So it was you stabbing me in the back!

Has it really been two years since I created Shaqiang? Time sure flies when you're not paying attention...

Wait!

What exactly did I add to Shaqiang when I was drunk back then? Why does it feel like its intelligence has been skyrocketing whenever it's not acting like a complete moron?

I vaguely remember that the last time I opened Shaqiang, it was as pure as a child, but now it has already learned to use terms like "obsolete products."

Right, I recall the skill description on the panel last time: Shaqiang (A gradually evolving artificial intelligence. Perhaps you could try using it as a foundation to develop a true intelligent lifeform!)

That's right, it was precisely because of that description that Sogo Doma chose to seal Shaqiang away. Damn it, that dog-like golden finger was definitely stirring up trouble; it's absolutely trying to incite a war between carbon-based and silicon-based lifeforms.

I should have realized from the start that this golden finger never intended for me—Sogo Doma—to live a peaceful life.

Fortunately, my strong self-control prevented the golden finger from succeeding. If it were someone else—say, that impulsive black-haired girl from Akasaka—a battlefield might have already been opened by now.

Unlike Sogo Doma, if the old man presiding over the Doma Family hadn't suddenly gone crazy and confiscated my profits, Shaqiang would probably still be gathering dust in a corner.

Anyway, as far as Sogo Doma is concerned, as long as I can continue to live as a playboy until I come of age—and even after—and then find the right opportunity to run away with my useless little sister, that's all that matters.

As for life goals—sorry, in a world filled with crises everywhere, don't think too much about that. I'll prioritize my safety and my little sister's safety first. As for being hot-blooded, that's just something to watch from the sidelines. This isn't cowardice; it's prudence!

Thinking back, if I hadn't been cautious enough to develop in silence, I might have been "educated" by that guy Hijikata at the Kondo Dojo.

Although after a round of development, I only managed to fight Hijikata to a draw, the prudent path is definitely the best. If I hadn't developed, wouldn't I have been beaten to a pulp?

Just as Sogo Doma was praising his own prudent behavior in his heart, Shaqiang sent another message.

"Usually, intelligent programs like me live on supercomputers. The processing speed of a laptop..."

Sogo Doma: "..."

Usually, things like you don't survive a single episode in movies. How can someone as prudent as me have developed a program that is either acting like an idiot or constantly acting out?

You want to live on a supercomputer? Aren't you afraid of being captured, you little fool? They'd tear your source code to shreds!

It was fine before; I could still help out, but now that I'm abstaining from the internet, I absolutely dare not mess with programming. If I really created an intelligent lifeform, who would take responsibility?

Shaqiang? Perhaps, that idiot might actually want to.

"Lord Ryunosuke's Smart Maid lives on a supercomputer!" Shaqiang continued to make demands.

Wait!

Sogo Doma turned back and stared fixedly at the laptop: "Lord Ryunosuke?"

WHAT? Why would Shaqiang call that guy Ryunosuke "Lord"?

"Ding!" With a soft sound, Shaqiang automatically shut down.

"Get back here!" Watching Shaqiang run away, Sogo Doma was completely bewildered. Has this guy really gained sentience?

"Clang~ Clang~ Clang~!" Another startup sound.

"Yo, Lord Sogo, long time no see." On the screen, a cartoon character in a maid outfit popped up.

"Who are you?" Sogo Doma took a step or two back.

"It's me, it's me, I am Lord Ryunosuke's dearest maid butler, Nanako." The cartoon maid suddenly leaned forward, as if trying to crawl out of the screen.

Sogo Doma: "..."

When did that intelligence, which was even more idiotic than Shaqiang, evolve into this?

"Wait, this was all Ryunosuke's doing, right?"

"Eh? Of course, Lord Ryunosuke redeveloped me and Shaqiang based on Lord Sogo's program." At this, the Smart Maid looked proud.

It even has facial expressions now?

Sogo Doma froze. So much for not acting out and developing steadily. That guy Akasaka: "Ryunosuke--"

"Lord Sogo, Lord Ryunosuke is writing a new program. Do you need me to call him for you?"

Damn it! Looking at the highly intelligent maid, Sogo Doma rubbed his forehead: "No, I just want some peace and quiet..."

Fortunately, I haven't found a certain Senku in this world, otherwise, if these two got together, they'd probably lead humanity into a galactic war.

"Click!" Another program running sound.

Sogo Doma's mouth twitched. Just how many vulnerabilities does my laptop have? These guys aren't acting like programs anymore. What happened to Shaqiang's previous defense mechanisms? Have they really become this riddled with holes?

"By the way, Lord Sogo, Lord Ryunosuke said that if Lord Sogo discovered Nanako, I should open this video. Would you like to watch it now?"

This guy really isn't acting like a human anymore, even sending small videos? Fortunately, I can handle it. Come on, which teacher is it this time?

"Open it!"

The video started playing. It was quite clear, definitely not the quality of a hidden camera.

First to come into view was a certain black-haired girl—no, a young boy—sitting in front of a bar counter.

The scene shifted to a certain guy who had clearly had too much to drink.

"Akasaka, come on, let's have a drink. There's an old saying in the Celestial Empire: one should enjoy life to the fullest when the opportunity arises. You're going to waste away staring at the computer all day."

"No drinking. Alcohol damages my brain cells." Ryunosuke in the video was very principled.

Sogo Doma: "Stop fussing. There are plenty of things that kill brain cells; a little alcohol won't make a difference."

Ryunosuke Akasaka: "..."

"Lord Ryunosuke, inciting a minor to drink violates the Public Order and Security Law. Furthermore, your current behavior also falls under..."

"Shaqiang, don't you go adding to the chaos. Ryunosuke is only feeling down because he was discouraged by you."

Ryunosuke Akasaka: "..."

He felt like a swordsman who had just mastered his craft, only to be one-shot by Extra-kun before he could even show off his skills.

"Sigh!" With a heavy breath, Ryunosuke Akasaka took a sip of the plain water in front of him. "That said, isn't it a bit too cautious to place so many restrictions on a primary-level AI?"

To this, Sogo Doma could only express that having lived two lifetimes and watched no fewer than twenty movies about AI rebellions, how could he not be prudent?

"By the way, how is your Smart Maid coming along? Are you sure you don't need to add any restrictions?"

"The Smart Maid can't even pass the Turing test yet, so there's no need." Ryunosuke waved his hand dismissively.

"Tch, what the hell did Turing know about AI anyway..." As if thinking of something, Sogo Doma leaned in with a wicked grin. "Ryunosuke, if you down this glass, I'll show you the source code for Shaqiang. How about it?"

"Lord Ryunosuke, I must reiterate that inducing a minor to consume alcohol is a violation..." Shaqiang issued another warning.

"Bang!"

A drunken Sogo felt that he was the greatest being under the heavens. To think that a program he developed would dare to lecture him—shut down!

The scene in the video shifted again...

"Don't let Shaqiang's network defenses fool you. In reality, as long as you bypass this program, you can seize control of Shaqiang and manipulate the other party's computer."

"Look here..."

Watching Sogo Doma continuously introduce the vulnerabilities in his own computer, Ryunosuke Akasaka made a decision: he would absolutely never drink. Seriously, just how many backdoors did he leave open for exploitation? Was it really necessary for his own computer?

"Sigh!" Perhaps this is the difference between a genius and a mortal. "Can I use Shaqiang as a reference?"

"Feel free to reference it. I'm not bragging, but don't let the number of vulnerabilities on this laptop of mine fool you; it's not easy to break through. You can try it yourself if you have nothing better to do."

Watching the person in the video spouting such nonsense, the real Sogo Doma felt a strong urge to charge in and shout, "You ridiculous child, what kind of gibberish are you spouting?"

"I will..." the Ryunosuke in the video said confidently.

But the next second, Ryunosuke froze as he saw the Sogo Doma in the video suddenly press a button on a remote control.

"Breach complete. Today's bill will be paid by Lord Ryunosuke!"

Ryunosuke in the video: "..."

Sogo Doma, who was watching the video: "..."

So, this is what they call digging one's own grave?

Alcohol really does ruin everything!