046 – Nymph Flu Coronoi! #1
Beautiful earth. Goddess Persephone visited the lakeside, breathing in the refreshing air.
“It really is a magnificent tree, just like Deputy Jo said.”
“H-H-Hey, ma’am, what brings you here…”
“…Honey!?”
The two men startled, hurriedly stashing their fishing rods. Soon, Goddess Persephone smiled benevolently.
“No need to hide it. I already know everything.”
“You already know!?”
Their already chiseled faces darkened even further with heavy shadows. As various emotions flickered in their eyes shrouded in gloom.
Hehehe—Goddess Persephone chuckled.
“Honey, I know you’ve been working so hard here to restore those women turned into trees back to normal. You were planning to make a transformation potion with the fish you caught from the lake, right?”
“…A transformation potion?”
“I’m the expert on plants, remember? You should’ve just asked me from the start. I could turn trees back into people without any potion.”
Goddess Persephone placed her hands on the laurel trees. With a soft huff as she channeled her power, cracks split through the trees—creeeak, creeeak—revealing human forms.
His wife Bonnie and daughter Libby. Bones gasped in shock at the sight. Of course, Bonnie and Libby were just as stunned.
“Where are we?”
“Soldiers…”
Suddenly turned into trees and now back to human—the women couldn’t comprehend the abrupt change. And the sight of the terrifying skeleton grinning at them with gleaming eyes terrified them even more.
“Get lost, you skeleton freak!”
Whoosh, whoosh—Bonnie snatched a nearby fishing rod and swung it wildly. But her hand froze mid-swing.
“No way… is that you, Bones?”
Though he was nothing but bones, she recognized him. He looked just like back in the days when he was skin and bones from not even getting a single proper potato.
“Bonnie! Libby!”
“Bones!”
“That voice—Daddy!”
After so much time. After so many transformations. The family was finally reunited.
Watching them embrace, Persephone shed a few tears. She gripped her husband’s hand tightly.
“I had no idea you were putting your heart into helping others like this. But you didn’t have to keep it a secret from me too. If it weren’t for Deputy Jo, I never would’ve known.”
That damn Jo! Hades Chairman seethed with rage at the mortal who’d spilled his secret.
Right then—
“Looks like it was my mom who turned them into trees. So, I might need to head up to the surface for a few days to see her. I can pick up some herbs good for colds while I’m at it.”
“…To the surface!?”
“I know. You hate even a moment apart from me. So I’ll make it quick. As fast as possible.”
“…Haste makes waste! I’m worried you’ll get hurt rushing things. Take all the time you need. Our hearts are connected, after all.”
“Don’t say things you don’t mean! I’ll be right back. Oh, and that cactus kimchi I made for you…”
“……”
“Deputy Jo took it all.”
“…I see. What a shame.”
The man’s anger toward the mortal evaporated. The kimchi was gone, and his wife was heading back to her family home—perfect.
What an odd guy.
So, where was he now, and what was he up to?
“Melinoë’s place should be around here somewhere.”
Apartment complex teeming with executives. A man wandered through it.
# # #
My first day off since being transferred to headquarters. After carefully watering the cactus, I headed straight out.
Thus arriving at the Elysium apartment complex. Not as sleek as the brand-new luxury developments, but strolling between buildings that looked like elegant temples felt like stepping into heaven.
“Hey, isn’t that Deputy Jo?”
“The audit team guy who got his own boss fired not long ago?”
“What a heartless bastard.”
Quite a few people recognized me. Word must’ve spread like wildfire about how I’d stabbed Bones Manager in the back and gotten him canned.
“Eek! He made eye contact!”
“Run!”
“Don’t give him any openings, or we’ll get audited!”
They treated me like a goblin risen from hell. Not entirely wrong, though.
A former Happy World vice manager now auditing for headquarters? What’s the difference from the imps under Yama in folklore?
My stomach churned. Anyway.
After wandering a while, I spotted a peculiar temple-like building. Smaller than the others, and swarming with ghosts.
—Hooo, hooo…!
—Hooo…!
Swish, swish—
A temple where fluffy white round ghosts swept with brooms. Some wore “Hell Clover” like hairpins.
“Oh? Isn’t that Alcestis?”
—Hooo…?
Alcestis. Wife of perennial deputy Admetus. After much drama, she lived half her day as a ghost, half as human.
The “Hell Clovers” she’d gathered? I’d swapped them all for “Hell Cacti,” decorating the house until I pickled them into kimchi and devoured every last bit. Thanks to that, no hell cockroaches had dared come near lately.
—Hooo, hooo…!
Ghost Alcestis floated over, swaying side to side. So cute!
Not in a “lusting after another man’s wife” way, mind you—just like spotting an adorable mascot character. I wasn’t into chasing married women.
Unlike that shameless Professor Zeus!
—Hooo, hoo-hoo…!
“Got it. You’ve been cleaning this temple every day to earn money. Good for you. So, this is Melinoë’s place, right?”
—Hooo…!
Nailed it. As the goddess of ghosts, Melinoë’s temple naturally had tons of ghost staff.
With Alcestis’s guidance, I entered the temple. Red carpet inside made it feel like a luxury hotel.
We reached a door.
—Hooo, hooo…!
According to Alcestis, this was Melinoë’s home. Honestly, I never imagined I’d visit the lair of ghosts and nightmares myself.
I had a personal interest in goddess colds. Maybe I’d uncover some unknown facts about her mysterious nymph side, “Melinoi.”
Who knows? It might lead to my firing and a ticket back topside.
—Hooo, hooo…!
Guessing I was hesitating, Alcestis knocked for me.
Soon, tap-tap footsteps from inside. Clunk—
The heavy door opened, revealing Goddess Melinoë in glasses and pajamas patterned with fluffy ghosts.
“Alc, I told you I’m not eating death…”
I’d only seen her in crisp suits or goddess togas, so this casual look shocked me. Glasses at home, huh. Hair tied back—refreshingly different.
“……”
Wrinkle—Her gaze soured upon seeing me. Clunk—Door slammed shut.
A lowly employee barging in on her sweet holiday when she felt under the weather? No wonder Melinoë was annoyed. Probably tanked my score big time.
“Jo, what brings you to my temple?”
Her voice from behind the door. I answered simply.
“Heard you weren’t feeling well.”
“Jo, your intel is downright impressive. But it’s just a rumor.”
“Just a rumor?”
“I’ve been flawless since birth, a perfect goddess. Mortals like me don’t get sick. Cough… ahem, nope… But… I’m busy today, so come back another time…”
I learned she lounged casually at home and left. Casual still looked photoshoot-level stunning, of course. Small win.
“Nymph flu, you say?”
Crowzer, whom I’d met to kill time, was already gnawing several legs from our “Hell Pheasant” appetizer.
Note: Not pheasant—“kong.” Fried, it tastes like chicken.
“Probably Nymph Flu Coronoi. It swept through the nymphs hard once, killing tons. Left untreated, it can be fatal.”
Nymph Flu Coronoi. Mythic-level disease, first I’d heard of it.
“Eurydol caught Coronoi bad when she was a little nymph. She’d know remedies for colds… Mind if I snag another leg?”
We’d ordered two fried pheasants, and he’d eaten four legs already. Legendary appetite—not for amateurs. Respect.
“Oh my, Vice Manager Jo! Or should I say Deputy Jo from headquarters audit now?”
The entertainment agency rep dropped in unannounced. Arachne, producer of idol group “E&S,” kept her smile despite my surprise visit. True business pro.
“Vice to deputy—feels like a demotion, but headquarters deputy is huge! Congrats on the promotion!”
Ugh. Never knew congrats could hurt this bad. Sharper than thorns.
“So, what brings you today? Smells like success, results, and money. Not my imagination, right? Heh heh heh…”
Sniff sniff—Arachne sniffed around me. I gently pushed her forehead away with my palm.
“Your imagination’s spot on. Actually, I just want to chat with E&S’s nymphs about nymph flu.”
“Nymph flu… You’re unbeatable, Jo. Where do you sniff these out?”
Why always this? Whatever—recent experience said dodge these patterns.
Time to bail—
Someone entered the office.
“Arachne, so, what about my proposal?”
A man in red panties and cape. Golden laurel crown on his head looked familiar.
“Prince Zagreus?”
“You’re Deputy Jo.”
Soul Society’s top power player. Bumping into him here, of all places.
Fwoosh—Zagreus’s red eyes narrowed into blazing slits.
“Deputy Jo, you landed a hit on me finding that transparent helm “Quine” recently? Thought you’d go safety management at headquarters for sure. Audit team—unexpected.”
Had I earned his grudge from recent events? Jackpot!
“I love it! A real man defies the tide. Think I climbed this high by following others? Never!”
Hahaha—He laughed heartily, slapping my back.
Why like me after I smeared his face? Exec logic was light-years beyond a normie like me.
“Deputy Jo, I know why you’re here. Nymph flu, right? But back off this one. Unless you’re declaring war on me.”
His friendly gaze ignited like an oil-fueled furnace.
In other words, a warning: Hands off nymph flu business.
‘What war?’ No clue.
But chances to piss off Soul Society’s big boss were rare. Audit vs. safety management? Perfect rivals.
“Prince, do I look like a guy who quits when told? I’m just investigating this trending nymph flu. What’s the problem?”
If there’s an issue, kindly explain. Genuinely curious.
Goooooong—The air vibrated.
Arachne shuddered.
“I-I’m heading to the bathroom… You two talk…”