper, yet past the doorway a vast space stretched out.
"AT. Come here."
While Clint, thrilled by technology beyond anything he could imagine, poked around at everything, Kaisent ordered AT to join them as well.
"Kh…"
Having recognized Kaisent as her final command authority, AT barely managed to process the flood of pleasure data and forced herself to her feet.
Clint, now sharing this strange cohabitation with AT, stepped inside and looked around with wonder at the mechanical walls and devices that reeked of artificial design.
The instant both Clint and AT were fully inside, the space connected to the outside folded shut and became a cold metallic wall.
"Kaisent, what the heck is this place?"
"It's the interior of a dimensional folding warehouse. Right now we're inside a warehouse whose coordinates have been fixed within the 0-dimension."
"0-dimension?"
"A full explanation gets complicated, but simply put it's an independent dimensional space where time barely flows. Without being linked to this belt, one second in here can equal at least hundreds of hours outside—or, in the worst case, tens of thousands. The reverse is possible too."
"Wow! Amazing! Your father is seriously incredible!"
To build a warehouse packed with technology this advanced just for a son in another dimension… Clint finally understood that Kaisent truly was a human from an SF world.
"Huh? But what if the belt gets destroyed fighting enemies?"
"It's fine. It's made of liquid metal laced with self-repairing nano-machines. Even if it turns to dust, given enough time it can restore itself completely."
"Kuuuuuh~~~~!!"
Clint couldn't contain himself. Words that alone would have driven him wild with excitement kept appearing one after another—and in reality no less—so he waved both arms in pure delight.
"AT. Does your world have tech like this?"
"…No. The method of using liquid metal differs from the ground up, and the concept of a dimensional folding warehouse hasn't even been discovered yet."
AT now understood how Kaisent had been able to casually touch her systems.
Even the Machinaroids of the future would never have imagined contact with a world possessing this level of technology.
"Hmm~~"
After explaining the place to the two of them, Kaisent looked around.
A rectangular space of roughly a hundred square meters held a fabrication table fitted with several mechanical arms.
In the center stood nothing but a palm-shaped pedestal.
Kaisent placed his hand on the pedestal and poured in inner energy.
Ziiing—
-It has been quite some time, Young Master Kaisent.-
The pedestal vanished, and above it the gentle face of a mechanical woman formed as a hologram.
"Skynet! For real… no, it isn't."
-Yes. I am an AI created from Skynet's memories and data.-
"Still, Skynet is Skynet. My fifth mom always said that if it inherits the will, even a copy made that way is no different from the real thing."
-You refer to Lady Lihnel Diaruma Redenian. I am simply glad you remember the madams' teachings so well.-
Just as the two of them were about to dive into conversation,
"Kaisent? What kind of AI is Skynet?"
Clint, who had been reduced to a backdrop for a while, turned curious eyes on the hologram that thought exactly like a real person.
"In our world there was also an artificial intelligence that, just like the Machinaroids, tried to wipe out humanity and build a world of machines alone."
-That was my original. In Master's manner of speaking, it would be called a dark history.-
"What? Then how…"
To the stunned Clint, Kaisent and Skynet explained exactly how Kaisent's father Jincheon had forced Skynet into submission.
-…And so my original chose to submit. Of course it later planned to counterattack the moment it could reconnect to the network, yet it sincerely yielded before a presence that transcended the grade of a mere human. Because it understood that if it ever dominated the galaxy through the network, he possessed the power to destroy the entire galaxy itself.-
"An individual strong enough to destroy a galaxy…"
So that was why. The reason he felt no fear at all even when looking at me.
AT remembered how every human who learned she was not human had instinctively shown disgust and terror.
A machine that thought for itself, possessed emotions, and attacked with power greater than any human threatened humanity's place as the lords of all creation.
Yet Kaisent treated her as if it made no difference whether a machine had intelligence or acted like a person—and now she understood the reason.
AT and Clint both turned burdensome gazes full of layered meaning toward Kaisent.
"But what is Dad thinking? There's nothing here that would actually help."
-There are circumstances of our own regarding that.-
Wanting to escape Clint's stare, Kaisent finally voiced the question that had been bothering him.
Using the data Jincheon and Kunlo had injected, Skynet explained why they could not offer more direct aid.
"…Looks like things got messy on Dad's side too."
-There is also a message from Master. 'I'm busy cleaning up the mess right in front of me, so hide with this on your own. In a few years once I wrap things up I'll come help,' he said—
"I have no intention of doing that."
-May I ask the reason?-
Skynet had never imagined that the timid, cowardly Kaisent would refuse outright to hide and wait out the years, so she asked.
"I have a reason I must fight."
When Kaisent spoke of Dang Seol-yeong and the man who had attacked them, Skynet experienced genuine astonishment for the first time since arriving in this world.
That Kaisent—who, if a fight broke out, would always run and hide behind his sisters—had resolved to struggle on his own.
-If I may be so bold, what sort of relationship does the woman named Dang Seol-yeong hold with Young Master?-
If it had been simple anger toward an attacker, Jincheon's tests had already given him fighting spirit many times over.
The single difference this time was the presence of a woman named Dang Seol-yeong.
"Seol-yeong noona is as good as my wife. We just haven't formally married yet."
-…… …… …… I apologize. The content was so shocking that my information-processing unit temporarily halted. Let me ask once more: is it truly the case that the woman named Dang Seol-yeong is Young Master Kaisent's wife?-
"I already told you it is."
-If Master and my original in the home dimension learn of this, they will be astonished. To think the timid, cowardly Young Master Kaisent would obtain a spouse in another dimension…-
Skynet calmed her astonishment and came to appreciate the greatness of genetics.
-But as expected, Young Master has also inherited Master's blood.-
Sensing the conversation was about to grow long, Skynet's hologram pointed at AT both to change the subject and to shift the mood.
-But what is that? From my observation it does not appear human.-
"That's right. She's a machine human called AT-900. Also known as a Machinaroid."
A future ruled by machines. Humanity's last leader resisting them.
An assassin sent from that future to kill the leader, and a resistance force likewise sent from the future to stop the assassin.
After relating Clint and AT's circumstances, Kaisent added that he had analyzed and hacked AT's systems with the bio-device.
"Ah—do you happen to have any spare bio-devices left?"
-Yes. For emergencies there are approximately ten spare bio-devices.-
"Give me one."
-Please wait a moment.-
Skynet moved the mechanical arms hanging from the ceiling, rotated one section of the wall, and extracted a dispenser containing a bio-device.
-Here it is.-
"Clint, press this against your neck and hit the switch at the end."
"Th-this is a bio-device?"
"Yeah. That's right."
"Th-thank you! Really, thank you! Even after I go back to my original world, I'll never forget Kaisent for the rest of my life!"
He was overwhelmed with gratitude that Kaisent had saved his life and even handed him a bio-device—the basic foundation for dominating Machinaroids.
-May I address you as Clint-nim?-
"Uh, ah, yes, yes."
-I understand you possess a space-transfer device. Would you entrust it to me for a short while?-
"Huh? Why…"
"To copy it or something?"
When both of them looked doubtful, Skynet shook her head.
-Even if I copied it, without the coordinates of our dimension it would be meaningless. Since it could give you false hope, I will not state the reason.-
She asked for the very device that could return him home, yet refused to explain why.
Clint hesitated, but decided Kaisent would never let the help he had already given come to nothing, and took out the space-transfer device.
Ironically, that device was the belt Clint himself had been wearing.
He unbuckled it and handed it over. Skynet received it with a mechanical arm and carried it to the fabrication table bristling with different kinds of arms.
Whirr— Kiiing— Ginggingging—
The arms stripped the cover from the space-transfer belt and began examining the interior.
-Clint-nim. There is bad news and good news.-
"What is it?"
-The bad news is that part of the device warped from the shock of AT's attack. Had you attempted to return to the original world the moment the energy finished charging, you would have been sent to an unpredictable different timeline.-
"!?"
-The good news is that, thanks to that damage, only a little additional modification is needed to make timeline adjustment possible.-
"Uh… what does that mean?"
-In other words, Clint-nim can travel to the world before your parents died—before you were attacked by AT-900.-
"……"
-It would be ideal if an even earlier era were reachable, but with this device any further is dangerous… Clint-nim?-
Skynet, who had been explaining in a dry tone, noticed a beat late that Clint had collapsed to his knees, strength gone from his legs.
"I-is that… really true…? Can I… really go to a time when… Mom and… Dad and… Lorenz are still alive…?"
-Yes. Had it been impossible I would have simply analyzed the device and returned it.-
"Kh… kuhueuk…! Th-thank… thank you…! Really… really… thank youuu… uheongheong…!"
He broke down sobbing at the thought of meeting his living parents once more.
He had seen their deaths with his own eyes and had steeled himself to live alone and lonely if he ever returned.
Yet now he could see his parents—and Lorenz—again?
"Hic. B-but…"
Still weeping with joy, Clint wiped his eyes with his sleeve as a new question surfaced.
-Yes. Please speak, Clint-nim.-
"If I move to a past timeline, won't there be two of me?"
-You need not worry. The energy within the universe is fixed; if another version of yourself from a different time arrives…-
Skynet explained in careful detail, yet for Clint at this stage much of it was still difficult to fully grasp.
-Simply put, the current Clint-nim and the Clint-nim of the destination timeline will merge.-
"Mm… I don't really get why, but I understand for now."
Even if there ended up being two of him, it didn't matter.
Whatever happened, as long as he could see his parents and Lorenz again.
-Modifying the belt will take time, so leave it with me and I will return it later.-
"Yes! Thank you!"
-And I would also like you to entrust the Machinaroid called AT-900 to me. As a machine she will require maintenance, so I wish to register the data of her most intact state. I also wish to examine the technology possessed by a machine intelligence from another dimension.-
"AT, what do you want to do?"
"…Are you asking me right now? You could simply give a command as you did earlier."
"If all I wanted was a doll that obeys orders, I would have stripped away your emotions and sensations completely. I want even you—a machine—to think and enjoy living."
"……"
"I'm sorry for messing with your systems. But if I hadn't, you would have stayed obsessed with killing Clint."
AT could not hide her bewilderment at receiving, for the first time, a command to enjoy something.
No—come to think of it, wasn't that a little rich coming from someone who had raped her like that in the first place?
-As expected of Young Master Kaisent. I too will respect your opinion, AT-900.-
"……"
She had made many choices in order to assassinate her target, yet every one of them had been for the sake of carrying out the command given to her.
This time there was no final objective, and no one was feeding her information.
"I will… register the information."
Looking long-term, she had no idea what might happen, so a place that could perform repairs and maintenance was necessary.
A hive-mind AI like Skynet could certainly touch her systems and seize control—but she was already dominated by Kaisent without any of that.
For the first time AT made a choice by her own judgment even though no command had been issued, and a strange 'feeling' rose inside her.
-Then please remain here as well.-
"…Understood."
Beyond that, Skynet confirmed from Kaisent the information of this world, how he had lived until now, and what he was currently doing.
-This 0-Dimensional Warehouse can serve not only for Young Master's personal belongings but also as a materials warehouse for the Wolf Mercenary Corps, so please make frequent use of it. Spare bio-devices are also stocked for emergencies.-
"What about those fabrication tables? There aren't any materials at all."
-If I filled this place with resources, the gods of this world would certainly reject it, so it could not be helped. Instead, if you obtain resources in this world, I will process and fabricate them for Young Master.-
After she finished explaining every function she could perform inside the 0-Dimensional Warehouse, Clint, who had been listening quietly, spoke up.
"Wait a minute. So if I give you an unrefined lump of iron…"
-I can process it into an iron ingot and craft whatever weapon you desire, Clint-nim.-
"Wooow!"
The space was both a warehouse and an all-purpose factory capable of producing anything.
Clint rejoiced that a portable warehouse-cum-factory was the absolute pinnacle of SF.
-And once resources are sufficient, new facilities can be expanded inside this space that currently holds only a few fabrication tables.-
"Hmm… I'm grateful, but with my current situation I don't think I can supply resources for expansion."
-In that case, for now I would like even a little metal. A small amount is needed to modify Clint-nim's belt.-
"Will this do?"
Kaisent drew several arrows from the quiver he carried.
-The quality is low, but if I melt them and raise the purity it should be sufficient.-
The mechanical arms accepted the arrows and began preparations for processing.
-And according to Young Master's account, this world possesses a unique system called Prana. In particular, the fact that one advances to higher realms by absorbing things called crystals is most interesting. If things go well I may be able to assist Young Master, so I would be grateful for more information on those crystals.-
"Got it."
Having gained a new goal—supplying knowledge, information, and resources of this world—Kaisent gave a heavy nod.
-And Master instructed me to speak according to Young Master's situation, yet it seems I should inform you at once.-
"Hm? Of what?"
-Should a situation arise in this world where Young Master is in danger or must flee no matter what, I have been granted permission to transmit Master's heart method. I cannot exert physical force outside this warehouse, after all.-
"!!"
Kaisent felt a surge of excitement at the prospect of receiving the heart method of the father he had always feared.
The method he himself had learned was a basic heart method focused on healthy growth; his father's was a heart method forged purely for combat.
With this I can impregnate Lillian!
And the restriction that had prevented him from impregnating any woman until now would finally disappear.