Anomaly?
No—no, no, no.
He had a name far more widely known.
The Guide.
No wonder everything had felt so familiar. The faint melody audible even outside the containment room was simply the forest biome background music from Terraria.
Now that he understood the situation, Arthur finally let out a slow breath of relief.
The next second, he adjusted his posture and offered the familiar NPC a perfectly professional smile.
"Hello, Guide. I didn't expect you'd still recognize me."
As Arthur looked at him, his gaze inevitably drifted to the system panel that had automatically unfolded beside the Guide.
[Work Started — Work Panel Opened]
[Worker: Arthur]
[Target: Anomaly G-01-05]
[PE-BOX Energy Collected: 0 / 12]
Employee Information
Name: Arthur
Affiliation: Training Department
Level: 3
Courage: 2 HP: 38
Prudence: 3 SP: 56
Discipline: 3
Justice: 2
EGO Weapon: None
EGO Suit: None
EGO Gift: None
Abnormality Information
Name: Strange Guide
ID: G-01-05
Observation Level: I
Containment Classification: ZAYIN
Qliphoth Counter (Max): ?
(When this value reaches zero, containment will fail or a high-risk phenomenon will occur.)
Max PE-BOX Output: 12
EGO Weapon: ?
EGO Suit: ?
Damage Resistance: ??
Attack Method: ??
Seeing the panel confirmed it.
He hadn't transmigrated again.
This was still a containment room within Lobotomy Corporation.
That meant he couldn't forget the purpose of his visit—Communication Work.
Although all surveillance devices installed by the Corporation had been destroyed within this oak cabin, the energy output was still being monitored from the Control Department. Only after the required PE-BOX energy was collected would they unlock the containment room.
At present, this was his only way out.
"Of course, Arthur," the Guide said gently. "I don't think your journey has reached its end just yet."
He walked past Arthur, sat down naturally on the chair, rested one elbow against the round table, and looked at him earnestly.
"Do you have any questions? My job is to provide guidance for upcoming tasks. Whenever you're in trouble, it's always a good idea to talk to me."
"..."
Arthur fell silent.
Questions?
He had far too many.
Why was the Guide from Terraria inside a Lobotomy Corporation containment room?
Did he still possess his original omniscience—crafting recipes, NPC conditions, world secrets?
Did he even know about the existence of Lobotomy Corporation?
Hadn't everything around him become three-dimensional? Why was he so calm?
But in the end, Arthur shook his head.
"Not right now."
Never trust an Abnormality. Never harbor goodwill toward an Abnormality.
This was one of the most basic survival rules in Lobotomy Corporation.
And if the Guide truly existed here as an Abnormality, there was no way he was harmless.
What unsettled Arthur even more was the Guide's close association with a certain entity—
The Wall of Flesh.
If that thing were the one contained here instead, the risk classification would undoubtedly reach ALEPH.
"I understand," the Guide replied calmly.
Unbothered, he suddenly conjured a pumpkin pie out of thin air and placed it on the table.
"It's fine. Let's just chat. How's your adventure going?"
"I chopped some trees. Killed a few slimes," Arthur replied, playing along. "Next, I should probably—"
"I think you're ready for your first real challenge," the Guide said cheerfully. "Collect some lenses from eyeballs at night and take them to the Demon Altar."
He casually took a bite of the pumpkin pie.
"I've always liked pumpkin pie, though the Arms Dealer's version is rather disappointing. Honestly, he should let the Nurse handle the cooking."
"To prove yourself, you'll need to defeat a powerful monster. Only then will you draw the Dryad's attention."
"Oh, and be sure to fully explore the dungeon. There might be prisoners held deep inside."
...
It was, without question, the safest Communication Work Arthur had ever performed.
The Guide was an impeccable mentor. Arthur only needed to listen attentively and respond occasionally to maintain the flow of conversation.
Soon, Arthur checked his watch.
Thirty minutes had passed.
He glanced back at the system panel.
[PE-BOX Energy Collected: 11 / 12]
Just a little more, and the work would conclude smoothly.
He could think about everything else once he returned to the dormitory.
Just as his tense nerves were finally easing—
The Guide suddenly asked:
"Arthur, do you know where Deathweed is?"
"Hm?" Arthur frowned slightly. "Why do you need that?"
"Oh, no particular reason," the Guide replied casually, instantly resuming his cheerful tone. "If you're willing to dig deep enough, there are countless treasures waiting in the jungle."
Everything returned to normal.
Until—
Bang!
Something hard struck the wooden surface.
The abrupt noise shattered the calm.
"What was that?"
Arthur instinctively reached for the pistol at his waist, scanning the room. Nothing had fallen.
Bang!!
This time, the sound was unmistakable.
Arthur turned sharply.
It was coming from the oak door.
Something was slamming into it from the outside.
Wait.
That door should connect to the containment room's foyer.
No one should be able to enter the foyer.
Even if an employee died inside, security would never retrieve the body.
Bang!!!
The impacts grew violent—rapid, relentless. The door visibly trembled.
This wasn't an illusion.
Arthur rushed forward, throwing his weight against the door, bracing it with his body.
Behind him, the Guide slowly stood up.
The smile on his face never faded.
"Oh, Arthur," he said softly, almost kindly.
"If you look up, you'll see the moon is red tonight."
"When the sky turns red, you know the Blood Moon has risen."
"The Blood Moon possesses a strange magic… one that draws monsters into a frenzy."
A heavy stench of blood seeped through the cracks of the door.
Arthur's suit was soaked through with sweat.
There was only one possible conclusion.
The world outside—
Was definitely not Lobotomy Corporation.