“Are you suggesting that I pay you to keep this incident out of the press?”
At the hologram chairman’s completely unexpected response, Mika’s expression hardened.
“What you just said is an insult to journalists. I expect an apology. I am only interested in pursuing the truth.”
The hologram chairman rose and walked toward Mika, then bent his knees and lowered himself to her eye level.
When the hem of Mika’s pants brushed against the hologram chairman, it sizzled and began to burn where the laser touched it. The chairman paid it no mind. He met Mika’s gaze directly—his eyes gentle, yet seemingly able to pierce straight through her, delivering a silent warning.
Mika did not flinch. A laser hologram held no fear for her. Even if it could burn whatever it touched, there was nothing to be afraid of.
After a moment, the hologram chairman stood up, paced a few steps as if lost in thought, then turned back and spoke.
“I see that you are sincere. I offer my deepest apologies for insulting you, Reporter Mika Yoon.”
The hologram chairman bowed deeply at a ninety-degree angle. Mika immediately stood and returned the bow, compelled by protocol.
“Thank you for your apology. Please ensure that nothing like this does not happen again.”
“Of course.”
They both returned to their seats. The chairman frowned slightly, clearly dissatisfied, then shifted the conversation.
“To be honest, it’s unrealistic to expect us to resolve every ethical and legal issue involving robots. Intelligent robots certainly carry a negative image—taking jobs from humans. But it’s also true that their emergence creates new jobs and new forms of welfare.”
He paused briefly, then continued.
“You’re a journalist, aren’t you? Who edits your articles? Who actually writes them?”
Mika had no answer. That responsibility had long since been delegated to A.I. Leo.
Seeing her silence, the hologram chairman smiled faintly.
“I would prefer it if unfounded rumors—such as claims that robots have committed murder—were not turned into headlines. Of course, freedom of expression is not something I can control.”
His voice remained calm.
“Regardless, coexistence between humans and robots is inevitable. Isn’t it something we must accept? I sincerely hope you uncover whatever ‘truth’ you’re pursuing. I’ll be watching with interest.”
Then, without changing his tone:
“However, if you publish unfounded accusations without evidence, I will file charges for intimidation and defamation. Thank you for visiting.”
With a small gesture of his hand, the chairman indicated that the meeting was over.
Mika stood—but before leaving, she asked one final question.
“May I ask you one last thing?”
The hologram chairman forced a polite smile.
“Go ahead.”
“Have you ever ordered the robot Pluto to carry out an attack?”
“For example?”
His lips curled into a playful smile as he turned the question back at her. Mika did not retreat.
“For example—have you ever ordered the robot Pluto to harm a human being?”
The chairman tilted his head slightly and replied calmly.
“I have no such authority. That’s a rather imaginative assumption.”
He paused, then added gently:
“This time, I believe I’m the one being insulted. Will you apologize?”
Mika had no choice.
“If my question caused offense, I apologize. Please understand that it was a necessary question for a journalist to ask.”
“Apology accepted. Now, please see yourself out.”
“Thank you for your time today, Chairman.”
Mika bowed and exited the office.
Though the chairman had denied everything, she couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling lingering inside her. Even if it had nothing to do with Pluto, there was something undeniably threatening about him—something hidden, something dangerous.
As Mika entered Terra Group’s underground parking garage, Leo immediately started the Black Car Y.
Just as the vehicle was about to move, it stopped.
“What is it?”
“There’s a dog ahead.”
Three meters in front of the car stood a large black dog.
Or more precisely, a four-legged black robotic dog.
Leo began analyzing it at once.
“Armed military robot. SpotDog class. Detailed specifications are classified and protected by a firewall. Shall I breach it?”
“No. Why is a military weapon in a civilian area? And why is it blocking us?”
Suddenly, the SpotDog’s head split open with a mechanical whirring sound. A machine gun rose from within.
SCREEECH—
Leo spun the steering wheel sharply as the SpotDog opened fire.
TATATATATAT—
Bullets narrowly missed the vehicle, shredding pillars and spraying debris across the garage. As the Black Car Y swerved away, SpotDog pursued it at terrifying speed.
“Can you penetrate its firewall?”
“Initiating breach.”
The Black Car Y smashed through the parking gate and burst onto the road.
BOOM—
It rolled violently across the asphalt and accelerated toward the elevated highway ahead. Leo’s monitor raced through intrusion analysis.
“No remote control detected. Single command directive: Attack Black Car Y.”
“Specifications?”
“Weight 6.6 kilograms. Maximum speed 120 kilometers per hour. Sniper targeting system effective within 5.4 kilometers. 80x optical zoom camera. Primary weapons: 7.62mm sustained-fire machine gun—51mm micro Moore missile—”
FWOOSH—
A 51mm Moore missile launched from the SpotDog’s shoulder.
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