The panic-stricken Shinigami remained with his head down on the desk full of paperwork. The door opened so as to reveal a short framework of bones, no longer than 70 cm, that jumped onto the table.

This unique skeleton named Golgotha is his assistant, a creation of the first Shinigami, Meshulam, that couldn’t imagine the Underworld without a counsellor to guide the future gods of death.

“G-Golgotha...” Mictlan said.

“What’s wrong?” Golgotha asked.

“A-A spirit is on the run. It’s happening all over again… OH MY GOD!”

Wasn’t he “God” himself? The young stared depressingly at the picture of a man who looked exactly like Mictlan. He was the former Shinigami, Mictlantecuhtli IX, who died at the hands of Nachash eighteen years ago.

“What should I do, Dad?!”

Technically, they weren’t father and son. Each Shinigami was a reincarnation of Meshulam, therefore the different generations considered themselves family.

“It’s just some spirit, not the ‘Talking Serpent’!” Golgotha said.

“B-But… karma…” Mictlan said.

“It’s not karma! Listen, this is the time to honor the legacy of your ancestors. Stay calm and act in accordance with normal procedures.”

“Ok… I already told the guards to continue to search for him.”

“That’s enough, for now.”

 

… 

 

In order to enter Mictlan, the prisoner Nemo led Susumu to one of Ganeden’s spiritual entrances. It was the school, closed on weekends.

“Hey, how much longer will you make me walk like this?” Nemo complained about his body bound in Zosimus’ chains.

Susumu refused to release him, running the risk of Nemo escaping.

“It’s all right, Susumu. He may be a child, but he perfectly understands the ineluctable situation he’s in. And to tell you the truth, we’re going to need him free” Zosimus said.

“Fine” Susumu nodded.

The Chains Man collected his chains without having to possess the boy.

“Uff, finally” Nemo breathed a sigh of relief.

“Come on, open that passage for us” Susumu commanded him.

“Well, the entrance is always open.”

“Let’s get going then!”

“C-Chill! Since you aren’t a Spirit Mode user, your spirit will detach itself out of the body the second you cross over to the other dimension, so we must depart from somewhere where no one sees you.”

“Fair enough. I recommend the school infirmary.”

 

…

 

The detective laid down on a bed. Even Susumu couldn’t help feeling nervous.

“Relax. We’re going in” Nemo said.

 

…

 

8th Underworld Level, Upper Block, Administrative Floors, Reincarnation Room

Susumu and Nemo reached their desired destination in the blink of an eye – the world of the dead, the Underworld. Susumu paid special attention to his nearly transparent body.

“This is… my spiritual body? Ah…!”

The teenager was blown away by the five-walled broad room with an intriguing capsule in the center. A pale-faced lady popped up out of nowhere and walked towards the casing as she missed them, appearing inside the container before fading away devoid of regrets.

“What was that…?” Susumu asked.

“The reincarnation of a spirit” Nemo answered.

“…Where are your peers?”

“Hm, they’re most likely passing through the lower levels.”

“In other words, we got to go downstairs. Don’t even think about running away” Susumu eyed him fiercely.

“I won’t!”

 

…

 

7th Underworld Level, Upper Block, Administrative Floors, Spiritual Supervisory Control Room

The Susumu and Nemo pairing went down the long stairs that gave access to the lower floor. As they peered into the room, they saw many LCDs displaying several spiritual flows, in the form of a chart, and uniformed individuals examining them seated on chairs. They were the ones in charge of overseeing the Underworld behind the scenes.

Walking past them without being seen was a no-go. That’s when Zosimus’ chained shadow emerged on the ground under Susumu’s feet.

“Did you… turn into my own shadow?!” Susumu said.

“We’re forcing the way” Zosimus said.

“Hold on! What if they sound the alarm and call for backup? We’ll be chased throughout the whole Underworld!!” Nemo remarked.

“We only have to keep them from doing so. Let’s go!” Zosimus signaled.

Followed by Nemo, Susumu quickly left their nook after the signal. The operating officers all turned their backs upon hearing shoes squeaking.

“W-Who are you people?! Where did you come from?!” an officer uttered a loud cry.

Zosimus seized the man and held the chains out in the direction of the others. However, when just one remained, the Chains Man felt somewhat suppressed. That jiffy was enough time for the male to grab some headphones and call for help.

“Stop him! Fast!” the Chains Man shouted.

Susumu was unable to take action and therefore Nemo had no choice but to activate his Spirit Mode, being surrounded by an aura whose color wasn’t distinct, and run towards the target before it was too late. The kid then put his hand on the officer’s head.

“Forget… everything you saw.”

The memory manipulation made him lose consciousness, Zosimus asked Nemo to rewrite the memories of the remaining officers. Meanwhile, Susumu’s breathing was ragged and the shadow noticed that.

...