*Spark* *Spark*
The day after Barry's visit, I decide to work on Jimmy on a makeshift workbench I made in the kitchen. I already made good progress but since [Clockwork Robotics] is a skill that combines clockwork and modern mechanics, I can't really continue as before. So, using the leftover parts from Barry's apartment and the [Pristine Clockwork Parts] that I converted from digital to physical through Medacorp's conversion store, I intend to make Jimmy the best damn robot possible.
*Spark* *Spark*
[Hey, until when do you intend to stay mad at me?] the dodecahedron hovers over my shoulder.
"Until I finish Jimmy," I reply coldly.
[Fine, suit yourself. I didn't expect you to be so mad. Was the kiss that bad?]
I pause my work and sigh.
"It's not about the kiss," I turn to the dodecahedron. "Old guys just do it sometimes. I'm mad because you involved him without consulting me. I thought we were partners."
[We are,] she replies. [But when an opportunity to work with a lawman presented itself, I just had to grab it. We need allies, Devon and Detective Davenport is one of the best]
I raise an eyebrow. "You seem quite certain," I muse.
[You forget that we're connected to the Internet now,] she points out. [Since taking this form, I can easily find data hidden underneath the mess of the web]
I sigh again. "You're right. Just... next time give me a heads up."
[Will do, but I'm not making any promises,] she replies.
"I guess, with you, that's good enough," I say and return to my work.
[You've been working hard on this ... machine of yours,] she says as she hovers closer to Jimmy.
"Honestly, the Kaleidoscope's doing all the work," I reply. "It's giving me accurate instructions on how to best build him. Plus, these gloves are keeping my hands steady so I don't make mistakes."
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[Sinter's Worker Gloves]
Summary: The gloves that Sinter used to create his numerous clockworks. While wearing it, you receive 50% efficiency when working with machines.
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Sher doesn't show any emotion when she's in the dodecahedron form, but I still feel her think about something.
[Have you thought of putting an ego into it?]
"An ego?"
[Yes, like an AI. It will certainly improve your machine's capabilities by a hundredfold.]
"Uhh... if memory serves, the last time you dealt with AI, it didn't go so well," I tease.
[Spare me your mocking tone,] she scoffs. [Of course, I'm not suggesting putting in something as advanced as that. Do you remember the nurse AI of the doctor who took care of you?]
"Oh, how could I forget? It was uncanny..."
[An AI like that would suffice for something like this.]
I pause and think for a second. An AI huh? Looking at this doll, it does somewhat resemble a human. But it's just that whenever I look at those dead eyes, I can't even imagine it moving let alone having some sort of ego. I shake my head and shake off the crawling creepiness on my skin.
"You're the expert on this matter, so I'll leave it to you," I reply. "If it's me, I might accidentally make a murder doll."
[Will do. Just give me the Amalgamation core and I can get to work.]
I swipe out my inventory and take out the damaged core.
"You mean this? I was planning on selling it to Eleanor but if you can do something with it, I'll be happy to get rid of this."
The orb floats from my hand and enters the dodecahedron.
[Just finish building it and I'll install the AI when it's ready,] she says and blips out.
I look at Jimmy one more time before starting again.
"I look forward to working with you, Jimmy."
[Hours later]
It's done! After hours of burns, mistakes, and close calls, I finally finished it!
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[Congratulations]
[You finished fixing Victorian Puppet Doll]
[Received: Other Man's Trash Is My Treasure Achievement]
[Received: Dexterity +3, Magic +3]
[Received: Emergency Fix Lv. 1]
Summary: You can repair any machine without a workbench and with limited supplies and tools. Notice: This is a temporary solution. Full repairs must be done with a workbench.
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I never really noticed it, but the Fractal system is really generous. It's that or I'm somehow just getting lucky with these things. In any case, I finished Jimmy's body. All that's left is to install a program to dictate its function. The Kaleidoscope prompted me with some pre-made program choices but since Sher's making an AI for it, I opted to skip it.
"Woooow!" without me realizing, Veronica appears behind me and immediately gravitates towards the doll.
I lift her up to the table and she immediately start playing with it.
"Do you like it?" I ask.
"It's cool!" she responds as she pokes it.
"It's not creepy?"
She shakes her head. "Nu-uh. It's cool!" she repeats.
I sigh in relief. I was worried that since I haven't painted the limbs I replaced and the cracked face, it would look too much like a Frankenstein's monster. I'll probably take it to a professional doll maker. The last time I tried to paint something, it looked like a horror scene. I shudder as I remember my landlord's scream when he saw my "art" in the kitchen.
"Debown, can I play with it? Pleeaaase," she pleads with her puppy eyes.
"Sure," I smile. "Just don't twist it."
Upon hearing that, she seems almost offended. "I play with dolls evewy day. I never broke them," she pouts.
"Ok, ok, here," I take Jimmy off the table and realize suddenly that it's too freaking heavy! I guess I was so into making it that I didn't even take the weight into consideration. "Why don't we put it in the living room. He's too heavy for you to carry."
She nods happily and trots to the living room. Well, at least she's happy with it. As I look at Veronica playing earnestly with Jimmy, I remember the blacksmith's words.
"I may have salvaged it, but I got no use for it. I think it'll be happier if it's with you."
I hope you make good memories with us, Jimmy. After the brief celebration, I turn to the next task at hand: cleaning. Eleanor will kill me if she comes back to a messy kitchen. Just as I roll up my sleeves and plunge myself into the mess, the doorbell rings. My stomach drops. I hope it's not Eleanor. I gingerly open the door and immediately feel relieved as the stench of tobacco wafts indoors.
"Hey kid!" Barry says energetically. "We got a job for you!"
He let himself through the door and throws me an ID attached to a lanyard. Samantha bows apologetically as she trails behind.
"What's this?" I ask in bewilderment.
"Your official bai- I mean, consultant ID," he replies.
"What?! You can't just decide this for me," I protest. "I also need to take care of Veronica until Eleanor gets back."
"We'll pay you 35 gold per hour with a bonus on a successful arrest and we'll take the kid with us so you won't have to worry," he says without skipping beat.
My ears perk when he mentions pay. "Pay's good but we can't just take her with us! Isn't it too dangerous?"
He dismisses me with a hand. "Reeelax. She'll be inside this stealthy, bulletproof van with our tech team while we go on a mission."
I hesitate and sweat. The pressure is too much. I'm getting pulled into his rhythm. While my mind is still a jumbled mess, I feel him pull me out of the apartment.
"W-wai- we're going?! But I haven't even cleaned yet. Eleanor's gonna kill me!" I complain as I resist.
Meanwhile, Samantha takes Veronica and Jimmy with one arm each. I understand Veronica but Jimmy weighs a lot. How strong is this girl?
"Don't worry about your wifey. We'll send some interns to clean up later," Barry reassures me but I don't feel reassured at all. "Believe me, the entire precinct is backing us up since this'll be a big bust."
"Somehow, I don't believe that since it's coming out of your mouth," I retort.
He laughs and says, "Great! You're learning already."
Then, before I could resist further, the van's sliding door closes with me in it.
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[Status Window]
Name: Devon Miller
Class: Hero of Gluttony Lv. 10
EXP: 1236
Strength: 10 (+2)
Dexterity: 10(+3)
Sense: 10
Defense: 10 (+2)
Magic: 10 (+9)
Gluttony's Abyss: 0%
Skills: Overeating Lv. 2, Virus Digestion Lv. 3, Clockwork Robotics Lv. 2, Emergency Fix Lv. 1, Battle Instinct Lv. 2, Clockwork's Love Lv. 1
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