episode_0038

038 – There’s a Reason for Every Secret!

In my opinion, Nymph Melinoye was a very special being. She suddenly appeared, intruded upon everyone’s daily lives, then suddenly vanished and was forgotten. Wouldn’t the CEO know what on earth happened?

*Swoosh-*.

The CEO closed their eyes. As the divine light that had brightly illuminated the surroundings disappeared, only the surging river of flames nearby felt exceptionally bright.

Just as I was feeling a slight unease, the beard-covered mouth opened and delivered a solemn answer. “I do not know who the Nymph Melinoye you speak of is. I have never even heard of such a Nymph existing. This is not a lie.”

What? How could that be? Even the CEO doesn’t know.

“Deputy Manager Joy, for you, who are as cunning and wise as a snake, I believe this is also an answer to some extent. However, the direction of your question is wrong. If it were me, I would have asked this:”

*Flare-*.

The CEO opened their eyes, and the divine light flared up again. “─Why is it that only you know a Nymph named Melinoye? Deputy Manager Joy, you would do well to be more curious about that than who Melinoye is. For the sake of your life and safety.”

For my life and safety. The Chairman-nim’s voice, as he spoke, was full of dignity.

On the one hand, I even felt a genuine concern for me. “To be forgotten and vanish in this Soul Society means there is a necessity and a reason for it. In the fates woven by the Moirai, there are never coincidences or mistakes.”

It was as if he was saying there was a reason why Melinoye had to be forgotten by everyone. Then what on earth is the reason why only I remember such a Melinoye?

“Of course, I am one who has reigned for a long time in the deepest and lowest place. So I know men like you well. Even if told it’s dangerous, you wouldn’t stop and would dive in headfirst.”

That’s a complete misunderstanding of me. I want to be the first to run away before anything dangerous happens. Of course, I couldn’t say that, so I just swallowed the thought.

In the end, I couldn’t figure out exactly what Melinoye was. However, just as the Chairman-nim said, ‘even the Chairman-nim doesn’t know’ was a big answer for me. A secret that even the CEO of this great Soul Society cannot know. Such things should not be carelessly dug into. Let’s just live without knowing. If you dig too deep, you’ll end up falling so deep that you can never climb back out.

# # #

When I opened the door in the morning, a platinum-colored, glittering armored beetle was lying on its back in front of my house, wriggling. For some reason, it was a somewhat familiar sight.

“Aren’t you that Deputy Manager-level roach from back then?”

─*Zzzzzzzt!!!*

Look at that temper. Why does a guy like this keep wandering near my house? But it slowly retreated as I approached.

─*Zz, Zzzt…*

“Are you afraid of me?”

I was dumbfounded. To think the effect of kimchi made with cactus for winter preparation was real. This means if I just eat this well every day, even the appearance of ‘Deputy Manager-level’ beings won’t be a problem.

“Hmphahaha!”

I laughed confidently and went to work. As I stepped forward, the hell roaches lurking in the Happy World company building scurried away – *shashashak* – and the sight was extremely refreshing.

─*Joji…!?* ─*Zzt…!*

“D-Deputy Manager Joy appeared, and the roaches are running away!” “That’s the aura of a Deputy Manager! Most people can’t even stand it!” “D-Deputy Manager Joy is so cool…” “Hedone collapsed from the Deputy Manager’s aura! Other new employees, evacuate quickly!”

Everyone’s making too much fuss. They probably think that the audit team’s personnel from headquarters was reduced by half thanks to me, so they’re playing along with my mood.

Soon, Department Head Bones approached and patted me on the back – *pat-pat*. “Deputy Manager Joy, that’s an aura strong enough to make even me, a Department Head, tingle. Truly befitting a victorious general who rendered the headquarters’ audit team incapacitated through a special field mission!”

“Wow, it even sent shivers down my spine. Truly the man who knocked down Magnus and Marki! I, Markius, acknowledge you!”

What is everyone talking about? I’ve been working at this Happy World for over two years now, but I still can’t adapt to it. However, I was in a good mood, so I decided to let it pass. A clean office without hell roaches. How good is that? If every day were like today, I’d feel like working.

‘…No, wait.’

I reconsidered my thoughts. What good would it do to like this office now? I hate it here. I need to return to the surface quickly. Of course, the way back to the surface was still distant.

*Flap-*.

I took out the letter I had written to send to my mother. If I couldn’t go, I would ask Admetus to send at least a letter to the surface.

“Mom, this place is hell. Hell roaches bigger than my palm are swarming. Sulfur rain falls from the ceiling. I am suffering in this place full of skeletons and ghosts.”

If I sent it like this, Mom would be horrified.

*Shwaaaah-*.

“Gah! A sulfur rain shower is falling!” “Heee! Swarms of hellish creatures are running wild! This Krauser has never seen such a terrifying sight before!” “Don’t just be scared, quickly close the window!”

The weather is strange. A world where even the creatures are strange. Even if I wanted to like it, I couldn’t.

*Crumple-. Flare-*.

I crumpled the letter I had written and burned it in a candlelight. It was already 9 o’clock.

“Well then, let’s stop fussing and start today’s work. Although the audit personnel have been cut in half, it doesn’t mean there won’t be an audit at all, so we can’t let our guard down.”

It was really good that the audit hadn’t disappeared completely. Because I might be able to reveal my incompetent state during this upcoming audit and lower my evaluation.

# # #

“A-Are you saying all these documents have to be moved to the supplies storage? This Krauser is too overwhelmed to do it alone! It wouldn’t even be done if I stayed up all night!”

Krauser’s mouth dropped open at the sight of the mountain of piled documents. What I’ve noticed lately is that Krauser, despite being a new employee, often backs out by saying he can’t do things or that they’re too difficult.

“Why on earth do we have to hide documents right before an audit?”

He has so many questions. To conclude, he’s utterly useless.

That’s why I liked it. I need to keep a guy like this next to me so my evaluation goes down with his.

“There’s a saying in this Soul Society: There’s a reason for things to be forgotten and to vanish. Naturally, there’s a reason for hiding sensitive documents before this audit.”

You know, there are documents that would just complicate things if discovered. For example, things like ‘Orpheus’ Punishment Execution Protocol’ which was carried out improperly.

It suddenly came to mind. “Speaking of which, Mr. Krauser. I heard from a higher-up that a certain prisoner’s ‘memory loss’ punishment was something the prisoner themselves requested─.”

“Hmph!”

*Flinch-*!

Krauser trembled greatly. At that moment, I felt like someone shining a flashlight and shouting, “Gotcha!”

“Why on earth do you think they did such a thing?” “…Well, I don’t know who it was. But there’s a saying in the Soul Society that there’s a proper reason for things to be forgotten and to vanish. So, perhaps they surely had many memories they wanted to forget…”

This Krauser fellow. It made me angry to think that I went through all sorts of troubles because of this man and ultimately rose to the position of Deputy Manager.

“Ahem! More importantly, we need to move quickly! There’s no time to waste! To move all these documents! Oh, I’m busy! So busy!”

*Hup-two, hup-two-*.

Krauser began diligently carrying documents. Watching that sight, Department Head Bones was impressed and shed tears from his skeletal face.

“To guide that utterly useless new employee Krauser to work so diligently. Deputy Manager Joy, the skill you used to manipulate Sisyphus and Kronos was certainly no coincidence!”

“D-Deputy Manager Joy is so amazing…” “Hedone collapsed again!”

Full-time employee Hedone was a junior staff member with yellow hair like a chick and a small build. Perhaps she’s frail, as she’s been collapsing frequently lately, which is a problem.

“I’ll take her to the medical team.”

Perfect. I’ll use taking Hedone to the medical team as an excuse to hide somewhere out of sight and slack off.

*Slip-*.

It was when I reached out my hand towards Hedone, who was lying on the floor. *Shushushushook-*.

I heard something pass through, and then Melinoye-nim appeared, frowning deeply. It was the first time I had seen Melinoye-nim make such an angry expression, so I was startled and couldn’t help but drop Hedone, whom I had picked up.

“No! Melinoye-nim! This is─.”

*Thud-*.

“Eek! Ow, ow, ow…” “I-Is an executive enraged!?” “Whoever it is, someone’s getting fired today!” “F-Fired, scarier than death!”

The office atmosphere instantly became restless. Soon, Melinoye-nim clicked her tongue – *tck* – and put on a calm expression. And then she spoke in a very cold voice.

“Punctual arrival and punctual departure. That was the basic promise I set, but unfortunately, today I must break my own words. Everyone is working overtime today.”

Overtime. At those two words, an uproar instantly erupted from all directions.

Why suddenly? Could it be because I picked up Hedone…!?

*Rustle-*.

Soon, Melinoye-nim took something out. It was a jet-black feather, looking like a crow’s wing feather. Department Head Bones, seeing it, was so startled that his mouth dropped open, and his jawbone fell to the floor because of it.

“Uhhuhh uhhuhh uhhuhh!”

His jawbone fell off, so I can’t understand a single thing he’s saying! When I quickly picked up his jawbone for him, Department Head Bones reattached his jaw properly and spoke again.

“Uhhuhh uhhuhh uhhuhh!”

No, what is he really saying? It’s the first time I’ve seen Department Head Bones so flustered. What on earth is that crow feather?

Soon, Department Head Bones finally shouted properly. “Th-That’s Nyx-nim’s feather! Princess! Why on earth do you have that─!?”

Nyx, if it’s her…. Isn’t she the fearsome Goddess of Terror whom even the CEO and Zeus, the King of Gods, are reluctant to face? On par with Gaia, the Mother Goddess of Earth, the mother of all positive things. Nyx, the mother of all negative things from primordial night – a feather from *that* Goddess-nim!

For example, Thanatos, the president of Happy World, Charon of Charon Transport, and other experienced and high-ranking gods were mostly Nyx-nim’s children.

*Shiver-*.

I too got goosebumps from instinctive fear. Department Head Bones had every right to fuss! No, the fact that he didn’t faint and only dropped his jawbone is commendable for his ambition.

“Ny-Ny-Ny-Nyxuuuuuugh….” “He-Hedone fainted again!” “Fainting employees are appearing one after another!”

Employees collapsing left and right. Seeing that, Melinoye-nim clicked her tongue – *tck*.

“Everyone knows that the scale of this massive audit team was reduced thanks to Deputy Manager Joy’s special field mission. It’s the result of wisely dealing with our mother. But the audit team insisted stubbornly.”

*Display-*.

Princess Melinoye showed Nyx’s feather to everyone. “While the predetermined number of audit personnel will remain at half, Nyx-nim’s direct subordinate employees will storm in. Some executives will be included too. Most executives are Nyx-nim’s children, after all.”

So, what she means is. They’re going to reduce the number of auditors but send only a super elite few, aren’t they? This is─.

“It’s nothing less than a declaration of war from the headquarters’ audit team against our Happy World. This feather sent to the president’s office today is the notice. War will begin.”

War. Those words were not mere bluster.

“O-Our president, then…?” Department Head Bones asked, reattaching his jawbone. Then Melinoye-nim shook her head.

“Thanatos doesn’t seem to have any intention of defying his mother Nyx’s authority. If things remain as they are, our Happy World will be dissolved, many teams will be disbanded, and employees will be fired.”

What? Fired?

“So Joy, on the day of the audit, take annual leave and rest. This is a Vice President’s order. This declaration of war is a retaliatory event meant to show you what for, as you’ve thwarted the headquarters’ audit team several times.”

Retaliation? Honestly, I understand. If I had my work obstructed several times by an employee like me, I’d be angry too. Imagine if I kept getting interfered with right when I was on the verge of the dismissal I’d always dreamed of. I’d truly be confident in resenting and cursing them.

“Princess! It would be best to hide Deputy Manager Joy completely! Markius! You would know a place to hide without being discovered by the audit team employees, right?”

“Time is tight, but well, it’s not impossible.”

But!

*Gogogogogogogogo-*.

My blood began to boil. Right now, I’m like a human thermal power plant!

“I won’t take any annual leave. I won’t hide either! Tell the audit team, or whatever, to come at me head-on!”

“W-What are you saying, Joy! Are you thinking of hitting a rock with an egg now!” “I too will fight alongside all of you! Although we are a subsidiary, let’s show them that we have the strength not to be defeated by the headquarters’ audit team!”

“Whoa-oh-oh!” “Deputy Manager Joy is so cool!” “He-Hedone died!”