H.A.I System Activated

-AARON-

Aaron's response was unwavering, determination filling his voice. "The H.A.I SYSTEM!"

Acknowledging his command, Clara swiftly replied, "Downloading in progress, 78% completed. Approximately 15 more minutes—"

Before she could finish, a deafening explosion tore through the air, shattering the fragile calm that had momentarily settled.

The force of the blast sent shockwaves through the surroundings, and Aaron was thrown off his feet, hurtling through the air like a ragdoll until he crashed into the remnants of a nearby shop.

--8 minutes later---

Aaron fainted for a few minutes but then as soon as he woke up, he Emerges from the rubble, his gaze sharpened, fixated on Serena, who desperately sought refuge behind a crumbling pillar while the humanoid was ready to strike her.

In an instant, Aaron moved his arm and turned into a huge metal fist which he smashed right into the face of a humanoid.

Serena's voice quivered with desperation as she cried out, "Aaron!"

Aaron's gaze darted towards Clara; urgency etched on his face. "How much more time will the system take?" he demanded; his voice strained.

Clara's reply was swift, her tone filled with urgency. "Approximately seven more minutes," she informed him, the seconds ticking away like an eternity.

His attention then shifted to Serena, her sleek armor now reduced to tattered shreds. and seemed like the rest was retracted.

All that remained was her sword, emitting darkness, and her bloody shoulder.

Clara's voice broke through the tense silence. "You were unconscious for the last eight minutes. Serena tried to fight the humanoid but was heavily injured."

The weight of his failure settled heavily upon his shoulders.

Frantically searching for a weapon, his eyes landed upon a discarded pipe lying nearby. Without a moment's hesitation, he snatched it up, feeling its cool metal against his palms.

He sprinted towards the menacing humanoid, gripping the pipe tightly, ready to strike.

Slowly, the humanoid got back to its feet, its new form unfamiliar to Aaron.

"Is this a new one? Where did those drones go?" he asked Clara.

Clara swung on his shoulder and replied, "It transformed itself into a slim female-shaped lady to match Serena's speed."

Aaron looked at the humanoid, noticing its curvy figure and his face turned flush red. Clara glanced at him, shaking her head disapprovingly. "Tsk. Tsk. Pervert, you know I can read your thoughts..."

Aaron tried to deny it, but Clara stood up, placing her small hands on her waist, and said angrily, "I can sense your lewd thoughts just by looking at a silver naked bald humanoid. I am disappointed."

Aaron's face turned even redder as he stammered, "I-I don't know what you're talking about."

With all his might, Aaron swung the pipe at the humanoid, aiming for a vulnerable spot. Clara scolded him, "Aaron, that was supposed to hit the vulnerable spot, not her chest!"

The impact of the swing reverberated through his hands, but to his dismay, the pipe merely bent under the robot's unyielding frame.

A chill ran down his spine as the humanoid's eyes locked onto his, its voice dripping with sinister amusement.

"I thought you died," the humanoid taunted, its voice eerily human-like with a touch of feminine allure.

Aaron's instincts urged him to retreat, and in an instant, his hand transformed into a shield, forming a protective barrier before him.

Clara's voice cut through the tension. "This humanoid is being controlled by the AI commander."

"How is that even possible, they were just drones a while ago?" Aaron questioned.

"They don't have an actual body, so they can take over any humanoid and use it as their body."

Aaron's eyes darted across the desolate battlefield, desperately searching for a way to turn the tide of the fight. And then, his gaze fell upon Serena, lying on the ground, her hand pressed against her bleeding shoulder.

The sight filled him with a surge of emotions he hadn't experienced since awakening.

Aaron's urgency escalated as he demanded, "How much longer, Clara?"

Clara's voice carried a sense of urgency as she replied, "Approximately five more minutes."

A steely resolve settled over Aaron as he nodded. "I see. Clara, you can influence my body's organs and feelings, right?" he inquired, his face devoid of emotion.

Clara confirmed, "I can exert some influence over them."

With his voice commanding, Aaron continued, "Calm my nerves down, morph my hand back to its original form, and activate the HAI system as soon as possible."

His eyes locked with the humanoid cold blue eyes, determination burning within him. Clara responded dutifully, "As you command."

Slowly, Aaron's hand transformed back into its original form, a familiar shape that brought him a sense of familiarity and strength. As the transformation occurred, he felt a growing calmness washing over him, soothing his frayed nerves.

Meanwhile, the humanoid smiled, a sinister glint in her eyes. "Fufufu looks like fun!" she exclaimed with twisted excitement.

Without warning, she launched a punch toward Aaron, her intentions clear and malevolent.

Aaron's reflexes kicked in as he swiftly dodged the attack, evading the looming threat.

Without wasting a moment, he rushed towards Serena, who lay on the ground, visibly in pain. Concern etched his face as he questioned, "Are you okay, Serena?"

Serena nodded weakly, her voice strained. She handed him her sword, "Fight with it," she urged.

As Aaron grasped the sword.

The dark energy that had shrouded the weapon in Serena's hands slowly faded away, making it a plain steel blade.

Aaron looked at the sword with a mix of confusion and awe, but there was no time for contemplation.

Suddenly, the towering humanoid cried out, "Stop running, boy!" It approached Aaron with heavy, fiery footsteps, the air crackling with intense energy.

Aaron rose to his feet, his grip on the sword firm and resolute. t.

In response, it taunted, "You think without the arcane power you can hurt me?"

Aaron, feeling a surge of uncertainty, confessed, "I don't know how to use a sword." His admission hung in the air, uncertain and vulnerable.

"Huh." the humanoid was shocked.

Serena looked at him with disbelief, her voice urgent. "Just do swish swish!"

Confusion clouded Aaron's expression as he tried to comprehend Serena's cryptic advice.

Clara interjected, providing a semblance of clarity. "I think she wants you to slash the air, making a swish-swish sound."

Serena interrupted, frustration evident in her voice. "No, shut up! I mean just—"

Before she could clarify further, the humanoid lunged forward, its blade aimed directly at Aaron.

He summoned all his strength and luckily blocked the attack with the sword, barely holding his ground. The clash reverberated through the air, their blades locked in a fierce confrontation.

Clara's voice broke through the tension. "H.A.I. system activated."