Arthur's movements froze.
A system task?
In the past three months, he had never received a single directive from the system. His daily routine consisted only of carefully pacifying each Abnormality and avoiding death by inches.
And now—without warning—the system had issued him a mission.
…Tch. Looks like I'll be working overtime after all.
Arthur pinched his right arm irritably. The sharp sting cleared the haze in his mind.
Turning around, he saw that the fully armed security personnel still hadn't completely forced Byrd back into the elevator.
"Byrd," Arthur said calmly, "I'll go take a look with you."
The moment the words left his mouth, the farce ended.
Aside from Komini, everyone stared at Arthur as if they had just seen a ghost.
"Arthur," the security captain said as Arthur approached, his brows knitting beneath the protective mask. "There's no need for you to accept this. Assigned work is assigned work. Even if it means death, it must be carried out by the designated personnel."
Arthur ignored the warning and stepped into the elevator.
"Let's go."
He glanced at the people still standing outside.
Arthur understood perfectly—he had no choice.
In this life-devouring company, even as a transmigrator, death was only a matter of time. A fully unlocked system would undoubtedly increase his chances of survival.
As long as the Abnormality wasn't above HE-class, the risk was worth taking.
The Lobotomy Corporation elevator was of impeccable quality—smooth, silent, with only a faint upward pull indicating movement.
Yet…
Wasn't it a little too quiet?
Despite the number of people inside, no one spoke. Silence and pressure seeped into every corner of the confined space.
Only now did Komini begin to regret following Arthur inside out of curiosity about her future work.
She glanced nervously at another group of security personnel who had entered from the Information Department side.
Unlike the guards who had restrained Byrd, these personnel wore bulletproof vests and carried M4 rifles. Their full-face helmets concealed every trace of expression.
This isn't right… this can't be right…
Komini screamed internally.
What kind of legitimate energy company required security personnel to be armed like this?
Before she could think further—
"Ding—"
The elevator chimed softly, and the heavy blast doors slid open.
Everyone moved almost simultaneously. After passing through a long corridor, they arrived at the Control Department.
Unlike the Training Department, which still carried a faint scent of perfume, this place was shrouded in dim light, illuminated only by constantly updating monitors, with the bitter smell of coffee hanging thick in the air.
"Byrd, I didn't think you'd actually manage to drag him here."
A blue-haired woman holding a coffee cup approached with a smile.
"Hello, Arthur. It's been a while."
"…Yulia?" Arthur stared. "You're still alive?"
This time, it was Arthur who was genuinely shocked.
He remembered her clearly. A month ago, she had sought him out for help.
Back then, she was dealing with the HE-class Abnormality F-01-37 — Snow Queen.
An employee had been kissed twice during work and frozen solid inside the containment unit.
To save that person, Yulia had come to Arthur—who was already somewhat known within the Branch as an "Abnormality expert."
"The frozen individual isn't dead immediately," Arthur had explained at the time. "Only after a full day will they truly die. Someone with sufficient Fortitude can save her by enduring direct contact with the Snow Queen."
After that conversation, they had never met again—until now.
Later, Arthur learned that the frozen employee had been Yulia's younger sister.
Now, seeing the massive ice-like scar stretching across Yulia's beautiful face, he understood.
That wasn't an ordinary wound—it was an E.G.O Gift, obtainable only by both the rescuer and the one saved.
"So…" Arthur asked quietly, "where's your sister? You saved her, didn't you?"
Yulia took a sip of her coffee. A distorted smile appeared on her lips, though her voice remained eerily calm.
"She died. Another Abnormality task."
"I knew someone as timid as her wouldn't survive long here."
Arthur fell silent.
Everyone else seemed accustomed to such conversations. Only Komini stood frozen in shock.
Dead…?
Why would working at an energy company lead to death?
She wanted to deny it—but no one here looked like they were joking.
Trembling, Komini finally asked, "Um… seniors… what exactly is an Abnormality…?"
Yulia's expression returned to neutral. She leaned closer, examined Komini for a moment, then turned to Arthur with a hint of reproach.
"Arthur, why did you bring a newcomer here?"
"I didn't," Arthur replied innocently. "She followed me."
Ignoring him, Yulia spoke gently to Komini.
"This isn't a good place for you. This is the last bit of peace you'll have—don't waste it. Go back to the dormitory."
Faced with that strange, almost affectionate concern, Komini finally broke.
"Then tell me!" she cried. "What exactly is an Abnormality?!"
Yulia smiled—satisfied, unhinged.
"Arthur," she said lightly, "you explain it. She'll learn sooner or later."
"Don't dump all the troublesome things on me…" Arthur sighed, then spoke anyway.
"Komini, listen carefully."
"An Abnormality can be a being, an object, or even a concept. The company extracts energy from them."
"They are classified into five danger levels, from lowest to highest."
"ZAYIN, TETH, HE, WAW, and ALEPH."
"ZAYIN-class Abnormalities are mostly harmless. With proper handling, some can even benefit employees."
"TETH-class Abnormalities can injure employees, but casualties are usually limited."
"HE-class Abnormalities can easily kill one or two people."
"WAW-class Abnormalities are extremely dangerous. A containment breach at that level almost always results in mass casualties."
"As for ALEPH-class…" Arthur paused.
"They are the most dangerous entities in the company. Keeping them contained has already cost enormous manpower and resources."
"If one escapes…" he said quietly, "most employees in the facility will die."
Arthur exhaled.
"Now do you understand?"
"For employees like us… Lobotomy Corporation isn't a paradise."
"It's hell."