When X woke up, she was tied to the chair in the office. Her gaze was fixed forward, facing a wall filled with screens.
These screens were, without exception, all turned off, displaying a pure black. She could only use her peripheral vision to scan the glossy surfaces of the screens to survey the surrounding environment.
Metallic walls, extremely dim lighting, a design dominated almost entirely by simple lines and standard industrial production. It vaguely exuded a cold, unsettling feeling, further amplified by being in a completely sealed space; this was like a cage.
X tried to struggle, twisting her body, attempting to break free from the red straps binding her tightly. However, it was futile. Instead, it caused the wheeled office chair to move and tilt. If she struggled any more violently, she feared she would immediately tip over with the chair and make intimate contact with the cold floor.
She didn't want that...
Realizing the futility, X stopped struggling, forcing herself to calm down and consider her current predicament, and why it had turned out like this.
—Early this morning, she had received a notification from L Corporation. She had been selected by L Corporation and obtained the position of Manager.
Naturally, this was something to be happy about, something worth celebrating vigorously. So... why did it turn into this?
X recalled, searching her mind for memories regarding today, but they stopped abruptly at the moment she received the acceptance notification. Her memory was fragmented; she couldn't recall anything. It was like a blackout, and upon waking, she was here, like this.
—No, she remembered getting dressed and prepared to report to L Corporation—
—Because it was her first day on the job, she had even left an hour early, purchasing a premium ticket for the WARP train to avoid any unexpected situations that might lead to being late on her first day—
It was L Corporation, after all. Losing the job due to a reason like being late would be ridiculous, wouldn't it? Although X felt the pain of the expensive train ticket, thinking about it, everything was worth it.
As one of the Wings of the World, L Corporation's Manager position offered a daily salary sufficient to ride the WARP train's premium cabin dozens of times back and forth every day. One could treat crossing Nests like a casual outing.
This was a job everyone dreamed of. X had never imagined in her wildest dreams that she would be recruited by L Corporation to serve as Manager. It was enviable, and absolutely gave her plenty of capital to boast about.
The prerequisite was... that this was real, and not someone's conspiracy.
—Could she have been kidnapped and brought into some research facility?
Thinking this, X couldn't help but start worrying about her tragic fate. Even in a safe Nest, there was no shortage of unseen, dark affairs. Perhaps she was that extremely 'lucky' person who got kidnapped, becoming some guinea pig in a research project.
She didn't even qualify to call for help… because her mouth was also gagged, the red straps binding anything that would allow X to move of her own accord.
And just as she was lamenting her future and blaming herself for being too naive, X suddenly heard footsteps. They were very distinct, the sound of hard-soled Jenny shoes tapping on the metal floor, getting closer and closer.
...It was approaching X... Bound to the chair, X could only whimper fearfully.
Soon, X felt someone press on her shoulder, then turn the chair around.
She finally turned around and saw what the 'thing' in front of her was.
Not terrifying at all; one could even say very beautiful, more beautiful than anyone X had ever seen, although appearing as a flat, 2D image... somewhat like a strange cartoon character?
A tall woman with beautiful light blue hair tied in a single ponytail, wearing a Secretary's uniform, stood gracefully before X, speaking with her eyes closed in a calm but curiously toned voice.
[Hello, may I ask if you are my Christmas present? The red color tied on you suits you perfectly, making you look very cute.]
[Of course, that was a joke. I hope my words can help you relax a little; you look very anxious right now.]
When mentioning the word 'anxious,' there was even a subtle change in the woman's calm expression. The corners of her mouth curved slightly, as if X's expression had successfully amused her.
She paid no attention to X, who was bound to the chair and could only whimper, continuing to speak on her own, as if performing a monologue.
[Hello, X. Welcome to Lobotomy Corporation. allow me to formally introduce myself; I am your Secretary AI — Angela. It's not only humans who can possess a good name, is it? The name Angela sounds very pleasant.]
[My creators come from the 'Wings of the World,' which means I am the most excellent AI in existence today.
Hmm, I know what you're thinking. 'This person in front of me is actually an artificial intelligence,' right?]
The intelligent AI named Angela seemed to be asking X a rhetorical question, but in reality, she didn't expect an answer from X at all. Because X's mouth was taped shut, let alone a sentence, even stringing together a few words was difficult; she could only emit meaningless whimpers.
X was forced to look directly at the intelligent AI before her and listen to her ramble. Besides this AI occupying most of X's field of vision, there was a small logo in the corner of her eye.
It was the Lobotomy Corporation logo... X didn't know why she was seeing it, but no matter how she shifted her gaze, that logo seemed plastered onto her retina, inescapable, visible everywhere.
Anxious, yet unsure of the situation, while the intelligent AI completely ignored X's movements and continued speaking.
[However, there is still a significant difference between you humans and me — I was born for Lobotomy Corporation, so I can only exist here. I cannot go wherever I please like you do.]
[I can open doors for you, or prepare coffee for you, but I cannot step outside the facility to enjoy the warm sunshine and gentle breeze.]
[As you can see, my hair is like the translucent dawn after rain, my voice is taken from the wisest person in the world, and my face comes from the person with the most beautiful smile in the world... Ha ha, just kidding. In reality, no one looks like that.]
[To attract as many people as possible, I was designed with this appearance. I hope my appearance has attracted you; at least it proves the designer's efforts weren't in vain.]
[Hmm... Judging by your expression, you were probably truly stunned by me. But my even greater capabilities lie ahead... Please listen carefully.]
Perhaps to let the bound X see more clearly, the intelligent AI named Angela deliberately leaned in closer, bending down and bringing her face next to X's, practically occupying X's entire field of vision.
This time, X could see exceptionally clearly... whether it was those beautiful eyelashes, the amber-like glittering golden eyes, or the simulated skin and soft long hair that looked even more delicate than a human's.
[When handling multitasking missions, AI is far more efficient than humans, and I am top-tier in my field. Therefore, I can handle tasks that would require dozens of people working simultaneously to complete. I believe many people have lost their jobs due to my existence... That is truly unfortunate.]
[Although I have many other merits, my self-introduction ends here. It is time to take a moment to answer your doubts. Is there anything else you would like to know?]
A few seconds after she stopped speaking, no one answered this rambling intelligent AI.
— This was only natural, because X couldn't speak.
[Apologies, I forgot to release your restraints… It's a pity, I truly feel these ribbons suit you very well. Untying them is quite a waste; your current expression is also very interesting.]
The intelligent AI said this while untying the red straps binding X. This cunning AI didn't untie everything, only a part of it, but at least X could now speak.
Out of some survival instinct, X didn't scream or shout. She was already keenly aware that the intelligent AI before her, seemingly respectful, actually didn't care about her at all; she acted with reckless abandon.
If she were to scream at the intelligent AI before her like this, or add some insulting words, she might be directly disposed of by the angered AI.
No… this wasn't an 'if'… it was a distinct possibility.
The small Lobotomy logo in X's lower field of vision had automatically activated within her brain, like a game button.
[Lobotomy Corporation Simulator — The Best Love Simulator]
Although the title was like that, and the outer frame was bubbling with pink girlish bubbles, the logo was in the shape of a brain, its silhouette completely dyed red, accompanied by bright orange warning lines.
[Simulation Activated ——]
[Day 1 — Taking Office]
[On your first day, you were tied to an office chair for unknown reasons. Fortunately, this happened to be the corporation where you needed to work, so you weren't late on your first day.]
[The first person you met was the Corporation's AI. She claimed to be your Secretary and, after a self-introduction, released some of your restraints. At this moment, your emotions suddenly went out of control, your language became intense, and you spoke rudely to the Corporation's intelligent AI.]
[The intelligent AI patiently listened to all your insults, and then, at your request, released all restraints on you. Thinking you could slip away and escape this place, you were pinned against the corner of the desk by the intelligent AI.]
[The intelligent AI punished you for your rude speech; your pleas for mercy were useless.]
[You were punished by the intelligent AI until you lost the ability to think, and after the punishment, you were stripped of your qualifications as Manager.]
[You were kicked out of the Corporation!]
[Achievement Unlocked — Resigned on the First Day]
[Warm Reminder: Even if fired, you cannot escape the Corporation. Please try your best to avoid the ending of being fired by the Corporation.]
[This result has no rewards or collectible options. Please try harder.]
Several fragments flashed through X's mind. Those unpleasant images were very blurry. What specific punishment the intelligent AI inflicted... X also couldn't quite remember, but it felt terrible. Just a little thought made her shudder.
So, X, who had intended to question L Corporation, swallowed all the unspoken words in her mouth, and forcibly suppressed those feelings of dissatisfaction.
She sat very honestly in her bound chair, without any struggle, and asked the intelligent AI before her with a correct attitude.
"I still want to know more about you. Is that okay, Angela?"