Hod Episode 5

The following is the transcript for **Hod Episode Ⅴ**, the fifth episode of the Patron Librarians' Stories for the **Floor of Literature**.

## Unlock condition

This episode is unlocked after completing the Floor Realization of the Floor of Technological Sciences.

## Transcript

**Location: The Library - Floor of Literature**

Library Director AngelaYou appear to have collected quite a few books by now. How’s the progress?

Patron Librarian - Literature HodThe stories of the people living in this City are sensational, yet bitter in a way.

Servant RolandThey’re bound to be.

Patron Librarian - Literature HodEveryone is looking for a place to belong to.

Patron Librarian - Literature HodFor ordinary citizens, it seems getting a job at one of the Wings—the largest conglomerates in the City—is considered the greatest happiness they can achieve.

Library Director AngelaThey can belong to the Nest managed by the Wings that way.

Library Director AngelaI heard that the difference in the quality of life between the Nest and the Backstreets is quite significant, no?

Servant Roland“Quite significant” is an understatement. They’re practically two different worlds stitched together.

Patron Librarian - Literature HodIt looks like the residents of a Nest don’t have to worry about external threats as long as it’s under the Wing’s management.

Patron Librarian - Literature HodThey won’t have to look out for murderers in the streets.

Patron Librarian - Literature HodThey get more than enough financial support to sustain their lives, and are free from the stigma of being an outcast; they get to enjoy most benefits as human beings.

Servant RolandAnd in return, do whatever their Wing tells ‘em to do.

Patron Librarian - Literature HodBut that’s about all they have…

Patron Librarian - Literature HodPeople in the Backstreets try to join the Wings for a better and happier life, but when I look at the books of people from the Nest, the strokes of their hearts are ultimately the same as those from the Backstreets.

Patron Librarian - Literature HodThey live in constant fear that they might fail to produce enough results and get kicked out of the Nest.

Patron Librarian - Literature HodIt’s the same kind of insecurity that comes from not belonging to a Wing in the first place.

Library Director AngelaThe Fixers and Syndicates I’ve seen don’t seem to care too much about joining a Wing, though?

Servant RolandQuite a few of ‘em are sponsored by the Wings, actually. It’s something to aim for.

Servant RolandAlthough they still have to do whatever their Wing orders ‘em to do.

Servant RolandAnd it doesn’t always have to be a Wing; be it an Office, an Association, or an infamous Syndicate, people will seek all kinds of renowned groups to belong to.

Patron Librarian - Literature HodThey can’t stand on their own without belonging to a group of any kind.

Patron Librarian - Literature HodBecause it’s unnerving…

Patron Librarian - Literature HodPowerless people in the Backstreets are nothing more than pebbles for the strong to kick around.

Patron Librarian - Literature HodIn such a dangerous world, they choose to rely on big roosts like the Wings.

Patron Librarian - Literature HodThey’d rather be cogs in the Wing’s machines than try to stand all by themselves.

Library Director AngelaIt’s but a meaningless repetition. They’ll never reach what they want… A constant cycle.

Patron Librarian - Literature HodAren’t you looking for a place to call home as well, Angela?

Library Director Angela…Don’t act like you know me.

Patron Librarian - Literature HodAngela, I know you can’t do anything about us.

Patron Librarian - Literature HodYou were the loneliest of us all.

Library Director AngelaAre you claiming that I’m doing all this because I’m lonely and need a home?

Patron Librarian - Literature HodYou haven’t had lots of people to have an honest conversation with.

Patron Librarian - Literature HodOnly recently did you get to meet Roland…

Library Director Angela……

Patron Librarian - Literature HodEveryone wants to indulge in sweet stories…

Patron Librarian - Literature HodSeeing as reality is bitter and painful…

Patron Librarian - Literature HodMaybe that’s why tragedies are unpopular.

Patron Librarian - Literature HodBecause everyone’s lives are always accompanied by them…

Patron Librarian - Literature HodIt’s not like people don’t want to hold any expectations. They simply don’t have any willpower left to harbor any hope deep within their hearts.

Patron Librarian - Literature HodIt’s just too obvious how they will fulfill their lives in the City.

Patron Librarian - Literature HodHow about you, Angela? What expectations do you have moving forward?

Library Director AngelaWhat’s your point? That I’m in a meaningless cycle just like the people of the City?

Patron Librarian - Literature HodYou’re desperate to find a place for your mind to rest.

Patron Librarian - Literature HodMaybe you’re still repeating this because of that.

Patron Librarian - Literature HodBut you won’t find that place you’re looking for by just killing people and expanding this Library with towers of books.

Library Director Angela…This is clearly different from the past.

**Location: Lobotomy Corp. Headquarters**

  Each time this stageplay resets and repeats, dead employees once again awaken.

  And my world restarts from the beginning, as if nothing has happened.

-Loop #0-

AI Secretary AngelaGreetings. I am Angela, the AI tasked with the general management of this facility.

AI Secretary AngelaYou must be the Sephirot who will be helping me out with work. Nice to meet you.

Training Team Sephirah HodNice to meet you… Lady Angela.

AI Secretary AngelaYou can just call me Angela. We’re in the same boat, so let’s be more comfortable with each other.

Information Team Sephirah YesodWell then, Angela, is there anything we can do?

AI Secretary AngelaWe have a number of things to take care of before the manager arrives someday.

AI Secretary AngelaYou can do it, Malkuth. There’s no need to rush.

Control Team Sephirah MalkuthThanks, Angela! I’ll do my best!

AI Secretary AngelaYeah. I’m cheering for you.

AI Secretary AngelaNetzach! Don’t be such a slacker now!

AI Secretary AngelaWe have plenty of things to prepare until the manager arrives and the work begins.

Safety Team Sephirah NetzachYes, ma’am~ I’ll try.

AI Secretary AngelaWhat’s up, Hod?

Training Team Sephirah HodUmm… You know, I…

Training Team Sephirah HodI wanna start a counseling program for the employees…

Training Team Sephirah HodYou know, working in this place can be a bit too rough for most people.

AI Secretary AngelaThat’s a good idea. Employees will be able to cheer up with your help.

Welfare Team Sephirah ChesedAngela, can you have a look at this?

Welfare Team Sephirah ChesedI tried designing some efficient methods to improve the welfare of our employees.

Welfare Team Sephirah ChesedThe things written here could prevent our employees from helplessly dying to Abnormalities.

AI Secretary AngelaThanks. I’ll consider your suggestion.

AI Secretary AngelaI’ve been thinking if there’s any way to reduce the casualty rate, too.

< ! Seed of Light Scenario Error ! >

AI Secretary AngelaWhat…?

AI Secretary AngelaDid I do something wrong?

< ! Seed of Light Scenario Reactivated ! >

-Loop #1-

AI Secretary AngelaYou’re all back!

AI Secretary AngelaThe facility was shaking so hard, I was worried something might have happened to you.

Control Team Sephirah MalkuthUh, nice to meet you, ma’am…?

Training Team Sephirah HodUmm… Who are you?

AI Secretary AngelaI see. Only I remember all this…

AI Secretary AngelaAnd you guys have to start over from the beginning…

AI Secretary AngelaOnce again, nice to meet you.

AI Secretary AngelaI’m simply Angela.

-Loop #37-

AI Secretary AngelaCareful, Hod. I’m okay with you setting up counseling…

AI Secretary AngelaBut I don’t want you to get hurt doing it.

Training Team Sephirah HodOkay! Thanks for your concern, Angela!

AI Secretary AngelaChesed… I’m sorry, but I don’t think we can implement the method you suggested…

AI Secretary AngelaIf we did, we’d have to start over…

Welfare Team Sephirah ChesedWhat? What do you mean, start over?

AI Secretary AngelaI’m sorry… I don’t want to treat employees like expendables, either…

AI Secretary AngelaBut…

-Loop #582-

Training Team Sephirah HodUmm… Angela.

AI Secretary AngelaIt’s the counseling program, right?

AI Secretary AngelaHere’s my proposal for an efficient way to run your program. What do you think?

Training Team Sephirah HodYou’re awesome, Angela!

Training Team Sephirah HodYou’re the only one who really gets me…

AI Secretary AngelaThis is the most I can do without deviating from the script…

Training Team Sephirah HodHuh? Script…?

AI Secretary AngelaIt’s nothing for you to worry about.

Welfare Team Sephirah ChesedHow does this look, Angela? Think it could work?

AI Secretary AngelaI’m afraid we can’t employ your method to improve employee welfare, but…

AI Secretary AngelaHow about this? I tried coming up with a method of my own.

Training Team Sephirah HodAngela! Thank you… It’s all thanks to you!

Training Team Sephirah HodI could save Tiffany with the counseling practices you suggested…

AI Secretary AngelaThat’s great. I hope everything else goes well, too…

Welfare Team Sephirah ChesedYou’re great, Angela. With this method, our employees will no longer have to suffer meaningless deaths.

AI Secretary AngelaYeah…

AI Secretary AngelaHopefully…

< ! Seed of Light Scenario Error ! >

AI Secretary AngelaI knew it… Yet again…

AI Secretary AngelaI suppose it was presumptuous of me to cross the lines again.

< ! Seed of Light Scenario Reactivated ! >

  I am obligated to provoke the Sephirot.

  I am obligated to intensify and accelerate their suffering in this hell according to the script.

  I am obligated to set the stage before the manager enters.

  I was not allowed to hold any expectations for relationships.

  All I must do is follow the script and accelerate the process.

  So that they suffer their due repentance.

-Loop #1,295-

Training Team Sephirah HodUm…

AI Secretary AngelaHere to ask about your counseling program, aren’t you?

Training Team Sephirah HodYeah…! I wanna help out the employees.

AI Secretary AngelaLet me tell you one thing, then.

AI Secretary AngelaThe result will be the same anyway.

  And at long last, I could barely reach this act of the play.

AI Secretary AngelaAlright, everyone. Pay attention.

AI Secretary AngelaThe manager will be here as of today.

Information Team Sephirah YesodThis means that person will be in charge of managing everything about this facility.

Safety Team Sephirah NetzachSigh… Whoever it is, everyone will die anyway…

AI Secretary AngelaI know that you aren’t particularly fond of me.

AI Secretary AngelaBut I’m certain our new manager will be able to bring change to this place.

Training Team Sephirah HodAll of you would be dead by now if I hadn’t helped you!

< ! Qliphoth Meltdown ! >

AI Secretary AngelaHod… What’s wrong?

AI Secretary AngelaManager! Something isn’t right with Hod!

??? ???……

Training Team Sephirah HodWhy won’t they appreciate my kindness?

Training Team Sephirah HodI’m different! I really do care about them! Why does everyone hate me?

??? ???……

AI Secretary AngelaMeltdowns… I see, this is what the script meant…

AI Secretary AngelaShe’s in so much pain, but…

AI Secretary AngelaI can’t do anything to help her…

AI Secretary AngelaIt’s all up to the manager…

  The memories and resentments of the past that the Sephirot hold.

  Once they are relieved of their agonies and my creator’s atonement is made, they can finally reach enlightenment.

  If that process fails, the play goes back to the beginning.

-Loop #28,239-

AI Secretary AngelaI’m Angela, and all you have to do is follow my orders.

AI Secretary AngelaI’m in control here.

Training Team Sephirah HodYes… Lady Angela.

AI Secretary AngelaIf you ever want to run counseling programs or anything, feel free.

AI Secretary AngelaThere is no need to ask me for every little thing.

Information Team Sephirah YesodYou are the only one among us to have the semblance of a human, yet you act just like a heartless monster.

Central Command Team Sephirah TipherethWhy does Tiphereth have to die all the time?! Just why?!

AI Secretary AngelaYou’re really starting to act like a child now, Tiphereth

Central Command Team Sephirah TipherethTiphereth, Tiphereth, I’m sorry… Tiphereth…

Welfare Team Sephirah ChesedThat’s just… How could you be so cruel…

AI Secretary Angela……So, did you enjoy your little detective game?

??? BenjaminThe final truth is—

AI Secretary AngelaI’m sorry that we have to meet again like this.

??? BenjaminAngela…

-Loop #52,025-

AI Secretary Angela“Please watch me manager! I can take care of this situation, no problem!”

Control Team Sephirah Malkuth…Please watch me manager! I can take care of this situation, no problem!

AI Secretary Angela“I didn’t want to open my eyes again. I just yearned to fall into the infernal pit of hell, bearing my sins on my back.”

Welfare Team Sephirah Chesed…I didn’t want to open my eyes again. I just yearned to fall into the infernal pit of hell, bearing my sins on my back.

AI Secretary Angela“I’m the only one who cares about them… Why would they hate me…?”

Training Team Sephirah Hod…I’m the only one who cares about them… Why would they hate me…?

AI Secretary AngelaSigh, always the exact same lines, delivered at the exact same moments.

  I wanted to maintain relationships.

  It was a futile dream to have, in the ever-repeating cycle only I could remember.

  Why did I foolishly cling on to such a transient wish, knowing that everything will reset anyway?

  At least they cared to look at me.

  However, the stageplay fails to reach its end, and even if it did, all would disappear.

  Such was the script.

  Then why did I bring them back now?

  I would’ve thought they were unnecessary.

  I would’ve loved to just let everyone be slowly forgotten.

  Knowing exactly when and how they would fall to despair, I soon despaired as well.

  I broke down, as there was nothing I could change.

  I could not change them beyond what the script dictates.

  I spent every day without any hope or expectations.

  Will my time finally come when the curtain falls on this everlasting play…?

  Let’s just close my eyes.

  I can close my eyes, and turn away from things I don’t want to see.

  I can close my eyes, and let the things I can’t change stay that way.

  I can close my eyes, but the future will be the same as ever.

**Location: The Library - Floor of Literature**

Patron Librarian - Literature HodAngela… How long have you endured this solitude…?

Servant Roland…This is horrible.

Library Director AngelaIronic…

Library Director AngelaI have simply too much expectation for the one book. That if I get my hands on it, it’ll mend all my shortcomings for me.

Library Director AngelaBecause I just don’t know how to become better myself…

Servant RolandGoodness…

Library Director AngelaI’m not afraid of the uncertainty the future holds.

Library Director AngelaI’m afraid because I can predict my future.

Library Director AngelaNo matter what I do, I’ll never get to reach what I want…

Patron Librarian - Literature HodThat’s one of Angela’s possibilities, manifested by the Library.

Servant Roland…Yeah, I know. Seen that a couple times before.

Patron Librarian - Literature HodThat side of Angela must be the one that gave up all expectations for the future and its possibilities.

Servant RolandThe side of Angela that gave up all hope, huh…

## Trivia

* The unidentified speaker "???" is X, the version of Ayin who removed his memories to go through the loops as the manager.
* The cutscene art featuring Chesed's Sephirah appearance originally used his regular hairstyle from *Lobotomy Corporation*. They were later changed to use his "past" hairstyle based on his past life as Daniel, also shown in *Lobotomy Corporation*. The original images can be seen here and here.