(Hello all of you. It took a while but in the end, I've finally republished this story. For all of you who didn't see the message I've posted on my profile, I should warn you that the early chapters are FAR from good. The first half of the story was made before Ruina came out so expect plotholes, clashing lore and also A LOT of horrible writing to be present.

I do plan on going back and rewrite said chapters. However, with both the Ruina story & Lobotomy High still ongoing, I don't have the time to do so right now. I'll come back once one of these stories is done.

I am so sorry for the agony that the early chapters are.)

-It feeds on the "evil" that surfaces during conversations.

You know what they say, the first jobs are often the hardest, especially when you don't have any experience to show. Thankfully, the stress tend to diminish as one gain more insight on the process...

...Usually. Sadly, when one is faced with a job opportunity that a majority of people would be classified as "unqualified" for, that stress tends to emerge with a vengeance, breaking through one's mental ceiling. That was me. The process seemed to be going well so far but I couldn't help but fell a bead of sweat fall down my face, the tension getting to me.

Y/N: ...Hello?

I entered the lobby and followed a couple of people who escorted me further into the facility without even taking a single glance in my direction, not showing a single care towards my voice calling them. I was soon greeted by a more spacious room along with more "normal" employees... in the sense that they bothered to look at me like a human instead of ignoring me like a lingering ghost. A woman with light brown hair soon walked up to me, carrying a notepad and a huge smile that could almost make me forget about my fears.

???: Hey, you are the new guy I assume?

I quickly cleared my throat and tried to shrug off the awkwardness. First impressions are always important. Come on Y/N, you can do this!

Y/N: Indeed I am!

We both shook hands and I took a good look around. It seemed rather normal for a working environment, reminding me of an office.

???: I'm Malkuth, the Sephirah of this departement and I'm in charge of the Control team, I expect you to be in top shape! If you don't then we can only think of the worst outcome possible.

My smile remained after hearing that last part but my confidence definitely didn't. Is this a normal procedure to put so much pressure on the new guys?

Y/N: R-Really? Isn't there people specially trained to take care of emergencies, in case worse come to worse?

My interlocutor shook her head slightly but her optimism did not waver in the slightest.

Malkuth: We are currently the only departement opened right now but it doesn't mean we can't take care of problems by ourselves! I believe in all of you!

Y/N: I guess so...

Malkuth: Anyway, this is your first day but I'm expecting you to give it your all!

I quickly nodded and she walked away, warning a sleeping employee on her way out. Left on my own devices, I sat down on a chair and watched an employee sitting next to me, wearing the same black uniform with a red tie. She looked at me and we both made eye contact, a silent exchange that lasted for a few seconds.

Y/N: First day?

???: You too? At least I'm not the only one...

After finding a good conversation starter, I tried my best to repeat the same process that I took with Malkuth. First impressions are always important.

Y/N: I'm Y/N, nice to see someone in the same predicament, not in a bad way though.

I raised one of my hands in her direction. She lowered her gaze in response to my action and lingered for a bit before taking it. Her voice grew slightly weaker as she did so.

???: ...Alter Ego.

Y/N: That's your name? Are you a robot?

I jokingly asked her that.

Alter Ego: No, I like this name better than my previous one. I don't want to go into the details...

She looked down and hid her face with her long hair. Looks like I struck a landmine with that one. I averted my gaze away from her, feeling the stress of the first day peeking around the corner like a little devil.

(Le waifu #1)

Y/N: So, what are we supposed to do here?

I hurriedly tried to change the subject to save the conversation. The mood of the one looking down slowly recovered and after a deep breath coming from her, she glanced back at me.

Alter Ego: Taking care of abnormalities I think...

With that, like a god deciding to make its presence known, a beeping sound echoed next to us. We both jumped slightly and faced what caused this disturbance. It was a monitor with the simple words "employee required to containment unit".

Y/N: Talk about timing.

I left my seat and she did the same without saying a single word. I ignored her for now and walked to the only door that seemed to be operational... for some reason and opened it. On the other side, a corridor leading to a reinforced door revealed itself to me. I stood in the doorway with many questions in my head but they all semmingly vanished once I noticed that the girl that I was talking with a moment ago followed me.

Y/N: I saw that there was only one monster in this departement during my short briefing, it's probably in there.... I think, not sure honestly.

I took a peek at her expression, trying to see if she knew anything on the matter but she was as lost as me.

Alter Ego: We should wait for the manager to tell us what to do.

As she said that, a male voice came out of an intercom near us, an intercom that didn't make me try to rip out my eardrums in order to stop the pain.

???: Hello? Is this thing working?

Y/N: Obviously yes, is there a problem?

???: Could one of you go into the room? We need to collect information on this abnormality.

I took a moment to process the request given to us, only for a few question marks to pop up above my head.

Y/N: Can't we just go together? I feel like it would be more safer than being alone with an unknown entity.

???: ...Good point actually. Angela?

The sound of high heels walking in the room echoed through the device we were using to speak and a feminine voice reached us.

Angela: This is a security protocol to prevent casualties.

Y/N: Well your system looks flawed for me.

The man on the other side remained silent for a moment before taking my side on the matter.

???: He's got a point, I'm sure that it would prevent problems if we could send 2 people instead of one.

Angela: Manager, please understand that some rules-

Manager: You heard her, you can both go in.

Angela: Are you even-

Manager: Nope.

The intercom turned off and we both shared an awkward laugh about what just happened. Afterwards, we opened the door and walked inside to be greeted by a floating skull with a cross stuck in it. A crown of thorns was also on top of the skull.

Y/N: ...Weird.

I pressed the button on top of my pen and started to write what the abnormalities was doing, which was levitating and pretty much nothing else. Alter Ego was doing the same. We were both looking at it, hearing what sounded like someone doing some sort of chanting along with people praying behind us. I peeked over my shoulder but there was nothing, giving me some shivers. Blaming that on just my stress, I focused back on my task at hand, it's just a skull after all. After a few minutes, I realized that I was getting more tired with each passing seconds.

Alter Ego: *Yawn* I don't remember being this tired...

Seems like I wasn't the only one.

I ignored this rather sudden exhaustion lingering in the room and kept writing what was occuring around us until a clock beeped near us, allowing us to leave the room. I quickly walked outside, followed by my colleague who looked as tired as I am. We stood near the door to take a breather and recover our spirits. Just as I was about to blame yet again the pressure of my first day pulling some sort of trick on me, a refreshing breeze passed by me like an invisible hand grazing my skin, removing my previously mentioned fatigue.

Alter Ego: Did you feel that?

I looked around.

Y/N: Feel what?

Alter Ego: That sudden wind.

Y/N: ...I thought I was just going insane and imagining that.

...Though, if someone stop to think about it: where did that small gust of wind come from? This place definitely didn't seem to be the sort of facility where one can just open a window to let some fresh air. Unfortunately, I had no answer and I highly doubt I'll be able to find one as well.

Acknowledging that fact, we both walked back to the main room and observed everyone going around doing their work.

Alter Ego: If this is all we have to do, it might not be as bad as I thought.

A soft smiled spread across her face.

Y/N: You jinxed it.

Alter Ego: H-Huh?! My bad!

Her face rapidly turned red from embarrassment, a strong contrast to her downcast expression she's shown me a few times today. In an attempt to salvage the situation, she bowed in front of me and turned her face around so I couldn't see her expression, hiding her obvious shame. It was enough to let a laugh slip though my lips, a reaction causing her face to blush even more than before.

Y/N: You don't have to be sorry. Anyway, ready to go back?

I tapped her back while raising my notes n the air. The only thing we have to do is stare at a floating skull. It's weird that's for sure but it's a level of weird I can get used to.

She nodded back to my question after getting rid of the crimson colors on her face. While she did so, I flipped my notepad to a new page, preparing myself in advance. On the way back to the door we previous went through, my eyes soon noticed an electronic sign hanging over the door saying "One sin and hundreds of good deeds".

Y/N: That's a long name, I'll just call it One bro.

Alter Ego: ...

Y/N: Sorry, not the most professional name I know.

I entered the room and noticed a sheet of paper fixated on the wall on the other side of the room. Curiosity got the better of me, making me walk in its direction and check what was written on it.

"To expect any results from One sin and hundreds of good deeds, the person entering the room must tell the abnormalities their evil actions." -Malkuth

...Wait, when did Malkuth get in here? There's no other way to access this room other than the hallway we used but I haven't seen her since the start of the day.

Y/N: Very well then...

It was an odd request for sure but she was my superior, she had the advantage when it came to knowledge about this place.

While Alter Ego was reading the notice, I walked forward and tried to think of something I did in the past. It never said I had to say something serious, just some evil action.

Y/N: I remember that one time when I pushed someone down the stairs because I hated them, he ended up in a hospital because of me and I had to pretend to feel sorry about it.

The skull slightly opened it's jaw before closing it back in response to my confession. Almost like a reward, I once more felt that refreshing breeze graze my hand, taking me by surprise. My job done, I walked aside to let Alter Ego do her part of the work.

Alter Ego: Let's see...

She was deep in her thoughts, definitely trying to think of something to say to the abnormality. To not disturb her, I calmly stood by the wall and watched her. Finally, after a bit of hesitation, she spoke up.

Alter Ego: I once led a Proxy directly to someone, knowing what would happen to them.

Y/N: A Proxy? What's that?

Alter Ego: ...It's better that you don't know.

Once more, her eyes averted. Way to go Y/N, you stepped on ANOTHER landmine. Come on, gotta change the subject or else the conversation might turn sour.

Just as I opened my mouth to say something to the girl, the clock beeped once more and we left the room in silence. In a way, I suppose it could be considered a change of topic, as long as I don't bring up what she said in that room. I shrugged off the questions nagging at me and walked back to the main room with Alter Ego.

I've done a rather good first impression, it would be a shame to lose a possible connection just because I was slightly too curious.

Y/N: Well, at least it doesn't require us to give it our soul.

There you go, good job me!

Alter Ego: It seems pretty harmless for me.

Y/N: I think we should be happy that it is. One bro is truly a bro, the best of the bros.

To my surprise, the girl chuckled, it was the first time I've heard her laugh and it was because of my dumb joke. I mean, I call it "dumb joke" but one couldn't even call it a joke in the first place, more like me changing the name for convenience sake.

Alter Ego: Looks like you recovered your energy.

Y/N: Probably because I know that this first day won't be as terrible as I first thought!

As I said that, an annoucement was heard saying that our shift was officially over and the second one would take care of the rest. The notification filled me with surprise, just after I said those words.

Y/N: Wait, that soon?

Alter Ego: What do you mean? We've been here for more than 8 hours.

I looked at the clock and she wasn't lying. Time sure went by quickly, like WAY too quickly. Regardless, I left my seat and we both walked away from our assigned post.

Alter Ego: ...I guess I'll go to my dorms for now.

I wanted to answer "I think I'll do the same" but a new voice stopped me. It came from behind me, a feminine voice.

???: Y/N.

I turned around, greeted by a girl I never saw before.

Y/N: Yes?

???: Could I have a minute of your attention?

Did I do something bad? Oh god, I know I bragged about this first day not being so bad but please don't make eat my words so soon!

Alter Ego: I'm gonna go...

???: Yes, you should.

She basically chased Alter Ego away with that last statement. She took the comment in stride and walked out of the room, knowing her presence wasn't needed anymore. I looked back at the woman with red high heels, who closed her eyes while I wasn't looking.

Y/N: I never saw you before... Who are you?

???: Of course you haven't, I am the manager's assistant, Angela.

Immediately, the pieces assembled themselves, the memories of the discussion we had on the intercom returning.

Y/N: Oh, so you were the girl in the intercom. If you are here to make me take back my words, I won't.

I said that this day wasn't gonna be terrible and I'm willing to die on this hill, especially considering that my shift was over.

Angela: I am here for another reason.

...Oh.

Y/N: Go ahead then.

She looked at me with her closed eyes and I felt an embarrassing silence slowly getting between us. I wanted to say something but also fearing that she might speak as at the same time, leading the conversation into an even morea awkward direction. However, as patient as I might be, a full minute of silence was enough for me to realize that she wasn't gonna say anything.

Y/N: Are you gonna say something?

Angela: You see-

Malkuth: Hey Y/N!

The world laughed at her attempt to continue our talk by bringing another actor in the scene. I quickly jumped in place from fright when Malkuth's voice emerged from behind me, making me check over my shoulder.

Y/N: Oh hey Malkuth!

Malkuth: You did great today, along with Alter Ego. This is a victory for the Control team!

She leaned closer and placed a hand on my shoulder, her wide smile showing her happiness in those words of hers. Still taken aback by her sudden appearance, I couldn't give her back that smile of hers.

Angela: Malkuth-

Malkuth: Come on, cheer up!

Thankfully, after some effort, I gave her a smile that felt like a poor copy of hers in comparison but it seemed to please her enough. Her mission complete, she grabbed my arm and began dragging me away with her cheerful chatter. Still aware that my previous interlocutor was present, I turned around and quickly yelled in her direction.

Y/N: Sorry Angela, I'll see you tomorrow... maybe!

She answered with a cold face, not directly aimed at me but at the general direction we were going.

Y/N's mind: This isn't a good way to start my new job...

Malkuth: Hey Y/N, Don't you think it's cute?

She asked me that question and revealed in her hand a... duck pen? A pen with the head of a duck? What the, what kind of weird design is that?

Y/N: ...I'm not the best with those things, try asking Alter Ego tomorrow.

Malkuth: I will, thank you Y/N.

She let me go and hummed to herself in a joyful manner. Slightly confused by what just occured, I gathered my energy and walked back to my room to rest. Tomorrow was another day, I had to prepare myself just like I did for today.