In the Name of God - Chapter 7.1
The first thing to appear were the brown ears shaped like rounded triangles, perking up.
Short, plump front paws appeared next, as if wearing white socks, spreading its toes wide.
Following that, a soft back led to a fluffy tail that looked like a feathery brush.
The brown animal, fully emerging from the system window and suspended in midair, stared at me with its blue button-like eyes.
It was the perfect size to hold in one arm. This cute creature was a blue-eyed puppy.
The puppy blinked its protruding snout while locking eyes with me.
-Hello, □□□! I am Echo, a high-level artificial intelligence assigned to assist you!
The voice, difficult to classify as male or female, penetrated my mind.
-I will diligently assist you until the day you die!
Something about the way it spoke felt strange.
The puppy hopped gently onto my shoulder. It was much lighter than expected, probably because it was not a real puppy. I could barely feel its weight, just a sense that something was there.
I silently looked around.
In the waiting seats set up in front of the inspection room, there were quite a few people passing by, besides me. Yet no one reacted to Echo’s appearance.
-Do not worry! I have a built-in invisibility function! Only you, □□□, can see me while I am invisible!
I reached out to poke Echo’s nose, which moved as if it were speaking. It felt slightly cold and moist, like touching a real puppy’s nose.
“Do not call me by that name. Start with changing the title.”
To fully adapt to this world, I had become ‘Seong Do‑yoon.’
So for now, I would forget my name from outside this world.
Echo pressed its head against my face as if acknowledging this. Its soft, fluffy fur was surprisingly pleasant.
-Then what should I call you? Master? Your Highness? Lord? Teacher?
I chuckled at the little creature, tilting its head cutely while suggesting titles.
This felt less like a support module and more like interacting with an adorably spoiled child. Are all modern AIs like this?
As I considered the title, a fragment of a conversation with my young disciple came to mind.
-You said calling me God is not so good, right? How about ‘Master’?
-From today, I will start training for the promotion exam as you instructed, Master. I will never disappoint you!
-Huh, how did you know this artifact was hidden here?! Master is amazing!!
Even though I could not recall it clearly now, that child’s voice had always been endearing.
And the title he used to call me in that warm voice.
“Master.”
At my words, Echo’s ears perked up.
“Call me Master.”
-Understood, Master!
I reached to pat Echo, who cheerfully addressed me, but then looked around and slightly lowered my hand. I also lowered my voice and parted my lips as little as possible.
“What does it mean that if my lifespan ends, the world will be destroyed?”
-It means exactly that! If you die, Master, this world will immediately experience the proper conclusion of the ‘Destruction Project’!
“What is the proper conclusion?”
-It is the outcome the project desires!
I was momentarily breathless.
The conclusion the Destruction Project desires.
In other words, the proper conclusion meant this world’s destruction.
I looked skeptically at Echo, whose eyes shone atop my shoulder.
“This world has been maintained well for twenty-seven years after I died. How does this world have anything to do with me now?”
-Why would it not matter?! Master, you are the only guardian who preserved this world that should have perished long ago! You still are!
“What?”
Still?
I died twenty-seven years ago, just before the Holy War began.
And I am supposedly still protecting this world?
Echo answered as if it were obvious.
-Your existence, Master, is postponing the ‘Second Destruction Project’ for this world!
I was speechless at the unexpected statement.
So… Is there another Destruction Project that was canceled?
And it is unable to proceed as intended because of my existence?
‘Why?’
The more I listened, the more questions arose.
Meanwhile, Echo jumped up and spoke quite seriously.
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