Episode 130 – Achieving 120% Ratings! #3
My mind was a whirlwind of chaos and shock. The skyrocketing ratings were one thing, but this bipedal great beast who'd revealed itself as the Beast Legion Commander kept calling my name.
"Manager Jo! Where are you? Show yourself at once!"
Asterios (Ἀστέριος). From what I knew, the name meant "one like a star." And it referred to the most infamous mythical beast in Greek mythology—the "Bull of Minos." You know, the Minotaur, that half-man, half-bull monster from countless games and media.
"Manager Jo! I know you're here!"
BOOM! The great beast swung its arm, slamming down a massive axe-spear. The carefully constructed arena tore apart like Styrofoam and shattered like hardened mud.
The beast's power was a shooting malevolent star. If you saw a meteor crashing into Earth up close, it'd look just like that!
'So that's why it's named "one like a star"!'
A monster like that scanning for me with eyes blazing red? No wonder my legs were shaking.
"If you want to see Manager Jo, you'll have to get past me first!"
Hedone appeared before the massive beast.
"You think a wench like you can stop me?"
"We'll see about that!"
The bull-shaped man Asterios and the chick-shaped bull Hedone charged at each other.
THUD! THUD! THUD!BOOM!
Beings with raw strength that could pulverize the ground just by walking grappled hand-to-hand.
CRRRACK! SPLIT!
The arena cracked open in seconds.
"For a fledgling goddess to stand against me, who has absorbed Typhon’s power—you've got some guts."
"Grraaah! You're no slouch yourself, you big lug!"
Was this beast on par with Hedone impressive, or was Hedone matching a beast like this impressive? Either way, I couldn't just stand there gawking. Amid the crumbling arena, I spotted panicked animals scattering in confusion.
"Crowzer! We need to evacuate the animals!"
"Aye, got it! You know the Pied Piper? The guy who played his flute and led the rats away? Turns out he and I were thick as thieves! Leading animals? Piece of cake for me!"
Crowzer pulled out a recorder from somewhere and started piping away—peep-peep-peep!
The frantic animals in the chaos suddenly followed him, fleeing the collapsing arena.
That clown's reliable when it counts!
Now I could escape too. But then I spotted an animal flapping under a boulder—golden fur all fluffed up. The Hell Puppy.
—Kyang...!Waow-woof-woof!
The Hell Puppy, who'd been helping run the event, seemed pinned under collapsing debris and couldn't budge. Talk about bad luck.
The area around it was still crumbling from the bull showdown—BOOM! BOOM! If it stayed, bigger rubble would crush it any second.
'Problem is, if I go help, I'll get caught in it too and die.'
Souls in Soul Society don't die permanently. They recover from major injuries and respawn near the River Styx. Sure, repeated deaths accelerated ghostification, but a single death? Probably no big deal.
So I could just run. But I'm a living human—one death, and I'm done. Dying here might mean permanent employment in the underworld.
So I turned to go. My life always comes first, anywhere, anytime.
"Damn it!"
But my feet wouldn't move. I remembered the Hell Puppy scarfing down the cereal I'd rolled up for it. Melinoë liked the little guy too.
'...This is why you don't get attached!'
It was like someone was holding my ankles. No choice then.
"Hell Puppy! Run!"
I heaved the rubble with all my might. It was insanely heavy—my limbs shook—but I gritted my teeth and held.
"Hurry! I can't hold it long!"
A gap opened bit by bit. The Hell Puppy, half-buried under the slab by its tail and legs, wriggled free and bolted—padadadap!
Good thing it wasn't hurt bad—it seemed fine. My problem now? The star-like bull's eyes locked on me.
"Manager Jo, there you are. Sneaking animals out to sabotage the Beast Legion's founding? You're our enemy, alright. The others said not to kill you—but."
RUMBLE...
A massive palm reached for me.
"I don't care about prophecies from fate or the Moirai. I'll just kill you over and over till you're a ghost. Taste Asterios's wrath!"
RUMBLE...
That palm was like a building ceiling. Grabbed by it, I'd end up like a hell cockroach under a truck.
"Ugh... M-M-Manager Jo..."
Hedone was sprawled far off—no help there.
What could I do? Nothing! Everyone praised me as amazing, a manager, but I'm just an ordinary human at heart.
See? Couldn't escape Soul Society, and now this. Dying to the famous Labyrinth monster Minotaur—honorable, maybe?
Terror and injustice froze me stiff. But the beast's hand halted mid-air.
"...Why aren't you fighting back? Do you not even see me as an enemy, you arrogant fool?!"
...I'm just scared, that's all.
Couldn't even explain—how unfair. Then, something unthinkable happened.
—Waow-woof!
The Hell Puppy I'd thought had fled came back. It barked something, and the animals that had followed Crowzer returned to the arena—swarming Asterios like a bee swarm, a living wave.
"Graaah! Why?! Why side with humans who ignored you and used you for entertainment?! I'm a half-beast! I know rejected animals' pain better than anyone!"
The small animals' claws and teeth couldn't scratch Asterios's steel-like muscles. But him being shocked they chose me over him? That hit hard.
Why me? No idea. But their choice created an opening—and red lightning flashed from the sky.
CRASH!
Thought a bolt struck right in front. When I came to, amid flying dust, Prince Zagreus—cloaked in red lightning—pinned the Beast Legion Commander's neck under his foot.
"The god of Happy World descends."
"Graaah! You coward Zagreus! Sneak attack?!"
"Don't let your guard down, Zagreus! It's absorbed Typhon fragments—stronger now! Its battle power rivals a divine authority!"
Nemesis from the Safety Management Team and Hippolyte from Welfare rode in on sheep-like mounts.
"I'll administer a sedative first. Capturing a Tartarus legion commander? This'll be a huge achievement."
Fwoooo...
Hippolyte, god of sleep, exhaled purple mist that enveloped the bull. It struggled fiercely, then slowly closed its eyes.
"Manager Jo, you sure stirred up a storm."
In the cleaned-up aftermath, Prince Zagreus chided me.
"All responsibility for this lies with me. The others just followed my orders—please show mercy."
I bowed like I'd been waiting. But Zagreus tsked.
"Who'd have thought you'd steal my seal from my office. If word gets out, my position as Safety Management Team overseer looks ridiculous. My standing shakes too."
"That's..."
"Who'd trust a guy who can't protect his own seal to protect Soul Society? Jo, you're cunning and bold. Let me ask again—wanna work under me?"
Under the prince? Hell no! He's CEO-bound—joining him means permanent gig. Better be a hell cockroach on Earth.
I grimaced; he shrugged.
"We'll say we collaborated. I'll take half the credit—unfair, but don't feel too bad."
"No injustice here. Take all my credit."
"Hmph, empty words. Now you owe me. Not a chance everyone gets."
Him taking half the blame? Lucky break. Capturing a Tartarus commander solo? Too big—might make me a real executive. Dodged that bullet.
But was that fine? Ending with "Manager Jo saves the day!"? No—this time had to be different.
I asked the prince, who was wrapping up.
"But shouldn't I take full blame for the 'Animal Reincarnation Game Show'? Letting it slide will cause backlash."
"Fair point. But your project's final ratings hit over 120%. Boosted by the commander, sure, but good buzz overall."
"120%?!"
Ratings over 100%? No clue how they calculate.
Dizzy, Zagreus added,
"True, Soul Society neglects animal welfare and policy. But resources are tight—we can't spare for them."
Neglected animals turn beasts, ally with Tartarus—big issue. So the prince decided.
"Soul Society's 'Reincarnation System'—feels viable for animals. Melinoë had the answer. You proved it, right?"
"Pardon? No, I..."
"For the Entertainment Department. That's why you did this."
"Entertainment Department?"
Didn't expect that. He whispered,
"Long-defunct department. Access restricted to executives with 30%+ shares. That's all I can say."
"Ah..."
"Anyway, Manager Jo—gotta go, busy times ahead. Expect rewards."
This hellish— Later, I heard the animal frolic show got official approval: Joey Game.
Ratings hovered at 5%—not huge, but loyal fans loved the cute animals. Playful animals joined shows, multiple benefits. Tiny channel 666 skyrocketed to major "Joey Broadcasting" on Joey Game's back.
Horrifying tale. More horrifying—
"Happy World’s Devil".
"Honorary Nymph".
"Guardian of Married Women".
"Spider’s Friend".
And now "Animals' Companion".
Just weird titles piling up. But—
—Melinoë and summer vacation—?!