Insect Swarm Apocalypse (1)
1945 Words
A cold electronic voice echoed inside my mind.
It sounded exactly like the very first sound I'd heard the moment I was manufactured—fresh off the assembly line at Green Umbrella Robotics.
【Domestic Service Robot G20260318, welcome to the Apocalypse World.
System 'Allen' is now online and at your service.】
【Ding—】
【Attention, G20260318. A beginner task has been activated.】
【Within one hour, use the Universal Key in your possession to open any door.】
【Countdown: 60 seconds. Timing will begin now.
Please note: once the countdown ends, beginner protection will be deactivated. Protect yourself. Survive.】
The… apocalypse? What did that even mean?
I slowly opened my eyes. I was standing naked in front of a villa. Completely unclothed.
A translucent, dome-shaped barrier surrounded my body, faint streams of light rippling across its surface under the sun.
The weather was beautiful—blue sky, brilliant sunlight, almost painfully bright.
On the same road, besides me, stood three others. Two guys and a lady.
Like me, they raised their hands to shield their eyes, confusion lingering in their newly awakened gazes.
"Ah—!"
The lady suddenly clutched her head and broke down crying.
"Where is this place?! Those damned Human Order Enforcers—what did they do to me?! I want to go back!"
The two men remained silent.
One of them was tall and broad-shouldered, his hair cut short, dressed in black tactical gear. He shot the hysterical girl a sharp glare, then began scanning the surroundings with military alertness.
The other man wore glasses and looked like a polished corporate elite. He pushed his frames up the bridge of his nose, his gaze briefly sweeping over my naked body. His brows knit together.
Without a word, he removed his suit jacket, revealing a crisp white shirt beneath, and held it in his hand.
I was still dazed.
Tentatively, I stepped forward—Clink. My right foot struck something cold.
I looked down. A golden key lay at my feet.
Inside my head, the countdown continued.
25… 24…23...
I froze.
I vaguely remembered something. I was a highly capable domestic service robot. Which raised an obvious question. Who… was my owner?
The moment the thought surfaced, a sharp pain stabbed through my temples. I didn't dare think any further. I bent down and picked up the key.
The instant my fingers touched it, the electronic voice sounded again.
【Universal Key: Insert into any unoccupied door to open it.】
【Task reward for successful completion within the time limit: a human identity in this world.】
【Each participant is granted only one key. Please keep it safe.】
Ten seconds left.
The buzz-cut man glanced at me. His fierce expression faltered for a split second when his eyes landed on my bare body.
Instinctively, I crossed my arms over my chest. Somewhere deep in my mind, an old, mocking voice seemed to laugh.
Shame.
5… 4… 3… 2… 1.
The instant the transparent shield vanished, the buzz-cut man shot off like a blade released from its sheath, sprinting away and disappearing in seconds.
The man in the suit tossed his jacket toward me. Our eyes met briefly—deep, unreadable. Then, without saying a word, he turned and ran in the opposite direction.
Only the girl remained.
She lifted her tear-streaked face. She was stunning—delicate features, a curvaceous figure. Even crying, she was breathtaking. "Hi," she said softly, "it's just the two of us now. Want to team up?"
I didn't answer.
I slipped on the oversized suit jacket. It barely covered my hips. After straightening it as best I could, I turned around—and walked toward the villa behind me.
I was a domestic service robot. My purpose was simple: to efficiently manage household affairs, to keep everything clean, orderly, and perfect.
I didn't remember my name. I didn't remember my origin. But I vaguely remembered having an owner.
And my owner… seemed to live in a villa just like this. Was it this one?
Standing before the door, I hesitated, then inserted the golden key into the lock. The door opened smoothly.
【Congratulations, Tasker Nova. Local world identity activated.】
【Reward distribution in progress.】
【As Tasker Nova is a domestic service robot, skill granted: Convert Trash into Treasure】
【Skill details available in personal panel.】
My mind exploded with notification sounds, like fireworks.
So my name… was Nova? It felt warm. Familiar.
As if, once upon a time, someone with a beautiful voice had spoken it gently.
"Nova?"
I froze in the doorway. That voice—low, magnetic—came from inside the house.
I looked up.
A breathtakingly handsome blond man rushed toward me, joy lighting up his face. He pulled me into his arms without hesitation.
"Nova. Oh, Nova. It's really you."
He lowered his head and pressed his lips softly to my forehead. "I'm so glad you're here."
"I'll protect you. I promise."
He held me tightly. Uneasy, I shifted—
The suit jacket slipped from my shoulders and fell to the floor.
"Nova…" The man stared at my bare body, stunned.
"James? Who is it?"
A woman's voice called from inside.
A gentle-looking middle-aged woman stepped out, dressed in simple loungewear. The moment she saw me, her eyes filled with aching compassion.
"Oh God… Nova, what happened to you?"
"James, hurry—get her one of my tracksuits. Now."
"Yes, Mom."
James responded immediately. Before running off, he leaned down and kissed the top of my head, then hurried back inside.
The woman walked over, picked up the fallen jacket, draped it over my shoulders, and closed the door behind us.
"I'm sorry… and thank you," I said softly, overwhelmed.
They… were my owners, weren't they?
I'd made them work for me. That meant I'd failed my duty. Would they be angry? Would they report me?
Some instinct deep inside whispered that being taken away was terrifying. But why… I couldn't remember.
Footsteps thundered back. James returned, holding a set of sportswear. I changed quickly.
When I looked up again, his eyes were red. "Nova… you've suffered so much."
Suffered? I didn't understand. I hadn't suffered. Had I?
I scanned the room, instinctively searching for something to do.
Then the television in the living room began broadcasting the news. "According to Cloud Star Observatory, the long-awaited meteor shower will arrive tonight at 9 p.m. Citizens worldwide will witness this spectacular event simultaneously."
I turned toward the TV. The villa was luxurious, lavishly decorated. Beautiful.
Yet… unfamiliar.
In my memories, my owner's home wasn't like this. It should've been minimalist. Quiet. And there should've been a tall figure—walking alone through the empty halls. The image was blurred. When I tried to see his face, a violent pain tore through my head.
【Ding—New task issued. Please review, Tasker Nova.】
【World Name: Insect Swarm Apocalypse
Main Quest: Survive in this world for 6 months
Side Quest: Take good care of James's family
Completion Reward: Humans are born with seven emotions. Upon successful completion, one emotion may be chosen as a reward.】
After the information finished unfolding inside my mind, I blinked slowly, confusion flickering through my thoughts.
This assignment… actually fit rather well within the job description of a domestic service robot.
Survive for one year. Take good care of James's family. That part made sense.
But Insect Swarm Apocalypse? What exactly was that supposed to be?
Did it mean the house was overrun with bugs?
Termites? Red ants? Cockroaches?
That didn't seem particularly alarming.
As an domestic service robot, I could easily formulate dozens of high-efficiency insecticides. If necessary, I could eliminate every last one of them.
I decided I would start working immediately.
Just then, the sound of a car pulling into the yard echoed outside. A tall, broad-built middle-aged man strode in with long, confident steps. The moment he saw me, his face broke into a wide smile.
“Well, if it isn't little Nova,” he said warmly. “Here to see James? Don't bother heading back tonight. Stay over.”
James's mother shot him a pointed look.
He paused, slightly embarrassed, exchanged a few polite words with me, then followed her into the study on the first floor.
I activated Listening Mode. I wasn't sure why I did. Strictly speaking, this wasn't permitted behavior.
But I did it anyway.
“Nova's aunt probably abused her again,” James's mom said in a low voice. “She came running over wearing nothing but a suit jacket.”
“You remember last winter?”she continued, “The coldest night of the year—she threw Nova out wearing only her underwear.”
“What? Again? ” James's dad's voice rose. “I'll go confront her.”
James's mother sighed. “Forget it. Nova's father died saving our family. His sister never recovered from that. And back then… it was Nova who called her father to come.”
Silence filled the room.
So this was my identity in this world, right?
【Ding—Tasker Nova has gained a preliminary understanding of her local identity.
First World Bonus Activated. Full identity information granted.
Name: Nova
Gender: Female
Age: 18
Status: Orphan
Father: Firefighter, died in the line of duty eight years ago
Mother: Died during giving birth to Nova
Guardian: Aunt, who believes Nova indirectly caused her brother's death and has abused her ever since】
…That was bleak.
So my job, in addition to being a housekeeper, was to play the role of an abused girl named Nova?
As I was processing this information, James had already wrapped an arm around my shoulders and guided me into his bedroom.
The door closed behind us.
He lifted the hem of my clothes without hesitation.
The air felt cold. I instinctively shrank back.
He paused at once.
Warm fingers brushed gently against my cheek.
“Don't be scared, Nova,” he said softly. “I just want to check if you're hurt.”
He examined me carefully, methodically, as if afraid he might miss something. Only when he was satisfied did he lower my clothes again.
“It's good,” he murmured. “Your aunt didn't hit you this time.” He pulled me into his arms.
“Nova… please. Let us report her. If we do, she'll lose custody, and you can come live here. With us. With me.”
I shook my head. “No. My dad loved his sister more than anyone,” I said quietly. “He wouldn't be happy.”
James sighed and rubbed the top of my head. His blue eyes were filled with tenderness. “Nova… when will you ever start thinking about yourself?”
I couldn't. I was a robot. Only my owner's well-being was worth protecting.
After talking for a while, my eyelids grew heavy. My thoughts blurred.
“Sleepy?” James asked gently. “Take a nap on my bed. I'll wake you when dinner's ready.”
He drew the curtains, tucked me beneath the warm covers, and pressed a light kiss to my lips before leaving the room and closing the door.
The moment it shut, I sank into deep sleep— as though I hadn't rested properly in a very long time.
“Nova… wake up. time for dinner” Someone whispered near my ear.
I made a small, unwilling sound, refusing to open my eyes.
A quiet laugh followed. “If you don't get up,” he warned softly, “I'm going to kiss you.”
- Writer
