[Hm? Understand me better? How can I explain this to someone without any professional knowledge? For example, creating a high-quality AI like me requires an unimaginable amount of effort.]
The AI's smile disappeared. She seemed troubled by X's question. Perhaps she felt X's question was too basic, or perhaps she felt X was too stupid to understand. But she still continued to explain, using simple and understandable academic language…
[With the development of technology, various new technologies and functions have emerged, writing a new chapter in the history of AI. And I work for the Corporation. These applications are vast. There are…]
Although she might have misunderstood, X wasn't interested in the AI's internal structure, principles, or academic applications. She simply wanted to know the AI named Angela's interests and hobbies.
"That, Angela."
X spoke cautiously, worried that interrupting the AI might lead to punishment. But if she didn't interrupt, she felt the AI might continue talking endlessly.
[Hm? Manager, is there anything you don't understand? Or perhaps, something you can't comprehend?]
The blue-haired Secretary no longer stood so formally. She sat down on the chair next to X, resting her hands on the armrest, swaying the chair, as if she were the true boss.
Looking at the AI who called herself her Secretary, X unconsciously wanted to blurt out what was on her mind.
—You're only introducing the AI's functions, Angela—
—I want to know what you like, what you dislike—
[The simulation has started—]
[Day 1—Self-introduction]
[You interrupted the AI's introduction of various technical fields, using a very poor conversational approach to ask the AI about her personal matters.]
[The AI was very puzzled as to why you would ask her this. She sarcastically said you had asked a very stupid question because machines don't have interests or hobbies. She's just a machine serving the Corporation.]
[You were dissatisfied with her harsh and unpleasant attitude. You retorted, giving her your own unfounded views on AI, insisting that AIs had their own rights, that they were independent individuals with the right to pursue freedom.]
[After hearing your theory, the AI asked you how you would prove this theory. You were unable to provide an answer because it was just your rambling, you had no way to prove it, no basis to support your views.]
[So, the AI decided to punish you because Managers should be responsible for their words, and you hadn't taken responsibility for your actions.]
[The AI knew how to put your rambling theory into practice, but after the test, you had lost consciousness.]
[Because you lost consciousness before the Manager training, you were deemed unqualified by the Corporation.]
[You were fired by the Corporation!]
[Achievement Unlocked—All Talk, No Action]
[Friendly Reminder: Even if fired, you can't escape the Corporation. Please try to avoid being fired.]
[There are no rewards or options to save this outcome. Please try again.]
In X's vision, the screen displaying the Lobotomy logo, [Lobotomy Corporation Simulator—The Best Workplace Romance Simulator], showed another result, another consequence of her recklessness.
In less than ten minutes, she had failed twice. This wasn't a romance simulator. It was a firing simulator, simulating how L Corporation would fire her.
Why wasn't it a resignation simulator? Because resignation was voluntary, and the initiative clearly wasn't in X's hands.
Although she didn't know the specifics of being fired by the Corporation, X didn't want to experience it. At least for now, she wanted to continue working at Lobotomy Corp. Because only by continuing to work could she survive.
After all, being fired often meant being eliminated. Resignation was just a euphemism. Even though she was born in the comfortable Nest, X knew this basic principle. She wasn't naive enough for that kind of ridiculous scenario.
"Okay, I don't have any questions… No, what I mean is, Angela, AI technology is now very common. What makes you and the other AIs special? The best AI created by Wings of the World must have something unique, right?"
X had wanted to say that she had no problems, but thinking back to the previous results…
The AI probably wouldn't like a Manager who was reckless and irresponsible. So, she had to ask a more reasonable question, a more appropriate way to change the subject.
And the only relatively reasonable question was an extension of the AI's previous words, something about technological innovation…
What was special about the AI created by L Corp, a subsidiary of Wings of the World?
[That's a good question. Of course, AI is no longer a new concept. But to explain how I am different from other AIs… I can accurately simulate human emotions? And express them?]
[The emotional system is a very complex system. Its unpredictability and complexity far exceed other systems. This completely new emotion simulation system combined with other functions makes me your perfect partner…]
[Oh, but that phrasing is inaccurate. You can think of me as— your perfect assistant.]
The AI's lips curved into a slight smile. She gently swayed in her chair, her posture extremely relaxed, a stark contrast to X's tense posture due to being tied to the chair.
Although X was trying to hide her anxiety, how could she remain calm when she was tied up like this?
Perhaps sensing something, the AI finally showed some kindness. Answering X's question, she stood up from her chair.
She approached Manager X and untied the red restraints, freeing her from all the bindings.
Her delicate, slightly cold fingers touched Manager X's face, brushing X's messy black hair to one side and smoothing the wrinkles in her collar caused by the restraints.
Getting close to Manager X's face, as she adjusted her hair, the AI opened her eyes. Her beautiful amber eyes fixed on Manager X, her golden pupils focused on the black-haired woman with short bangs.
The black-haired woman with short bangs completely filled the AI's field of vision…
The curve of the AI's lips became more pronounced, and her tone slightly more cheerful. She seemed to be in a good mood.
[Also… the timing of your joining Lobotomy Corp is perfect. The Corporation is constantly upgrading its systems to achieve higher efficiency and stable energy acquisition methods.]
[And we've recently upgraded the system using a new method. Oh, compared to previous Managers, you'll have a more pleasant working environment. Consider this a small welcome gift. I hope you'll have a great start—]
[Wait, Manager, please wait. I understand you're eager, but I'm about to introduce you to them.]
The AI had been resting her chin on her hand, swaying in her chair. But she stopped mid-sentence. Seeing X stand up, she quickly stood up to stop X from leaving.
Manager X had been freed from her restraints. Having been tied up for so long, she simply wanted to stretch, but the AI had misinterpreted her actions as an attempt to leave.
[Please be patient, alright? What I mean is, you should first get to know the other AIs in this facility. Lobotomy Corp, as a subsidiary of 'Wings of the World,' is a huge Corporation. Just having one excellent AI like me isn't enough, for the Departments…]
The blue-haired Secretary frowned.
X was lost in thought, considering the AI Secretary's words, wondering if the Corporation's system upgrade referred to the Lobotomy Corp logo in the bottom right corner of her screen, that thing called the simulator?
No matter where she looked, no matter how she moved her gaze, it remained fixed on her retina, constantly sending strange messages to her mind, making X feel a chill.
Could Angela see this? X didn't know. But she could only choose to trust this simulator, fully titled [Lobotomy Corporation Simulator—The Best Workplace Romance Simulator], abbreviated as [Lobotomy Corp Romance Simulator]. Because…
[Manager, look at me. Listen to me finish. As Manager, don't you even have this basic quality?]
The assertive yet controlling AI Secretary-Angela, noticing Manager X's distraction, pressed X against the wall, forcing her gaze onto herself.
"Sorry, I was distracted. I just think… Wings of the World is truly unbelievable. Angela, continue. I'm listening."
—If all the AIs were like this, I'd resign—
X silently cursed in her heart, not daring to show any dissatisfaction. Although she held the position of Manager, she was actually at the mercy of this AI who called herself her Secretary.
What kind of malice and obsession would lead to such a power dynamic? Fortunately, as long as she showed sincerity and apologized quickly… nothing too serious would happen. At least, Angela had forgiven X's distraction.
The AI continued introducing the Corporation.
[To ensure the Corporation's smooth operation, each Department has a dedicated AI for independent management. You can consider me the cerebrum, and they are the cerebellum.]
[Of course, I am the AI you can rely on the most… Shall we meet them now?]
The blue-haired Secretary extended her hand, and Manager X took it.