Before the Bone Hangover Soup Gets Cold
“These fools…! How dare mere humans presume to know anything about Lady Lucy!”
The house echoed with furious typing sounds.
Asmodeus was hunched over the computer, pounding the keyboard like a maniac.
Whenever I wasn't gaming, the PC was always Asmodeus's domain.
Asmodeus had a keen interest in modern culture.
On quiet days, her routine was browsing YouTube and various communities.
“What's up, Asmodeus?”
I poked my head out from the bed and asked.
Probably got into another fight while messing around on the galleries.
Sure enough, she was on the Hunter Gallery.
“Hah! My apologies, Lady Lucy. There are forces slandering you on the Hunter Gallery, and I couldn't contain my rage.”
Nothing major, as expected.
Probably just some post about me popping up there.
The Hunter Gallery was different from the Awakener Channel, a system feature.
Unlike the Awakener Channel, exclusive to Awakeners, the Hunter Gallery was an open internet community anyone could use.
I'd frequented it a lot before awakening myself.
Post-awakening, it was even clearer: real hunters barely posted there.
With so many unverified rumors, no need to sweat every one.
“Lemme see too.”
But when it involved me, curiosity kicked in.
Now that I was awakened, I wondered about the Hunter Gallery vibe.
I'd been sticking to the Awakener Channel lately anyway.
“Please, take a seat.”
Asmodeus lowered the chair fully for my comfort.
Once I sat, she raised it to eye level with the screen.
“Thanks, Asmodeus.”
“'Tis my utmost honor.”
Asmodeus even set up a cola for me.
I dove into browsing the Hunter Gallery properly.
The Hunter Gallery was exploding with posts.
Recent hunter world drama meant endless hot topics.
Like my 3rd floor clear a few days back.
And Jamsil was still a crisis.
I clicked the one Asmodeus had been glaring at.
“Hmm… someone's pissed.”
Looked like a Jeon Yu-i fanboy post.
Yu-i was popular for her cute looks and personality.
She'd taken a major injury raiding Jamsil Gate this time.
Her hardcore fans were protesting the Association over it.
Now the backlash was splashing onto me.
I checked the comments next.
Lots of comments defending Angma.
But the defender usernames all looked suspicious.
“...This Asmodeus, right?”
“Your servant has merely wielded her talents for you, Lady Lucy.”
Sure enough, 'AngmaBest', 'DevilIsGreat', 'AngmaSuperCute'—all Asmodeus's alts.
Multiple accounts, alternating comments to shape opinion.
Pro moves, not her first rodeo.
“No need to go this hard. Just randos talking shit.”
“But these barbarians dare assail Lady Lucy! By what right do they sully your name with their filthy mouths?!”
Asmodeus clenched her fists in fury.
She'd swooped in lightning-fast on every post badmouthing me, shielding away.
“...Thanks.”
“Ahem. 'Tis an honor. Haaah.”
If she insists, whatever.
Didn't know what else to say, so thanks it was.
“Let's check other posts.”
I was over mine.
Curious about Jamsil opinions.
Clicked another.
This thread was pure chaos.
Anyone who bought in Jamsil months ago was screwed.
Gov compensation came, but took forever.
“Where's Hagenti?”
“She's on the rooftop repairing her hammer, milady.”
Hagenti was still at it with the hammer.
Fixing indoors spewed rust and dust, so Asmodeus banished her to the roof.
Poor Hagenti, whining 'Aigoo… the rooftop sun's too harsh yuh…' as she got kicked out.
But messy house bugs me too.
I set her up with sunscreen and parasol.
Checked in regularly, cheering her on.
“I'll go see her.”
Popped into mind; time for support.
She must be lonely hammering solo on the roof.
Beep beep beep beep—
Door lock chimed.
Heading out, but Hagenti beat me, opening the door.
“Ayu, all fixed yuh!”
Hagenti wiped sweat from her brow.
Rusty hammer gone; now a sleek, massive one with cool engravings in her hands.
“Ooh! Great job, Hagenti!”
“Hehe. Shonneh had to do at least this much yuh. For Lady Lucy, nothin' less eeyuh.”
Hagenti grinned, scratching her head.
'Works like an ox' was coined for her.
Finally fixed the hammer in a week.
Couldn't do much for her, felt bad.
Least buy her fave grub.
“Totally awesome! Dinner's whatever Hagenti wants tonight.”
“Whoa, really? Then bone hangover soup okay?”
Bone hangover soup? Sure.
Even tough-guy me loves it next to gukbap.
“Hah? Bone hangover soup? Hagenti, you nuts? You know I hate chewy crap like that?”
Asmodeus's tastes differed.
She preferred mala tang, tteokbokki stuff.
“Uh, uh, then maybe tteokbokki yuh…”
Hagenti wilted under Asmodeus's glare.
Devil hierarchy respect or not, nah.
Tonight was Hagenti's night.
“No. Asmodeus, tonight Hagenti picks.”
“Whoa!”
“L-Lady Lucy? U-Uh… Your servant overstepped, milady.”
Atmosphere flipped instantly.
“And Asmodeus, praise Hagenti. She worked hard.”
“Whoa, Lady Lucy, shonneh don't need that much…”
“Kh-hm. Good job. Useful for once.”
“Whoa, praise from Lady Asmodeus! Is this a dream eeyuh?”
Hagenti beamed triumphantly.
Asmodeus pouted, miffed.
Good work's good work. Why salty?
“Ordered it. Won't be long.”
“Lady Lucy's the best yuh!”
Soon as bone hangover soup ordered.
Till food arrived, check the repaired hammer's info.
◈ Hammer of the God of Thunder. Originally wielded thunder's power, but connection severed. Blacksmith skill clumsily harnessed remnants—now usable ~5 times at full strength. (Uses left: 5/5)
“Ooh…”
Hammer jumped from D- to A- in a flash.
5-use item at A-? Original must've been insane.
Just deliver to Jamsil Gate, Association handles rest.
“Asmodeus, can you drop this at Jamsil Gate? Mask up, just in case.”
No way I'm going myself.
Ordered Asmodeus to deliver.
“Of course, milady. Back before the bone hangover soup cools.”
Asmodeus nodded like no biggie.
Donned a mask from somewhere, grabbed hammer, vanished in a blink.
Left in a rush, but she was gone.
She'll handle it fine? Just drop-off.
Pfft, leave hammer and bounce—nothing to it.
Jamsil area's locked down, no civs or press.
Asmodeus's stealth is solid.
“...Should be fine, right?”
Bit uneasy, but whatever.
I flopped on the bed, chilling till bone hangover soup arrived.