In the robot city of 4968 AD, the robot Val Tor incessantly seeks to discover the truth about the mythical creature known as man. He knows man created the robots, and he likewise knows they were created to serve. When he visits the Institute of Ancient Scrolls, he speaks with Tor Vac and An-Tok, who are attendants of ancient books and documents. They pity Val Tor in his quixotic quest. Val Tor insists man did exist, and was the creator of the robots rather than an empty myth. Val Tor is determined to find the clue to unlock the mystery of man and prove his theory.