Lobotomy Corporation but with Simulation System?

The Safety Department Dean, using an exaggerated tone, pointed at her face, as if showing X her injuries. She stretched out her neck, revealing a large expanse of her white skin.

X looked carefully. She didn't see any sign of injury on Netzach's face…

Of course not. How could an AI fighting leave behind bruises like a human fight? Machines don't have wounds, they aren't as fragile as carbon-based organisms.

Their sturdy, simulated skin could withstand most damage. Most weapons could hardly leave marks on it, let alone fists used as blunt weapons.

The AIs were strong, but they didn't fight with the intention of destroying the other person. Although it wasn't light, it wasn't heavy either. This kind of force wasn't enough to damage their bodies.

Both sides fought, but neither side broke through the other's defenses. The total damage was zero. So, Netzach's claim of injury was completely baseless.

Yesod's fist might have precisely hit her face, but it hadn't left a single mark. This situation made it hard to know if it was her thick skin or not.

At least, X was amused by this sudden thought. Staring at Netzach's face for a while, she suddenly laughed.

She held her stomach and laughed. Her laughter was unrestrained. It wasn't mockery.

Could the Safety Department Dean be good at acting? Even if she couldn't act well, her Manager could help her act a little.

This kind of "humorous" cell was probably something that ordinary AIs couldn't learn.

"It looks really serious. Does it hurt a lot? Blow on it, and it'll be fine."

X pretended to be serious. She didn't expose Netzach's lie. This could be considered part of the "reward" she had promised.

Gently leaning closer, she blew warm air into Netzach's ear. The warm breath, carrying the scent of alcohol, landed on the Safety Department Dean's simulated skin. Because they were in an air-conditioned room, the simulated skin's temperature was the same as the room temperature—

The warm air that X exhaled quickly liquefied, clinging to the simulated skin, turning into tiny droplets of dew, like the pure dewdrops of a morning sun.

Netzach wasn't injured at all. Anyone could see that. The force of the punch, the Information Department Dean herself knew perfectly well.

"Manager! Have you no shame!"

Seeing X's actions, Yesod, who had been calmly sitting on the opposite sofa, suddenly stood up. Her words were stern and filled with clear anger.

Last time, the Information Department Dean had gotten angry when she was called a nickname by the Safety Department Dean… This time, she was also angered by the Safety Department Dean, although the methods were different, the method was the same.

There was no difference… She had been provoked.

"Hmph, you're rushing things, Yesod. I'm telling you, the Manager is happy to do this."

Netzach's words clearly carried a flirtatious tone. X still didn't understand why she had suddenly become a bargaining chip in the Safety Department Dean's mouth.

She had seen colleagues bragging about their salaries and boasting about their delicious lunches. But bragging about a Manager…? This was too strange.

Wasn't this the same Manager?

X, the Corporation Manager, was the superior of all the Department Deans. They all had the same superior—X.

… They were all from the same Corporation, under the same superior. What was there to brag about?

X didn't understand, but she had a vague idea of how the conflict might have happened. Netzach had probably teased Yesod, and Yesod, unable to hold it in any longer, had started fighting…? Probably?

The Information Department Dean didn't seem like the type of person who acted impulsively. She was very rational. She wouldn't do something so crude and ineffective as "fighting." The very word "fighting" sounded emotional.

"Yesod, calm down. Netzach, she's a bit… uh… She doesn't think before she speaks… In short, don't take her words to heart."

"Netzach, you, you really don't say nutritious things. We're discussing the reasons for the fight, not who won or lost, or who was right or wrong."

X noticed Yesod's expression had become even worse, so she quickly changed tactics. She had wanted to lighten the mood, thinking this would ease the tension, but it had backfired.

It seemed that blowing on Netzach's face was not in line with the Manager's code of conduct. It had angered the Information Department Dean again… That was probably the reason. X was guessing based on her past experiences.

She really couldn't understand women's minds. She had been trying her best to guess… X wasn't good at this kind of thing.

Everyone has things they're good at and things they're not good at. Compared to handling the complexities of human relationships, X was actually better at work-related things. Ignoring external affairs and focusing on work suited her better.

But she had to deal with these things. As Manager, she had to worry about more than just managing the Abnormalities. She also had to deal with the little things between the Deans and the employees. So, she had to adapt to the environment and learn how to socialize, to build good social relationships with the Deans.

In another respect, X was very slow, to the point of being insensitive. It was like the resistance had been turned up to the maximum, and the current was completely impeded.

During these days of training, it wasn't so much that her EQ had risen, as that she had begun to treat these things like math problems, eliminating possibilities one by one, narrowing the range of possibilities, and choosing several options that fit the requirements.

But she could only choose from the available options. She couldn't guarantee that her actions were completely correct… She couldn't guarantee that these actions would align with the other person's understanding.

Understanding between people is fallible—

What she thought was acceptable, others might not think so. What others thought was acceptable, she might not think so. To put it simply, it was like savoring a dish. Whether it tasted good or not was subjective.

So… what did I do wrong…?

X didn't understand. The person who had done something wrong couldn't understand where she had gone wrong.

And those polite words, which only sounded polite on the surface, couldn't comfort the Information Department Dean, who was still seething with anger from an unknown cause.

The Information Department Dean didn't want to explain anything. She didn't want to pay attention to X's clumsy actions. She stood up and prepared to leave the Safety Department's office, ignoring X.

It was as if she was saying, "Figure it out yourself with Netzach."

"Let go of my hand, X!"

It was a voice that had reached the limit of its patience.

The Information Department Dean tried to pull her hand back, but X stubbornly held on, not letting Yesod leave… No matter how the provoked Viper might lash out, she wouldn't let go.

X didn't dare to let go— although she didn't know the specific consequences of angering a Dean, she knew that ignoring Yesod like this would be a mistake.

Angela wouldn't punish the Dean. Angela would only punish the Manager who had made a mistake, Manager X.

X secretly cursed. Why was she taking responsibility for Netzach's trouble?

If Netzach hadn't added fuel to the fire, provoking the Viper again, the situation wouldn't have gotten so bad.

Netzach really deserved a beating.

Forget Yesod. X also wanted to roll up her sleeves and punch Netzach a couple of times. The Information Department Dean had really hit her lightly and yet she still had the energy to add fuel to the fire.

But gentle persuasion was probably useless to an angry Dean. Touching a sore spot would only increase her anger, even with kind words.

Soothing an AI was like soothing a troublesome pet cat.

X was running out of options.

She didn't like to grovel and beg others. Aside from her Secretary, X hadn't lowered her head to anyone like this.

Instead of begging further, she would— reverse the situation.

"Yesod, this isn't like you. Are you deliberately causing trouble? I thought you were a rational person. I've always been reassured by you, but… your behavior now is very disappointing."

"Acting emotionally, secretly arranging a fight… I asked you the reason for the fight, and you refused to answer— You are my subordinate. I am responsible for my subordinates. As Manager, shouldn't I punish you?"

The Information Department Dean didn't speak, but the slight movement of her head indicated her attitude.

At least, Yesod still recognized X as her Manager… Even though she was very reluctant, she was still listening.

"I know this might not be your fault, but you need to communicate, communicate with the other Deans, communicate with me… I've emphasized this three times. I don't want to hold anyone accountable. I'm not trying to determine who's right or wrong."

"If I really wanted to hold someone accountable, I would have checked the surveillance."

"I just hope that the relationship between the two of you doesn't deteriorate to the point of no return… I'm the Manager. I don't want to see the Deans hurt because of this."

"This is just creating more enemies, Yesod.

Sometimes, I think… You should express your thoughts to others. Let me know what you want, what you need. Then, we can know what we're doing wrong and what needs improvement."

"Instead of fighting silently like this. I don't know why you fought. Netzach certainly has many flaws, but it's not enough for you to get so angry that you beat her up, right? That's not worth it. You should know that hitting her won't solve anything."

"If hitting Netzach a few times could make her change, I would have done it already."

As X spoke, she pulled the Information Department Dean back. Originally, the two Deans were sitting on separate sofas. X took Yesod's hand and sat her next to Netzach.

Three people sitting side-by-side on the sofa… X pulled the two of them together. She felt very tired.

What was this? It wasn't like she was dealing with a dispute between Deans. She was completely mediating a fight between preschoolers. One bullied the other, neither fought, and yet they both went crying to their parents.

No matter who had bullied who, she could only hold their hands and force a reconciliation.

The Information Department Dean, held by X, still had a sullen face.

Oh, even though the Viper's face was still terrible, at least it was better than before.

"Manager, oh, oh, you said you would reward the first person to explain!"

Netzach seemed not to understand the atmosphere, bringing up the reward again.

"Be quiet now, Netzach. Let Yesod explain first. If you say another word, don't expect a reward today, tomorrow, or the day after. And if you don't work hard, I'll give all the wine I've been saving to the employees."

X pinched Netzach's waist. Although it was useless, it served as a warning.

And Netzach, who had wanted to cling to X, calmed down when she saw X's displeasure… Although she didn't believe X would actually do something so cruel.

Even if X was fierce… hmph… she was cute.

The occasional scolding wasn't bad…

"Okay, Yesod, I'll apologize to you on her behalf. Can you tell me why you fought?"

X's tone was very gentle. She was afraid of angering the Information Department Dean again.

The Information Department Dean, Yesod, was sometimes like a stubborn mule. She was easily fixated on minor things. If not stopped, she would be stuck on an unimportant issue. It was probably a quirk of meticulous people who would get stuck in a rut.

"I'll say it directly, X. You spoil Netzach too much! Like now, it's her fault. Why are you taking responsibility? Why are you apologizing? Do you see any remorse from her?"

"Your useless kindness is used in the wrong place. You're just condoning her!"

Yesod's expression was serious and sincere. Her words carried a hint of suppressed anger… anger that she had been holding back for a long time.

"Look at what you've done. What kind of Manager is this? Netzach has done things that went too far. Aren't you angry at all? She's just changing her bad habits. Forget what that person is thinking. Are you worthy of being a Manager, X?!"

"You— you really are…"

The Information Department Dean's emotions were intense. She almost grabbed X's collar and interrogated her, but she stopped abruptly, as if there were some things she couldn't say directly.

"Forget it. I don't need you to apologize, X. I just feel… your behavior seriously doesn't meet the Manager's standards. I should have hit you, but unfortunately, I don't have the authority to do that."

Then Yesod stopped speaking. She crossed her arms, silently waiting for X to continue— as if she wanted to see what kind of explanation X could give.