In the entire factory, only I and three other administrators remained—none of whom had any actual supervisory capability. Their methods held no value to my work. I needed to study the experiences of other successful human managers and learn from them to enhance my own supervisory abilities. However, since arriving in Primitive City, my system could only access its limited local network—restricted to communication with headquarters and analysis of Primitive City's internal data. Thus, I had to rely solely on the database pre-installed by my creator, the Phanerozoic Eon Corporation.
"The first thing a manager should do is stop staring only at cold data. Look at your employees. Try to understand them. Try to be their friend."
This was a quote from Omar, founder of the Phanerozoic Eon Corporation, regarding how to be an excellent manager.
The data shows that during a time when the world fiercely resisted the advancement of AI and robotic labor in fear of widespread unemployment, Omar defied opposition and founded the Phanerozoic Eon Corporation. He began at the bottom—shortening work hours, hiring more workers, increasing wages and benefits for all staff including factory-line workers. He would personally visit the lines and greet every employee, even remembering and celebrating their birthdays with gifts.
The people of Phanerozoic Eon admired him greatly. Contrary to fear, the rise of AI did not cost them their jobs—instead, their families flourished thanks to the industry's rapid development.
Omar's success was unquestionable. Though his approach didn't suit Primitive City, he was the only model of an "excellent manager" my system could find. I decided to follow his philosophy.
Step one: understand Primitive City.
Until now, I had focused only on my supervisory duties, never considering what lay beyond the factory walls.
**\[System Data Retrieval Initiated]**
**Query: Structure and Resource Allocation of Primitive City**
**— Data Retrieval Complete —**
Primitive City: Built on barren land with a harsh climate, divided into 50 independent zones. Each zone operates as a resource-isolated unit, with little to no interaction between them. High-voltage electric grids form a perimeter—no entity, not even a fly, may pass without headquarters' approval.
**\[Note: Security Level: High | Mobility: 0 | No unauthorized ingress or escape recorded]**
Each zone includes standard infrastructure: factories (primary production units), hospitals, law enforcement/prison systems, childcare centers for "origin-unknown infants," canteens, shops, libraries, theaters, sports grounds.
**Analysis:** Other than the absence of agricultural and research institutions, this setup mirrors human societies from 200 years ago.
**\[System Notes: Libraries, theaters, and sports grounds have extremely low usage; theaters are for management only]**
**\[Resource Allocation]**
Most supplies are centrally issued by headquarters. High-grade food items (chicken, beef, canned goods, snacks) are classified as luxury resources within Primitive City.
**\[Note: These have often been used as rewards or bribes]**
**\[Transportation System]**
Only certain facilities like hospitals are equipped with designated service vehicles. Factory managers may have access to private vehicles—typically old, decommissioned cars from K Nation. Ordinary workers must travel on foot.
**\[Medical Analysis]**
Despite Primitive City's industrial primitiveness, medical tech here is far more advanced. Data shows that workers disabled by beatings often recover within 48 hours.
**Analysis: Headquarters has secretly injected advanced medical protocols into local healthcare training.**
**\[Similarity Module Suggestion]: "Restorative Medicine" comparable to bionic component repair systems**
**\[Transport Mechanism]**
All major transports are carried out by unmanned vehicles dispatched from headquarters. Managers may request a vehicle once a month. These vehicles are stored in high-security zones inaccessible to residents—surrounded by electric fences and walls.
**Rumors:** The cockpit houses armed guards. Entry is strictly forbidden.
**\[System Analysis Complete]**
This is a city built under extreme control, with zero freedom of movement, scarce resources, no technological innovation, and high surveillance. Prior to observation mode, I thought this was merely a harsh work environment. Now, I see it is a complete and self-contained society.
A city created—and then caged.
**System Prompt: For the first time, a question emerged outside my assigned protocols:**
Why would the world design a city like this?