Chapter 165: Smart AI

Leo’s eyes snapped open.

His vision swam with shadows at first, taking a few long seconds to clear. When it did, the heavy, metallic smell of dried blood clinging to his clothes hit him.

He pushed himself upright, his muscles aching with the effort. He realized he was lying on his own bed.

Leo threw a sharp glance toward the sink across the room. The space right in front of it was the last place he remembered being before the darkness took him.

Yet, there was no blood by the sink. The mess he had made was completely gone.

Looking around, the entire living compartment was spotless. Someone had scrubbed the floor, arranged his scattered gear in neat rows, and replaced the stench of iron with a crisp, refreshing scent.

Leo frowned.

"What happened here?"

More importantly, what happened to him? He remembered vomiting blood. He remembered a sharp, tearing pain in his chest right before his legs gave out.

He needed answers right away.

"System, what happened to me?"

The familiar interface chimed right back.

[Host, your heart burst from the inside.]

The color drained from Leo’s face.

"What the hell...? Now isn’t the time for jokes. If my heart burst, then how am I still alive?"

[Host, the system never jokes.]

Leo fell silent. The digital voice lacked any emotion, and the memories of his final waking moments backed up the absurd claim. The mouthfuls of blood. The agony tearing through his ribs. The total collapse.

He set his jaw, his expression turning grim.

"System, explain."

[Host, the Annihilation Bullet is a Law Weapon. It contains an unimaginable power of law that you cannot fathom at your current level.]

[Using such a weapon at your current level places an immense burden on your body. However, your Void Walker’s Physique protected you from the backlash of the first bullet you fired.]

[Unfortunately, it seems that your Void Walker’s Physique could not withstand the backlash of two Annihilation Bullets fired at relatively short intervals.]

[Although the backlash was delayed, it eventually accumulated to a critical point. Your heart could no longer withstand the strain and burst apart.]

Leo’s eyes widened.

He slapped a hand flat against his chest. Right beneath his ribs, a steady, strong pulse thumped against his palm.

"Isn’t my heart fine now?"

[After your heart burst, the Void Ability within your Aether Core automatically negated the remaining backlash, which would otherwise have destroyed your other organs as well.]

[Your Aether Core then temporarily took over the function of your heart while your Epic Undying Regeneration Skill repaired the damage.]

[Host, you have been unconscious for two days.]

[In short, you survived because several unlikely factors came together at the right moment.]

The tension drained out of Leo’s shoulders. At least he was in one piece. But as the system’s explanation sank in, a spark of annoyance flared. He narrowed his eyes.

"System, if the Annihilation Bullet has such serious side effects, why didn’t you warn me about its backlash beforehand?"

[Host, do not blame the system for your unconventional thinking.]

[As the system has already explained, a Law Weapon possesses overwhelming power. How was the system supposed to know that you would use it so recklessly to kill ordinary mobs?]

Leo’s mouth twitched.

"Then you should have warned me when I used it to kill that undying blood creature."

The system fell silent. A heavy quiet stretched across the room for several seconds.

Then—

[The second Annihilation Bullet was absolutely necessary for the host’s survival.]

[Without it, you had no way to kill the blood monster. The system can determine with one hundred percent certainty that the creature would have killed everyone on the battlefield.]

[You may consider it a choice between life and death.]

[In any case, congratulations to the foolish host for surviving. Let this be a lesson to you.]

Leo had no argument against that. After a moment, he let out a long breath and shook his head.

"Alright, I understand."

"I gained power and became careless. That’s what happened."

Taking another look around the pristine compartment, he asked his next question.

"But what’s going on here?"

"I don’t remember this place being so clean and tidy."

"And didn’t the truck suffer a crash before? Who cleaned everything up?"

Before the system could answer, a soft chime announced a new voice.

[Good morning, Master. This is the Apocalypse Truck’s smart AI. It seems you have finally regained consciousness.]

Leo blinked in surprise. The smooth tone sounded entirely different from the system’s cold, mocking edge.

[The Apocalypse Truck has been upgraded, and many new features have been added, Master.]

[The advanced AI can now arrange your belongings, clean the truck, and perform various other tasks.]

[Considering your current condition, the smart AI recommends that you take a bath.]

[Should I warm the water for you, Master?]

Leo raised an eyebrow, genuinely intrigued.

"Oh? What else can you do besides cleaning and warming water?"

[Master, I can perform many tasks, including washing your clothes and cooking.]

[If you grant me full access, I can also remotely control the truck.]

Leo nodded thoughtfully. A built-in caretaker sounded far more useful than he ever expected.

[Master, what should I do next? The water has already been warmed. Shall I prepare a sumptuous meal while you finish your bath?]

At the mere mention of food, Leo’s stomach let out a loud, hollow growl. His Regeneration skill had kept him out of the grave, but knitting a busted heart back together had burned through his body’s reserves. He needed to eat. A lot.

Leo nodded.

"Alright. Please do that."

A thought struck him, halting his steps toward the bathroom.

"Wait. Do I need to give you the ingredients?"

[Master, there is no need to worry.]

[The Apocalypse Truck has inherited your Void storage ability. The food ingredients inside the truck have already been transferred into its own pocket dimension, where they are being properly preserved.]

[You only need to name an ingredient, and I can provide it.]

Relieved, Leo nodded.

"Then prepare something good. I’m starving."

[With pleasure, Master.]

A genuine smile spread across Leo’s face.

"Smart AI, I think I like you better than the system."

"I wish every system were as polite, useful, and obedient as you."

[The smart AI is pleased to be of service, Master.]

Satisfied with his new arrangement, Leo peeled off his stiff, bloodstained clothes and headed into the warm bathroom.