082 – The Social Life of a Man Who Keeps Failing #3
“The deputy manager-level hell cockroach escaped from the rebels’ secret research facility. Paris, the breeder from the Monster Pen, brought it in, treated it, and raised it.”
Last night’s events. How the incident unfolded. Prince Zagreus, the head of the safety management team, explained it all.
“But Paris, the breeder, got caught breaking the law by you, Vice Manager Jo, so he released the hell cockroach back into the wild. Breeding hell cockroaches is clearly illegal.”
For some reason, the released hell cockroach returned to the secret research facility where it was born and turned the place upside down. Thanks to that, the Tartarus rebel branch hidden in Happy World was wiped out overnight. Documents revealing the connection between the Monster Pen and Tartarus were found among the wreckage.
Documents proving that Monster Pen Director Momus, who went radio silent this morning, had been in contact with Tartarus for a long time and handing over monster blood and research data.
Flutter. Papers placed on the table.
Soon, Princess Melinoë’s red eyes flashed as she asked,
“Where’s the deputy manager-level hell cockroach now?”
“It’s in isolation with breeder Paris. The real problem is this. The deputy manager-level cockroach, Alexander, is a unique entity born from the use of shares. We estimate about 25 percent were used.”
The executives’ eyes lit up in various shades at the fact that a deputy manager-level hell cockroach was a monster born from a whopping 25 percent shares.
But Prince Zagreus’s story wasn’t over yet.
“However, Monster Pen Director Momus only has about 5 percent shares. So where did the remaining 20 percent come from?”
Thwack— Prince Zagreus slammed his palm on the table.
“There’s a collaborator among our executives. That’s my conclusion.”
It was a reasonable judgment. An executive who collaborated with the god of blame, Momus, to create a deputy manager-level hell cockroach in Tartarus’s secret lab. At least someone with 20 percent shares. Maybe more than one.
“What’s the chance Thanatos was involved?”
As Princess Melinoë asked, many executives nodded in agreement.
“Thanatos is just the type to pull something like that.”
“Death gods are shady like that.”
“I, Moros, think differently.”
Screeech— Moros stood, pushing back his chair.
“The chances my brother Thanatos was involved in this are low. Using personal shares over 40 percent always leaves clear traces. There were none at the scene.”
In other words, it was confirmed that someone among these executives was colluding with Tartarus.
The executives immediately started eyeing each other suspiciously.
“Not only did Thanatos betray us, but others too?”
“It’s gotta be the Night faction guys.”
“What? Your Prince faction is the real—”
The atmosphere grew restless.
Ahem! The Chairman, who had been silent for so long, cleared his throat and stood.
“We’ll uncover any executives collaborating with Tartarus later. For now, we should handle what’s urgent. The deputy manager-level hell cockroach incident.”
The chaotic mood settled in an instant. No matter what, the Chairman’s authority in this underworld was immense.
“Put breeder Paris and the deputy manager-level cockroach Alexander, who claims to be his friend, in a special detention center and monitor the situation. And, Jo—”
“……”
As the Chairman’s gaze turned to me, sitting like a sack of barley in the corner of the executives’ table, countless eyes followed.
The moment I’d been waiting for had finally arrived. Bracing myself with that thought, the Chairman said something astonishing.
“I heard from Paris that you said you’d overlook the hell cockroach breeding. Illegal breeding leads to euthanasia— You couldn’t have not known that?”
“But Dad, without Vice Manager Jo’s leniency, Tartarus’s secret lab wouldn’t have been destroyed, and they might have kept mass-producing deputy manager-level hell cockroaches.”
Princess Melinoë defended me like a competent lawyer. It was touching, but it hurt at the same time. If this kept up, it’d end with another “Jo, here’s a reward!”
“But the rule of law must be upheld. If we excuse every process just because the outcome is good, Soul Society would become a lawless land without order or morals.”
Today, the Chairman’s demeanor was different from his usual doting father vibe.
“Vice Manager Jo of Audit Team 1, I hereby discipline you.”
“Chairman. It was I, Moros, and my sister Alecto who tasked Vice Manager Jo with this matter. If there’s blame, shouldn’t we bear it—?”
Moros bowed his head. Alecto, who’d been preening her wings, flinched and bowed deeply too.
“A superior bears responsibility for a subordinate’s mistakes. Even knowing Jo’s results-oriented nature, I failed to guide him and just watched… so I share the blame.”
“Moros, Alecto. Don’t defend Jo. I, the Chairman, know full well that man disregards means for ends.”
Fwoosh— The Chairman’s eyes blazed like a power plant.
Moros and Alecto fell silent, unable to continue.
“Jo, I strip you of your Audit Team 1 Vice Manager position and appoint you as vice chairman of Pandora Market development.”
What—!? Demoted from headquarters vice manager to vice chairman of Pandora Market development? That’s a demotion!
At this shocking declaration, I wondered if it was really happening.
The next moment, bang! Princess Melinoë slammed the table and stood.
“That’s ridiculous. Jo has racked up merits so far. I don’t think this incident outweighs all his past achievements.”
“Then, Melinoë, are you saying your father Hades’s judgment is wrong?”
“That’s…”
“Melinoë, choose your words carefully from now on. Depending on what you say, you might have to relinquish your position and authority.”
“I…”
Princess Melinoë’s eyes shook violently. She was a businesswoman seriously aiming for the Chairman’s seat. Losing her position here would make that dream impossible.
The Chairman seemed to know that well.
“Defending the employee who broke the law? Or silence for your own future? You’re wise enough to know the right path, Melinoë.”
“I…”
In my mind, Princess Melinoë’s choice was already set. She’d abandon defending me and stay silent as the Chairman said. I was just a lowly mortal. The Chairman’s seat was brighter and more glorious than any star in the sky. It was the dream she’d chased for eternity.
Giving up a dream is incredibly hard. I knew that well, carrying my own dream of returning to the surface.
“I—”
Her eyes shook even more. Blood trickled from her bitten lip.
“Still, this verdict is…!”
As Princess Melinoë tried to speak with bloodied lips,
“Chairman. Truly a wise and sage judgment. I, Vice Manager Jo, will now relinquish my headquarters audit team vice manager position per your decision.”
I cut in first. I couldn’t let this chance slip.
“Vice Manager Jo, demoted? What nonsense is this? Did the Chairman really say he’d demote you?”
Back at Audit Team 1’s office, Manager Hector grabbed my shoulders and shook me hard.
“That damn Paris! Guys tangled with him never end well! Jo, just wait a bit. I’ll get you back to headquarters soon!”
Demotion was the punishment headquarters employees feared most. They walked a razor-thin cliff, never knowing when they’d be cast out.
“Vice Manager Jo demoted?”
“Overlooking a deputy manager-level cockroach? That serious?”
“I took bribes from safety management before and still stuck around headquarters fine…”
I’d moved around so much that it wasn’t baggage to me. My stuff from audit was just one box. As I picked it up to leave, Alecto grabbed my shoulder.
“Jo, some demoted folks do return. I’ll keep your spot open. You’re family forever!”
“But Alecto, Pandora Market is a total exile wasteland! Nothing there since the department store took over… This is just ‘clearing house’!”
Deputy Narcissus couldn’t hold back tears and sobbed.
“Jo, thanks to you, I got along with Echo, and you helped me so much. You getting exiled like this! Something’s wrong!”
The office turned into a sea of tears, leaving me flustered. Was my demotion really that sad? After all the incidents I’d caused here.
“Audit team folks. If fate brings us together again someday, we’ll meet. Let’s part with smiles today. Thanks for everything, and sorry for the trouble.”
Haha— A clear, refreshing laugh burst from deep within me. Not fired, but demoted was good enough. Especially to barren Pandora Market? My incompetence would get me fired in no time.
“Hahaha!”
So I laughed heartily.
But Narcissus gasped in admiration.
“In the most hopeless situation, laughing that boldly. Jo, you’re a real man’s man! I, Narcissus, wanna be you!”
“Seeing you, Hector realizes he’s lived too complacently. I believe you’ll return, Jo.”
I left Audit Team 1’s office. The massive headquarters building. How many employees toiled red-faced to survive in this grand, divine workplace.
I couldn’t survive there. That’s all.
But I wasn’t retreating—I was advancing backward.
“My plan was spot on.”
Nothing beats falling out of favor with the boss for getting fired or demoted. Piling up “dislike” points with the Chairman had been key.
“Muhahaha!”
I laughed triumphantly.
A man with glowing red eyes stood on the headquarters rooftop. Chairman Hades.
His gaze followed a man leaving the building.
“Laughing while getting demoted? Insolent bastard.”
“Father, you seem to have a special eye on Employee Jo. Demoting him at this timing? You like him more than your own son.”
Prince Zagreus snorted.
Hades shrugged.
“Me, like Jo? What nonsense?”
“Purging insiders will bring a bloodbath to headquarters. Yet you pull Jo out now? Looks like protecting him. You’ll call him back with some excuse later, right?”
“Ha! Way off base. With senses that dull, your sister catching up is just a matter of time.”
“And to Pandora Market as a demotion spot? You wouldn’t send me there when I asked. Quite hurtful.”
“Hurtful? It’s a forsaken wasteland. What father sends his son there?”
“No, it’s a goldmine. Buried with secrets and opportunities like gold nuggets. If I’d handled it, your seat would be mine by now.”
Prince Zagreus’s gaze turned to Jo’s retreating figure. Too confident for a demoted man—like an adventurer setting off on a grand journey. Just like Zagreus himself, breaking free from the underworld to head to the surface.