Lobotomy Corporation but with Simulation System?

[Manager, you will be attending a meeting after work today. Don't worry, it's not an important meeting. It's just a weekly work summary with the Deans. Friendly gatherings are conducive to a good work atmosphere.]

Perhaps it was X's imagination, but she felt that the AI had emphasized "friendly gatherings"… Angela's relationship with the Deans wasn't good. It was difficult for her to say something like "creating a good work atmosphere."

"Oh, will Angela be attending? Come with me."

X hugged her AI Secretary, rubbing against her. Her voice was slightly slurred, a slightly creepy feeling… Oh, perhaps she was deliberately doing this. But it didn't matter. The AI seemed to fall for this.

[Yes, I'll be with you, Manager. Actually, I handle most of these meetings. You just need to listen, stamp, and sign.]

As the AI spoke, she caressed X's chin. X cooperated, making a muffled sound in her throat, closing her eyes and letting the AI touch her.

When the AI's finger neared her lips, X unconsciously took it into her mouth, delicately licking the smooth, white finger, although it had no taste, it wasn't a lollipop.

When the AI withdrew her hand, she wiped the moisture from her finger on X's face…

It was hard to understand the meaning behind these actions. But pursuing the meaning was pointless… Humans liked to do meaningless things.

And many things didn't need to have meaning— pleasing oneself was enough.

[The Lady Facing the Wall]

[Over time, her unbearable sorrow grew into a mournful obsession, covered in countless, lengthy hairs…]

[Old Lady]

[She was so talkative before, yet in the end, loneliness was the only listener…]

[T-06-27]

[This is a recording of the day we must never forget…]

Unsurprisingly, X chose [T-06-27] from these Abnormalities, since it lacked a file. After all, it wasn't a dangerous Abnormality. Perhaps, out of consideration for new Managers, the Corporation wouldn't assign high-risk Abnormalities.

Even if she chose randomly, there wouldn't be any major problems.

ZAYIN level, TETH level, HE level. These three threat levels were all X could handle. Even the most dangerous level was only HE.

Abnormalities like [Funeral of the Dead Butterflies], as long as you were careful and assigned employees with high spirit damage resistance, could be easily contained, minimizing damage.

Even HE-level Abnormalities weren't that dangerous. With careful management, they wouldn't pose a significant threat. They were usually docile.

This was probably the Corporation giving new Managers training and giving employees practice. It was a way for Managers to familiarize themselves with the management process during a "safe period," to train employees and prepare them for increasingly dangerous Abnormalities in the future.

If someone was so clumsy that they couldn't even handle this simple task, they should be fired… or rather, they would voluntarily resign.

Even if the work was done well, there would still be strict criticism, like now.

"Manager, didn't you see the message I sent yesterday?"

The Information Department Dean, in front of the monitor, was frowning with her arms crossed. Her displeasure was written all over her face. Her furrowed brows were close enough to crush a fly.

"Sorry, Yesod… I forgot yesterday. Was it about Netzach's situation? We'll talk about it after work. Angela should have informed you. There's a meeting today."

Yesterday, X had neglected several Deans. She hadn't checked their documents or processed their messages. Only now did her loyal AI Secretary inform her, as if there had been a serious network delay— It was hard to believe that the AI hadn't done this on purpose.

The nicer Deans, like Hod, were easier to deal with. But the more difficult Deans, like the meticulous and strict Information Department Dean, would only show a sullen face.

Yesod disliked those who didn't follow the rules. Even improper attire would annoy her. Being late and ignoring work was even worse.

Forgetting about the Dean and not notifying her, X had already made a mistake. Aside from apologizing and offering a silly, awkward smile to try to get away with it, what else could she do?

In fact, a scolding would be fine. After Yesod scolded her, she would naturally calm down, and the matter would be over.

The Information Department Dean wouldn't really do anything to X. At most, she would just be a little harsh with her words…

"I hope this doesn't happen again, Manager… Regarding Netzach, I suggest you take a look. She's under a lot of pressure— In fact, even being with her for a second is a torment for me."

Something must have happened while X was away yesterday. When Yesod mentioned the Safety Department Dean, her disdain was even greater, as if she were looking at some irredeemable trash. It seemed that there was some conflict between them.

But Yesod didn't elaborate on Netzach's flaws…

The relationship between the Information Department Dean and the Safety Department Dean wasn't that bad. At least, Yesod seemed to be trying to tolerate Netzach. Asking Yesod to help smooth things over was a bit too much.

X pretended to understand.

The Safety Department Dean's condition today was poor, like she had reverted to her old ways. Her tie was crooked, her coat wasn't properly buttoned, and she hadn't even put on her sleeve badge. Her face was wrinkled like crumpled paper.

It was as if all her efforts had been in vain. She had regressed—

She had only maintained this state for a few days. How did Netzach fall apart again?

Seeing the Safety Department Dean's condition, X also frowned. She could understand Yesod's feelings. She must have tried to persuade her, but even X, the Manager, couldn't control Netzach. How could Yesod?

In fact, only when Angela was around would the emerald-haired girl show a little respect, getting up from the sofa. If she had been drinking, she would have probably just slumped onto the sofa, like a boneless worm.

"Hic hic… haha… Oh, Manager, you look… hic… very… busy."

Netzach's face was unusually flushed, her pupils dilated. She was slumped on the sofa, as if she had fallen in. It was like her state during their first meeting.

She seemed dazed, lost in some kind of hallucination.

"Netzach!

Why are you taking Enkephalin…? I thought you were going to use it for legitimate psychological consultations?"

X looked at her with concern. This Dean had seemed to be doing better, why had she suddenly started relying on addictive drugs again? She didn't want to doubt her Dean, but the source of the Enkephalin… was the Training Department.

She couldn't understand. She hadn't seen Netzach for a day, and she had done this? It was really… really disappointing.

What about the Corporation's achievements? Was the second week going to be ruined?

"Ah? Hic… Manager… you… you didn't see… I'm… treating… myself… Oh, haha, I, hic, feel— it's really— good… great."

As if deliberately provoking her, the Safety Department Dean injected herself with Enkephalin right in front of X. This was serious drug addiction and dependence. Clearly, she was relapsing.

X couldn't bear it. She couldn't ignore her Dean.

"Angela, help me take care of things. I need to check on her."

X pretended to turn off the monitor, not wanting to see the addict's revelry.

She prepared to leave the Manager's room and go to the Safety Department to find the unreliable addict. She didn't dare let Netzach work in this condition.

After all, if a serious mistake occurred, it wouldn't be the Dean who took the blame. It would be X, the Manager.

But X was stopped. By her AI Secretary. She was forced back into the Manager's chair.

[Manager, you can't delay the entire Corporation's work because of her. Every minute is precious. You have an urgent Energy Quota to complete.]

The AI didn't care about the Safety Department Dean. Even though she was injecting herself with addictive drugs on the screen, Angela showed no signs of anger, remaining calm.

This was probably normal for her. After all, before X arrived… she had managed the Department AIs. She knew the Deans' behavior and moral character very well.

If she got angry over such a "small matter," how many times would she get angry in a day?

But X hadn't gotten used to it yet. Even though she was indifferent to the employees, X still cared about her Deans. She was the Manager. She was responsible for her Deans. If a Dean acted like this, X felt it was her failure as a mentor.

Even a dull knife can still cut wood. To do a good job, you need good tools. If the Deans were all falling asleep, how could the employees do well? If a management error led to an Abnormality escaping and triggering a chain reaction, then a whole day's work would be wasted.

X didn't know what Angela was thinking. As the Corporation's AI, she was ignoring Netzach's serious behavior, which was severely impacting the Corporation's efficiency. But… X had to intervene.

"Angela, let go. Netzach's condition is very bad. I need to deal with her immediately! Her stress levels have clearly exceeded the limit. She can't keep taking Enkephalin!"

Even though it was an AI, Enkephalin would still severely damage the AI's mental state, reducing her judgment and causing other problems. Excessive Enkephalin use would damage the body.

X knew this very well. She felt that Angela should know even better, but— the AI Secretary's tone was calm and indifferent, without a hint of concern for the Dean.

[Manager, this is the typical state of the Safety Department Dean. You shouldn't have any expectations for her— She's doing her job and playing her role.]

"Angela, are you saying that Netzach isn't doing anything? Just constantly taking Enkephalin, living in a hallucination? The Safety Department is the 'Safety Assurance' Department, an important Department."

X roared, her golden eyes glaring at the Secretary. Her grip on her wrist tightened, preparing to forcefully break free from the Secretary's hold.

Some things could be tolerated, some could not.

At least, when it came to the Deans… this wasn't acceptable…

Now, it seemed like X was protecting the Corporation's interests, while the AI Secretary was letting the broken gear continue to operate, ignoring the growing safety hazard.

[Taking Enkephalin until she's delirious… dazed all day… acting like a useless person… that's her job, X. You should be used to it.]

"That's bullshit, Angela! Do you know how much effort I put in to improve the Corporation's achievements? Those addicts cause so many problems! If Netzach keeps this up, do you think the other employees will still work hard?"

X roared like an enraged lioness. This was the first time she had argued with her AI Secretary about a Dean, and she wasn't backing down.

Normally, she was like a quail huddled in a corner, obeying the Secretary, nodding and making muffled sounds.

But she was always stubborn about certain things. X was extremely serious and stubborn about work.

She wouldn't argue with the AI who was nominally her Secretary, but actually her superior, about other things. But about this clearly wrong thing, she couldn't agree with the AI's perspective.

[Manager, you're too emotional. Sorry, forgive my rudeness—]

The AI sighed. Then, as if activating some mechanism, X was suddenly bound by a mechanical chain, her limbs tightly restrained, bound to the Manager's chair.

Probably considering X's strength, they used a very strong mechanical chain, specially reinforced, not ordinary rope… Rope wouldn't restrain X.

[I understand your feelings, Manager, but Netzach is a different kind of trouble. She's a cunning AI. This might just be a way for her to get your attention, not a real problem.]