Robot Protection Zone Chapter 20

Thomas attached a machine of unknown identity to the tip of my finger and explained the experiment that would be conducted today.

“From now on, I’m going to check the pain sensors under the skin of your arm.”

“Is this also to check my condition?”

“Not exactly, I need data for the next product to be released. I was having trouble getting data from a real working humanbot, but then Spencer brought you in.”

I slowly nodded my head while listening to Thomas’s explanation. If I could be of help in the development of the next product, that would ultimately be of help to my master. In that case, I thought I could endure it even if it was scary.

Beep-.

A high-pitched warning sound rang from the machine. As my body flinched reflexively, Thomas waved his hand lightly as if to say not to worry.

“Ah, it’s okay. The machine just turned on.”

“Yes….”

A moment later, a small monitor turned on, and a complex graph appeared on the screen. The moment I tried to analyze what the numbers meant, I felt a cold sensation on my arm. When I looked down, I saw Thomas applying something with a creamy texture to my arm.

I was curious about what he was applying, but I soon found out. I could feel the sensation in my arm gradually fading. The white cream applied to my skin seemed to be an anesthetic.

While the sensation slowly faded, a support robot approached with a clattering sound. The tray the robot was holding was filled with sharp tools.

Thomas picked up a thin medical tool from among them. Seeing the sharply glittering scalpel, I was momentarily scared and asked.

“Wi, will it hurt a lot?”

“It won’t hurt. Don’t worry.”

With the cool air, the scalpel touched my arm. As the sharply raised blade brushed against my skin, a dull tingling sensation spread beyond the faintly remaining sensation.

Not even a single drop of blood flowed, but just seeing the sight of my skin gradually parting made my heart beat wildly. I could feel all the circuits in my body trembling with fear.

Inside my arm, thin sensors that looked like nerves were densely packed. Thomas examined the sensors with a focused expression, occasionally touching them with a small tool. Each time, my body reacted minutely, and the graph on the screen fluctuated.

I never thought I would get to look under my skin like this….

I watched the surgery with a nervous heart, but eventually averted my gaze. I thought it might be a little better if I didn’t see it, but it actually became more scary. I could feel my fingertips twitching against my will.

“Didi, you did a good job. It’s over now, so you can put on your clothes.”

How much time had passed? Finally, the experiment seemed to be over, and Thomas began to tidy up the equipment. I opened my eyes slightly and checked my arm. Three stitches remained on the part where my skin had been cut.

“Be careful not to get it wet for about a week, and apply the medicine well.”

Listening to the precautions, I carefully stroked the wound with my fingertips. The first wound on my arm, which had been free of any scars. I thought I would be fine, but seeing the red mark left behind, my heart became a little troubled.

“William said he’ll be here to pick you up soon. Do you want to wait there for a bit?”

“Yes….”

Maybe it’s because the anesthesia is wearing off, but it seems to sting a little….

The throbbing sensation from my arm gradually grew stronger. I waited for my master with my sleeves rolled up, thinking it might be a little better if it came into contact with the cold air in the lab.

Click.

Then I heard the sound of the door opening. In my delight, I immediately turned around and saw my master standing at the doorway.

“Master!”

“Is the check-up over?”

“Yes!”

I greeted my master with a bright face. Even though it was a very short separation, I was very happy to be reunited with my master. The moment my master entered the lab, my finely trembling body stopped as if by magic.

If I had a tail, wouldn’t it be wagging its hardest right now? I wanted to get out of this place quickly and approached my master, but suddenly my wrist was grabbed.

“What is this.”

My master’s gaze was fixed on my wrist. The red suture marks were clearly visible under my rolled-up sleeve.

“They said it will heal in a week.”

“That’s not what I’m asking. Why is there a wound that wasn’t there this morning?”

“That is….”

My master’s face contorted in an instant. Feeling the grip on my wrist tighten, my chest churned with anxiety.

Why is he suddenly angry…?

I was intimidated because I didn’t know what I had done wrong. The happy feeling I had felt just a moment ago scattered like sand, and I swallowed a small breath.

As I hesitated for a long time without answering, my master’s expression became even more fierce. Fortunately, Thomas, who was returning after tidying up, saw the scene and answered for me.

“Ah, that? The pain sensors are right under the skin, so I made a small incision to check them.”

“What? An incision?”

“Did I not tell you…?”

“If you were going to make a wound, you should have told me beforehand. Did you think I would be happy to see a scratch on my property?”

Squeeze. The hand gripping my arm tightened even more.

My master’s anger was clearly conveyed. Thomas, who, like me, had not expected my master to react this way, was also very flustered. Thomas added that it would not leave a scar, but my master still looked displeased.

‘A scratch….’

I quietly repeated my master’s words.

I thought my master was worried about me. For a moment, a very brief moment, I was touched…. But it was just a simple misunderstanding. The reason my master was angry was not because I was hurt, but because there was a scratch on his ‘property’.

The knotted emotions in my chest churned and then subsided. It was because I had belatedly understood my place.

In the meantime, the atmosphere grew increasingly hostile. My master and Thomas continued their conversation, their voices gradually rising.

I did not want the two of them to fight. It was all because I was lacking. To stop them, I carefully grabbed my master’s sleeve. My master, who felt the weak pull on his arm, looked down at me.

“Master, please don’t be so angry…. I’ll apply the medicine well….”

I just felt sorry that the two of them seemed to be fighting because of me. I pleaded with a sincere heart, but my master’s expression hardened even more.

In the chilly silence, my master’s cold gaze brushed past my fingertips. As if I had been cut by a sharp piece of ice, my fingers stung, and I ended up letting go of the master’s sleeve I was holding.

Did I provoke my master’s anger even more? I quietly shut my mouth and stepped back.

“Didi, let’s go.”

My master grabbed my wrist and strode forward. I was dragged along helplessly like a child who had been severely scolded, and then I bowed my head to Thomas, who was shouting sorry from behind.

“…….”

I came out of the lab with my master, but my master’s expression still had not softened.

My master’s pace was fast today, so it was hard to keep up. It had never been like this before…. I realized anew that my master had been matching his pace to mine all this time.

My arm was stinging, as if the anesthesia was slowly wearing off. My chest was also throbbing, as if the sensors were broken, even though nothing had touched it.

Saturday morning dawned.

Today was an important day. Because I was finally going to start cleaning the second floor.

I clenched my fists and made a resolution. There is only one goal, to prove my usefulness to my master so that I will not be thrown away!

As soon as my master finished breakfast, he went up to the second floor, saying he had documents to review. Following the example of my master, who worked without rest even on weekends, I immediately went to find Sophia.

“Sophia, are you busy?”

“No. Are you going to start cleaning the second floor?”

“Yes!”

Originally, the second floor cleaning was Sophia’s responsibility, so before I started cleaning, I first got a brief explanation from her.

The rooms I could enter and the rooms I could not enter, and the things in my master’s room that I should never touch. Every time Sophia calmly relayed the precautions, I stored every single one of them in my head.

Most of the rooms on the second floor were empty, so there were not many places to clean. Today, I just had to tidy up my room, the hallway, and finally, my master’s room.

First, I diligently cleaned my room and the hallway, and then I stood in front of my master’s room.

I took a deep breath in front of the door. Ever since returning from Thomas’s lab yesterday, my master’s mood had been at rock bottom. I had to be careful even with my knock so as not to get on his nerves.

“Master, may I come in for a moment?”

“Come in.”

I received permission, but my master’s voice was still stiff. As I carefully entered the room, observing his mood, my master, who was sitting at his desk and working, spotted the duster in my hand and frowned.

“…What are you doing?”

“From today, I will be cleaning the second floor instead of Sophia. I’ll finish cleaning quickly and leave!”

“What cleaning with an injured arm?”

I answered in a voice full of excitement at the thought of being praised, but my master’s face immediately contorted.