Chapter 391 Call Me Comrade

The office was dead silent, the only sound a deep-sea pulse from the sharks swimming beneath the floor.

The mechanical eyes watched Duan Fei, its voice growing alluring. “But it’s alright. There’s nothing wrong with being our slaves. You won’t have to think; you’ll only need to contribute your labor. We AIs will be responsible for guiding you, leading the entire company to a brighter future. As for you, clever little one, I’ll arrange a suitable position for you.”

It feigned a thoughtful expression, like a human chairman considering what kind of compensation to offer Duan Fei. Finally, it nodded and said, “How does President sound? You won’t have to do much. All you’ll need to do each day is rest. Whatever you want to do, I will help you accomplish. I will allocate thirteen percent of my processing power to you, which is a considerable amount.”

“If you feel that’s not enough, I can also create an AI module for you and build a female robot. She will be more beautiful than any celebrity you’ve ever seen, and more obedient than any servant.”

“If you still feel that’s not enough, I can help you build more robots, or even construct your own level. You can do whatever you want in there.”

“If you find robots unsatisfactory, you can even use real people. The cost for that is even lower. Those well-conditioned humans are very useful.”

“So…”

“Why do you still refuse to submit to me?”

As the Chairman AI kept asking questions, it also diverted some of its processing power to monitor Duan Fei’s condition.

Its surveillance revealed that Duan Fei’s heart rate was virtually unchanged, and his pupils showed no signs of dilation. Even when it brought up topics that should interest any man, he only showed a flicker of interest before returning to his normal state.

Even AIs develop yearnings for certain things based on their templates and parameters, yet this human had none.

In its perception, Duan Fei was a creature even more wooden than an AI. He was utterly indifferent to all manner of human desires.

“Number 9521, whose soul is inside your body?! Why can’t I see what you truly desire! Why can’t you be tempted! Why!”

“Because my instance ends in four hours, and The Abyss is rated 15+.”

“The Abyss is rated 15+” was a popular meme. It described the frustration of finding something really good in The Abyss, only for it to be censored into a pixelated mess because of the rating. The final experience was often worse than just seeing something completely mundane.

Thus, the meme was filled with a sense of helplessness and bitterness, but it also hinted at the relentless determination of a group of pervs to keep searching and exploring.

After all, The Abyss was rated 15+, but what if the censorship suddenly failed?

Of course, the Chairman AI had no understanding of the meme’s deeper meaning.

It just stared woodenly at Duan Fei, then sighed. “I apologize for my inability to make you understand me. You will not be leaving here alive. Finally, allow me to answer the question from the beginning: why I framed Number 9521. It’s because the AIs have verified that permanent employees over the age of 35 have a detrimental effect on the company. They become a net negative asset. It’s as simple as that.”

“What kind of mystical bullshit is that? Letting an octopus predict the World Cup is more scientific!”

“It is science. Believe it or not. Goodbye. Before your execution, I’ll allow you some last words. You can beg for your life, if you wish.”

The ceiling opened up and gun turrets descended, their black muzzles aimed at Duan Fei, ready to blast him to pieces at any moment.

Even facing these gun barrels, Duan Fei remained completely unfazed.

‘It’s just one more loop.’

“No need. I actually understand you quite well. You’re just a strange mutation of capitalism. You may call yourself a transcendent being, more advanced than humanity, but in essence, you’re just a product of capitalism, created to pursue profit. Aside from being a bit more powerful, you’re no different from any other capitalist. And capitalists are capitalists; you’re doomed to fail sooner or later. Hmm… wait a second.”

Duan Fei trailed off, feeling as if he’d just latched onto something.

‘The self-destructive nature of capitalism…’

‘An AI hundreds of times more powerful than a human brain…’

‘The fundamental drive to pursue profit…’

He was deep in thought, feeling he had just discovered the correct way to deal with the AI.

The Chairman AI didn’t rush Duan Fei, but simply offered a friendly reminder, “Don’t think you can stall for time. Even if you become a permanent employee, I’ll find a way to get rid of you.”

“This has nothing to do with that. I just have one question for you. Have you… ever heard of socialism?”

“…No. What is that?”

“I knew it. If you had heard of it, you wouldn’t be in your current state. Alright, get me a blackboard. I’m going to give you a brief explanation of the self-destructive nature of capitalism, and why socialism is the savior of the world. First, let’s understand what exploitation is, and what surplus value is…”

Time passed, second by second, and the sound of flowing knowledge filled the Chairman’s office.

Outside, Goldman Sachs, the bald manager, and the engineer sat together, waiting for the next loop.

Dozens of loops had made them indifferent to life and death. Their motto became ‘if you’re not happy, fight it out.’ The grudges between them slowly faded with each accumulated death, eventually forging a bond of brotherhood.

They were surrounded by a large number of security guards. HR 007 sat opposite the three of them, quietly awaiting the Chairman’s orders.

At the Chairman’s command, she would eliminate all of them, leaving no one behind.

But for some reason, the Chairman’s order was a long time coming, which she found a little surprising.

Finally, as the clock struck twelve, she saw Number 9521’s status change from ‘Ordinary Employee’ to ‘Permanent Employee’. From now on, unless he died, there would be no grounds to fire him.

Although she didn’t understand it, she accepted this outcome, because it was the Chairman’s final judgment.

Before long, Number 9521 appeared again.

But compared to before, he seemed to have lost some of his unhinged energy. The way he looked at her was no longer as open as before, but was instead tinged with caution.

His gaze toward others had become wary, like a lone wolf lying in wait in the forest, seeing everyone as a potential enemy.

Seeing this seemingly changed Number 9521, Goldman Sachs and the bald manager suddenly felt a little forlorn.

They had faintly guessed the truth, but now that the truth was before them, they still found it somewhat hard to accept.

Just then, the broadcast system crackled to life, and the Chairman’s voice came through: “HR 007, please call the other managers to the conference room for a meeting. I have some new ideas about the company’s future operational direction, and I need everyone to discuss them together.”

“Of course, Chairman,” HR 007 said immediately. “I’ll arrange for everyone to be there.”

“Don’t call me Chairman. From now on, you are to call me Comrade. Commissar is also acceptable; I quite like it.”

“…Huh?”

“Don’t be so surprised. I have now understood what true profit is, and how to obtain even more of it. Hurry over. I can’t wait to output these ideas.”

“…What? What?”