Chapter 384: An Order from the Chairman

HR-007 sat on the sofa with her legs crossed, turned sideways to watch Duan Fei.

Although she was the one being coerced, she didn’t seem the least bit flustered. Instead, she was constantly pulling up Duan Fei’s information through her AI sub-brain, wondering why Number 9521 had suddenly become like this.

Meanwhile, Duan Fei was also observing HR-007.

From his angle, he could see her slender, delicate figure. Her features were so exquisite that she gave off the uncanny air of a doll.

Looking at her hands, Duan Fei noticed that they had been badly scraped from her hasty retreat through the ducts.

The skin on the back of her right hand was sheared away, revealing the pale alloy plating underneath.

Noticing Duan Fei’s gaze, HR-007 tapped the back of her hand, producing a crisp metallic sound.

“HR is an important part of the company, so our bodies have undergone partial mechanical modification to become what they are now. Additionally, we are also forced to have AI sub-brains installed. This brain can take control of our bodies when necessary and restrict our speech and actions, preventing us from leaking company intelligence.”

“Are you sure you should be telling me this?” Duan Fei said with a frown.

“It’s fine. Some basic information is allowed to be disclosed. This sort of thing won’t trigger the AI sub-brain’s alarm. It also helps us reach a consensus and rescue the hostage you’ve abducted.”

“Why do I get the feeling you want him to die?”

“An illusion,” HR-007 said with a light laugh. “Because of the AI sub-brain, I must base all my thoughts on the company’s best interests. When an incident occurs, I have to consider how to minimize the company’s losses as much as possible. For example, company employees have the lowest value, real estate is higher, then us in HR, and after that, the children of high-ranking officials, and so on. In the current situation, I need to use all my power to save Goldman Sachs. But if a more urgent situation arises, Goldman Sachs will also be sacrificed.”

Hearing this, Duan Fei recalled a situation from a previous loop and nodded in understanding.

In that loop, even though he had Goldman Sachs as a hostage, he was still torn to shreds by their heavy firepower. They had shown no regard for Goldman Sachs’s presence whatsoever.

‘What a capitalist world. People are just another form of currency.’

Staring at Duan Fei, HR-007 continued, “I know why you don’t want to be fired. You want to use the permanent contract to do certain things. I must remind you, the resistance is not a good organization. The company is your greatest support.”

“Lady, do you realize how full of contradictions you are? You’re going to fire me, yet you want me to think about the company’s interests. You’d have to have a pretty messed-up worldview to say something like that.”

“Firing you is also for your own good. That way, you won’t lose your fighting spirit and can keep fighting forever.”

“Bullshit. That’s as ridiculous as saying I’m killing you to prevent you from committing suicide.”

Just then, HR-007 seemed to hear something. She sighed. “I’m sorry, we can’t delay any longer. You are going to be fired.”

“Goldman Sachs is still in my hands!”

“That’s right, I’m still in his hands!” Goldman Sachs, who had just woken up, immediately chimed in.

“It was an order from your father,” HR-007 said regretfully. “He stated that sons can have a Rebirth, but the company cannot compromise over this. Number 9521, you must die. I hereby announce that due to the kidnapping and murder of Goldman Sachs, you are fired and will be forcibly expelled.”

“Wait, I’m not dead!”

The moment Goldman Sachs finished shouting, a swarm of drones rose into the air.

The glass shattered instantly, and both Duan Fei and Goldman Sachs were blown to pieces along with it.

As he was dying, Duan Fei heard the clock strike eleven, followed by the system’s voice:

“You have successfully survived for three hours, but you have also discovered that the difficulty is increasing. You can allow two instance NPCs to retain all their memories from the previous loop. Who will you choose?”

‘As expected.’

‘The reward has been upgraded to two people.’

Duan Fei had originally wanted HR-007 as his second helper, but now it seemed she wasn’t a suitable choice.

After all, the HR rep had an AI sub-brain. If he brought her over, she wouldn’t help him. On the contrary, her AI sub-brain would cause his entire plan to collapse in an instant.

So, the choice for his second helper was simple.

‘Goldman Sachs, it’s you.’

Back on the toilet again, Duan Fei pushed the door open. Before he even walked into the office, he heard Goldman Sachs roaring, “What the hell is wrong with all of you! Is this some kind of act?!”

“Goldman Sachs, calm down.”

“Who the hell are you?! Do you have any idea what I just went through? AAAAAH!”

Seeing Duan Fei walk in, Goldman Sachs instantly shrieked like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

Hiding behind the desk, he peeked out with a pair of anxious eyes and yelled, “Don’t you come near me!”

Jumping over, Duan Fei viciously slammed a Crowbar down on his shoulder. Then, he turned to the manager who had rushed over at the sound and said, “Fire me.”

The manager nodded knowingly, quickly fired Duan Fei, and reset the loop.

‘After all, no amount of explaining could be as quick as having him see it for himself.’

The second time, Goldman Sachs was still screaming, but Duan Fei was faster and hit him even harder.

The third time, Goldman Sachs, finally understanding the situation, stopped screaming but still glared resentfully at Duan Fei and the bald manager.

And Duan Fei couldn’t be bothered to be polite with him either.

‘Not satisfied, are we? Then I’ll just beat you until you are!’

‘Anyway, a loop like this only wastes a few minutes. I can afford to spare them.’

After a dozen more loops, just as Duan Fei was walking out of the restroom, he saw Goldman Sachs rush out, perform a smooth, clean sliding kneel, and stop right in front of him.

Hugging Duan Fei’s leg, Goldman Sachs cried out, “Big Bro, you’re my real big bro, please spare me! I don’t want to see the color of my own intestines anymore!”

“They should be pretty healthy, though I can’t see them.”

“They won’t be healthy if they’re on the outside! Big Bro, let’s go sit in the office and have a nice, long chat.”

Ushering Duan Fei into the manager’s office, Goldman Sachs had the bald manager serve them fragrant tea. Then he said, “Big Bro, please, drink.”

Taking a sip of tea, Duan Fei looked at Goldman Sachs. “Do you know why I had to beat you?”

“It must be because I was disrespectful to you, Big Bro, and dared to disobey your command.”

“So, tell me, was I right to hit you or not?”

“Everything you do is right, Big Bro.”

“Listen to that. That’s the awareness an underling should have. You’re a genius, kid.”

Goldman Sachs put on a fawning smile and asked, “So, Big Bro, can you let me off the hook now?”

“That’s impossible.”

Seeing the expression on Goldman Sachs’s face fall instantly, Duan Fei added, “But if I can avoid being fired, then we might have something to discuss.”

“Big Bro, leave it to me! I’ll definitely make it happen for you! I’ll go contact HR right now.”

Goldman Sachs immediately left to find someone from HR and discuss keeping Duan Fei on.

But a dozen or so minutes later, Goldman Sachs returned, looking perplexed. He looked at Duan Fei and said, “Big Bro… who exactly are you?”

“Why are you asking?”

“I just asked HR. They said you have to be fired. And… it’s the Chairman’s order.”