Maintaining constant vigilance was mandatory—
But this cruel Corporation didn't even allow sweet dreams; how wonderful it would be to lose oneself in a sweet dream?
Why the cruel insistence on dragging her from that sweet slumber, forcing her to endure this lonely hell?
Numbed by alcohol and hallucinogens—
The warmth of the lamb, a gentle oblivion.
Awakening, thirst and discomfort.
Closing her eyes, waiting for the impossible.
...…
[Good morning, Manager. Have you noticed the tokens in my hand? Please choose one you like: A, B, or C.]
Another day began like any other. X ate her breakfast, listening to the AI Secretary's peculiar questions.
Today, Angela presented three tokens, each with a letter: A, B, and C.
X calmly sipped her warm milk, sensing no danger. But having endured much, she was more alert.
First, she'd test the Secretary's reaction.
"Um…is it okay to choose any one? Angela?"
X's golden eyes scanned the three lettered tokens, hesitant. She sensed these letters weren't simple choices.
The AI wouldn't present meaningless items; every action had a purpose.
Whether it was the unexpected rewards, the enticing dinners, or the manipulative tactics…the AI was cunning and never complacent.
But X couldn't guess Angela's intentions or goals.
If she could, her survival wouldn't be so precarious. X now believed—the workplace was a cutthroat battlefield.
Even the somewhat slow X was becoming more adept at navigating social dynamics—
How to greet her AI Secretary, how to placate the disgruntled Deans—she was developing strategies.
[Of course, this is just a small survey among employees. Choose a letter, Manager.]
The AI spoke calmly, seemingly unconcerned, merely observing employee interactions and offering X a game.
X believed this, but paused.
The simulation's sound suddenly echoed; it hadn't appeared in a while; this unexpected activation, always surprising, caused her to reconsider.
[Lobotomy Corporation Simulator — The Ultimate Romance-Work Place Simulation]
[The simulation has started—]
[Day 9—Choice? A matter of life and death!]
[During a pleasant breakfast, you notice the AI presenting strange tokens with doubled letters, but your instinct tells you something is wrong.]
[Your loyal and trustworthy AI asks which of the three letters you prefer, repeatedly emphasizing that it's a simple, uninteresting choice.]
[You hesitate between A, B, and C. The AI frowns impatiently, urging you to choose. You choose randomly, your mind blank.]
[You select B; perhaps it holds significance, but you simply wanted to end the interaction. The AI doesn't seem to think so.]
[The AI's expression darkens; she frowns, her brow furrowed enough to crush a fly. You try to backpedal, but it's too late. Despite it being a simple choice, the AI cares deeply about the answer.]
[The AI activates the restraints, binding you to the Manager's chair. You struggle, but it's futile; your mouth is covered, preventing explanation; she doesn't want to hear you.]
[Your loyal and trustworthy AI begins explaining the meaning of 'B', giving you no chance to speak; you're forced to listen to her perspective.]
[The AI begins to interpret 'B':]
[Those who choose B are detail-oriented, rational, and practical; some might even be materialists. These traits often lead to success, but the AI dislikes the letter B intensely.]
[Your loyal and trustworthy AI punishes your arrogance….]
[Your mind is distorted….]
[You enjoy the AI Secretary's punishment….]
[....]
[....]
[Achievement Unlocked—Why choose B?!]
[Friendly Reminder: Someone may have offended the machine. It dislikes the letter B, and those who displease it will face its wrath.]
[Please select your reward:
1. Fortitude (+1)
2. Prudence (+1)
3. Temperance (+1)
4. Justice (+1)]
[First-person perspective original: YES/NO]
"Cough cough—"
Startled, X choked on her milk; the three tokens were no longer simple letters A, B, and C, but life-altering choices.
Eliminating the wrong choice, B, left two options.
Although there were choices, there weren't really good ones.
X's golden eyes flickered between A and C; the AI patiently waited.
Despite the AI's claims of a simple survey, X was skeptical; she'd experienced such cunning tactics and wouldn't fall for them again.
Well…she was trapped; it wasn't entirely avoidable.
If she said she liked both letters, Angela might… that would likely be considered cheating, resulting in punishment.
X wouldn't risk it; this was a life-or-death choice, as cunning as "██ and ██ are drowning; who do you save?" Utterly unreasonable.
But even knowing the AI was deliberately provoking her, what could X do?
Even if she knew the questions were designed to be unanswerable, forcing an incorrect choice, could she force her Secretary to obey, to kneel and be subservient?
Clearly not; the AI Secretary was the true head of the Corporation, and her position as Manager was only slightly higher than the employees.
X sighed, struggling with the complex social dynamics and workplace rules; she never imagined being subjected to the Secretary's whims.
Was this reasonable?
Choose A or C?
X hesitated, her lips moving, struggling to speak. It was just a simple letter, a single sound, yet choosing felt incredibly difficult.
She'd never faced such a difficult choice; she preferred dealing with work and experimental data.
Making an educated guess was difficult, like a student facing an incomprehensible exam question, desperately needing an answer.
The choices were based on something, but she didn't know!
She vaguely felt she should know!
But her mind was blank; she had a vague memory, a blurry impression—useless in this situation.
Like a student cramming the night before an exam, encountering similar questions, only to have a mind like a broken toilet—empty.
[Manager, are you too nervous? This is just a simple employee survey, lacking scientific basis. Choose whatever you like.]
—Saying it's unimportant, yet deeply caring.
—I see through you, cunning AI!
X silently grumbled; the more the AI emphasized its unimportance, the more anxious she became; emphasis often indicated importance.
She'd learned about the capricious nature of AIs.
Logically—if these letters had meaning, X knew what 'A' represented and its implications.
Simply, Lobotomy Corporation often used initials to refer to its leaders, such as the founder, 'A'. This 'A' might relate to the founder.
X was indifferent to 'A'; regardless of the AI's praise, her impression was only that of a ██ whose head had been crushed in a malfunctioning door.
Besides the founder, X couldn't imagine anyone designing AIs with such human-like internal and external structures, mimicking primates perfectly—the detail was extraordinary.
But knowing the near-perfect physical similarity, X couldn't respect 'A'; the founder's motives were questionable.
This was reinforced by helping Netzach; Netzach's behavior was shocking; X learned that AIs could experience ██; who would program such needs into an AI?
Reprimand was needed—a severe one!
Clearly…it had to be C!
X found C more appealing than A; A made her want to kick and punch, while C felt lighter and friendlier.
X attributed this to a common workplace sentiment: My boss is an idiot.
'A' was her superior, assigning the troublesome Angela; therefore, 'A' was an idiot.
Venting frustration at superiors was common; many employees felt their Deans or Managers were incompetent.
Usually, this was done privately or in hushed tones.
X, unlike Netzach, wouldn't voice her complaints, fearing Angela's displeasure.
Silent resentment was better than outspoken defiance; few possessed Netzach's courage (fueled by Enkephalin); X avoided addictive substances.
She was rational, yet apprehensive, like a timid bird, quietly enduring the AI Secretary's actions.
"Um…I like C, Angela."
X chose the letter she found most appealing—C.