Deep within the Sehee Institute, the lead doll isolation room.

[Hello.]

A strange voice echoed from somewhere.

It was coming from inside the lead doll, directed at me.

Could it be that the lead doll had a sense of self?

I had heard the lead doll speak with a yearning voice before, but I thought it was merely a phenomenon caused by its desires, without any true self-awareness.

But this time, something felt different.

[Hello.]

[Hello.]

[Hello.]

[Hello.]

When I didn’t respond, the voice from inside the lead doll continued to repeat "hello" endlessly.

It was a mechanical voice, devoid …