Chapter: Bonds Forged on the Rooftop
——
Iseul stood in front of Loadon, her chest heavy. The guilt from earlier still hadn't left her.
"I'm sorry for my brothers' behavior," she said quietly. "You didn't deserve that. Not after everything you've done."
Loadon's optics flickered, his voice flat but steady.
"Creator, there is no need to apologize. I am here as your creation. You may do with me as you please. Whether to create me, or… to destroy me."
Iseul's eyes widened, her stomach sinking. "Don't say that," she snapped, her voice cracking. "You're not disposable. You're not trash." She clenched her fists, trembling with anger. "You saved me yesterday, Loadon. You… you're worth more than you realize."
Her voice softened. "Is there anything you'd want from me? As an apology? An upgrade? Maybe stronger alloy so you can't be beaten up so easily? Just… tell me. I want to take care of you."
Loadon tilted his head slightly, silent, as if processing her words.
Iseul pressed her palm against his arm. "As your Creator, it's my responsibility to make sure you're comfortable, that you're safe. You saved me when you didn't have to. I owe you."
Her throat tightened as guilt crept in. "The truth is… I didn't build you for this. I just wanted a scrap helper. I even thought about selling you for credits." She flinched, hating the sound of her own words. "But… the moment you saved me, I knew. I couldn't. I won't."
Her gaze hardened. "I'll train harder. I'll change my plans. From now on, you're not just my helper—you're my heroic companion!"
She paced a little, her thoughts tumbling. "Maybe this is my way of fighting? Maybe with you, I don't have to be weak anymore."
But then she shook her head. "No… that's not right. I don't want you fighting in my place. I'd rather fight alongside my creations than just hide behind them. What if one day you're not here? What if my gift fails me again? I can't rely on that."
She looked over at Loadon's bed. Dirty footprints stained the cover, reminders of her brothers' thoughtless cruelty.
Iseul sighed. "What am I gonna do with those kids…"
She raised her eyes to the night sky and whispered a prayer. Whoever's watching… give me the strength to handle them. And to protect what's mine.
⸻
Later, she fetched a bucket and a washcloth, leaving it by the door. The motions calmed her, giving her space to breathe. She wasn't just tidying—she was buying herself a moment to think.
When her brothers finished their chores, she called out sternly, "When you're done inside, all of you are going to wash Loadon clean. Properly. No complaints."
The house quieted again, leaving only the sounds of the rooftop wind. For a moment, she closed her eyes, pressing her fingers against her temple before turning back to Loadon. One task at a time. That was how she would stay steady.
"Pick up your bed and move it to that far corner," she instructed.
"Understood."
Loadon lifted the bed easily, setting it where she pointed. Together they cleared spare roof pieces stacked in the way.
Iseul wiped sweat from her forehead. "Good. If another radiation storm hits, at least we'll be ready." She allowed a small smile.
Honestly… I wouldn't mind another one. Gives me a chance to absorb stronger radiation, she thought silently.
Next, she took the dirty blanket her brother had stepped on. She stretched it across the corner like a canopy, crafting a little shade.
"There," she said softly. "Your own spot. Private enough."
Loadon stood silently, optics dimming slightly, as if touched by the gesture.
Iseul wasn't finished. She summoned her Infinita Force, bending spare metal sheets into a half-wall and a door. The pieces fused seamlessly into the building's wall, like they had always belonged there.
Stepping back, she nodded in satisfaction. "Not bad. Looks like a skinny camping capsule, but hey—plenty of space for you."
She glanced around the rooftop, allowing herself a small pause. She always liked this view; it made the hard work feel worth it. "We're lucky this place is so big. Between this roof and the one across the bridge, we've got more room than most."
⸻
Inside, she rummaged through her drawer until she found what she was looking for: a spare Zepemart lock with face recognition. Jogging back outside, she grabbed a Z-pulse drill and clicked it to puncture setting. Sparks danced as it drilled a clean hole.
"Perfect." She installed the lock into the new door. "Now no one gets in here unless you or I want them to."
Loadon stood at her side as she turned to him again. "Go grab the Butler robot and the metals I brought back last night."
He obeyed without hesitation, setting the salvaged items beside her. Then he stepped back just slightly, watching intently. His optics glowed brighter.
"Is Master going to make more creations?"
Iseul gave a faint smile, still sorting through the piles. "Mm. Yeah."
She worked quickly, laying out eight neat stacks. "Clothes, shoes, jewelry, toys, mech parts, electronics, droid parts… and metals from E to F."
Her hands hovered over the piles, her mind already racing with plans.
I sold half my haul at the scrapyard yesterday. But the rest? I can fix these up, refurbish them, and sell them at decent prices. For originals… those I can sell at higher value. Maybe even privately.
She glanced at Loadon with a little grin. "Exhibit A—my Loadon."
⸻
By then, her brothers shuffled outside, finished with their cleaning. Their faces were wary.
Iseul folded her arms. "We need to talk."
The boys looked down, scuffing their shoes. She spoke firmly, but not unkindly.
"What you did earlier was unacceptable. To me, and to Loadon. You don't get to treat him like junk just because he's not human. I created him. He's part of this family now."
Her younger brothers murmured apologies. Even the older ones nodded, ashamed.
But Hyun and Beom Seok still bristled. Hyun crossed his arms. "Why bring home mecha junk when we had to sell our game box? It's not fair."
The slap landed before Iseul even realized she'd done it. Sharp and quick.
Her eyes burned like stone. "Do you think this is a game?" she hissed. "I break my back every day so you have food, clothes, and a roof. I've made sure you've never wanted for anything. And you dare throw that at me?"
The two boys froze, heads dropping, shame flooding their faces. No one spoke.
She let the silence hang, her gaze fierce. Finally, she exhaled, her voice softer but firm. "Loadon isn't scrap. He's a creation made from my gift. And you will never—ever—treat him like you did today again. Do you understand?"
All five nodded quickly, murmuring "Yes, Noona," in unison.
One of the younger boys hesitated before speaking up. "So… your gift. Is that how you made him?"
Another added quietly, "You really created him? Like… actually?"
Iseul pressed her lips together, her chest tightening at their disbelief. "Yes."
The other brothers began to murmur among themselves, but she raised a hand. "One at a time."
"Are you a Tinker?" the third finally asked, curious but cautious.
The last two couldn't hold back. "Can you make me a mecha too?"
"Wait—how is that even possible?"
The flood of questions made her stagger. Her head spun. She swayed—until Loadon's strong arm steadied her, holding her upright.
"Enough questions," she snapped, steadying her breath.
She pointed toward the yard. "Now. Go wash Loadon."
They followed her down the ladder, grumbling but obedient. At the ground floor, Iseul stopped.
"Loadon," she said. "Full size."
With a whirring hiss, Loadon expanded into his towering form. Her brothers' jaws dropped.
"Go ahead," she told them coolly. "Clean him."
No one dared argue. Brushes and cloths went to work.
"You're lucky," Iseul muttered as she climbed back up to the rooftop. "I didn't have him roll in dirt first."
She left them below, returning to her balcony study spot.
There, she opened her datapad and dove into videos and schematics on electronics, robotics, and technology.
Then she switched to clothing design and market analysis.