131 – Horror Summer Vacation #1
“Grandma Ok-rye’s only family was a cat named Nabi.”
“She had brought home the badly injured stray cat Nabi, nursed it back to health with devoted care, and fed it every day. Nabi was wary of her at first, but eventually let down its guard.”
“Whenever Grandma went scavenging through the trash heaps, Nabi followed her like a loyal bodyguard. Even when she slept, it curled up on her chest.”
“They may have looked different, but they were undeniably family.”
“Then Nabi died. Hit by a car that ignored the alley speed limit. Grandma was devastated. When Nabi awoke in the underworld, her first thought was of Grandma’s worry.”
“That’s why Nabi applied for reincarnation.”
“Participant number 654, Nabi. She gave her all in every event and finally reincarnated—as a tiger butterfly, a name just like hers.”
“Her new life was short, but she flapped her wings freely, flew to Grandma, and gently landed on her chest.”
“—Grandma, I’m doing just fine.”
Grandma Ok-rye woke up in the morning, saw the tiger butterfly perched beside her, and jumped in surprise. But even with the changed form, they were still family.
“Nabi, it’s you!”
“Kuhuhu, so touching! I’m bawling my eyes out!”
Alecto finally burst into tears. As tears poured from her eyes, the entire Audit Team 1, glued to the projector screen, was stunned. And for good reason—this was only the second time Alecto had shed tears that weren’t blood.
Hector nailed it perfectly. “Lady Alecto’s ordinary tears! This is the first time since Orpheus played that heartbreaking song in Soul Society to find his wife Eurydice!”
“So touching and sad! At this rate, I have to drag that driver who killed Nabi into Soul Society and punish them myself.”
I was sad too. But not because of the story—because the Audit Team was slacking off in the office, projecting a huge screen to watch Joey Game.
“Chief Joey! It’s way more fun than I expected!”
“When’s Season 2 coming out?”
This really is hell! Season 2? As if. I swallowed my bitterness and played it cool.
“No idea. I handed over all the rights to Channel 666.”
My massive project had succeeded in the worst way possible. All thanks to that Monster Legion Commander Asterios. If he hadn’t popped out, things wouldn’t have spiraled this badly.
Smack smack.
Alecto slapped my back. “Chief Joey, suggesting we dig into the Entertainment Department was all part of this plan, wasn’t it? You saw through the Monster Legion Commander’s scheme to turn animal souls into monsters and sow chaos!”
“Not at all!”
“Yeah, you had to play dumb! You never know where Tartarus spies are lurking in Soul Society. What a cunning guy!”
Her slender eyes narrowed slyly.
“You even implemented reincarnation for the first time in Soul Society history. Sure, it’s limited to animals and partial, but it’s a seismic shift on par with the Business Renewal.”
I had no energy left to deny it. I tried to stay detached, but then Alecto poked my side.
“Doing all this for Melinoë. If I were her,I’d be sobbing from the overwhelming emotion. You perfect romantic fool!”
“Lady Alecto, Melinoë had nothing to do with me starting this mess.”
I glanced around warily. No good if word got out about our contractual romance.
But Alecto flapped her wings, fanning herself. “No need to be so cautious. Capturing the Monster Legion Commander alive. Introducing reincarnation. And a show with Soul Society’s highest ratings ever. Your achievements are beyond constellation-level already!”
“Beyond that—!?”
Sudden dread hit me. And sure enough, the words came from Alecto’s mouth.
“We might actually see it happen. A mortal-born executive promotion. Unprecedented, but every world-changing event started as unprecedented.”
—Executive!? My vision went dark. Just like my future!
“The executives will discuss your merits soon, so look forward to it. The Night Faction’s backing you hard this time!”
“The Night Faction…!?”
“Yep! If you really make executive, no need to hide your feelings for Melinoë. Right, everyone?”
“Chief Joey, show us the dream!”
“Prove even us mortal-born employees can reach the lofty heights!”
“In this case, it’s not heights—it’s the abyss, right? Lower ranks are stronger in Soul Society.”
“Anyway!”
I could only sigh deeply. Then Alecto whispered softly.
“Official rewards aside. Got any personal reward promised from Melinoë? I hear her confinement order lifts soon…”
Melinoë’s reward. My hair stood on end at the thought. Sitting there moping wouldn’t help. Regret, despair, lamentation—they were luxuries I couldn’t afford. Better to thrash toward the surface, one step at a time.
“We’ve got a company shutdown vacation coming up, right?”
“We do.”
Twice a year, during the peak of summer heat or winter cold. A week off for all employees to boost morale and maintain systems. That’s shutdown vacation.
Melinoë had suggested we go on a summer getaway together during it. A trip alone with her? My legs were already shaking at the possibilities.
“…This time, Melinoë and I are heading to the Oceanus coast.”
“Oceanus? Borders Poseidon’s deep sea, right? I heard the Chairman’s family has a villa there. You got invited!?”
Alecto pressed her cheeks in shock.
“No one enters that villa without royal family status. Spending vacation there with Melinoë is basically family recognition!”
—What the Happy World! It meant that much?
This was even crazier than I thought! But after hearing the Monster Legion Commander’s roar up close, my heart had grown numb—bravery called ‘desensitization’ had taken root.
Crisis is opportunity. Stay calm, think straight, and an escape route always appears.
“So, how about I invite the whole Audit Team to the Oceanus beach?”
“R-Really!? I can come too…!?”
Alecto’s wings quivered. Then she twisted her limbs excitedly, like a middle-school girl who got idol concert tickets from a friend. Where was that initial charisma?
“Chief Joey! Mind if I bring my wife and family? I know it’s shameless, but… enjoying such a chance alone would make me feel guilty toward them!”
Even the unflappable Hector grabbed my arm, eyes gleaming.
My response? “Family and friends all welcome!”
Let’s blow this up big. Permission from Melinoë? Of course not. She’d be pissed. If she rejected my guests? Perfect—everyone’s dashed expectations would turn to resentment toward me.
—Chief Joey, you hyped up inviting us all, but what a letdown!
—Chief Joey’s a liar!
Just imagining it was bliss! See? A clear head sparks genius ideas.
＃＃＃
“I-I figured out life’s answer. Dopamine! The answer is dopamine! Pleasure goddess Hedone! My second name is now Hedopamine!”
At Happy Snack House. Hedone stuffed her mouth with spicy tteokbokki and declared it.
Clash with the Monster Legion Commander. Joey Game’s massive hit. She couldn’t handle the brain-exploding success.
“Headquarters scouted me too. Wants to hire me for the Entertainment Department! Perfect fit to showcase my talents. Even Princess Melinoë better watch out.”
That Entertainment Department—Melinoë’s in charge. I skipped commenting. No interest in their feud.
The point: “So, Hedone, shutdown vacation at Oceanus beach for some vacay. Wanna come?”
“Oceanus beach? Top 3 must-visit resort for gods in eternal life! Of course! Chief Joey’s the best!”
Smack smack smack smack.
Hedone pounded my back. Felt like my guts were churning.
“Even briefly, you went toe-to-toe with the Monster Legion Commander. What do you think happens when you hit my back?”
“Hehehe, Chief Joey could crush that guy with one hand! But sudden beach invite? Ah, you wanna see my swimsuit, huh? Pervert Chief Joey!”
“Then don’t come.”
“Why not!”
I turned from chattering Hedone to Crowzer, scribbling furiously in his notebook. Curiosity piqued—what was it? Drawings.
“Crowzer, what’re you doing?”
“Oh, this? Heard Dongbang Underworld Company started an idol business. ‘Lion Guys’—reapers singing to lure customers into buying products.”
Reapers as idols? While I’m down here, the world’s gone wild.
As I rubbed my furrowed brow, Crowzer showed me his notebook.
“So I thought, ‘Crowzer Boys.’ Gather talents like me, form a band! Steal fans from that wicked Eurydol and her siren crew!”
Shouldn’t have asked. Anyway, I invited everyone I knew to the beach.
And so—
The day Melinoë’s confinement ended. She emerged from the shrine with Hell Puppy, narrowing her eyes.
“Joey, you know today’s the last day of my confinement—and our first day to Oceanus beach, right?”
“Yes.”
“Then… what’s with all these people?”
Melinoë took the bait! Now just reel her in!
“I didn’t handle this alone, right? So I invited everyone who helped me. If it’s inconvenient for you, Lady Melinoë, I’ll send them all away.”
“I see. Joey, taking care of your circle is my duty as your goddess. For this many, we should charter a bus.”
What…!?
Melinoë didn’t bite—she accepted my guests. Major miscalculation.
But—fine! The long vacation’s just starting. Implement my perfect ‘Horror Summer Vacation Plan,’ and ruining it while disappointing everyone will be a breeze.