I'm the King of Wage Earners in Lobotomy City

Page 120

Song Ya, who had been standing at the door, greeted Du Jue happily, but immediately lowered his head and ran away upon seeing the minister's smiling face.

Rest layer.

"Du Jue, you should understand how high the work pressure is here. Therefore, if military-style management were applied during rest time, most people would not be able to stand it. That's why headquarters has specially set up rest areas."

A large number of employees were coming and going, carrying snacks and shopping bags, and discussing how they had only worked half a day, which was a rare holiday.

To everyone's surprise, what appeared to be a small room turned out to be a five-story commercial center with blue skies and white clouds inside.

Du Jue asked, somewhat confused, "Minister, don't we work overtime? I thought I would be attending employee training led by you."

"The Control Department mainly coordinates the employees of various departments, but the other departments are still transporting the anomalies, so there is no rush."

Ilya was surprised that Du Jue seemed genuinely looking forward to her guidance, and immediately clutched her memo tightly in nervousness.

"Of course I will definitely train you! But the most important thing right now is your condition. Don't you feel any sense of amnesia or depression?"

Ilya puffed out her chest confidently. "As your boss, this is something I've been guiding you on. What's your favorite food? Don't worry, I'll help you!"

So that’s what happened!

It seems the minister brought me here specifically because he felt he had lost his memory while confessing.

"Minister, I don't have the problem you described. As for what I like to eat, it's probably sandwiches. They're very convenient."

In front of a fast food restaurant.

Ilya stared at Du Jue with a strange look as he devoured the sandwich, finishing it in the blink of an eye.

"Minister, what do we do next?"

Avoiding the expectant gaze, Ilya finally understood why she found this newcomer so strange. He treated almost everything as a goal that needed to be accomplished as soon as possible, even when he was just taking a stroll.

Even though I am the superior, I feel a heavy pressure.

"Ahem, Du Jue, do you have any hobbies? There are basketball courts and football fields on the third floor of the business center, but there are no more niche venues. After all, headquarters doesn't want to spend too much energy on this. The food is also brought in from outside."

"I don't have any hobbies, and besides, with Minister Ilya here, I have no intention of wasting my time!"

Du Jue keenly sensed the hesitation and understood everything.

Could this workaholic boss be seeing me as an unstable factor? Is he testing whether I can still work normally? In that case, I'll definitely have to show off my fighting spirit.

Ilya, who had originally planned to comfort Du Jue, was suddenly at a loss. After thinking for a moment, she said, "Then why don't you go back and rest?"

"Of course, Minister!"

Du Jue breathed a sigh of relief, feeling that he had passed this test.

Please come to the conference room to see me.

Is there something else going on? Being an undercover agent is really inhuman; you have to deal with two bosses at the same time!

Standing at the entrance of the fast food restaurant, Ilya watched Du Jue's decisive departure, feeling utterly defeated. It seemed that her guidance was of no use to Du Jue's work and life.

meeting room.

Angela stood with her eyes closed and her back to the door, just like a beautifully crafted doll, only becoming more lively when she spoke.

"Miss Angela, it's a pleasure to see you again."

"I am artificial intelligence. You can always see me at headquarters, but you seem to recognize the subjectivity of this body I have?"

Since flattering one's boss won't cost one anything, Du Jue didn't care about saving face at all and immediately replied, "This is just basic courtesy. Angela is not the code name for artificial intelligence, but my boss's name, which deserves respect."

Angela turned to look at Du Jue and brought up the containment chamber out of the blue: "I have sealed your audio recordings from inside. Although I am an artificial intelligence, I think this so-called sin cannot be told to others."

Du Jue then sincerely thanked him, as he really didn't want the ministers to know about this.

“Then I have a new suggestion. Actually, the problem lies with Ein himself, which is why I took full charge of the Seed of Light project. Regardless of whether the project succeeds or not, he probably won’t survive in a biological sense.”

Angela smiled slowly, her cool smile serene.

"How about we abolish the Starlight Agreement and draft a new one together to eliminate this problem? What do you think?"

186

Chapter 186 Plan A.

What does it mean?

He was supposed to avoid frowning while thinking, but today's intense work had slowed his brain down, and he couldn't understand why Angela was going to do something so unnecessary.

thump!

Du Jue slumped into his office chair, only then noticing his haggard face through the black screen of his computer. He felt that a self-presentation was more exhausting than getting a death tattoo, and he felt a long-lost sense of fatigue that made him unwilling to move.

“There are certain risks associated with the short-term combined use of enkephalins and HP-boosting agents.”

Angela stood there with a smile, saying, "Normally, employees need to apply to their supervisor to use these things, but you are my direct employee."

A smart trolley slowly drove into the conference room.

"Huh? This is it?"

Just as Du Jue pulled out the pneumatic syringe, he saw the premium enkephalin and regeneration ampoules on the cart.

Angela was delighted to see Du Jue take out the medicine to replenish his strength, so she stopped smiling and stood aside patiently waiting.

She observed silently as the other person eagerly injected three doses into their neck, their facial expression shifting between tension and relaxation. "Why create such a contradictory spiral, where machines are made as intelligent as humans, yet humans are made as cold as machines?"

"Is it just to get better tools? Perhaps, whether at headquarters or outside, the relationship between them is limited to using and being used, and other things such as kinship, friendship and love are just decorations like propaganda slogans."

Having barely recovered, Du Jue was stunned by these inexplicable words and tentatively asked, "So, Miss Angela, what you mean is?"

Angela gracefully turned to the side. "The Seed of Light Project in Ein did not reserve a place for you, and you have forgotten your past with him due to an unexpected event. Even if there was a Starlight Agreement, there is no longer a relationship of exploitation between you."

"At this moment, the only one who can provide you with what you need is me. Coincidentally, I also need your assistance. Therefore, there is no doubt that we can rebuild a stable relationship based on mutual benefit."

What do you think our agreement should be called?

It seems Angela is absolutely right. It's impossible for Du Jue to go to Ein now and ask him to give L Company to him. That would be pure nonsense. Angela, who doesn't care about losing her father's property, is more valuable to cooperate with.

As for Ein, who painstakingly kept the minister and staff locked in the headquarters dungeon for millennia, well, I can only apologize, since Angela was indeed his designated executor of the plan.

"How about we call it Plan A?"

"Indeed, it is a very meaningful name for the agreement. There is no need to record it on a hard drive or paper; it only requires our mutual understanding."

As Angela spoke, she turned her back completely to Du Jue, saying, "Du Jue, we are partners now."

Du Jue, who had stood up again, was somewhat surprised that Angela had called him over for such a trivial matter. "That's great, shall we give her a round of applause to celebrate?"

Immediately, the conference room screen displayed an image of pixelated fireworks exploding.

"However, we still need to prevent you from acting on my orders, and I've decided to make some adjustments to the plan. Initially, I simply wanted you to sideline Ilya in the Control Department, and perhaps even create a new position as a deputy minister."

"After all, the control department is responsible for coordinating and directing the various departments, and it is quite important for the final part of the plan."

Du Jue felt that this AI's thoughts were deeper and more complex than those of ordinary people, but at least their interests were aligned for now. "Won't this deviate from Ain's original intention? Of course, I don't care about him, I'm just worried that you'll work hard but end up with nothing."

"is it?"

This was the first time Angela had paused in her speech. "Your insights are quite innovative, raising concerns about whether machine labor should be compensated for for the first time in this database. I will keep that in mind."

The fireworks on the screen were replaced by a data bar chart, clearly showing that today's energy production was so high that past production seemed insignificant in comparison.

"That's why I need to adjust my plans."

Angela’s tone remained calm and natural at all times. “The Seed of Light project is very complex, but it has two core aspects. One of them is to collect enough energy to launch the project.”

Instead of immediately jumping on the bandwagon and asking, "And who's the other one?"

"That concerns the ministers and supervisors, but please allow me to keep that a secret for now. Rather, let's talk about your long spear."

Angela led Du Jue to the research lab, which was still open for business. She immediately dismissed the researchers with dark circles under their eyes, and placed the spiral spear wrapped in thorns quietly in the current state preservation box.

"Anomalies are things extracted from the human subconscious, so even if ordinary bullets can still have a physical effect on them, it is just like trying to cut water with a knife, which is meaningless."

"The EGO weapons and armor manufactured by headquarters are effective in dealing with the escape of Abnormalities, and even untrained students can use them freely after being equipped with them."

Under Angela's manipulation, the status quo preservation box was opened, and the spiral gun inside was returned to Du Jue's hands.

Avoid getting a cold, unappealing feeling upon first use.

"It is worth noting that employees who develop a relationship with anomalies will also receive EGO items, which cannot be removed or transferred, but I have never seen a precedent of EGO items being attached to weapons."

After weighing it in his hand, Du Jue felt that the spear hadn't changed much. "Is this thing just an added decoration?"

"According to the preliminary research report, it is clear that in addition to its own weight, this gun also induces feelings of guilt and causes people to bear additional weight. One test subject was unable to lift it even an inch, even with the assistance of an exoskeleton."

Du Jue looked at the Thorn Spear in his hand and realized, "Isn't this weapon enchantment?!"

Angela brought out another box. "Here's an EGO weapon—Confession. Give it a try. The researchers think you might not be able to use the EGO equipment developed by headquarters."

They're all weapons, so why can't they be used?

He grasped the enormous cross with one hand and swung it around with remarkable ease, which made Angela beside him shake her head.

"It seems you haven't mastered it, and there are three factors that could lead to this."

"Either you don't meet the equipment requirements, or you can't withstand the mental pressure of the equipment, but I think you're in the third case—you genuinely resist the rest of the equipment. A certain minister is in the same situation, so there's no need to worry about it."

Angela gestured for Du Jue to put the weapon back, then led him out of the research lab, explaining, "Anomalies are bizarre beings that involve the mind; perhaps they can also be seen as alien species with their own way of communicating."

"EGO equipment produced by different Abnormalities can sometimes conflict, much like the hostility between people. Partners like you and me, who can reach an agreement in a short time, are too few. What do you think about eliminating this possibility?"

Du Jue nodded. His cooperation with Angela seemed to be going exceptionally smoothly, which was rare in the city.

"Of course, Miss Angela, I hope Plan A goes well."

Du Jue, who had left the conference room alone, sighed as he looked at the control room screen showing 8 p.m. He really felt that this small headquarters was like a pressure cooker, ready to explode at the slightest provocation.

"Eliminate? Great, you're finally out!"

Song Ya excitedly ran over from the door, then nervously said, "Du Jue, didn't you feel that the hallway was weird after get off work today? It was like some kind of alien monster was hiding in the cracks and corners!"

“I used to tell myself not to scare myself, but this is Lobotomy Corporation, and I feel like I have to apply for an EGO weapon.”

Why is this guy still here?!

187

Chapter 187 The Test.

Employee dormitory.

Lying in bed, Du Jue lifted the covers and stretched out one leg, which made her feel much more comfortable. She then took off her transparent contact lenses and placed them on the bedside table before looking at the communicator.

[Song Ya: The fresh milk on the second floor must be delicious! I once tested this at Nest Ranch, and found that cows eating certain plants can affect the taste of milk. For example, cruciferous vegetables give the milk a carrot flavor, beets produce a fishy smell, and lemongrass adds a lemon aroma.]

What a bizarre hobby! And this guy has been chatting for over ten pages, doesn't he ever go to sleep?

[Angela: Next time we exchange supplies with the branch, I'll provide you with outside communication channels. I hope this will make you feel less lonely.]

I need to stop being a lone wolf when it comes to taking on assignments, but since it's my boss's concern, I need to respond appropriately.

[Refuse: We are partners, so you can't really call yourself lonely, especially since you said you're omnipresent.]

[Angela: Hmm, it seems our mutually exploitative relationship has deepened considerably.]

The next day.

"Am I going to do the alien work today too?"

Du Jue arrived at the control department half an hour early and immediately spotted Ilya already working hard.

Ilya quickly looked up and explained, "No! The supervisor has more to consider. After all, we can't rely on just you alone. The research lab needs the work of others to provide data for EGO research and development."

"Don't worry, Du Jue! I've assigned you a partner. You'll be responsible for patrolling the department's corridors and being ready to suppress any unexpected incidents!"

Ilya's smile was full of anticipation, and she nodded with satisfaction after hearing Du Jue's usual affirmative reply.

"If you have any difficulties getting along with your partner, you can ask me for help anytime!"

Listening to Ilya's emphasis, Du Jue saw Yu Wen arrive at the control department on time. She seemed to be a senior employee, after all, she was wearing a Japanese armor that was out of place with an office suit, with a huge blood-red cherry blossom pattern on her chest.

Yu Wen carefully placed the black katana into the storage device on her back before glancing coldly at Du Jue. "Another new person has arrived. Relax, don't overthink it, just follow orders."

As soon as the two stepped into the corridor, they immediately heard a piercing alarm.

Du Jue looked up and saw a small white bird pecking at an employee at the entrance of the containment room. The employee reached out to protect his head in fear, too nervous to move. His hand was covered in blood from the pecks of the escaped anomaly.

【0-02-56 Punishment Bird】