Chapter 5 - Summary of fear

"I think, I'm going to do a little more. Angela, can you help me make a cup of coffee?

Manager X looked at the group of employees on the screen. The employees looked very tired, but in the break room there were [Regenerator] and [Mental Pollution Neutralizing Gas] two types of devices to help employees quickly restore their condition.

After choosing [Prudence] as a reward, although there was no clear feeling, X felt like she was a little more cautious, or perhaps she was thinking a little more normally. Every time the Secretary says a sentence, X will always listen carefully and reconsider to be sure.

AI can lie? She didn't know, it was theoretically impossible for an intellectual AI to lie, and it wouldn't be allowed in the order, but...

Angela is special, right? AI created by Wings of the World, the best AI.

—— Can simulate similarly delicate and detailed human emotions ——

—— Simulation results ——

Searching through her memory, Angela introduced herself in that part, if it were said that before, X didn't pay attention to these things because of panic and anxiety. So now that I remember it, those strange points are also very clear.

Weird attitude..... It seems like she doesn't care at all, but in reality, she always chases away other AIs.

Not allowing me to change Secretary... Not allowing myself to leave her sight...?

—— The rope tied to my body was tied by Angela? ——

—— Why am I tied to the Corporation to be Manager ——

One problem appeared after another but was forced down by X herself, whether it was an uneasy feeling or a vague feeling of worry.

At this time, I can't be a hyperactive Manager. Angela doesn't like me like that.

X looked away from the screen and glanced at the AI Secretary who was making coffee. AI Secretary's back is to her, but X still feels that Angela knows everything.

[ How many cubes of sugar do you want? Need to add cow's milk?]

"Three cubes, a little more cow's milk, I'm afraid it will be bitter."

A cup of coffee exuding a faint scent of milk was placed in Manager X's hand, but X was not in a hurry to drink it, but instead stared at the Latte art on the coffee, a little ecstatic.

It's a heart-shaped Latte art, this Latte art is incredibly beautiful.

[Huh? Why don't you drink it? I learned how to prepare this type of coffee from a Dean. Please tell me how it tastes. I think I can continue to improve.]

"It's too hot, I want to wait until it's cold and then drink it again, Angela."

She always felt that her AI Secretary was extremely strange, but X could only tell herself that she was definitely being too sentimental, too self-indulgent, and thinking too much.

X is just a new manager, just her first day at work, nothing special. Just like the normal gears in the machine, there is nothing valuable that artificial intelligence is taking care of. Even if there is, it is just because of the Corporation's orders.

However... A manager can be fired by intelligent AI at any time, no matter how she looks like she's not important at all.

[Cold coffee is bad, Manager.]

Secretary waited quietly on the side, eyes closed, and said.

"I know, I know, I'll just drink it."

"Uh... Delicious, but I don't understand coffee, so I can't make any useful suggestions, Angela."

Even though Angela was closing her eyes, X still felt panicked by the Secretary's gaze. Reluctantly, she picked up the coffee, blew out a light breath to let the hot coffee cool down a bit, and then drank.

The taste of coffee for someone like X who doesn't understand anything about coffee, the tongue cannot taste any specific differences.

What brand of coffee beans, what special method of making them, and finally distillation, stir-frying, and then boiling. Or is it directly from a fast-dissolving drink? Manager X doesn't understand, she just feels it tastes good.

The bitter coffee has a rich aroma, the flavor of fresh milk also neutralizes the acrid taste inside, the silk feels great, the level is also very rich, and there are many types of taste experiences.

[Just your evaluation is enough. If you like it, my learning will be meaningful]

AI said it but didn't explain, this was beyond X's scope of understanding, so X just remained silent.

This topic... She couldn't continue, without looking at her Secretary. X focused her attention on the screen and continued to command the employee, ordering the employee to proceed with work.

She must adapt to her own Manager's job and also wants to let employees adapt to the job.

When Angela was explaining to her, she said that the energy that dissipated would come back. This means that after that, the job will not be so easy.

X should take advantage of today's easy job and good circumstances to train her employees.

If the employee does not meet the order's requirements and fails to carry out the instructions, then everything is meaningless.

Therefore, it is necessary to sacrifice a little time to do some work. Consider this as training, and volunteer to work overtime without salary.

Even though the AI Secretary's personality is extremely cruel, it still doesn't change that the Secretary is truly extremely beautiful. Her beautiful appearance attracted Manager X's eyes, and made X feel unnatural.

"Hmm, not too different, now I declare the end of today's work."

Obtained energy has far surpassed today's Energy Quota, but even though there is more energy. That also does not belong to the Manager but depends on the Corporation and the Corporation's assets.

Staring at the screen for a long time will make your eyes hurt, so it seems like the Manager must have a position with an AI function as an assistant.

People's reaction speed is limited, and with these repetitive tasks, they will feel tired and their efficiency will decrease over time.

When the Manager has a loophole, or if something unexpected happens to the manager on the way, AI intelligence can create a timely reminder to help. As for why not let the AI mind handle it directly, that can only be asked of the Corporation.

Elite AI intelligence can clearly do better than human Managers, so why do they still want to use humans for this position?

X had this question, but she knew there were times when she shouldn't ask so many questions.

The Manager must know herself, know the situation, follow the Corporation's orders, and complete the daily Energy Quota.

If I ask a wrong question, I will be punished by AI's intelligence...

Thinking about this kind of thing like 'Punishment', Manager X will unconsciously look towards her Secretary. But she herself did not want to know what punishment meant, nor did she want to experience it herself.

Even X wouldn't think that punishment is a simple thing in terms of words, that kind of thing can be considered from the most basic perspective.

After announcing the end of work, X turned off the screen, stretched her tired back slightly, and stood up from the Manager's chair. Because it was the first day of taking office, the loyal and trustworthy Secretary prepared to bring Manager X to take a look at the Corporation Department.

Even though only the Control Department is now open, it does not mean that other Departments will stop operating.

Basically, considering that the Manager needs an adaptation process, because of the reduced workload, on the first day the new Manager only needs to be in charge of the Control Department.

[Your work today was completed well, the Corporation will gradually open up other Departments based on your performance. Do you like the Information Department or Safety Department?]

Leading Manager X through this complicated corridor, AI Secretary Angela suddenly asked this question.

"Ah, why ask like that, Angela, aren't I already off work?"

X looked at the cold metal walls, the hallway was still so cold, that it made people feel very bad, and could faintly smell the smell of rust. It's very clean, but I still feel like something hasn't been cleaned.

There have never been any employee casualties like this today. Why do I still feel the presence of blood? Probably the previous employee's blood.

After work, I didn't want to work at all, and I didn't know if such a reaction was normal. At least X wasn't enthusiastic. As soon as she heard her own Secretary throwing out options for her to choose from, she started to have a headache.

In case I choose wrong... Will I be punished?

X carefully observed the Secretary's face, The Secretary still maintained that cold expression, there was no change.

[Dean and others are looking forward to meeting you, but the initiative is in your hands, you can choose to open the Information Department or the Safety Department. Of course, this is just a difference in the order. ]

—— Is it just a different sequence ——

"Angela, which Department do you think is better to open at the moment?"

[ You are the Manager, I have no right to interfere with you, nor can I make decisions for you ]

—— At this moment, she admitted that I was the Manager ——

—— It's obvious that she wants to see me make a mistake ——

X said badly in her mind, but she did not dare to say it. Angela said what she said, she could only accept it, all the right to explain belonged to her Secretary.

And myself, even if it's a difficult choice, I still have to make a choice...

[ The simulations have started ——]

[Day1—— Manager sanctions ]

[You completed today's Energy Quota, and you finished work smoothly. You haven't even had time to say that you can finally rest for a while. On the way, the Secretary started asking which Department you want to open tomorrow]

[From the considerations of management at Abnormalities work, you chose the Information Department. You think this is a good start, but not all Deans are as approachable as Malkuth]

[Information Department Dean's nickname is 'Viper', she is a strict person, the first time meeting her was not pleasant, you're not being careful with your behavior and dressing caused her dislike]

[The Information Department Dean severely criticized your appearance, and at the same time asked Angela to punish you, the request was not accepted]

[You are lucky because the punishment was not accepted, and left the Information Department later. You were informed by the intelligent AI that Dean does not have the authority to punish you, but the Secretary has the authority to correct the Manager's behavior]

[You are being shaped and dressed by AI's intelligence, punishments are being imposed on you]

[Your spirit is in a broken state...]

[You committed suicide...]

[Achieved achievement —— Punitive measures ]

[Warm reminder: When you want to act, anything can become an excuse and reason]

[Please choose the reward for this result:

1. Fortitude (+1)

2. Prudence (+1)

3. Temperance (+1)

4. Justice (+1)]

Why Angela? It was Angela again?!

—— Why does just opening the Department cause mental collapse ——

X unconsciously looked at the Secretary next to her. In X's eyes, this was no longer an intelligent AI, but more like some terrifying cataclysmic beast.

In front of her, AI's intelligence would do those things, it was just her thinking...? Just looking at Angela's appearance, she is dignified and beautiful, like an arrogant iceberg that cannot be climbed.

So... What is the other side? X was a little shaken by this repeated result. Whether it was resignation or the end of herself, she felt really bad.

Even if these are just simulations, that's too bad.

[ Manager, how are you, your face doesn't look very good ]

Intellectual AI kindly asked Manager X, but when Intellectual AI wanted to touch Manager X, X unconsciously avoided the Secretary's hand.

[... Are you okay... Am I very scary?]

"I... I'm okay, I'm just a little bit, maybe I can't adapt to being here, I can't breathe."

X leaned against the wall, barely supporting her body. Right now, just seeing Angela's face, hearing this voice, would make her body tremble.

The Simulator's content should have been fake, but X vaguely felt that... her body could feel those feelings.

Obviously very afraid of her own AI Secretary, but still hugged by her own AI Secretary. The mechanical body is cold, and the human body temperature is obviously much higher than the mechanical one, heat flows from high to low. The greater the difference in temperature during the day, the faster it propagates.

Unlike the terrifying imagination, AI intelligence is not as heartless as steel, nor is it a pure metal mass of iron.

Realistic simulation of delicate and soft skin, the temperature is only quite low in comparison, at that icy cold and gentle level.

[Manager, don't force yourself, if you say something unpleasant, it's over, and Dean's meeting will be arranged until tomorrow.]

[Control Department Dean Malkuth has psychotherapy there. If you need it, I will arrange it for you now]

However, such a gentle voice did not have a calming effect. X's body was still trembling from fear, and X herself closed her eyes, not daring to look at Angela at all.

"Angela, leave me alone for a moment…"

X almost gritted her teeth and said that her strength was completely insufficient to resist the intelligent AI, and the only thing she could rely on was the pity of the intelligent AI.

[...]

[...If this is what you want...]

[I have contacted Malkuth for you, you can go and try to do a psychological examination later.]

The intelligent AI left, really left, and X gasped loudly as if she had escaped from a nightmare, her golden eyes staring intently at the clean, reflective metal ground, under her sight was herself.. .... There is also a Lobotomy logo in the corner.

The lobotomy logo faded, and the original logo box shade turned black and white...

Her body was still trembling, and the moment the Lobotomy icon turned gray, the simulation and reality seemed to overlap, making it a bit difficult for X to tell whether it was real or fake.

"This is so wild..."

No matter how her eyes move, the Lobotomy Corporation Logo will not escape Manager X's eyes.

The simulation is continuing, X doesn't know if this is reality or an illusion.