Chapter 29
“Haaah… Is it already time for the Deputy Chief Promotion Exam again? This’ll be the third one since the reforms.”
Alecto of the Erinyes Sisters sparkled her cunning eyes while looking at the schedule laid out on the round table.
“So, Zagreus. Is it true that the CEO himself will personally reward the winner of this promotion exam?”
“It’s true. I swear it on the love of all my lovers.”
At Zagreus’s reply, the executives’ eyes all gleamed with desire.
The promotion exam wasn’t just a test—it was a grand festival jointly held by headquarters and its subsidiaries across the Soul Society.
Even the eccentric and busy executives made it a point to attend.
“This year’s victory belongs to me, Charon. And so shall the CEO’s reward. It will all be mine—Charon’s.”
Spoke a man cloaked in black, his speech slow and awkward.
He was the grim boatman of the underworld and head of the subsidiary Charon Transport.
At his confidence, the Erinyes sisters burst into laughter.
“Pfft—oh please, it’s because of that eternal runner-up, Admetos, isn’t it?”
“Always gets eliminated in the final round… that Forever Section Chief.”
“Megaera, don’t laugh!”
Cackling—
Alecto’s crescent-moon eyes turned toward Thanatos, the grim reaper and CEO of Happy World.
After all, Thanatos and Admetos had a long history.
“Thanatos, what excuse are you going to use this time to eliminate Admetos? You always give him the lowest marks during evaluations—out of sheer personal grudge.”
Thanatos merely shrugged.
“This year’s exam will be… special.
That means the evaluations must be conducted fairly.
And for your information, Section Chief Joy from our Punishment Division will be competing.
I’m sure you’ve all heard of him.”
The name Joy sent a ripple through the room.
A rising star whose name had begun spreading beyond Happy World and even into headquarters.
Some executives, however, raised doubts.
“Still, he’s just a section chief from a subsidiary.”
“Surely a headquarters candidate will win—like last time.”
“Rumor has it the prince’s team is sending a secret weapon too…”
In the Soul Society, the gap between HQ and subsidiary staff was no small thing.
Even if the title was the same, a headquarters section chief far outranked one from a subsidiary.
But even so, underestimating someone like Joy could be a mistake.
After the meeting ended, executives returned to their departments and quietly activated their Summoners.
“This is Charon. I will ensure victory in this exam.”
“Alecto here. Is what I asked for ready?”
“This is Hypnos from Employee Welfare. I need to... make some adjustments to the exam papers…”
Behind the scenes, they were already moving.
“Fair evaluations” were a myth.
The exam was just as much a test of the executives—how capable they were of securing victory for their champion.
This was not just a test of employees. It was a proxy war between gods.
Thanatos glanced at Princess Melinoe, who had remained silent the entire meeting.
“We need to decide which section chief to back.
If we divide our efforts, both our candidates could lose.
So, what do you think—”
Fwoosh.
A deathly blue glow shimmered in Thanatos’s eyes.
“What about backing Section Chief Joy this year?
His achievements are unlike anything Happy World has seen since its founding.”
“But the stronger the candidate, the harsher the sabotage.
Admetos never won because everyone ganged up on him because he was a frontrunner.”
In this world, jealousy bred sabotage.
Rivals would gang up on the strongest, cutting them down before they reached the top.
Admetos had fallen victim to this many times.
And now, it seemed Joy might be next.
Thanatos looked concerned, but Melinoe remained perfectly composed.
“If he can’t survive those schemes, he’s not fit to be Deputy Chief.
That rank is the first step into headquarters—and headquarters is a battlefield of manipulation and backstabbing.”
If Joy couldn’t win here, he’d never survive the wars of HQ.
Thanatos nodded. Everyone knew how fiercely Princess Melinoe and Prince Zagreus had once clashed in HQ.
Back then… she was a nightmare incarnate. Cold. Merciless.
Even I felt a chill around her.
But lately, she’s… changed.
Why?
No time for that now. The only question was how best to support their champion.
“Then what should we do for Section Chief Joy?
Other execs are pulling strings. We can’t just sit back and do nothing.”
“We don’t have to.”
“Huh? But if he loses, our reputation—”
To executives, face was as sacred as life itself.
And yet Melinoe remained serene.
“He will win.
All we need to do now is decide what reward we’ll give him after.”
Of course, the great goddess Melinoe already knew exactly what Joy wanted most.
Meanwhile…
Within Happy World was a grand coliseum, co-designed by Daedalus and the monstrous Hecatoncheires.
Originally, it was a prison labyrinth built to contain terrifying Titans like Chronos.
But after the corporate restructuring, it was repurposed into an event arena.
The event?
The Deputy Chief Promotion Exam.
WAAAAHH—!!
Roaring cheers and applause thundered through the packed coliseum.
“This year’s turnout is incredible!
When I watched last year’s on broadcast, it wasn’t half this big!”
Krauser marveled at the sea of spectators.
It was an unusually large crowd this time.
“It’s because of the recent rebellion incident.
The Soul Society and Happy World want to prove to citizens that everything’s still running smoothly.”
This exam doubled as a massive PR campaign—
Proof that their world had not faltered.
Just like the 1988 Olympics, which flourished even under threats from hostile nations.
“Must be the handiwork of Prince Zagreus, the face of the ‘Corporate Renewal’ movement.”
“Hoo! So even this has deeper meaning…
I hadn’t thought that far. Section Chief Joy, you really are amazing!”
“Krauser, I know you were recruited as compensation for your wrongful punishment…
But if you can’t even recognize things like this, you’re going to struggle moving forward.”
“Quite right! I’ll remember that!”
Leaving Krauser to his dramatics, I looked around.
Spectators had come from all over the Soul Society.
Then, like thunder, the crowd erupted.
“T-The Executives!!”
“The executives are entering!!”
“It’s Hypnos from the Welfare Division!!”
“The Erinyes Sisters too!!”
“I’ve never seen the execs in person before… I’m so moved I might cry…”
The executives entered the special VIP box high up on the viewing platform.
In the Soul Society, most ordinary citizens would never get to see an executive in their entire afterlife.
And honestly, that was normal.
The fact that someone like me kept bumping into Lady Melinoe lately?
That’s what was abnormal.
I mean, how would a mere subsidiary section chief like me end up face-to-face with the CEO’s (CEO) cherished youngest daughter?
Exactly. It makes no sense.
Anyway!
With the arrival of the executives, the arena atmosphere hit a fever pitch.
“Even if I don’t win, this is a golden chance to leave a good impression on the execs…”
“I’ll show everyone the one-hit assassination move I developed: Brain Shock Execution!”
“No more ‘Section Chief’ for me. It’s ‘Deputy Chief’ from here on out!”
Tense energy crackled in the air as eager section chiefs lit up with determination.
The Soul Society was enormous, and so were the sheer number of promotion candidates.
Only one can win and move up.
Which means, I absolutely will not win.
My goal? Get through this madness without dying. That’s it.
Self-preservation was my only strategy.
“Famous section chiefs everywhere! Joy, I know your talents better than anyone, but this year’s exam looks especially brutal!”
That was Director Bones, clacking his teeth in excitement.
It suddenly hit me—this crazy skeleton was someone who had already cleared this test and even gone beyond, reaching the Director level.
He hadn’t just gambled his way to the top—he must’ve actually earned it.
“Of course, I’ve bet my next hundred years of salary on your victory, Section Chief Joy! It’s the amount I’d saved to move into an Elysium apartment with my daughter!”
WHAT?!
You bet your entire house fund on me?!
You lunatic skeleton!
Clearly, you did gamble your way to your director title!
“I’ve made up my mind too! This was money I’d saved up to buy a nymph-hair harp, but I’m betting it all on Section Chief Joy! You’re my future and everything I believe in!”
That was Krauser, pumping his fist with passion.
Suddenly, my shoulders started to feel unbelievably heavy.
Then came the chorus of wild cheers from all over the staff sections.
“Everyone in the Punishment Division! Bet everything on Section Chief Joy!”
“He’s gonna win for sure!”
“This is the money I was saving to buy something nice for my mom. I’m putting it all on Section Chief Joy! I believe in him!”
“He’s the hero who saved us from the Audit Team! The mastermind behind the E&S concert!”
Clink, clatter! Clink, clatter!
Wait—
Everyone was suddenly pulling out heavy coin pouches and throwing their savings like maniacs!
If I don’t win, not only will I burst their bubble…
I might actually get lynched.
I was hoping to get eliminated quickly… but now I at least have to pretend I’m trying my best.
“Look, look! Section Chief Joy’s name just made it onto the betting board!”
Clack clack clack!
Director Bones made a racket with his teeth again.
『Overall Betting Leaderboard』
『#72 – Joy, Punishment Division – 12,179 Gold』
Krauser squinted at the number.
“Rank 72… doesn’t sound that high?”
“You fool! The only people who’ve reached double digits in their first-ever exam appearance were Prince Zagreus and Director Theseus from HQ!”
“W-Whaaat?! I didn’t know!”
“And listen—whoever finishes #1 in betting by the final event gets to meet the CEO in person, regardless of exam results!”
…WHAT?!
You mean that terrifying, not-to-be-named CEO?!
As if my awkward situation with Lady Melinoe wasn’t bad enough—
Meeting her father would be a total disaster.
Good. I’m still only at #72…
Whew. I just need a drink of water. Calm down, Joy.
I was gulping down water when suddenly—
WHAM!
Someone slapped me hard on the back.
“Feeling bold for a rookie, huh?! Most first-timers are so stressed they can’t even drink water.
But you? Cool as a cucumber! As expected of my rival!”
【Cursed by War and Death】
【Admetos, Section Chief – Charon Transport】
Yep. It was that Admetos.
『Overall Betting Leaderboard』
『#2 – Admetos, Transport Division – 666,575 Gold』
His betting stats glowed like a divine prophecy on the display behind him.
A textbook top contender.
Then he looked straight at me and said:
“Section Chief Joy, I’m not losing this time. I can’t lose. I have a reason.”
Buddy, you can say whatever you want—
I’m not the right person to dump your emotional speech on!
Just then—
“Wait… he’s the one Admetos picked as his rival?”
“Then… then Joy is the likely winner! Everyone Admetos has chosen so far ended up winning!”
“Who is he? What’s his name?”
“It’s Joy! Section Chief Joy from the Punishment Division!”
Clink clatter—Clink clatter!
Rank 69, 51…
My betting rank was skyrocketing!
『Overall Betting Leaderboard』
『#3 – Joy, Punishment Division – 552,179 Gold』
What the Happy World?!
SOMEBODY JUST KILL ME NOW.
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