X approves the employee's request to attempt a rescue from the [F-01-37] Containment unit. Though a simple nod or an uncaring statement, it's significant to the employee.
This demonstrates both the Manager's compassion and that Lobotomy Corporation is a good company with excellent benefits and a willingness to listen to its employees.
Allowing the rescue attempt significantly boosts morale.
"Seeking the Dean's approval is commendable; this employee shows proper respect. At least she didn't act rashly, secretly entering the Containment unit and causing further disruption to the Corporation."
These are X's exact words, instantly spreading through the Corporation. All employees now know this is what the Manager said.
They know this new Manager genuinely cares for her employees, unlike the cruel predecessors. Public opinion will likely improve considerably.
Although X doesn't even know the employees' names, this still shows a humanistic concern.
News quickly arrives of the failed rescue attempt. The employee who went to the [F-01-37] Containment unit engaged in a battle with [F-01-37], losing and becoming frozen along with the other employee.
Shattered ice and the heavily frosted floor merge, making it difficult to distinguish employee remains from the frost… Perhaps there's no difference; both are now part of the fractured ice.
Like shattered glass, they were crushed into fragments, becoming icy dust.
Well, that's good…X isn't surprised. A successful rescue would have been unusual. While the employees showed commendable bravery, that was the limit of their capabilities.
Two employees died in the encounter with [F-01-37]. They were good employees, but X feels nothing. Perhaps she has too many employees, or perhaps these two weren't exceptional enough to warrant concern.
Excluding the expendable Clerks, these were elite employees responsible for managing Abnormalities. This is the first official casualty recorded.
"Manager…Kai is dead, Gerda is dead…I should have stopped them."
"Employee deaths… I saw their despair…"
Hod seems dejected; the fur on her head droops. She's reporting employee deaths—from the Training Department—the casualties of this incident.
"I know, Hod."
X is calm. As a Manager, she must monitor the Corporation's operations and the activity within the Abnormality Containment units. The employee who attempted the rescue was under X's observation.
She watched the brave employee challenge [F-01-37]. X was interested in this duel, but the Cognition Filter prevented her from seeing the details, likely a consideration for her rationality and resilience.
After the duel began, the Containment unit's cameras went offline temporarily, and the unit was sealed off—
Afterwards, X only knew one thing: the employee who challenged [F-01-37] failed, perishing along with the frozen employee, reduced to shattered ice.
"It's alright, Hod. I know you did your best, and this casualty was expected."
"Gerda likely considered the consequences before entering the [F-01-37] Containment unit. She knew the risks, but this was her choice; she was prepared to accept the outcome."
"Shall I toast you with champagne, Hod? A toast to their pride and sacrifice? Oh, right…it's working hours; we can't drink. I'll join you after work."
"This isn't your responsibility; don't blame yourself. I approved Gerda's rescue attempt; I witnessed their deaths…If they harbored any resentment before they died, it would likely be directed at me, the high-and-mighty Manager watching from the screen."
"You did your best, Hod. Everything is alright; relax."
"Oh, right, I almost forgot…here's the [F-01-37] data. Yesod just sent it. Those two employees provided invaluable data to the Corporation; their sacrifice wasn't meaningless. Other employees know that their bravery averted more deaths."
Abnormality management isn't always smooth; it always comes with significant sacrifices…
The Corporation marches forward on a path paved with blood, carrying torches lit by the lives of its employees. Every piece of intelligence, every data point must be treated with utmost respect.
This is the greatest respect for the Information Department and for those employees who sacrificed themselves.
In fact, this is the first instance of official employee casualties; it's an excellent outcome. X anticipated personnel losses; Angela would understand.
This isn't a mistake, but an unavoidable circumstance. The Corporation houses numerous Abnormalities; sacrifice is inevitable.
This time, it was merely a small-scale test.
"Manager…Manager…I…"
Hod, on the screen, remains restless and anxious. Her eyes are fixed on X, but in a way that's both attentive and hesitant, furtive yet lacking the usual stealth.
X doesn't notice. She merely sees that the employee deaths have affected the Training Department Dean; after all, Hod cares deeply for her employees and considers their feelings. X doesn't expect Hod to change instantly.
Personality is shaped and molded over a long time, not overnight. A few words cannot change that—
Before X became Manager, Hod had maintained this gentle nature for a long time. In just a few days, X doesn't expect Hod to completely shed her concern for her employees.
If I were that good, I should be a psychologist, treating mental illnesses, not a Manager. As a Manager, I have to soothe the Deans' emotions, counsel them…what's the difference between that and a psychologist?
Thinking this, X feels powerful. What psychologist has my methods? I can even treat the AI's mental health; can other psychologists do that?
Rather, the existence of a psychologist who can treat AI is a programmer's headache.
"Anything else, Hod? If not, get back to work. I'll join you for drinks after work…if you have anything to say then, I'll listen."
Though the Training Department Dean might have more to say, X's meaning is clear: it's working hours; unrelated matters can wait until after work.
X rarely displays this Manager-like demeanor. Perhaps it's only when overseeing the Corporation and managing Abnormalities that she possesses the authority and posture of a Manager. At such times, she commands the Deans; she is exceptionally clear about the division between work and personal life.
It's as if…she's naturally suited for this role.
Dismissing the Training Department Dean, X proceeds to handle reports from the Safety and Information Department Deans. Surprisingly, Netzach submitted her report on time, and…seemed unusually serious.
Netzach seems genuinely concerned about reducing employee casualties and is reviewing security protocols.
The Safety Department trains new employees in security procedures, predicts potential incidents, and develops countermeasures. However, due to Netzach's somewhat lax approach, X hasn't held out much hope.
X always treated the Corporation's description of the Safety Department as a joke. She still remembers the passage in the Manager's handbook:
[The Safety Department trains new employees in security procedures, predicts potential incidents, and develops countermeasures. They meticulously plan for natural disasters, terrorist attacks, containment breaches, employee panic…]
[Because they must handle various emergencies and establish security protocols, the Safety Department is said to consist of meticulous and somewhat stubborn employees. They hate tardiness.]
Despite claiming to "hate tardiness," Netzach, the Safety Department Dean, arrives late even for meetings with X, the Manager.
Based on this, X finds it difficult to imagine what the Safety Department employees are like. But besides Netzach, the Safety Department employees are surprisingly competent, possibly because their lack of managerial oversight fosters unexpected Temperance and self-discipline.
Perhaps this is because the untemperate and undisciplined employees have already died. Netzach's lax management means that when employees exhibit instability…they either recover on their own or self-destruct, surprisingly efficiently.
This is likely why the Safety Department functions so well. With X's oversight, problematic employees receive timely assistance. The Safety Department now lives up to its name, unlike its previous ineffectual state.
Everything is going well; this is excellent.
X is in a good mood; work progresses smoothly, and energy collection is highly optimistic.
Understanding the [F-01-37] data has significantly simplified management.
[F-01-37]'s official name is confirmed as [The Snow Queen], a non-escaping Humanoid Abnormality. It has no counter, and except for [Repression] work, all other tasks are suitable for employees.
It particularly enjoys [Insight] and [Attachment] tasks, but only with elite employees. The higher the employee's overall attributes, the higher the success rate. It's recommended that level III and above employees manage it.
Regarding work results, a 'Reward' outcome may lead to a secondary incident. A 'bad' result will definitely trigger an incident. When an employee marked by [The Snow Queen] re-enters its Containment unit…
…they will be frozen.
However, frozen employees retain a unique life force. [The Snow Queen] doesn't kill them; it awaits a brave challenger. Victory allows for a rescue attempt.
If an employee is frozen, it's recommended that level IV or higher employees attempt a rescue, preferably with high [Fortitude]. The higher the [Fortitude] attribute, the greater the chance of defeating [The Snow Queen] and rescuing the employee.
Conversely, failure results in the rescuer and the trapped employee being reduced to ice fragments… becoming part of the thick frost on the floor.
In short, this is an Abnormality suitable for training high-level employees. It demands high attributes; new employees are unsuitable.
However, for elite employees, [The Snow Queen] is manageable and provides excellent training opportunities.
It doesn't possess strong offensive capabilities or express obvious malice towards humans. Like [Funeral of the Dead Butterflies], it simply awaits a courageous challenger, hoping someone can melt its seemingly eternal ice fortress…opening the ice coffin.
Initially, X found this Abnormality unsettling, but she's now accustomed to it—
As a Manager, she can't be affected by Abnormality emotions. The Cognition Filter exists precisely to help Managers better adapt to their work and maintain their mental stability.
Today's management tasks proceeded as usual. After handling [Dawn Ordeal], the HE-level Abnormalities' energy output far surpassed that of TETH-level ones; working with them is more efficient for energy collection.
The Corporation now prioritizes training elite employees to manage more dangerous Abnormalities, rather than focusing on relatively harmless but low-yield entities.
After all, one must break free from comfort zones; remaining in familiar territory prevents progress.
X completes her final task for the day; the Energy Quota has been met; only a short overtime period remains before she can leave.
"Angela, let's toast to our success."
X takes out the champagne stored beneath her desk. She'd only had a small amount before; now, it's time for a proper tasting.
During her first tasting, her hands trembled slightly. Now, she's completely calm and adept.