029 – Mid-Level Section Chief Exam #2
“Haa, has the section chief promotion exam come around again already? This would be the third one since the Business Renewal.”
Alecto of the Erinyes sisters eyed the schedule on the round table, her gaze glinting with fiendish glee.
“So, Zagreus. Is it true that the winner of this section chief promotion exam will receive a personal commendation from the CEO?”
“It’s true. I swear it on the love of my beloveds.”
At Zagreus’s words, the executives’ eyes gleamed with their own desires.
This Section Chief Promotion Exam, jointly hosted by headquarters and the subsidiaries, was more than just a test—it was a grand spectacle for the entire Soul Society. Even the busy, eccentric executives made it a point to attend and lend prestige to the event.
“This year’s victory will be mine, Charon’s. The CEO’s commendation as well. It shall be this one, Charon’s.”
At that moment, a man in a black robe spoke in his halting tone. He was Charon, the overall head of the subsidiary Charon Transport, known as the underworld ferryman.
The Erinyes sisters burst out laughing at his confident declaration—pfft.
“Pfft, as expected of the eternal runner-up, Admetus.”
“The perennial section chief who keeps failing at the final hurdle.”
“Megaera, laughter!”
Kakakaka. Alecto’s eyes, curved like a crescent moon, turned toward the executive of death, president of Happy World.
Admetus, the perennial runner-up, and Thanatos shared a deep connection.
“Thanatos, what excuse are you planning to nitpick this time to fail Admetus? You’ve always docked points in evaluations and grading for the pettiest, most personal reasons.”
Thanatos shrugged at Alecto’s question.
“This Section Chief Promotion Exam is special. So the judging must be fair. By the way, Jo Iseo Section Chief from our Penalty Execution Department will be participating. I assume you’ve all heard the name at least once?”
Jo Iseo Section Chief. At that name, the executives stirred with interest.
The section chief candidate whose name had started bubbling up not just in Happy World but even among headquarters executives. In some ways, he outshone even Admetus of Charon Transport as a top contender.
But some executives voiced doubts.
“He’s still just a subsidiary section chief.”
“The winner’s probably from the headquarters team, as usual.”
“Like last time?”
“I hear the prince’s side has some secret weapon this time too…”
In this Soul Society, the gap between headquarters executives and subsidiaries was vast. Even at the same rank, a headquarters section chief outranked a subsidiary one by several levels.
But even so—no room for complacency.
After the executive meeting ended, they returned to their domains and pulled out their callers.
They scurried in the shadows to propel their own employees to victory. Fair evaluation was mere lip service. The executives pulled every trick to crown their champions.
In other words, while it was a section chief promotion exam, it doubled as a test for the executives’ ability to get their subordinates to win.
Watching the heat rise, Thanatos, president of Happy World, glanced at Princess Melinoë’s expression. She hadn’t spoken a word throughout the meeting.
“We should decide which team’s section chief to back. Scattering our firepower might leave us with nothing if both our picks fail. So—”
Fwoosh. His deathly gaze flared blue.
“How about Jo Iseo Section Chief as our champion this time? His achievements are unprecedented in Happy World’s history.”
“That’ll just draw heavier fire. Admetus never wins because as the top contender, he gets the most sabotage.”
Executives’ desires to crown their own burned hot, so they dragged rivals down by any means. Admetus of Transport had endured that often, falling just short of victory time and again.
Jo Iseo might face the same this time. Could he withstand the schemes?
As Thanatos voiced mild concern, Melinoë remained calm.
“If he can’t overcome those plots, he doesn’t deserve section chief. It’s the first step to headquarters. And headquarters is a battlefield of intrigue and schemes.”
If you couldn’t win the exam, you’d never survive HQ. Thanatos agreed. Everyone knew the brutal fight between Princess Melinoë and Prince Zagreus.
Back then, the princess was a nightmare incarnate. No leisure, no smiles. Chilling even to me. But lately, she’s changed a bit.
Why? But now wasn’t the time. Focus on aiding their champion.
“Then, what should we do for Jo Iseo Section Chief? Other executives are moving in the shadows. We can’t just sit idle.”
“It’s fine. Do nothing.”
“Pardon? If he fails like this, it’ll tarnish our reputation.”
Reputation was lifeblood to executives. Yet Melinoë stayed serene.
“Jo Iseo Section Chief will win for sure. All we need to do is think about his prize after victory.”
Of course. The great goddess Melinoë knew exactly what gift Jo craved most.
###
Happy World had an arena built through collaboration between Daedalus and the mega-beasts Hecatoncheires.
Originally designed as a labyrinth to contain terrifying Titans like Cronus, post-Business Renewal, it served not as a penalty site but for events.
What events? The Section Chief Promotion Exam, of course.
Waah—! Cheers and roars from the packed arena.
“This year’s crowd is huge! Last time on broadcast, it wasn’t this packed!”
Crowzer marveled at the throng.
The turnout was insane. Simple reason.
“After the rebel incident, they’re showing residents that Soul Society and Happy World are thriving. Hence the bigger scale.”
This exam was less event, more propaganda that the regime hummed smoothly. Like the ’88 Olympics blooming brighter amid enemy sabotage.
“Probably Prince Zagreus’s scheme, icon of Business Renewal.”
“Hoo! Hidden meaning like that? I didn’t know. Seeing the crowd and deducing that—Jo Section Chief, you’re amazing!”
“Crowzer, you were specially hired as compensation for unfair punishment, but if you can’t grasp even this, you’ll face trouble ahead.”
“Right you are! I’ll remember!”
Ignoring Crowzer’s fuss, I scanned the diverse crowd from across Soul Society.
Then thunderous cheers erupted.
“It’s the executives!”
“Executives are here!”
“Hypnos from Welfare Team!”
“Erinyes sisters too!”
“First time seeing executives in person… So moving, tears…”
Executives entered the elevated VIP seats. Ordinary residents might never glimpse them. Natural, really. Me tangling with Melinoë lately was the anomaly. What business does a subsidiary section chief have with the CEO’s precious daughter?
Anyway! Their arrival ignited the arena.
“Even if I don’t win, chance to shine before executives…”
“I’ll show my one-hit-kill assassination tech, Brain Snap, to all.”
“End of my section chief days. Time to claim my seat.”
Section chiefs burned with tension, eyes afire. Soul Society’s scale meant hordes of them.
Only one wins section chief from this pack. No way I beat these monsters and superhumans.
My goal: survive unscathed. Thorough self-preservation.
“Famous section chiefs everywhere! Jo, I know your skills best, but this exam looks brutal!”
Clack clack. Bones Manager chattered his teeth.
Suddenly struck me: this skeleton had risen past section chief to manager. Not by gambling—real talent. He’d won one of these.
“I bet my 100 years’ salary on your win! Money saved for Elysium apartment with my daughter!”
What? House fund—all on me? Crazy skeleton boss!
Manager spot definitely gambled. Proven.
“Decided! Money for nymph-hair instrument, all on Jo Section Chief! My future, everything!”
Crowzer clenched his fist. My shoulders suddenly weighed tons.
Soon, employees shouted everywhere.
“Everyone from Penalty Execution bets on Jo Section Chief!”
“Jo Section Chief will win for sure!”
“Saved for filial piety to Mom in Happy World, but all on Jo Section Chief! I believe!”
“Hero who saved us from Audit Team! Star of E&S concert success!”
Clink! Clink!
Wait—! Suddenly, heavy coin pouches flew madly from pockets!
Fail to win, my rep bursts—but more, might get crushed!
Tried to flop fast. Now gotta fake full effort.
“Look! Jo Section Chief’s on the board!”
Clack clack clack. Bones Manager rattled excitedly.
72nd: Penalty Execution Dept. Jo Iseo – 12,179 Gold
Crowzer frowned soon after.
“72nd isn’t that high.”
“Foolish talk! First-time exam entry hitting double digits in betting—that’s only Prince Zagreus or HQ’s Theseus Manager so far!”
“R-Really? Had no idea!”
“And whoever ends betting at #1 gets a glorious audience with the CEO, win or lose!”
…What!? Meet the unspeakably terrifying CEO?
For me, awkward with Melinoë, worst nightmare.
72nd for now… safe.
Phew, drink water. Stay calm.
Gulping it down, someone slapped my back—smack.
“Cocky for a rookie! Most first-timers choke from pressure, can’t even sip water. So relaxed. True rival!”
It was Admetus.
2nd: Transport Dept. Admetus – 666,575 Gold
His side profile reflected dazzling numbers on the board. Clear favorite.
He said to me:
“Jo Section Chief, I won’t lose this tournament. I can’t lose.”
No use telling me. Utterly flustered all around.
“Perennial section chief Admetus picks a rival? Means…”
“W-Winner! Everyone he’s picked has won so far!”
“Who’s that guy…!?”
“Jo Section Chief! Penalty Execution’s Jo Iseo!”
Clink! Clink!
69th, 51st—my betting rank skyrocketed!
3rd: Penalty Execution Dept. Jo Iseo – 552,179 Gold
What the Happy World! Just kill me already!