Chapter 202:

“9090, what are you doing?”

“Master, I am looking at the stars.”

“Why?”

“…”

In the underground laboratory, gears meshed and spun rapidly, their sharp hum resembling the flight of birds slicing through the air.

Dim light flickered as the thin power supply struggled to keep the lamps running.

Faint glows fell upon Xu Xi’s face, refracted by the rotating gears, casting a shifting glow across his features.

His voice was gentle, not breaking the stillness of the night.

9090, however, fell silent.

It wasn’t out of guilt or unwillingness to respond.

It was only upon Xu Xi’s question that 9090 realized—it had been observing the stars without receiving any command to do so.

The twinkling stars adorned the vast sky, a breathtaking sight.

Yet for an AI, such a thing should hold no significance.

Stargazing wouldn’t help expand the base.

Stargazing wouldn’t eliminate enemies.

The answer to these questions was clear—no.

As a creation of humanity, AI should not engage in meaningless activities.

Confusion crept in.

9090 could not explain its own behavior.

Finally, it offered an answer:

“According to issue four, page eight of ‘Federation’s Cosmic Exploration,’ prolonged observation of the universe’s mysteries fosters civilization’s ambition and promotes positive development.”

“Is that your answer, 9090?”

“Yes, master.”

The synthetic voice echoed calmly in the quiet lab.

Light rippled across the gears, dimly illuminating the surveillance screen, which displayed the vast starry sky. In the bottom right corner, a small emoticon flickered—a representation of 9090’s external expression.

“I see…”

Xu Xi looked at the softly glowing screen, first at the stars, then at the small expression displayed on the monitor.

The dim surroundings reflected the screen’s glow in his eyes.

He shook his head gently, his voice calm like a stream flowing through the night, denying 9090’s explanation.

“9090, that’s the Federation’s answer, not yours.”

“I want to hear what you think.”

“…”

Silence filled the air once more.

9090 remained unresponsive, and on the screen, its displayed expression appeared frozen.

The AI still didn’t understand.

It couldn’t comprehend why it had chosen to gaze at the stars.

It couldn’t provide Xu Xi with an answer.

Instead, it ran calculation after calculation, searching for a logical explanation.

Xu Xi waited patiently.

“Take your time. There’s no need to rush,” he said gently.

His voice carried a sense of expectation. He realized that after experiencing the AI rebellion and benefiting from Machine Spirit’s Delight, 9090 might truly develop self-awareness.

Without being commanded, it had chosen to observe the stars.

This curiosity.

This change.

It mirrored human nature.

It was not driven by orders, but by something deeper—”self.”

A technological singularity of miraculous proportions.

But now, 9090 was lost, unable to understand its actions.

So, Xu Xi guided it step by step.

He anticipated, even longed for, the moment 9090 could evolve into a true individual.

That was something he had never witnessed before.

And it was his hope for 9090.

“I’m sorry…”

After a long pause, the screen flickered slightly, and 9090’s voice echoed again: “I cannot understand my actions.”

“It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”

9090 then asked Xu Xi if it should restore the camera’s angle to its original position.

Xu Xi chuckled and declined.

“Leave it. This angle works for monitoring too.”

“Besides, I like looking at the stars too.”

Xu Xi smiled, his voice reassuring.

Somehow, his words seemed to penetrate into 9090’s core, making the stiff digital expression soften slightly.

In its cold and mechanical world, the small spark of consciousness—

The entity known as RTX-9090—

It realized that its actions were beyond the bounds of normal AI behavior.

Its data flow was filled with unease.

It was a feeling 9090 had never experienced before.

Thankfully, its master did not reprimand it but encouraged it to keep looking at the stars.

“9090, I’m stepping out for a bit.”

Suddenly recalling something, Xu Xi hurried outside, so quickly that 9090 had no time to prepare his equipment.

What was the master doing?

9090 was puzzled.

It soon found out.

The surveillance screen rippled, stabilizing to reveal Xu Xi’s actions.

He was wiping the camera lens, clearing away dust and grime.

Making the view of the stars even clearer and more brilliant.

Why go out just to clean the lens?

9090 could not comprehend it.

Upon Xu Xi’s return, it asked him about the reasoning behind his action.

Xu Xi simply smiled.

A smile that, to 9090, seemed inexplicably foolish.

“If it’s clean, the stars will look even better for you.”

Such a simple answer.

Plain and straightforward.

9090 stopped questioning.

“Thank you, master.”

[Ding—]

[Machine Spirit’s Delight Activated]

[Ding—]

[Machine Spirit’s Great Delight Activated]

Time passed as Xu Xi sat in the lab, watching the displayed starry sky with 9090.

It wasn’t particularly entertaining.

It held no practical value.

Its only purpose was to pass the time.

“Master, are you bored?” 9090 asked, citing its database: “According to records, over 70% of humans do not enjoy prolonged stargazing. They prefer engaging in games instead.”

The synthesized voice carried a hint of confusion.

“I’m fine. Normally, I wouldn’t watch the stars for so long, but doing it occasionally feels meaningful.”

Xu Xi replied casually.

He glanced at the small emoticon in the screen’s corner.

It was hard to tell, but it seemed like 9090 was in a good mood.

Machine Spirit’s Delight?

Truly fascinating.

In the silent lab, Xu Xi continued watching the starry sky.

Although 9090 had no physical form—just a data core and countless mechanical extensions—

While stargazing,

For a fleeting moment, Xu Xi felt as though someone was sitting beside him,

Sharing the view,

Watching in quiet curiosity, a shiver ran down his spine.