Akashic_Tales Originals
Hades, Inc.: The Billionaire God of Death's Chaotic System
Chapter 3: Harem Trouble and System Trolls
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Haiden Black stared at his penthouse lounge with the expression of a man who had just discovered his vacation resort was actually a daycare center. The space, normally a pristine showcase of minimalist luxury with its obsidian floors, floor-to-ceiling windows, and carefully curated art pieces, now resembled the aftermath of a supernatural turf war.
In one corner, Aria Celeste paced back and forth, her platinum blonde hair catching the light in ways that defied mortal physics. The K-pop idol's latest hit single played softly from her phone as she argued with Luna about security protocols. Her designer outfit, worth more than most cars, sparkled with subtle enchantments that kept paparazzi cameras from capturing clear images.
"I'm telling you," Aria insisted, her voice carrying the perfect pitch that had made her famous across Asia, "if we don't upgrade the wards, they'll find a way in. They always do."
Luna, elegant as always in her tailored suit, crossed her arms. "And I'm telling you that Elysium's security is already beyond anything in this realm. Perhaps if you weren't constantly posting your location on social media—"
"It's part of my contract! My fans expect—"
"Your fans don't know you're harboring feathers that glow in the dark."
Across the room, Jinx Black, Haiden's niece by some complicated divine genealogy that even he couldn't fully explain, sat cross-legged on the floor. Multiple holographic screens floated around her as her fingers danced across a keyboard that occasionally phased in and out of physical existence. At twenty-two, with her half-shaved head, multiple piercings, and t-shirt that read "I Hacked Olympus and All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt," she looked like the poster child for divine rebellion.
"Almost... got it..." she muttered, oblivious to the argument across the room. "Just need to bypass this last firewall and, oops."
One of her screens turned blood red, symbols from a language that predated humanity scrolling rapidly across it.
"Jinx," Haiden called out, his voice carrying a warning. "Tell me you didn't just—"
"Relax, Uncle H," she replied without looking up. "It's just a minor demonic incursion. Nothing I can't handle."
"Last time you said that, we had imps in the plumbing for a week."
At Haiden's feet, what appeared to be a Welsh Corgi with unusually red eyes gnawed contentedly on a cable that glowed with faint blue energy. Each bite sent small sparks shooting across the room, one of which had already set a potted plant smoldering.
"Cerberus," Haiden said sternly. "That's an interdimensional cable. Not a chew toy."
The corgi looked up, three distinct growls somehow emanating from its single visible head, before returning to its destructive chewing with renewed enthusiasm.
Haiden massaged his temples, feeling a headache that no mortal painkiller could touch. This was not how he had envisioned retirement.
[Side Quest Activated: Host a civil team-building dinner.]
[Reward: +10 Group Loyalty]
[Penalty: Permanent HR Complaint from Hell's Union]
The glowing text appeared before him, visible only to his divine sight. Haiden sighed deeply. His father's "System" had been plaguing him since his fake death, forcing him into increasingly ridiculous situations under the guise of "personal growth." As if he, Haiden Black, formerly known as Hades, God of the Underworld, Lord of the Dead, Keeper of Souls, and occasional guest judge on Hell's cooking competitions, needed personal growth.
"Everyone," he announced, his voice carrying the subtle undertone that had once commanded legions of the damned. "Dinner. Now."
The room fell silent. Even Cerberus paused mid-chew.
"I didn't know we had dinner plans," Luna said carefully, checking her immaculate schedule on her tablet.
"We didn't. Now we do." Haiden straightened his tie. "Consider it a... team-building exercise."
Aria raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow. "Team? I'm just here because my dressing room at the studio had a weird shadow creature in the corner."
"And I'm just debugging your security system," Jinx added, still typing. "Also, I might have accidentally summoned something. Don't go into the guest bathroom for like... a day. Or seven."
Luna pinched the bridge of her nose. "I'll call the exorcist. Again."
"No need for outside help," Haiden said firmly. "We handle our own problems. Starting with dinner. Together."
Twenty minutes later, they sat around a long obsidian table in Haiden's private dining room. Candles flickered with flames that occasionally changed color, casting eerie shadows across the walls. Plates floated themselves into position, and wine poured from bottles that no one touched.
Aria poked at her pasta with suspicion. "Why is it glowing?"
"Because the chef's a ghost," Haiden replied matter-of-factly. "Be grateful he doesn't taste you first. He's still bitter about the whole 'being dead' thing."
Luna sipped her wine, which was definitely not wine, judging by its unusual viscosity and the fact that it occasionally moved against gravity. "You're avoiding the real issue, Haiden. The firewall was breached by a celestial signature. Heaven's watching."
"Heaven's always watching," Haiden dismissed with a wave. "They have nothing better to do up there. Eternity of bliss gets boring after the first few millennia."
"This was different," Luna insisted. "This was targeted. Specifically at you."
Jinx, who had been tapping away at a small device under the table, looked up. "She's right, Uncle H. Also, your wine cellar's haunted. One of the bottles is screaming. Like, literally screaming. I recorded it for my supernatural ASMR channel."
Haiden was about to respond when the air before him shimmered again.
[Alert: Incoming Celestial Surveillance Probe]
[Suggestion: Distract them with performative morality.]
He glanced up at the ceiling, where a barely perceptible distortion in the air indicated something was indeed watching. Something with a lot of eyes and even more paperwork.
"Fine," Haiden stood abruptly, causing his chair to slide back dramatically. "We're adopting a charity. Something noble. Something wholesome."
Everyone stared.
"A... charity?" Luna repeated, as if he'd suggested they all take up underwater basket weaving.
"Yes. Effective immediately, Elysium Corp will be sponsoring..." Haiden's mind raced for something suitably virtuous that wouldn't be too much of a hassle. "...orphaned supernatural children."
Aria choked on her glowing pasta. "You hate children."
"I do not hate children," Haiden corrected. "I find them inconvenient and sticky. There's a difference."
"You literally told me last week that you'd rather gargle hellfire than attend a school function," Jinx pointed out.
"That was hyperbole."
"You were hiding in your office from a Girl Scout selling cookies."
"She had too many badges! It was suspicious!"
Cerberus barked, a sound that somehow contained three distinct tones and caused one of the candles to erupt into a small fireball.
The celestial distortion in the ceiling pulsed, clearly interested in this sudden philanthropic turn.
"As I was saying," Haiden continued smoothly, "we will be establishing the... Elysium Foundation for Supernatural Youth. EFSY. We'll provide education, shelter, and training for young supernatural beings who have been orphaned or abandoned."
Luna narrowed her eyes. "And where exactly will these children be housed?"
"We have that empty floor in the east wing," Haiden said, warming to his improvisation. "The one we were going to use for... what was it again?"
"Your meditation lava pool," Luna supplied dryly.
"Yes, that. We'll convert it. Children love... whatever children love these days. Video games. Sugar. Learning about their supernatural powers in a controlled environment so they don't accidentally level city blocks."
The distortion in the ceiling brightened slightly, apparently approving.
[Quest Progress: 50%]
[Celestial Observers Partially Convinced]
[Suggestion: Demonstrate Genuine Commitment]
Haiden suppressed a groan. Of course it wouldn't be that easy.
"In fact," he continued, reaching for his phone, "I'll make the first donation right now. One billion won should get things started."
He made the transfer with a few taps, ignoring Luna's wide-eyed stare.
"That's the second billion you've donated today," she hissed. "The board is going to have questions."
"The board works for me, not the other way around," Haiden reminded her. Then, louder, for the benefit of their celestial audience: "Nothing is more important than helping these poor, innocent supernatural children find their way in this confusing world."
The distortion pulsed once more, then gradually faded away.
[Quest Complete!]
[Reward: +10 Group Loyalty Unlocked]
[Bonus: Celestial Suspicion Temporarily Reduced]
Haiden sat back down, reaching for his wine glass. "Well, that's settled then."
"What just happened?" Aria asked, looking between Haiden and the now-normal ceiling.
"We're starting a charity," he replied simply. "Try the pasta, it's not actually radioactive. The glow is just a side effect of the chef's unresolved issues with his murder."
"No, I mean with you," Aria pressed. "You just donated a billion won without blinking. And you've been talking to thin air all evening."
Haiden froze mid-sip. "What do you mean?"
"You keep looking at something none of us can see," Luna confirmed, her eyes narrowing. "And occasionally muttering responses."
"I do not mutter," Haiden said defensively.
"'Fine,' 'I do not hate children,' and something about 'that's settled then,'" Jinx quoted, not looking up from her device. "All said while staring at empty space. I've been recording. For science."
Haiden set down his wine glass carefully. This was unexpected. No mortal, or even lesser immortal, should be able to perceive his interactions with the System. Yet somehow, these three women had noticed something.
"I was... thinking out loud," he offered lamely.
"Uh-huh." Jinx didn't sound convinced. "And I suppose the floating blue text that occasionally flickers around you is also just you 'thinking out loud'?"
Haiden's eyes widened. "You can see that?"
"Not clearly. It's like... digital interference. But it's definitely there."
Before Haiden could respond, a loud crash came from the kitchen, followed by the distinct sound of ghostly wailing.
"The chef's having another existential crisis," Luna sighed, standing up. "I'll handle it."
"I'll come with," Aria said quickly, clearly eager to escape the awkward conversation. "I know a calming song that works on restless spirits."
As they left, Jinx fixed her uncle with a penetrating stare. "So, are we going to talk about the fact that you're clearly running some kind of divine operating system, or...?"
Haiden considered his options. Denial seemed pointless now. "It's complicated."
"I'm a tech genius with divine heritage who just accidentally summoned a meme-loving demon into your corporate servers. Try me."
Haiden leaned forward, lowering his voice despite the others having left. "My father installed it. Some kind of... training program. It gives me quests, rewards, penalties. All very game-like, except the penalties are very real and often humiliating."
"Cool," Jinx said, her eyes lighting up. "Can I hack it?"
"Absolutely not," Haiden said firmly. "The last thing I need is you messing with divine code written by Chaos himself."
"Chaos? As in, the primordial entity? That Chaos?" Jinx's eyes widened. "Wait, if he's your father, then you're not just some random supernatural entity, you're—"
"That's enough family history for one evening," Haiden cut her off. "And not a word to the others."
"Too late for that," came Luna's cool voice from the doorway. She and Aria had returned, both looking slightly singed. "The chef's calmed down, but not before he revealed some interesting information about his employer."
Aria crossed her arms. "You're Hades, aren't you? The actual God of Death."
Cerberus chose that moment to transform briefly into his true form, a massive three-headed hellhound that barely fit in the dining room, before shrinking back to corgi size with a satisfied grunt.
Haiden sighed deeply. "This is why I can't have nice dinners."
[New Quest: Explain Your Divine Identity Without Causing Panic]
[Reward: Enhanced Trust with Inner Circle]
[Penalty: Memory Wipe and Relationship Reset]
"Perfect timing as always," Haiden muttered to the floating text.
All three women stared at him expectantly.
"Ladies," he said, reaching for the wine bottle and refilling his glass to the brim, "this is going to be a long night."
Outside the penthouse windows, Seoul's skyline glittered in the darkness, unaware that the fate of several divine realms was being discussed over glowing pasta and haunted wine. Just another Wednesday in Haiden Black's retirement plan.