Weapon | Ryeji

Chapter 1

Hwang Yeji never warmed up to robots.

It might seem peculiar to bring it up out of the blue, but her aversion to robots dated back to her childhood when they were not a common sight in daily life like they are now. Yeah, she was an odd kid, but so what?

It's surreal because now, as a fully grown adult, she finds herself encountering robots every day, strolling through the city with their uncanny expressions. Just imagine your childhood fears materializing in just a few years, a phenomenon unique to Hwang Yeji.

These robots, known as androids, aren't as menacing as Yeji portrays them. They're more akin to personal assistants, capable of fulfilling various tasks, whether it's cleaning your entire house or running errands.

"So, what's on your mind?" Yeji entered her boss's office and took a seat.

"Good morning, Hwang. I have some news, though you may not find it as favorable," he began, with a sigh. "You've been with us for quite some time, much like your father. You're like family to me, and I know you well enough to anticipate your reaction to what I'm about to say."

"Just get to the point," Yeji interjected.

"Alright, here it is. We've been inundated with cases involving missing persons, homicides, and vandalism, all somehow linked to androids. Consequently, the leading android company has reached out to us with a proposal: they've developed a new, highly advanced model touted to be the safest yet. Their primary function is akin to that of a personal detective, and they want us to be the first to put them to the test—"

"Wait, I think I already know where this conversation is headed."

Yeji was renowned as the top officer in town, though she acknowledged that it might come off as a tad egocentric—well, perhaps she did have a touch of ego. It was no surprise that the colonel chose her for the task of testing the new android.

"Yes, I want you to work alongside this new android as your partner. I understand you prefer solo assignments and have reservations about androids, but this is a special circumstance. I truly need your assistance this time," he pleaded, donning those characteristic puppy-dog eyes that she found irritating.

"I won't agree to this," she retorted, unmoved by the puppy-dog eyes tactic this time. "I have a distaste for androids, and you know how I feel about teamwork. Why not assign someone else?"

"Yeji, you've been my most dependable officer since I've been in this position. This task is crucial, and I can't entrust it to anyone else but you," he appealed.

Did she secretly hope to hear those words? Of course she did.

"Fine, but if anything goes awry, I won't forgive you for this," she conceded, her tough exterior cracking under pressure once again.

After a couple of hours, Yeji found herself in an unfamiliar room she had never set foot in before, despite her tenure at the station. It appeared to be designated for "confidential meetings." How could she hold the title of the best officer if she hadn't even accessed this room?

A woman entered the room, her striking appearance making Yeji feel a twinge of nervousness.

"Hi, my name is Choi Lia, and I presume you must be Yeji, correct?" she greeted with a captivating eye smile.

"Yes, I'm Hwang Yeji. It's a great honor to be the first to work with your creation," Yeji responded, feeling a sense of importance.

Lia was part of the team from the android company responsible for creating the new android.

"Don't worry too much about it. I've heard that you're the finest police officer around, so I trust that our creation is in capable hands," Lia reassured, causing Yeji to blush slightly at the compliment. "But first, allow me to explain a few things about it."

"It's named SR900, but we prefer to call it Ryujin or Shin Ryujin," Lia explained. "As you've been informed by your boss, she's our latest and most advanced creation, and I personally take pride in her development. Ryujin is designed to serve as a police assistant, equipped with skills as a negotiator and interrogator. She can analyze crime scene evidence and assess the psychology and behavior of both humans and androids, enabling her to reconstruct, predict, and even manipulate their actions."

The other woman was genuinely impressed. How could a collection of metal pieces possess such capabilities?

Suddenly, three burly men entered the room, pushing in a capsule-like container housing the android.

"Hello, Lieutenant Yeji. My name is Shin Ryujin. I've been sent by A.L to be your partner," the android introduced herself. A.L was the name of the android company, a detail Yeji had never cared to know until the colonel mentioned it.

Wait, did the android just refer to her as "lieutenant"? Was she now a lieutenant? Apparently so.

"I'm looking forward to working with you," Ryujin smiled.

"Sure," Yeji replied curtly. She couldn't shake her dislike for Ryujin or the notion of having a partner, especially one who was a robot. But what choice did she have now? None, except to resent her job and nearly every decision she had made that day.