117 – You Can't Fool Your Genes #1
The moment Hecate's betrayal was confirmed, I headed to the Temple of Ghosts to check on Melinoë.
And there, I witnessed an astonishing sight.
Melinoë's ears—the goddess's ears—were pointed like a nymph's.
She was covering both ears with her palms, but my eyes had seen it clear as day!
"Melinoë, your ears..."
"What about my ears?"
Even with both ears blocked by her palms, she heard my voice just fine.
At that moment, two choices seemed to appear before me.
Directly ask about Melinoë's nymph ears
Pretend not to notice
I had no idea why Melinoë's ears had turned pointy like a nymph's, but it was clearly something she desperately wanted to hide—hence the palms over them.
A tender, emotionally attuned guy might pretend not to notice, but I was a man aiming to lose points with Melinoë and get fired.
Directly ask about Melinoë's nymph ears ◀
"Was the transformation potion you needed because of those ears, by any chance? Did something go wrong while absorbing shares, leading to this weird situation?"
"Transformation potion? Joey, I have no idea what you're talking about. A beautiful and perfect goddess like me couldn't possibly have pointy nymph ears."
Smooth—.
I raised my hand.
Melinoë trembled faintly.
"What’s that hand for? If you’re thinking of touching my body, you’d better not. Our relationship is strictly platonic—that was the Chairman's condition."
"True. But do you remember how I pulled off your birthday party so spectacularly not long ago? I got permission from the Chairman then."
"...Permission?"
Melinoë's brow furrowed in unease.
I drove the final wedge home.
"He said holding hands is fine."
I touched the palm covering Melinoë's ear!
That was my ultimate choice for getting fired!
"Oh no, I forgot to feed Kyang Kyang! A perfect goddess like me making such a mistake— so unlike me. Dearie me..."
But before my hand could reach, Melinoë bolted—dashing into her room and slamming the door shut.
Clang—.
The firmly shut door.
For a while, crashing and banging echoed loudly, then after about five minutes, it went quiet.
—So, Joey, what brings you here?
Melinoë asked from behind the door.
I hesitated briefly, then answered honestly.
"We've found the missing Artemis. She's lost most of her powers as the New Moon Goddess, but her life isn't in danger."
—Is that so? What a relief amid the misfortune.
"We'll need more investigation to figure out why Hecate did this. The Safety Management Team will handle the rest, so things should come to light soon enough."
—......
Melinoë fell silent.
Her presence vanished like a ghost.
"Melinoë, are you okay?"
—Of course. In our executives' world, there are no eternal allies or family. You can't climb to CEO by whining about every betrayal and getting sentimental.
"Then take care of yourself, Melinoë. The Tartarus bunch is getting more aggressive—who knows what might happen."
—Joey, you're all I have. Even including family, you're the only one I can trust not to betray me.
Far from it.
My head was filled with thoughts of escaping this underworld.
###
Dawn broke, and an emergency shareholders' meeting was called.
I attended as an investigator, and the executives' reactions were intensely varied.
"Ha, Hecate betrayed us? To think such a massive force joined Tartarus. This is huge damage! Audit Team 2! Safety Management Team! She was under your watch!"
Alecto, head of Audit Team 1, didn't hide her fury.
Zagreus, the Safety Management Team's overall lead and prince, scowled.
"Is this the time for finger-pointing? We should worry about what's coming, not blame. First, about Artemis's condition."
Slide—.
Zagreus pushed forward some documents.
"My cousin was kidnapped by Hecate and lost her new moon powers and hunting domain. All that's left is her virginity domain. She's down to just the 'Virgin Goddess' trait."
"Horrible."
"A goddess with nothing but 'virgin' to her name! This world is broken! Argh!"
Reading the meeting notes, the world really did seem a bit off....
I couldn't voice such irreverent thoughts, so I awkwardly scratched my nose.
Then Zagreus pointed at me.
"This is thanks to Deputy Manager Joey's efforts holding the line. He faced Hecate—who'd already subdued Selene and my wife Nixdoty—and forced her to retreat."
"Ooooh!"
"Even retired, to repel the Witch of Boundaries!"
"Joey! Joey! Joey!"
"I believed in him!"
The executives chanted my name.
Feeling like I'd lose my mind, I shot Zagreus a resentful glare, but he rubbed his nose with his index finger.
His expression screamed, "Debt paid?" with smug pride.
But it was fleeting—Zagreus's face turned serious.
"But the losses are clear. There's a gap in the moon goddesses' duties. So for now, my wife Nixdoty will handle the New Moon Goddess position."
The hall erupted in murmurs.
Zagreus wasn't done.
"And Hecate's Waning Moon Goddess role goes to my sister Melinoë. With her 45% share rate, she can handle it easily."
I glanced at Melinoë's empty seat.
Her share absorption wasn't complete yet.
Once she emerged, she'd be the Waning Moon and Ghost Goddess – Melinoë.
The executives exchanged glances busily.
They realized Zagreus and Princess Melinoë's power struggle was now evenly matched.
'For Melinoë, she's only just at the starting line.'
Hmm—.
Someone let out a sigh like splitting rock.
The Chairman.
"Seems we've covered everything. Meeting adjourned. Everyone out. Zagreus, you stay."
The emergency meeting ended.
When the Chairman says leave, you leave.
I moved to go, but he barked.
"Joey, you stay too. You're my secretary, aren't you?"
Damn! That secretary role was still going!
Now it was just me, Zagreus, and the Chairman in the hall.
The Chairman closed his eyes for a long time.
Like an ancient rock meditating atop a mountain.
"I kept you two because you're the only men I can trust right now. Who knows which executives might be Tartarus sympathizers."
"Father, is this about the Cari클로 Academy?"
Zagreus asked.
"I'd love to say leave it to me—but I want to hand this to Deputy Manager Joey. I'm at my limit just handling family matters."
"Zag, you yielding work? This project's huge—could affect the succession. You sure?"
"Joey owes me personally over my wife. Without him facing Hecate, Luna might've been badly hurt too."
Zagreus was one hell of a family man.
Even with at least three wives, he just seemed like a playboy.
"Joey, what do you think? It's about Cari클로 Academy. Given the folks there, it's a diplomatic minefield—not for just anyone."
"Why ask? Of course I'll do it."
Whatever it was, a sensitive hot potato? Right up my alley!
But the Chairman seemed dissatisfied.
"You're getting shorter with your words."
"Not at all! How could I be rude to the ruler of Soul Society, deeper and higher than the heavens? I just—"
"Enough! Too wordy—makes me not want to listen. Do as you do!"
"Yes, sir."
Whatever it was, I'd landed a massive gig.
As I backed away, Zagreus marveled.
"That happy about work? You're a hardcore workaholic. No wonder Marquius respects you. Even I, Zagreus, acknowledge you."
Whoa, shit—.
With the prince acknowledging me too, no time to hesitate.
Full speed toward failure!
"Ferryman. Take me to Cari클로 Academy."
I boarded the boat gliding regally over the Styx and named the destination.
Following the winding river, we reached an 'island' amid lava.
A building stood there—less 'academy,' more prison.
Towers everywhere.
Sentries watching.
Spotlights sweeping.
"Student escape! Student escape! Guards to Sector B-13 now!"
"Argh! Let go!"
"Hey, what's with the outfit? Boy in a miniskirt? Down!"
"Don't order me."
Academy? More like hellish demon boot camp.
Made sense, though.
In Happy World, packed with monsters and evil spirits, a school for delinquents.
That was Cari클로 Academy.
Perfect.
Mission at a school full of troublemakers? 100% disaster.
"Eommat! Who's this? Joey oppa—no, Deputy Manager Joey now? What brings you here? To see me, Hedone? Right? Total fate!?"
"Ferryman! Take me back to HQ! I can't do this! No way!"
"Hehehe, Deputy Manager, you're hilarious! Where you gonna go!?"
The chick-colored monster Hedone latched onto my arm.
Thanks to her, I missed the boat.
'Argh! Don't gooo! Take meee!'
Swallowing my inner screams, Hedone asked.
"So, Deputy Manager, what's up? That student again? Makes sense—no one controls 'em, so they call in someone like you..."
"That student?"
Suddenly, I realized I'd come without knowing the mission.
On purpose, for maximum screw-up potential.
But for thorough failure, some intel might help.
"Who's the student?"
"Here they come."