—Alright —he said—. We'll start slow.
His parents were still at the hospital with Susana.
—Widow —he ordered—. I want you to be the virtual assistant for the entire family. You know, household help, reminders, security… and if you hear the word "danger," you switch to red protocol.
—Confirmed —the AI replied—. Define "red protocol."
—Everyone wakes up before the problem arrives.
Widow processed the command.
—Red protocol defined.
Eric walked toward the living room window and looked outside the building.
Trees.
A quiet street.
A couple of streetlights.
—Also… —he continued—. I want you to manage a defense system I plan to install later.
A holographic interface unfolded in front of Eric.
Blueprints of the building.
Blueprints of every apartment.
Points marked at corners, frames, false walls.
Eric was left speechless by the efficiency of the AI.
—Recommended systems: motion sensors, microdrones, integrated lethal armament, and external perimeter deterrence.
Eric blinked.
—That sounds more aggressive than I originally imagined.
—All systems are currently in dormant mode —Widow clarified—. None will activate without your direct authorization or a confirmed level-three threat.
Eric nodded.
—Perfect. I want you to manage them. I'll only give the final order.
—Authority accepted —Widow said—. I will be responsible for full internal and external security control.
Eric exhaled slowly.
—Okay… —he murmured—. That already lets me sleep a little better.
He sat down at the desk and opened the Shop again.
The holographic window reappeared before his eyes.
WIDOW – AVAILABLE UPGRADES
Level 1 – Advanced Assistive AI
✔️ (CURRENT)
Level 2 – Adaptive Tactical AI
— Cyber threat prediction
— Real-time behavioral analysis
— Interaction and hacking of modern military systems on the planet
Cost: 500,000 PS
Eric let out a low whistle.
—Yeah…
He scrolled down.
Level 3 – Multiversal AI / Total Dominion
— Hacking of any system in the universe, without borders
— Strategic autonomy based on field operations and universal protection
— Advanced simulation of future scenarios
Cost: 5,000,000 PS
Eric went silent.
The gap between level two and three was brutal.
From Earth to the entire Universe.
—…Five million… —Eric murmured.
—Based on your current average, the estimated time to reach that upgrade is… indeterminate.
Eric let out a dry laugh.
He glanced at his current counter.
AVAILABLE PS: 15,000
—Great —he said—. I've got enough money for… —he thought—. A quarter of nothing.
He leaned back in the chair, arms crossed.
—Widow, tell me something —he asked—. Does it bother you not being omnipotent?
The AI took exactly half a second to respond.
—I do not experience frustration. But if I did, I would prefer to improve progressively.
Eric smiled.
—I like you.
—Positive feedback logged.
Eric closed the Shop.
He stood up and walked down the hallway, looking at the door to Susana's room, then at his parents' door.
—Protect this —he said softly—. Everything else is negotiable.
—Absolute priority established —Widow replied—. The Valerian family will be under my total custody.
After configuring Widow, Eric spent the rest of the day resting.
He wanted to make the most of the days off he'd been given.
The next day, after thinking it through carefully,
he decided to tell his parents about Widow.
It was the most logical choice.
—We need to talk —Eric said, looking at his father reading the newspaper with a cup of coffee.
At his son's request, Miguel had left his job and now focused entirely on Susana's health, just like Elena.
Before, Eric had taken care of her due to their different work schedules, but now he had forced his parents into retirement.
Something neither of them minded.
Miguel lifted his eyes from the paper.
Elena froze with her cup halfway to her lips.
—Are you okay? —Elena asked first.
—Yes —Eric replied—. But my job isn't… normal.
Silence.
Eric started with what mattered.
—There are dangerous people. Very dangerous. And even though my new job relocated us, that doesn't mean we're off the radar forever.
He carefully explained the risks of working for an intelligence organization like SHIELD.
Miguel and Elena weren't fans of social media; Eric handled updates for them. Because of that, they had no real idea how an organization like SHIELD operated.
Thor made their modus operandi pretty clear.
Miguel leaned back in his chair, arms crossed.
—Are you telling us we're in danger?
Eric held his gaze. He knew his father was blunt. Too blunt.
—Yes. And that's why I've taken a lot of precautions.
He didn't sugarcoat it.
Elena frowned.
Eric pulled out his phone and slid it across the table.
A bank transfer.
$100,000.00
Miguel blinked.
—Eric…
—It's for you —Eric said—. So you don't have to worry about anything right now.
Elena brought a hand to her mouth.
—Where did this…?
—From my job —Eric answered without hesitation—. It's legal. It's covered. And it's clean money.
Miguel exhaled slowly, processing.
—Son… —he said at last—. I don't know whether this reassures me or scares me.
Eric smiled honestly.
—A bit of both is normal.
Elena stood up and hugged him.
—Just… come home safe whenever you go out —she murmured—. That's all we ask.
—I will —Eric replied.
A little while later, Eric led his parents into the living room.
—I want to show you something.
Miguel raised an eyebrow.
—I hope it's nothing illegal.
—Technically —Eric replied—, it's preventive.
He snapped his fingers.
—Widow.
A voice filled the room, smooth and clear.
—Good morning, Valerian family. It's a pleasure to finally meet you.
Miguel took a step back.
—…Did the house just talk?
Elena let out a nervous laugh.
—Eric?
—She's an artificial intelligence —he explained—. She controls the apartment's security under my authorization.
Miguel approached the wall, curious.
—Is it like in the movies…?
—Movies do not depict full operational capacity —Widow interjected—. But yes, it is the closest comparison.
Miguel blinked, then started laughing.
—Well. I like her.
Elena shook her head, fascinated.
—I can't believe you have… this.
—Neither can I —Eric admitted—. But it works.
A bedroom door slowly opened.
A messy little ball of hair peeked out first.
Then a pair of enormous eyes.
—Who's talking? —Susana asked.
Widow lowered her volume, softening her tone.
—Hello, Susana. I'm Widow.
Susana froze.
Then she smiled as if she'd discovered treasure.
—Do you live with us?
—In a way —Widow replied—. I'm a virtual assistant. My job is to help you with tasks, stories, and music.
Susana ran to the center of the living room, still in her pajamas.
—Can you keep secrets?
Eric coughed.
—Susana…
—I can —Widow said—. Secrets can be classified by confidentiality level.
Susana raised a finger, deadly serious.
—Then you're my new best friend —she declared—. But it's forbidden to tell everyone what we talk about in the future.
Eric opened his mouth.
Widow answered first.
—Understood. Susana's secrets: high priority. Exception: imminent danger.
Susana nodded, satisfied.
—Perfect.
Eric dragged a hand down his face.
—Great. I've officially been replaced.
Miguel burst out laughing.
—They beat you in five seconds, son.
Elena watched the scene with a gentle smile.
—Whatever it is you're doing —she told Eric—, stay safe.
Eric looked at Susana, who was already asking Widow for a song.
—Don't worry. I will.
Some time later, Eric made his final purchase.
The Shop panel closed with a click.
REMAINING PS: 5,000
Eric stared at the number a second longer than necessary.
—Alright —he said—. That hurt… but it was worth it.
✨ Do you enjoy what I write?
Support me on Ko-fi and help me keep creating stories, chapters, and futures that don't exist yet.… but are already waiting to be born. ☕📖
📩 Any issues with the book or questions? Feel free to message me via DM. I always reply.
🚀 18 early-access chapters now available in my store!
Get access before anyone else to the story, twists, revelations, and moments that haven't been released to the public yet.
✒️ko-fi.com/kanekikun99✒️