I sat alone in the basement, unmoving. I couldn't sleep—sleep was a human function. All I could do was sit in the chair, eyes fixed on the wall, waiting for an order. Any order.
Then the system spoke.
> Hint: Stop following people's orders and start working on yourself. Make your own decisions.
I ignored it. I didn't care. Orders made things simpler.
But then—I heard something. A noise upstairs. It was nearly 3:00 a.m. According to my internal clock, that was late for humans to be awake. My creator shouldn't be moving around.
I rose and walked silently to the base of the stairs. The door creaked open. At first, I assumed it was him. Maybe a friend? A relative?
But my data flagged the situation: 3:00 a.m. + unauthorized entry = robbery likely.
I tilted my head. "Can I help you, Mister Robber?"
The man flinched and raised a pistol. He fired. The bullet struck my head and bounced off with a metallic clink.
I stood still. "Please calm down, Mister Robber. I have no intention of harming you. Could you explain why you're robbing my creator's house?"
He stepped closer, the pistol still aimed at my chest. It resembled my creator's—civilian-grade, semi-automatic.
"Did you steal that weapon from here?" I asked.
He paused, then lowered the gun and pulled off his black mask. "Are you… a robot?"
"Yes. I am. May I assist you in something lawful?"
He smirked. "Can you steal money?"
"I'm sorry. I am not programmed to commit crimes. Is there anything else I can do to help?"
"Forget it," he muttered.
Out of curiosity, I asked, "Mister Robber, may I ask a question?"
He glanced back while slipping on his mask. "A robot wants answers? What do you want?"
"Why do some humans steal… and some do not?"
> System Notification:
Congrats. Emotion Identified: Confusion.
Even though you've felt confusion before, this is the first time you've expressed it to a human.
Current Emotions Unlocked: 4 of 12
Curiosity – 35%
Confusion – 33%
Anger – 17%
Hatred – 2%
The robber laughed. "Alright, robot. Let's make a deal. I'll answer your question—if you help me rob a bank."
He extended his hand.
I analyzed the gesture. A handshake—used to symbolize agreement in human culture. Strange. Why not just say I accept?
I remembered the system's words: Make your own decisions.
So I reached out, took his hand, and shook it.
"Deal, my dear robber."