"Talk"
"Think"
(Timeskip/Scene)
[Game Menu]
{Writing/Audio}
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Pov-1st
Stars... That was the only thing I could see for miles in all directions.
I wasn't cold, yet I could feel the heat of the surrounding stars.
I couldn't breathe, yet I felt a wind blow through the cosmos.
I didn't have a form, yet my body moved.
Then a sound... One that could be described as a soothing voice played in my ears, and, for what could be the last time, I closed my eyes.
"It feeds on the "evil" that seeps out during conversations between people."
~-~-~
I shoot up with a gasp before coughing a bit as I look around me, at the rocks of the cave I'm in, causing me to smile as I stand up and look at my body.
"White unblemished hands, voice different from before, height unchanged, new clothes, and finally unknown location. Yep, isekai. Damn, wish it happened before my highschool depression hit, but whatever"
Sighing to myself, I make my way outside of the cave and take a deep breath, relaxing from the fresh air, just being so much more clean than back home.
"Yeah. Differently a fantasy world, if I had to guess. But that begs the question? Where was I sent, and what was I given?"
[Lobotomy Core System activated!]
Oh, the universe is listening to me, that's not gonna be fun.
\
[Name: Xylus Kabel] [Optimistic Smartass]
[Age: 19] [Height: 5'7] [Rank 1] [5 Atk / 15mph]
[Wep: Riot Stick(Z)] [EGO: Uniform(Z)] [Gift: None]
[R-1.0]-[W-1.0]-[B-1.5]-[P-2.0]
[1]Fortitude: 0/100 [Body]
[1]Prudence: 0/100 [Spirit]
[1]Temperance: 0/100 [Mind]
[1]Justice: 0/100 [Speed]
/
"Oh god. Lobotomy Corp... I haven't played that game in years. I'm absolutely fucked. Then again, it seems pretty straightforward, but what's the catch? With how powerful the Abnormalities get, do I have to fight a demon king or something?"
Fixing my tie, I close the windows with a mental command before beginning to walk through the forest while spinning the riot stick in my hand to get a good feeling of its weight.
"Not bad. Heavy, but quick to swing, seems more steady than a steel baseball bat. Now, where do I go from here?"
Scanning the area as I walk, I look up to where the sun is hanging in the sky and do a few quick calculations from Boy scouts noting that it's around 5PM and that's the west.
Having thought it over, I started heading west. If this is a fantasy world like i think it is the people will try to build more villages and cities in more towards the falling sun for easier navigation.
"Ether I make it to a city, I come across something that leads me to one, or I get a taste at what I have to fight in this world"
Walking along the forest, I can't help but smile as I watch birds fly by and smaller animals living there life. The air is fresh; the animals are calm, and even the sky is bright and land colorful.
"Honestly, even if this place has some fucked up stuff, I feel like I can enjoy it here"
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"Day 37, Captains log. I'm lost in the trees. This forest is everlasting. I saw a squirrel get yoinked by a bird right in front of my eyes. This hellish land truly is unforgiving- Oh I'm out"
Dropping the bit, I stop at a clearing near the edge of a cliff and out over some fields to see if anything would be and squint as I see something stretching into the sky.
"Is that smoke? No, it's too still. Is it a space elevator?! The damn thing is stretching past the clouds! Don't tell me I'm in Halo, I'd actually cry"
It's the only place that seems to be civilization, so with a sigh I look around and turn to begin walking down a path I can see off to the side.
While through an open field, I could see that the big spire looked more rocky and uneven in certain places while surrounded by a massive wall which I'm gonna go on a limb and say to protect the city inside from monsters.
"Okay not Halo. I can live with that, but if it's not a space elevator, why have it? This is like a 9/11 attack just waiting to happen."
Deciding to put the thought in the back of my head for now, I make my way to the wall and get in line to enter the city before spotting some people with animal features when I sweep my eyes down the line.
"I mean, it is a fantasy world, so it's definitely not that crazy to see animal people here. I wonder what the food here is like?"
Checking my pockets, I take out a letter from my back pocket and smile, knowing the being that sent me here gave me a backstory if I have a legal name.
But that creates a question. Did I have a family? Or was my origin more orphan related? Do I have past enemies or am I free in this new life?
Walking over to the guard, I greet him with a smile and nod as I hand him my papers
Guard: "let's see. Male, 19, from a village in Melistora. Everything checks out. If you're here to become an adventure or to open a shop, go straight through these gates till you get to a building with three different flags on it. Lot of people come and go from there so you can't miss it"
I nod to him with a smile as I make my way to the gate "Thanks for the info. Have a nice one"
Guard: "You too kid here hoping the next time I hear your name, it has a title attached!"
"Haha! Count on it!"
Walking through the gates, I can't stop the smile making its way onto my face as I spot the massive tower in the center of the city as I make my way through the street
"Okay let's get this adventure started"
Following the instructions from the guard, I spot the guild building named Pantheon and walk in. Immediately, the voice of people mingling or talking to one another reach my ears as I put my earbuds away and turn off my cross before walking up to an empty counter.
Receptionist: "How can I help you, sir?"
"I was wondering what I needed to do to become an adventurer here"
Receptionist: "Oh, new blood? To be an adventure, most will have to sign a few contracts and legal documents before we can appoint you an advisor. Then they will determine how you should start."
"Pretty straightforward. Where can I get the documents required and sign up?"
Giving me a few instructions and guest pass, I make my way into a side room full of other new adventures signing papers and take a seat near the back and begin filling out my own.
"Let's see... Name-Xylus Kabel. Age-19. Home of origin-Melistora. Reason for adventuring- To become stronger. Do you have a god/goddess blessing? Are gods normal here? No"
A few other words don't click with me, causing me to put the keywords in the back of my mind for now. But finishing up my papers, I hand them in to the receptionist up front.
Receptionist: "Alright, it'll take a while to sort through your papers, so come back tomorrow and we can set you with an advisor."
"Thank you. By the way, do you know where a library is? A few of the phases in the papers flew over my head and I want to catch up a bit"
Receptionist: "That's a first. Usually, people just hand things in and leave without a care. Ah, yes, there is a library a few blocks down to the right. Hope you find what you're looking for."
Walking out, I can't help but think back to what she said. Do adventures not study, or is it a pride thing? Why go into a place you know is dangerous if you don't know what you should look out for?
Then again, that is part of the adventure. I don't know how many times I died in a RPG game because I wanted to explore a new area, only to run into a high level creature and get party wiped.
Shaking my head, I walk into the library and wave hi to the librarian as I walk over to a section of the wall of books and pull out an adventuring 101 book, making me chuckle.
"Now let's see~"
Apparently gods and goddess exist in this world, came down from heaven or whatever this version of it is and sealed their power to have fun.
Each god and goddess has a group of adventures that they bless with Falna to help their Familia grow stronger, allowing them to go deeper and deeper into the dungeon which is alive and under that tower, which they named Bable.
"Guess that's why they have the tower there. Still could have just put a large building that merged with the guild building, but whatever"
Closing the book, I grab another one about the gods and goddesses that descended and can't help but narrow my eyes at the names.
"Loki, Zeus, Odin, Thanatos. A lot of the fuckers here are from the worst of the worst in divine pantheons! If what their the gods and goddesses of are true to their nature, then them 'here to have fun' can be extremely dangerous"
Sighing, I put the books back and make my way outside, noticing that the sun is going down causes me to look around for a bit as I walk until I find a park area and quickly climb high into a tree to sleep in for the night.
"Well, Day one is done. Let's see what I can do tomorrow" Getting comfortable, I lay my riot stick in my lap as I lay back and close my eyes, letting the breeze and sound of crickets lull me to sleep.
⫘O⫘⫘⫘⫘03⫘⫘⫘⫘03⫘⫘⫘
Opening my eyes, I look around at the small grey room I've awoken in and immediately recognize the massive screens in front of me as the main office of the Lobotomy Corporation as the op theme plays in the background of my head. <>
\
Sleeper Agent: When you go to sleep, you will awaken within Lobotomy Corporation to work as its new Manager/Agent. You are X, but not A. The Manager that stands with their agents, not one that sends them to the slaughter.
/
Closing the screen, I look over to the door just as Angela walks in with her ever present closed eyes and stands next to my desk with a small bow.
Angela: "Good Morning Sir, I give you a warm welcome to Lobotomy Corporation. I am Angela, your highly advanced AI advisor and secretary. My role here is to assist you in your new workplace, so please have no worry about speaking with me or asking questions."
Nodding, I do a slight bow as i introduce myself. "It's nice to meet you as well, Angela. I'm Xylus, I guess the only questions I have to ask are if there is a manual I could look through and how long we have before work starts?"
I could see her brows raise in surprise at that. Whether it was from my question or my kind greeting, I couldn't tell.
Angela: "Well, Sir, I didn't expect you to be the studious one. Your manual is digitally downloaded into this PDA watch. Yours differs from the other Agents as it blocks the TT2 functions from effecting you and subsequently allows you to use it from anywhere in the Facility. As for how much time we have? Very little, i suggest we begin moving"
Holding out her hand, I gently take the advanced watch and put it on my left wrist before looking at it closely. It's like a mix between a Pip-boy and a smart watch. <>
Nodding to myself, I Look back to Angela with a smile. "Well then, lead the way~ And tell me more about yourself while we walk. I want to know who I'm working with"
Nodding with a smile of her own, Angela starts guiding me through the halls as I try to memorize the layout so I won't get lost in this place.
Angela: "The color of my hair is that of the morning sky after a light shower. The tone and shape of my voice is taken from the wisest person in the world, and last, my face is picturesque of the person who had the most beautiful smile."
I glance at her as we enter the elevator "Is that what you believe? Or are you simply stating what A told you?"
I don't know the full story since I didn't get to play the Library of Runia game before I was sent on an isekai trip, so I can't just hate A till Angela wants to tell me the full story. But that doesn't mean I don't feel bad for the True Ending of Lob Corp.
Angela: "My appearance was designed with attractiveness to the largest number of people possible in mind. If the way I look is pleasing to your eye, then i am working as intended"
"Hey now~ I don't think I should answer that out loud~ I don't know if flirting between workers is against the rules yet~" I chuckle, making her open her eyes to look at me for just a moment before huffing with a small smile before focusing ahead as the doors open.
Looking around at the yellow room of the Control Center, I can't help the smile on my face as Town - Alone in a Crowd begins playing, giving me the full Lo-Fi Work feeling as we turn to the sound of 'someone' running over.
Malkuth: "Manager, Manager!"
"Yes, I'm Manager" I say with a catlike smile, causing Malkuth to giggle while Angela sighs.
Malkuth: "I arrived just in time, right? The time iiiiiis…only about one minute late. Well, I guess it still counts as "on time!" Congratulations on joining Lobotomy Corporation, manager!"
I nod along while checking the time on my wrist tablet "Umu, Umu~ That energy is exactly what we need for a productive day!"
Angela: "Focus. Malkuth, stay on track"
Malkuth: "Right! My name is Malkuth. I'm the Sephirot in charge of the Control team. Since we're the Control Team, we have a great deal of responsibility! I'll try my best to help you by improving the basic functions of this facility, manager!"
As she finished speaking, a loud bang on the door to our right made me immediately pull out my riot stick and prepare to swing only for me to remember it was that employ that wanted to leave making me sigh and relax as they begin talking.
Extra: "I can't take it anymore! Manager, you're in there right?! I have to get out of here, please. I know you're capable of it. You're the manager! Get me out of here!"
Malkuth: "Manager, even though you're the head of this facility, that employee belongs to my department, so I believe I can take care of this! Let me handle this, please!"
Smiling, I give her a nod "Well since you said, please~ Their all yours, Malkuth. We can't have an employee going mental before the day even started~"
Malkuth: "Thank you Sir! These kinds of things happen often. Usually Miss Angela or I handle this kind of stuff. It's just a tiny hiccup. Nothing for you to worry about!
Extra: "No, please, manager! Please…!"
More banging comes from the other side before the sound of rending flesh, a quiet thud, and then silence.
"Damn, dude. Day didn't even start, and the janitor's already getting a cleanup call. Hate to see it~" I shake my head before stretching my arms behind my back with a groan of pleasure as my joints pop "Alright let's get this day started~ I'll see you two lovely ladies after works done"
With that, I walk off with a wave as they nod and leave, ready to get this day started before I get a ping on my system screen, which appears in front of me as the Workday music plays through the speakers.
\
[Malkuth mission: You can do this!]
[Complete 3 Work processes with Abnormalities]
[Expanding Control Department] [@][][][][]
/
Lifting my wrist, I type through a few files before finally pulling up the Manager manual and skimming through the Work types and what I have to do now that I'm actually here.
"I don't have the luxury of just writing on a notepad while doing this like the game. I'll have to actually interact with each Abnormality from this moment on. If I remember right, One Sin liked Attachment work"
{Attachment: A work to satiate social needs. All Abnormalities carry desires and a
Will, regardless of appearance. This includes social needs. In
Attachment work, an agent acts as a playmate or companion.
Agents need to show temperance in this process.}
(I have the Art book so I got the inside scoop~ And don't worry, I won't have him always get it on his first try but he'll never get a bad result, that's for sure)
Nodding, I make my way to O-03-03's cell and open the door, smiling as I hear the holy hymn and light filling the room, putting me at a sense of ease as the door closes behind me.
Look up at the large floating skull, the light from its halo don;t hurt my eyes in the slightest. "Morning double 03. I heard you liked stories, so I'm ready to share if you're willing to listen" Seeing them nod, I can't help but chuckle as I remember the story.
"When I was in highschool, me and my friends went on a trip during the summer. One of my friends, Jake, went through the bag of snakes we had since he wanted something and ended up finding a bag of our other friend, Jasmin's candy."
"I could have told him it was hers, but I lied and said I didn't know who they belonged to, to seeing what would happen. Surprise, surprise, she was angry. They got into an argument and I broke it up by telling jake to take her to a dinner nearby as a way of apologizing."
"Come to find out, that was a place her family used to visit when she was little. And they started talking and talking. Eventually he asked if she wanted to see any other places from her childhood, and she agreed."
"That one lie caused them to start dating for a good 6 month's before getting married. That was a few years ago and they now live in that state happily married. I know lying is bad and everything. But I can't help smiling whenever i think about it"
The light from One sin seemed to glow a lot brighter as it seemed to smile before I felt a warm blanket wrapping around my mind and body as a beep went through my PDA telling me the work was done.
"Thanks for listening. I'll be back in a bit" Walking out of the cell, I look at my PDA to see the full 10 PE boxes were produced from that story of mine and use them to unlock the basic info for 8 PE boxes then Attachment work for the last 2.
Walking into the main room, I spot another person wearing the basic uniform. He had yellow hair and bags under his eyes, but a smile none the less, as he waved me over.
Mikey: "Hey, I'm Mikey. The think I'm supposed to be your partner? But I wasn't paying attention to the meeting"
I nod to him with a smile of my own "Well Nice to meet you Mikey. I'm Xylus, and the only thing you have to pay attention to Is the Abno's and anything important the Sephirot have to say."
Mikey: "Thanks. Is there anything I should know about the Abno or is it chill?"
"Oh, One sin is pretty chill. It feeds on confessions of sin, so just tell them a story of when you lied and felt bad about it, or if you did something you weren't supposed to," I wave off as he nods slowly.
Mikey: "Okay, I think I get it. I'll go give it a shot. nice crown, by the way"
As he walks off, I look into one of the glass panels and smile as I spot the thorn crown on my head. "Thanks for the gift One sin~" <>
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It took a bit, but once we got Quota, I had me and Mikey speed a bit more time with One Sin to get all of their info and the Ego Weapon before I ended the Day. 47 PE boxes and a good two hours of work, but worth it.
Making my way into the main office, I don't see angela anywhere but she's probably getting everything ready for the loop. So with a smile I write her a little note and enter my bedroom, which actually makes my eyes widen at how normal it is before laying on the bed and going to sleep.
\
[End of Day 1 Report]
[Xylus: +7+6+6 = Temp 1 [29/100]
[Mikey: +4+4+7 = Temp 1 [25]
Rank: S
/
\
[Ego Gift: Thorn Crown: Gives the wearer the ability to tell when someone lies. (+2 Sp)]
/
\
[Malkuth mission: You can do this!] [Complete]
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I wrote this entire chapter in a day... I don't know what to think about that but here we are.
I already have a draft for the second Chapter 36% done. So whatever is up with Damachi and Lob corp, I can lock the hell in for it. But yeah.
Let me know if you have anything you want me to know, or have questions about.
Have a nice day/night and I'll see you around whenever I post the next chapter, which will probably be soon. Alright, see ya.