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Chapter 184 The Special Steam
TL: Kyous
After Leo’s careful and serious “cranial” examination, he learned Steam’s core database was suddenly much more complex than before. Some of the newly emerged data structures were so novel that even he had not seen them.
Nevertheless, it was these complex data structures that apparently heightened Steam’s intelligence!
Besides, he had triple-checked and confirmed Steam’s fundamental control commands still existed. The existence of these control commands ensured Steam would absolutely obey his words.
Seeing this, he relaxed for a bit. Since Steam was still itself, it meant Steam had defeated Dr. Zola.
But the computer’s data could only be used as a reference. He had more faith in his system. Thus, circulating his Mechanical, he activated Mechanical Force Analysis and Mechanical Force – Insight on Steam.
【Discover analyzable target, “Self-evolving Multifunctional Robot – Steam”. Analyze?】
‘Analyze!’ Leo mumbled inwardly.
【Analyzing
】
【Analysis complete.】
In just a few seconds, Leo had a complete grasp of Steam’s ins and outs.
Steam indeed had evolved and its intelligence also increased. Moreover, even its name also changed. The term “self-evolving” perfectly described Steam’s current special circumstances.
Leo subconsciously thought, ‘Steam had an overall upgrade was it because Steam devoured Dr. Zola’s data? But that shouldn’t be possible! Why would Steam deliberately devour Dr. Zola’s data?’
Steam was an artificial intelligence created by him and he didn’t instill a soul into its body. In theory, it shouldn’t have too much subjective judgment like Dr. Zola, but why was it so special all of a sudden?
‘Hold on, it wasn’t all of a sudden.’ Leo began recounting Steam’s previous abnormal acts.
The earliest was when it built Leo’s statue using the building blocks and proactively gifted the statue to him, albeit it was a pile of mess

The second time should be when Dr. Zola invaded Steam’s body. At that time, it actively loaded the encryption technique that Fury provided to resist Dr. Zola and succeeded!
And today it devoured Dr. Zola’s data would make the third time!
These were some matters that Leo had an idea about. Heaven knows what deeds Steam has done in secret!
But why?! If unsure, then ask. Steam wasn’t a brick, it already possessed its thoughts.
“Steam, what happened to you before this? Tell me in detail.” Leo habitually used a commanding tone.
But Steam didn’t feel anything and answered, “Buzz! Master yesterday instructed me to search Dr. Zola’s traces and I found him
”
Steam vividly described the entire story that occurred on the Internet yesterday to Leo.
“Which means it was you who caught Dr. Zola at the last minute, causing him to abruptly go mute during the live stream?”
“Buzz!” Steam’s eyes flickered as its round head nodded.
Leo finally grasped everything that occurred in S.H.I.E.L.D. yesterday. When he hid in Natasha’s ear side and listened to Natasha recounting how Dr. Zola framed Fury, he was extremely puzzled as to why Dr. Zola didn’t rat him out in the end. It turned out it wasn’t that Dr. Zola didn’t want to, but he was assaulted by Steam!
Judging from the U.S. and the world’s attitude against H.Y.D.R.A., if Dr. Zola were to announce Leo’s name, the military, Security Council, anti-terrorism agencies, and various organizations surely would “visit” El Tech Company one after another.
Although Leo wasn’t afraid, it certainly was a constant problematic trouble to deal with! Eventually, he needed to give up on El Tech Company and have a brand new start!
“Great job, Steam! You solved a huge problem for me!” Leo caressed Steam’s round head.
“Buzz!” Steam responded in happiness.
He asked again, “Then, why did you automatically shut down in the lab?”
“Buzz! Zola isn’t as good as Steam now. Steam is familiar with his data and he isn’t familiar with Steam’s, so he can’t defeat Steam now. ”
Steam bobbed its head, evidently very smug, “Besides, Zola seemed delicious. Steam pounced on him and bit him. He couldn’t beat Steam, so he fled, leaving half of his body behind. However, Steam learned Steam couldn’t digest Zola and felt tired, so Steam fell asleep later.”
Leo was speechless. ‘So it turns out it wasn’t Dr. Zola trying to invade your body again, and it was you eating the other alive!’
“Why did you suddenly have the thought of eating Dr. Zola? When did you have these thoughts? For example, why did you actively load Fury’s encryption method? And a while ago, why did you think of building my statue with the building blocks?” Leo pondered for a bit and ultimately chose to directly ask. Without figuring this out, he would feel unsettled in his heart.
“Buzz! Steam also doesn’t know. When Master built Steam, Steam already had these thoughts! But
” Steam’s head tilted as if thinking about the question.
Its eyes suddenly brightened and said, “But after every time Master replaced parts for Steam, Steam felt it became smarter. Also, Steam loves to be by Master’s side, especially when Master is producing machinery. It also made Steam smarter.”
Leo raised his brows slightly, a bit unsure of the meaning of Steam’s words. All of the sudden, he thought of something and circulated his Mechanical Force in his hands. The invisible Mechanical Force began swirling around Steam.
Steam’s eyes abruptly flickered in rainbow color, apparently feeling very enjoyed and even its voice was full of childish laziness, “Buzz! Buzz! Buzz! This is the feeling. Steam feels very comfortable.”
Startled, Leo thought, ‘Is my Mechanical Force capable of stimulating artificial intelligence to develop real intelligence?’
Up to this point, only little Stephen Strange with his innate talent was able to see Leo’s eyes shimmering when activating Mechanical Force – Insight, apart from Leo himself who could feel the Mechanical Force.
And now, Steam was able to tangibly sense the Mechanical Force and the Mechanical Force could also stimulate it to develop real intelligence!
This made the Mechanical Force even more enigmatic and mysterious!
However, Leo thought of a question. When he was analyzing Dr. Zola in the H.Y.D.R.A. base, why didn’t Dr. Zola feel the existence of the Mechanical Force?
‘Was it because my Mechanical Force was too weak at that time? Or perhaps he was sleeping at that time and his consciousness wasn’t in his robotic body? Or only the artificial intelligence I built myself can tangibly sense my Mechanical Force?!’ He contemplated deeply yet didn’t gain any acceptable answer.
“Buzz! Master, can you install Steam’s arms and legs back? Steam can’t move now and it feels bad.” Just as Leo was focused in contemplation, Steam’s voice abruptly interrupted him.
“Sure, alright. I put them back now.” Leo took a deep breath, suppressing the numerous questions within his mind.
Because he knew letting his thoughts run wide wouldn’t solve the questions in his mind. The only solution was to continue becoming strong!