Chapter 22
A few days ago, the Happy World concert turned out to be a record-breaking success unlike anything the company had ever seen.
Not only did the new single Happy World hit the mark with even the most nitpicky executives, but the concert also lured out and wiped out a large number of rebels hiding throughout the slums.
“Seriously, how does a street-side concert NOT flop!?”
At this point, he was starting to fear himself.
Why did things like this only happen to him?
“Ugh, I really don’t want to go to work.”
If he showed up, everyone would praise his achievements.
His performance score would skyrocket.
And that would only bury him under more endless tasks in this hellish hamster wheel called Happy World.
“I’m gonna be late. On purpose.”
A blatant act of tardiness.
He just felt like doing it today—for no reason.
How else could he drag down his performance review, which had now risen as high as Aphrodite’s nose?
And so, by the time he lazily strolled into the office—well past lunch hour—
“J-Joy Section Chief, at this hour…?”
“Y-You… why are you even here…!?”
Manager Bones and Markius turned pale with shock.
At first, Joy thought they were freaking out because he was late.
But then Bones said something unexpected:
“Isn’t today your reward vacation day?! Who comes to work on their day off?! I’ve worked here for decades and I’ve never met someone this… intense!!”
Reward vacation?
What the hell was he talking about?
After the concert unexpectedly succeeded, Joy had been so bitter and resentful that he couldn’t bring himself to work.
So he’d basically been quiet quitting all week.
Ignoring internal memos, skipping document reviews…
He was hoping something would go wrong so he could take the blame and say:
“It was my negligence. I’ll take full responsibility.”
But turns out, buried in those ignored memos was a certificate.
“Commendation”
“Presented for setting an example for all employees.”
It even looked like it was made of real gold—so shiny he wanted to scream.
Joy hated gold with a passion since becoming an “outstanding employee.”
And there it was:
An official Reward Vacation Order, granting him a mandatory week-long break—starting today.
Which meant he wasn’t late today.
He wasn’t even supposed to be here today.
“Dude, you’re seriously amazing, Joy! Even I, Markius, gotta respect that. A real company loyalist!”
“Section Chief Joy, that’s incredible.”
“Isn’t he basically the company’s #1 fan now?”
“Coming in on your day off, dressed in full business attire? Even the execs wouldn’t do that…”
“AAAGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!”
Joy wanted to scream in this unbearably happy moment.
But he didn’t even have the energy left to do that.
Which made it even worse.
“…I’d like to return my vacation.”
He managed to choke the words out, barely regaining his strength.
Bones looked like a skeleton sweating cold drops.
“W-Why?! Why would you do this to yourself?! What is this company to you?! What are you even?!”
Why return the vacation?
Because if he stayed home, nothing would happen.
He needed to slam his rising performance score straight into the depths of Happy World’s underworld.
And for that—he had to be at the office.
Drip drip drip—
Tears flowed freely now.
Nothing could stop an employee who gave up vacation time for such a noble cause.
“Starting today… I am the devil.”
***
「ㅇㅇ : Chicoretta-nim, nothing’s been going right lately.」
「ㅇㅇ : Everything I try just fails or falls apart.」
「ㅇㅇ : What should I do…?」
└Chicoretta: There’s a saying, ‘If you can’t avoid it, enjoy it!’
If you can’t avoid it, enjoy it…
But what if you couldn’t even enjoy it?
If avoiding it was impossible, and enjoying it was harder still—
“Then the only answer… is to go mad.”
Joy stepped out of the office and headed somewhere else.
The Vice President’s Office.
The door had a heavy plate that read just that.
The old Joy would never have come here.
But now?
Now he was mad Joy—a different beast entirely.
Hoo…
He took a deep breath and knocked.
Knock knock knock—
“This is Section Chief Joy from the Punishment Enforcement Department.
I know I don’t have an appointment, and I’m sorry for just showing up…
But may I come in, Vice President?”
—Come in.
Creak—
The office was dimly lit.
And seated like a queen on a throne-like chair was Melinoe.
Perhaps because the room was so dark, the only things glowing were her laurel crown… and her crimson eyes.
“Section Chief Joy, dropping by unannounced is inappropriate.
I told you before—I don’t give special treatment to any employee.”
Ooh, did I just lose points?
“That said… thanks to your Happy World Concert, I gained a precious 1% share.
I’m in a good mood today, so I’ll overlook this offense.”
HA! Knew it.
Still, a 1% share because of the concert?
He didn’t really want to hear the details.
It just sounded like it would upset his stomach.
“You pulled off an unprecedented success.
You took down a huge portion of the rebel forces.
You should be rewarded.
That’s why you’re here, correct?”
A reward?
Normally, Joy would’ve scoffed at the idea.
But today?
“Yes, I’m here for a reward.”
WHUMP—!
He dropped down flat on the floor, crouched like a frog ready to leap.
Behind him, he heard Princess Melinoe murmur softly:
“…As expected.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
Now in crazy Joy mode, he decided to play things straight.
If trying to fail led to success…
Then maybe trying to succeed would bring disaster instead.
Shhh—
The sound of soft fabric gliding.
She must’ve stood up.
Then…
“Keep your head down and stay just like that for a moment.”
Tap… tap…
Barefoot, Princess Melinoe walked over the office floor.
And then placed her hand gently on Joy’s head.
Her touch was soft. Warm.
And—somehow—chilling.
“You did well. This is your reward. A pat on the head.”
Ruffle, ruffle ruffle ruffle—
“You mortals…
being touched by a perfect and mature goddess like me—
Isn’t that a greater honor than any material reward?”
This… this wasn’t the reward I had in mind.
Worse yet—
That pat on the head… actually felt kind of nice.
Rustle, rustle—
Another problem:
Roughly 70% of the gut-churning frustration boiling inside me… had something to do with Melinoe.
Still not lifting my head, I spoke:
“Lady Melinoe, I want to go higher. I want to move faster.
Give me something reckless. Something impossible.
Please—give me more chances.
That’s the reward I really want.”
The reason I’d come to see Princess Melinoe was simple:
I wanted a chance.
A chance to spectacularly fail.
Shhh—
The hand stroking my head paused, and the princess spoke.
“I understand your desire to stand at my side sooner.
But for now, there aren’t any large projects coming up.
Which means… I don’t have any opportunities to offer you.”
Of course. It wasn’t going to be easy.
Melinoe waved her hand in dismissal.
“Now go. I need to focus and meditate in order to absorb and digest the 1% stake I just acquired.
Which means I won’t be seeing anyone for a while.”
Absorb… and digest… her shares?
Wait, is that how corporate equity works here in Soul Society?
“Absolutely do not disturb me during meditation. Understood?”
“Got it.”
“So if there’s anything else you want to say—say it now.”
“There isn’t.”
“Really? Nothing?”
I was curious about what kind of messed-up system let people digest shares in the first place.
But it probably wasn’t something a lowly mortal employee like me needed to worry about.
I was just some dude who caught a lucky wave.
Me? With shares? Yeah, right.
And so, I had no choice but to leave, empty-handed, as Melinoe looked vaguely… miffed?
But then, my eyes fell on something on her desk—a familiar bag of honey candies.
It looked exactly like the one that used to be at my house.
Melinoe had taken it when she left, saying she’d throw it out for me.
Catching my gaze, she cleared her throat loudly.
“Ahem. That? I just didn’t know where to throw it away.
I definitely didn’t eat any. So don’t go doubting your goddess or anything.”
“Shall I toss it for you, Lady Melinoe?”
“…Do that.”
And so, I left the vice president’s office holding a bag of candy.
Was that all I got from this visit?
A head pat?
No! That’s not all!
I did learn something useful.
There wouldn’t be any major projects happening in Happy World for the foreseeable future.
That was valuable intel—and I already had a few chaotic schemes brewing in my mind.
Suddenly craving sugar, I popped a candy into my mouth and crunched down.
Crunch—!
Right then—
“Eating and walking inside the company? That’s a 1-point violation!”
A sharp voice barked at me.
I turned my head and saw her—
Astarote, a demon with horns, holding out a slip of paper.
Fwip—
「Penalty Point: 1」
…Like getting ticketed for illegal parking.
But it made sense.
The Audit Team basically acted like Soul Society’s internal police.
Then it hit me—
What if I racked up a whole bunch of penalty points?
“You’re Astarote, correct?”
“That’s right, demon Joy.
I heard that concert went surprisingly well, but I’m always watching you.
The moment I sense anything suspicious, I’ll sink my teeth in. You’ve been warned.”
“In that case… are you free today?
I’d like to borrow your whole day.”
Taking a walking audit demon along with me?
Perfect. I’d rack up violations left and right.
My performance score would plummet.
But then—Astarote blushed.
“Wh-what? Borrow my day?
W-what kind of nonsense…?!
If you think I’m that easy, you’ve got another thing coming! I’m busy!”
“Please! I need you with me today!”
Grab!—
I clutched her shoulder, determined not to let this opportunity slip by.
Like they say: Grab fate by the forelock!
***
Meanwhile, Goddess Melinoe had entered meditation.
Shares were divine power condensed into physical form.
To absorb even just 1% of Soul Society’s potential, she would need days of meditation.
Of course, that didn’t mean she liked it.
‘Other execs could probably finish this in one day…’
Truth be told, Melinoe had a secret.
Something she never revealed to anyone.
You could even call it a weakness.
‘Maybe the reason Zagreus outpaced me in the succession race…
…was because of that flaw.’
Still, she could overcome it by increasing her stake and boosting her divine power.
Before diving deeper into meditation, she glanced at the window—
Just to make sure Joy was actually throwing out that candy.
‘It’s not like I like sweets or anything.
I just… wanted to see if he did what he was told.’
But then—
Something strange caught her eye.
“…Joy?”
Joy was walking away…
With a horned woman.
FWOOM—!
A goddess’s red-glowing eyes flared like an ignited firework.
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