"Hehe…Manager…you're so cute…be my girlfriend."
The Safety Department Dean's words were shocking, beyond X's comprehension.
She understood each word individually, but not together.
X was stunned; just as she was about to respond, someone else spoke first.
"No!"
It was Hod, the usually timid Training Department Dean. She abruptly stood up and loudly objected.
Her voice was strong and resolute.
Hod's sudden action drew everyone's attention; they all looked at her, causing her to blush.
Her voice faltered.
"Um…I…I mean, that's not right, Netzach's behavior is…inappropriate…"
Her voice trailed off, barely audible. She blushed, sat down abruptly, burying her face in the sofa, too embarrassed to continue.
She was too shy; Hod wasn't prepared for the other Deans' scrutiny.
The drama was intended to embarrass X, but…what happened?
Was Hod somehow influenced by Netzach? Why was she acting so strangely?
X knew there might be issues between the Safety and Training Department Deans, but nothing this unusual! It wasn't exactly unusual, but X couldn't find the words to describe it.
She was shocked; she'd never imagined a simple meeting could turn out like this.
—It's all Netzach's fault!
—That damn peron will have to apologize later!
X mentally cursed Netzach, but was at a loss, having never encountered such a situation.
Girlfriend? Was that appropriate…? Was that normal…?
X's hesitant expression was noticed by Yesod.
"Nonsense…she's harassing her!"
Yesod, unable to bear it, rebuked them sharply, then pulled up her collar, seeming unwilling to listen further.
Yesod crossed her arms, avoiding eye contact with the incapacitated Netzach and the 'outstanding' Manager.
X was indeed outstanding, perhaps too outstanding.
The Information Department Dean fixed her gaze on the sofa's backrest, seemingly wanting to distance herself from the situation.
She might want to avoid the conflict, or perhaps her meticulous nature couldn't tolerate a serious meeting turning into a chaotic drama.
The AI Secretary, who could quickly resolve this, simply stood by, eyes closed, calmly observing, ignoring Netzach's antics and X's pleas for help.
The AI seemed unwilling to intervene; X had to handle it herself.
The Deans' reactions were strange. The Safety Department Dean, naturally, displayed incredible fortitude and nerve…
The Information Department Dean remained neutral, seemingly wanting a normal meeting and being intolerant of this disruption.
The Control Department Dean seemed to enjoy the gossip, her ears perked like a rabbit, unwilling to miss anything; this drama was entertaining.
It was more exciting than a regular meeting; Angela's meetings were always so dull and serious.
Perhaps a gathering with the Deans would be better.
The embarrassed Training Department Dean, Hod, regretted her impulsive actions. Unlike Netzach, she blushed easily.
Now, the timid rabbit wished she could disappear into the sofa.
She likely disapproved of Netzach's behavior but was too shy to intervene, wanting to help the Manager but too embarrassed to act.
Regardless of the Deans' reactions, X was losing control; her rationality was at its breaking point; this was exceeding her tolerance.
The strings of rationality, under increasing pressure, snapped—
X's anger flared; the docile demeanor vanished, replaced by a furious flush. It wasn't embarrassment; it was rage…
Challenging her limits triggered a stress response. X resembled a furious black panther, snarling and defending her territory.
X's golden eyes glared coldly at the Safety Department Dean clinging to her leg, with a hint of disgust, as if the person wasn't a beloved Dean but useless garbage.
"Let go. Get off me. Get out now. Netzach, don't make me repeat myself."
Her tone was icy and cold, like shards of ice, each word sharp and commanding.
Except during Abnormality management, X rarely used such a commanding tone. But now, her tone was firm and forceful.
Normally, people would retreat upon seeing X's change in expression, but Netzach was different; she was the bravest in the entire Corporation.
She defiantly challenged the enraged X, unafraid to meet her gaze.
Whatever gave the Safety Department Dean such fortitude was likely Enkephalin…
Excessive Enkephalin caused hallucinations, numbing the nerves, impairing judgment, and making one impulsive and irrational.
In other words, the Safety Department Dean was fearless, daring to challenge limits.
"Hehe…Manager…you're still so strong~ How about…being my…girlfriend for a day? AndI'll let youwin~deal?"
The incapacitated Netzach didn't retreat but continued her taunts.
She extended her index finger, hooking it—a clear provocation.
The atmosphere became even more tense; the other Deans, particularly Yesod, turned to look at their colleague.
The Safety Department Dean—really—
The Information Department Dean was speechless; this was beyond her comprehension.
The Control Department Dean, Malkuth, was equally shocked, her mouth agape.
The Training Department Dean, Hod, was extremely anxious. Her unconscious actions tore the sofa's leather, exposing the padding and stuffing.
Only the AI Secretary remained calm and composed, eyes closed, whether genuinely or feigning calmness. Logically, she should have intervened.
But…she was allowing this to happen, indifferent.
It was hard to know what the AI was thinking, planning, but it likely had malicious intentions.
"Netzach, open your eyes and look at me. I'm your Manager, not your girlfriend."
"If you have needs, take care of them yourself; don't bother me with this nonsense. Oh, right? You're an AI; you wouldn't really have such needs. Or can you actually…solve it yourself?"
"That's surprising. I'm curious about your body structure, but unfortunately…seeing you like this makes me nauseous."
"You know, I hate addicts, and I've been tolerating you for far too long, Netzach."
X lifted the cowering Safety Department Dean; the 1.78m tall black-haired woman effortlessly lifted her with one hand.
AIs are not lightweight; this was far heavier than a normal woman, yet she lifted her easily, showing skill and effortless strength.
"What? Silent? Think I'm easy to bully, do you? If you want to insult me, do it differently; this pathetic attempt is nauseating."
Golden eyes glared at the hazy pupils, disgusted by the dilated eyes caused by the excessive Enkephalin. The usual tolerance and suppressed negativity erupted.
But it was useless. Despite X's sharp words and intense aggression, the Safety Department Dean remained unfazed, continuing her performance.
It was hard to imagine what caused Netzach to become like this. Was it the Enkephalin? How much Enkephalin was needed to create this effect?
"Hehe…hehe…Angry Manager…hic…so…hot~"
"So…so white!"
X felt even more disgusted; it wasn't an AI or a Dean, but garbage.
X dropped the Safety Department Dean; the black-haired, golden-eyed woman's composure crumbled. The green goo spread across the floor beneath the sofa, wriggling…
Like a green worm, it tried to get closer to X.
X took a deep breath, trying to lower her blood pressure. She sat back down and prepared to punish the green mess.
Enraged, X decided to put her previous research to the test, to show the Safety Department Dean her power and authority.
The enraged black panther placed her foot on the Safety Department Dean—precisely, on her stomach.
The black leather boot pressed down on the Dean's soft belly, literally making her kneel…but this didn't seem to have a punitive effect.
"Hehe…hehe…"
The Safety Department Dean giggled uncontrollably; it was hard to imagine how much Enkephalin was needed to achieve this effect—
She was completely incapacitated, enjoying the experience even as X stepped on her. She perfectly fulfilled the literal meaning of the punishment.
"Ma-Manager."
Malkuth hesitated to speak.
X's golden eyes briefly met the Control Department Dean's, silencing her with a cold gaze.
"Alright, let's begin the meeting! It concerns your weekly summary reports, new design implementation, testing results, and final outcomes."
But the Deans were still focused on the grounded Netzach, forcing X to roar again like an angry lioness, attempting to restore order.
"What are you all staring at? Sit down properly! Who's reporting first? Don't look at that thing on the floor. I'll deal with her after the meeting; anyone who keeps looking will join her."
X's black leather boot pressed firmly on the Safety Department Dean's stomach, yet Netzach seemed to enjoy it, as if it were a reward.