Lobotomy Corporation but with Simulation System?

When X woke up, she was tied to a chair in the office. Her vision was fixed forward, a wall of monitors in front of her.

All the monitors were off, displaying pure black. She could only use her peripheral vision to observe her surroundings.

Metal walls, extremely dimly lit, mostly constructed with simple curves, giving off a cold and unnatural feeling. Combined with the enclosed space, it felt like a cage.

X tried to struggle, twisting her body, trying to break free from the red restraints. But it was useless. It only caused the wheeled chair to move, tilting. If she struggled harder, she would probably fall to the ground.

She didn't want that…

Realizing this, X stopped struggling, forcing herself to calm down and consider her situation. Why had this happened?

—This morning, she had received notification from L Corporation. She had been selected as Manager.

This was certainly something to celebrate. So… why was she like this?

X searched her memory for today's events, but her memories only reached the moment she received the acceptance notification. Her memories were fragmented. She couldn't remember anything else. It was as if she had fainted, and when she woke up, she was here, like this.

—No, she remembered tidying her clothes and preparing to go to L Corp…—

—Because it was her first day on the job, she had left an hour early, purchasing a first-class ticket on the W-line train to avoid any unforeseen circumstances that might cause her to be late on her first day—

But L Corp… wouldn't it be ridiculous to lose your job just because you were late? X felt a pang of regret over the expensive train ticket, but thought it was all worthwhile.

As a subsidiary of Wings of the World, L Corp's Manager position had a daily salary that could easily cover dozens of first-class tickets on the W-line, enough to afford trips outside the city.

This was a job everyone dreamed of. X never imagined, in her wildest dreams, that she would be accepted by L Corp as a Manager. It was enviable, something to brag about.

Provided… this was real, not some kind of plot.

—But had she been kidnapped and brought to some research facility?

X thought this, beginning to worry about her unfortunate fate. Even the safe Nest had its hidden darkness. She might have been one of the "lucky" ones who was kidnapped, chosen as a test subject for a research facility.

She didn't even have the means to call for help… Her mouth was gagged, and red restraints bound any part of her body that could move.

Just as she was lamenting her future, blaming herself for being naive, X suddenly heard footsteps. The footsteps were very clear, the sound of sturdy Jenny shoes tapping on the metal floor, getting closer and closer.

It was near X… Tied to the chair, X could only whimper in fear.

Quickly, X felt someone press on her shoulders, then turn the chair.

She finally turned around and saw what was in front of her.

It wasn't scary at all. It was even beautiful, more beautiful than anyone X had ever seen. Although, it was a bit strange… a 2D cartoon character?

A beautiful woman with light blue hair tied in a ponytail, wearing a Secretary's uniform, stood elegantly in front of X. In a calm yet strange tone, with her eyes closed, she spoke.

[Hello. Are you my Christmas present? The red ribbons on you suit you very well, making you look very cute.]

[Of course, that's just a joke. Hopefully, I can relax you. You look very worried.]

When she mentioned "worried," her calm expression shifted slightly. The corner of her lips curved slightly, as if X's expression had pleased her.

She didn't pay any attention to the bound X, who could only whimper. She continued speaking, as if she were playing a role in a play.

[Hello, X. Welcome to Lobotomy Corporation. Let me introduce myself. I'm your AI Secretary—Angela. It's not only humans who can have nice names, right? The name Angela is very pretty.]

[My creator organization is 'Wings of the World,' meaning I'm one of the best AIs.

Oh, I know what you're thinking, "This person is an AI." Isn't that interesting?]

The AI named Angela seemed to be asking X a question, but she didn't expect X to answer. X's mouth was taped shut. It would be difficult for her to even utter a few words, let alone a complete sentence. She could only make meaningless whimpering sounds.

X was forced to look at the AI in front of her and listen to her mutter. Besides the AI that occupied most of X's field of vision, there was a small logo in the corner of X's eye.

It was the Lobotomy Corporation logo… X didn't know why she could see this, but no matter how she tried to move her gaze, the logo remained fixed on her retina, visible from everywhere.

She was anxious, but she didn't know what was going on. The AI completely ignored X's movements and continued.

[But there are still significant differences between me and you humans— I was created for Lobotomy Corporation. So I can only exist here. I can't go wherever I want, like you.]

[I can open doors for you and make coffee for you, but I can't leave this facility to enjoy the warm sunshine and gentle breeze.]

[As you can see, my hair is like the transparent sunlight after a rain shower. My voice comes from the most eloquent person in the world. My face comes from the person with the most beautiful smile in the world… Haha, just kidding. There's no such person in reality.]

[To attract as many people as possible, I was designed to look like this. I hope my appearance attracts you. At least, it proves that the designer's efforts weren't wasted.]

[Hmm… Judging by your expression, you're quite captivated. But the best is yet to come… Please listen carefully.]

Perhaps to allow the bound X a clearer view, the AI named Angela leaned closer, bending down, her face almost filling X's entire field of vision.

This time, it was exceptionally clear… the beautiful eyelashes, the sparkling golden eyes like amber, the simulated skin that looked smoother than human skin, and the soft, flowing long hair.

[When handling multitasking, AI is more efficient than humans. And I'm at the top of my field. So, I can handle tasks that require dozens of people to complete simultaneously. I believe many people have lost their jobs because of my existence… It's quite regrettable.]

[Although I have many other strengths, I'll end my self-introduction here. It's time to answer your questions. What else do you want to know?]

After a few seconds of silence, no one answered the muttering AI.

—Of course, because X couldn't speak.

[Sorry, I forgot to untie you… It's a shame. I really think these red ribbons suit you. Unfastening them would be wasteful. Your expression is very interesting now.]

As she spoke, the AI untied the red restraints. This cunning AI didn't untie them completely. She only untied some of them. But at least, X could now speak.

Out of a survival instinct, X didn't yell. She knew that the seemingly respectful AI didn't care about her… even though she was addressed as "Sir," she was being treated carelessly.

If she yelled at the AI and insulted her, she might be eliminated by the enraged AI.

No… it wasn't a possibility… it was a certainty.

The small Lobotomy logo in X's vision automatically activated in her mind, like a button in a game.

[Lobotomy Corporation Simulator—The Best Workplace Romance Simulator]

Although the title was like that, pink girlish bubbles were rising around the frame. The logo, however, was a brain, completely dyed crimson with a bright orange warning line.

[The simulation has started—]

[Day 1—Starting work]

[On your first day, you were tied to a chair in the office for an unknown reason. Fortunately, it was the Corporation you were supposed to be working for. You weren't late on your first day.]

[You met the first Corporation AI. She introduced herself as your Secretary. After introducing herself, she untied some of your restraints. At this moment, you lost control of your emotions, speaking sharply and disrespectfully to the Corporation's AI.]

[The AI patiently listened to your insults. Then, at your request, she untied all your restraints. Just as you thought you could escape, you were pressed against the corner of a desk by the AI.]

[The AI punished you for your disrespectful language. Your pleas for forgiveness were useless.]

[You were punished by the AI to the point where you lost your ability to think. After the punishment, you were stripped of your position as Manager.]

[You were fired by the Corporation!]

[Achievement Unlocked—Fired on the First Day]

[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.]

Several short scenes flashed through X's mind. Those unpleasant images were blurry. The AI's specific punishment… X couldn't remember, but she felt terrible. Just thinking about it made her shiver.

So, X, who had been about to question L Corporation, swallowed her words. She suppressed her dissatisfaction.

She sat obediently in her restraints, without struggling, calmly asking the AI in front of her.

"I want to understand you better. Can I, Angela?"