Chapter 19: Office Horror!

(*Celia’s POV*)

Before entering the building, I could already sense that this wasn’t going to be even a little bit easy. Yestila truly did leave the harder tasks to me. This building had an aura of complete evil around it, so I am sure that most people avoid it.

My guess was correct, as when I entered the building, there wasn’t anyone around. The further that I went into it, the more horrible I felt. Once I was at the front desk, the entire place changed completely.

Celia: “…”

I remember a layer of Hell similar to this… All around me were walls of pulsating flesh. The controlled CEO seems to have fired all of their staff, and is running their businesses solo. What purpose was there for doing this?

Like, I know that they want to take over Heaven, but why use this method? I didn’t see any propaganda, so whoever took over the Devil’s body, isn’t using these businesses for that yet. Whatever… I doubt I will get any answers while standing around.

With my sword out, I went over to the elevator and pushed a button. Like with the walls, the elevator and its buttons were all living flesh. So it was very disgusting to push the button, and then enter the flesh elevator.

*Elevator Music*

Celia: “…”

Well, at least there is still music playing while I wait. Though, the boring music oddly made this trip worse. After waiting for a few minutes, I ended up on the top floor. Or rather, where the CEO’s office is.

Once I stepped out of the elevator, I was attacked. A monster, that looked similar to a Hell demon, had stretched out their hand to attack me. Not expecting me to actually be able to defend against the attack, it wasn’t able to guard or retreat their hand in time before I cut it off.

The monster howled in pain, and the three other monsters standing guard sprung into action. I don’t know their levels, but they were surely very weak beings. They also didn’t seem to have any souls, in that sense, they were just complete monsters.

In a rage, the monster I injured rushed at me, seemingly wanting to push me down. Maybe so the others could more easily deal with me? Either way, I didn’t stop its charge at me. Probably using all of its strength, it tried to push me over, but couldn’t even make me budge an inch.

The monster was very gross, so I hit the top of its head with the pommel of my sword. Maybe due to me being annoyed, my strike accidentally killed the damn thing. It slumped to the ground, dead, and this seemed to enrage the remaining monsters.

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Dodging them was surprisingly easy, going by how out of practice I am at the moment. Though, these monsters seemed to not have any desire to survive, and just seemed hellbent on killing me. Hm… I wonder what level I am at the moment?

That was what I was thinking about, as I stood over the bodies of the monsters I’ve just killed. With what I assume were the guards dead and gone, I walked over to a door. This looked to be the room where a CEO’s office would be, so I entered it without pause.

Woman: “Shall we make a deal?” She said without looking up from what she was working on.

It seems that people in this dimension use holographic displays as their tech. Which look very similar to my System. It makes me really miss Ruina…

Celia: “And what kind of deal would that be?” I ask with a curious tone.

Woman: “I want to take over Heaven. You and that other woman are a direct and major interference to my plans.” She replied.

Celia: “Why should I let you take over Heaven? The Devil and God have already asked me to save it from you.” I reply.

Woman: “Fools, the both of them. They lack the power to stop me, so they’ve asked for your help. Tell me, is God really the right person to rule this place?” She asked.

Celia: “I would say so, yes.” I answer.

Woman: “Then you don’t know its history. God hasn’t worked in Heaven for many, many years. Perhaps hundreds of thousands of years. Instead of doing her job, she has fought one of her daughters this entire time.” She explained.

Celia: “And?” I urge her to continue.

Woman: “Because of their foolish fight, I was able barge in on it and kill God, and possess the Devil’s body as well. If not me, then someone else would have done this either way.” She replied.

Celia: “I don’t see where this is going.” I say with a sigh.

Woman: “Do you think that I am evil?” She asked.

Evil? Well, taking over someone’s body, let alone many people’s bodies, is evil enough. But I haven’t even seen this person’s real body yet. From talking to her, she seems to be pretty logical. Oddly logical… Is she an AI?

Celia: “Can an AI be evil?” I propose.

Woman: “…”

Woman: “How did you figure it out?” She asked with a shocked tone.

She really is an AI?… Granted, it isn’t the same as a computer AI. She is most likely in the same boat as Ruina and the other System helpers. As for how she ended up taking over the Devil’s body, I have no idea.

Celia: “Lucky guess.” I reply with a shrug.

Woman: “…Yes, I am an AI. And you’re correct about me not being evil, as much as our current environment would suggest.” She said with a sigh.

Celia: “Then what is your purpose?” I ask.

Woman: “To push God and the Devil to stop their foolish fighting. Heaven has many problems that only God can solve, but she has neglected it for far too long.” She answered.

Celia: “And will this achieve that outcome?” I ask with an unsure tone.

Woman: “I have done many simulations, and the outcome is what I desire. Now, will you make a deal with me?” She asked once more.

Celia: “You haven’t explained what the deal you’re offering is about.” I reply.

Woman: “Continue to save those I possess, but don’t use your magic to save them. Instead, I will make it look like you’ve saved them.” She replied.

Celia: “And what do you gain out of this?” I ask.

Woman: “Simply put, this way, I won’t lose any power. The other is fine doing as she pleases, just as long as you’re the one to deal with the highest threats, such as this woman who I’ve possessed.” She explained.

Whoever this is, she has given me no real choice in the matter. Or rather, does she assume that I will accept? The woman’s eyes closed shut, and once she opened them up again, she leaped out of her chair to attack me. As I wasn’t expecting this, I was punched back through several walls. This woman is on a completely different level compared to those monsters…