Hohenheim (before battle)

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... Right, are we waitin' for something to happen? Or are we all suddenly unfamiliar with the concept of introducing ourselves?!

Given that no one appears to be willing to introduce me, allow me the liberty of self-introduction.

My name is Hohenheim, the chief researcher of this company.

To be precise, he is the chief researcher of the LCE Department.

To be more precise, I am the chief researcher responsible for the entirety of Limbus Company.

To be even more precise, the only reason he retains that role is because Yi Sang and I have been excluded from the research personnel files due to our statuses as Sinners.

Someone must stay behind to continue the research, after all.

Aha, so you two are friends?

While it seems entirely unnecessary to establish a label on this relationship, it could be said that we are acquaintances who routinely and unwillingly maintain a regular level of communication with one another.

Ah, I am in agreement. For the first time since we were acquainted.

I hear that our department has reached out several times to yours to remind you of this regular check-up?

The nature of the LCB department necessitates that we are constantly on the move from one Nest to another, which makes it rather difficult for us to give you an immediate reply. I would have expected someone like you to already be well aware of this obvious detail.

Yes, I was very well aware. I am also quite aware of the fact that your department has been giving us that same reply over and over again like an answering machine.

<Uh…>

And this must be Dante, the Executive Manager of the Limbus Company Sinners.

<I'd like to say "Hi, nice to meet you"... but I don't suppose he can hear what I'm saying.>

The manager extends their greetings.

Charmed. It is grueling and arduous work to be in a position of leadership. Especially when communication issues come into play.

Sometimes, I cannot help but wonder if my researchers and I are even speaking the same language, so I do commiserate.

Hm… how… odd. Their clothes are…

Ah, yes. Allow me to introduce you all to Marton and Alyssa, two of the few researchers directly in my command.

Are they wearing gear extracted from Abnormalities? But how…?

Happy to have someone who recognizes them.

Are they like… gears scavenged from the former L Corp.?

While there are partial similarities to their gears, enough differences are present to distinguish them.

Indeed. We attempted our own brand of extractions. Successfully, I might add.

While the news of the production of E.G.O Gear in Limbus Company's style was already received, this is the very first time they are observed in person.

So… you must have Abnormalities contained in this facility.

<So that's why I've been sensing Abnormalities in here, huh…>

<But… I'm sensing Distortions and Peccatula too.>

Indeed, as they are containment and research subjects for LCE Department as well.

Hmmm…

Faust closely observed the E.G.O gear Hohenheim was wearing like an exceptionally harsh judge in a fashion contest.

Hm…

Apart from a few imperfections in the finish, the level of E.G.O extraction visible here is quite acceptable.

Input appreciated.

This is a product of thousands of repeated experiments and subsequent failures that have been meticulously conducted and studied in order to extract it with an acceptable level of stability.

But at the end of the day, I did it. Like I always do.

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You did it? Are you sure you want to take all the credit when your team is standing right behind you?

We're used to it…

Oh, piss off… I'm going mad surrounded by these self-absorbed twats.

I'm just about ready to get violent on some poor bastard. Let's get on with the check-up so we can get back to the bus, yeah?

I feel the very same urgency you express.

There is much we must cover, regrettably, given that this is the first-ever regular check-up performed as a group since your employment.

Faust also does not wish to pass more time without substance. Let us begin.

Very well. Our first task shall be to assess your abilities in response to emergency situations.

Wait, he just pressed something -

<Emergency situations...?>

The walls of the laboratory suddenly started separating and sliding into place; when it settled, I realized that it had locked the Sinners away in some kind of hold, isolating them from me, Vergilius, and Charon.

What the hell, this is just an ambush!

Yes, it is. The purpose of this test is to measure your behaviors and response in case of a surprise attack, so ambush it is.

<Was this discussed beforehand, Vergilius?!>

You look anxious, Dante. Well, I suppose you weren't let in on this either. I wasn't, for your information.

Just go with their flow, Dante. "So it goes" would be an apt response.

I'll find a room somewhere where Charon and I might sit down and enjoy some nice tea. Come find me with Faust once this is over.

<…….>

Charon wants cake, too.

Oh, hey. We've got some leftover cake from our last office party. Come this way, please.

An employee appeared and led Vergilius and Charon away into a nearby office room.

<... Okay, so this is the regular check-up, huh? Let's get this done.>