"Alright, the meeting is adjourned. Don't linger; I have other matters to attend to! If you have anything to say, do it privately."
"Regarding the Safety Department Dean's situation, I hope this doesn't happen again. If you have any complaints about my management, speak up now; don't resort to these tactics."
"Joking around is fine, but don't overdo it!"
X closed the final document clip, her golden eyes coldly scanning the Deans, noticing their interest in Netzach.
The wriggling green humanoid on the carpet was undeniably noticeable, especially under X's black leather boot.
After the meeting, some Deans hesitated to speak, but seeing X's expression, they swallowed their words and left.
No one wanted to provoke the angry Manager; they avoided her wrath. This was perhaps X's most authoritative moment—truly feared by the Deans.
X was still furious, like an angry black-haired lioness.
It wasn't a good time to talk. Normally, the Manager was docile, approachable, even…pettable.
But this was merely a superficial change. X's usual gentle demeanor easily shattered when angry. This short-haired black-haired woman wasn't 'cute'; she was aloof and distant, and this was evident when she stopped smiling.
Perhaps it was her aura. Her stern expression now exuded managerial authority, fitting the image of a Lobotomy Corporation boss. She was the same person, but unlike the previously docile bird.
Simply changing her expression and tone, speaking more forcefully, with a hint of command…why the drastic difference?
Perhaps this was her true nature; her appearance remained the same, but her previous gentleness was a façade, a temporary illusion.
But the Deans knew it was still X; she was merely angry. Even a frightened rabbit bites, and this short-haired black-haired woman wasn't a rabbit…no one denied her abilities, even those who criticized her.
Her constant gentleness and warm smiles created an illusion…a return to the past.
"Manager…you're scary when you're angry."
Seeing X's stern expression, the Training Department Dean, Hod, trembled under her golden gaze, like a vulnerable prey.
She felt genuine fear, different from the other Deans—true apprehension.
Although she knew X wouldn't harm her, Hod felt anxious and afraid when X shouted.
Malkuth, from the Control Department, comforted the frightened Hod.
"It's alright, Hod. The Manager wasn't angry at you.
She's just…in a bad mood. Netzach really—um, how to put it—consumed too much Enkephalin."
"Hmph, she brought it on herself. I told her not to use it before the meeting! And Hod, where did Netzach get that Enkephalin? Didn't you say you'd taken care of it? Did you believe her lies and give it to her?"
"You're just causing trouble and more damage!"
Yesod added, having likely tried to warn the Safety Department Dean, unsuccessfully.
Yesod looked displeased; she felt responsible for Netzach's actions, as did Hod, whose kindness was misplaced, placing too much trust in others.
The source of the Safety Department's Enkephalin was undoubtedly the Training Department…
"What do we do?—What if something happens to Netzach? The Manager is furious; will Angela report Netzach?"
"Let's…let's plead for her. Even though Netzach did a lot of…wrong things…but maybe…the Manager can give her another chance."
Hod spoke anxiously, having been disturbed by Netzach's outburst…
"I won't. Even if Angela reports her, it's her own fault."
Yesod said coldly, but paused. Would she come to work tomorrow only to find a completely new Netzach, a new body and personality, everything seemingly perfect?
Ugh…
The Information Department Dean looked ill, seemingly nauseous; she likely recalled something unpleasant.
While AIs shouldn't experience nausea, Yesod's mental state caused this hallucination…or perhaps it wasn't a hallucination but something that would happen, just not now.
"…Simply reporting Netzach is too lenient a punishment. Such a bad person should suffer eternally."
Yesod's words implied a change of heart; the other Deans understood.
Hod's worried expression softened into a slight smile, amused by Yesod's roundabout concern.
'Too lenient' meant she didn't want Netzach to be truly reported. Everyone knew that a report simply resulted in a reset, creating a familiar yet unfamiliar stranger.
Although the Safety Department Dean repeatedly expressed a desire to die, complaining about the Corporation, she still subconsciously clung to life.
All living things have a will to live; even someone intent on suicide might regret it at the last moment, experiencing a powerful yearning for life.
While the Deans had different personalities and work styles, resulting in friction, their relationships weren't entirely bad, especially among the senior Deans. Despite their complaints—
They ultimately helped each other when needed.
Even Yesod, seemingly cold and heartless, possessed a degree of empathy; she wasn't inherently malicious.
Her tenderness, hidden beneath her seemingly arrogant exterior, was suppressed by reason and stubbornness—a fear of being exploited, a drive towards extreme rationality.
The relationship between the Safety and Information Department Deans wasn't hostile enough to lead to a physical altercation.
...
"Netzach, do you know what you did wrong?"
X's forehead practically pulsed; she rarely displayed anger. Even when faced with harsh treatment and criticism, she maintained a smile, patiently listening.
But now…the short-haired black-haired woman was furious; her golden eyes were cold, yet contained barely suppressed anger—embarrassed anger.
A mix of anger and shame, not true hatred.
The black leather boot pressed heavily on the Safety Department Dean's stomach, the pressure increasing. The hard sole rubbed against her belly; a distinct scrubbing sound was audible.
The Safety Department Dean wore a white shirt under a black jacket, contrasting with X's black shirt and white jacket.
As X's boot rubbed against the Dean's stomach, clear boot prints appeared on the white shirt, stretching as if run over by a wheel.
X was punishing Netzach, who seemed to enjoy it.
"Hehe…hehe…hehe…"
It was meaningless muttering, but to X, it was a provocation, raising her blood pressure. When punishment was ineffective, it felt like punching cotton.
"Angela, get me a glass of ice water, no ice."
X breathed heavily, increasing the pressure on her foot, but for an AI, it was likely just a massage… X didn't dare apply too much force, fearing she might damage the Dean, like kicking a vending machine.
Even though furious, X wouldn't hurt Netzach severely, causing the Corporation's AI to malfunction; that would be property damage.
The Department Deans were valuable assets, prized AIs.
Because of this restraint, this mercy, the pressure from the black leather boot was just a massage. If she weren't wearing shoes, it might even be considered a reward.
But X wouldn't remove her shoes; it would be nauseating. She dreaded seeing certain images—like someone hugging her leg.
Netzach had needs; she should have satisfied them herself! Why bother X?!
X was enraged by the unresponsive Netzach, the unyielding, defiant Dean—
X was furious but helpless. Normal methods were useless; Netzach was unresponsive, defiant, uncaring about insults.
X continued to reprimand the Safety Department Dean, who offered no resistance, remaining passively compliant, like an unyielding piece of chewing gum.
The ice water arrived; it was chilled, without ice cubes, as X had requested.
X was worried ice cubes might further daze Netzach; already disoriented, more impacts could worsen her condition. If the higher-ups asked why the AI was incapacitated, what would she say?
X was meticulous, avoiding causing actual harm.
The ice water had little impact on the Enkephalin-affected AI; her enhanced constitution meant the effects wouldn't last long. She should be sobering up now.
"Netzach, who am I? Do you recognize me?"
X crossed her legs, hand under her chin, condescendingly questioning the Dean.
"Ah…hic…hehe…it's…Ayi…(cut off)"
The disoriented Safety Department Dean mumbled a name, but the AI Secretary forcefully interrupted her mid-word.
Ice cubes were stuffed into the Safety Department Dean's mouth, one after another, like hailstones.
"Huh?"
X looked at the Secretary, confused by her actions.
[Manager, ice water isn't enough to sober an addict, but the ice cubes will make her more alert and compliant.]
"Alright, do as you wish, Angela."
X shrugged, not questioning the Secretary's methods. Reprimanding her was pointless while Netzach was in this state.
She now followed the Secretary's lead; Angela seemed experienced in punishing Deans.