Chapter 392: Absurd Online Nicknames, Lucifer's Blood Pressure Rises
After showing Pandemonica to a spare room, Lucifer retrieved a sleek smartphone from a nearby cabinet and tossed it to her. Before Pandemonica could even process the gesture, she saw Lucifer clear her throat, adopting the stern posture of someone about to deliver a lengthy lecture.
"Boss, are you going to discuss development plans?" Pandemonica asked, her tone professionally curious.
"What development plans? Don't interrupt, and listen carefully," Lucifer snapped. "I know you're familiar with these devices, but I'm about to give you access to something. You will control yourself. Understood?"
Pandemonica glanced down at the phone in her hands and gave a crisp nod. "Understood, Boss… However, you didn't eliminate me just now for my research on Ren. Is this the power of love?"
"Something like that," Lucifer said, her voice laced with impatience. "I told you not to interrupt. You'll understand the reason soon enough. Also, Pandora, remember this: no matter what happens, you are absolutely forbidden from interacting with anyone named Esdeath or Momobami Kirari. Is that clear?"
Pandemonica blinked, a flicker of surprise in her eyes, before nodding again. "Understood… Esdeath… I must admit, I feel we could get along splendidly. I believe she's a genius…"
Lucifer rolled her eyes and jabbed a finger impatiently at Pandemonica's forehead. "What is left in that brain of yours besides mocha and sadism?!"
"Previously, there was also work, performance evaluations, charcoal-roasted coffee, lattes, Americanos, macchiatos…"
Lucifer drew in a sharp, hissing breath. She grabbed Pandemonica by the shoulders, her grip tight. "I wasn't asking you to actually answer! And would you simply perish without coffee?! What is this 'previously' nonsense?!"
Pandemonica tilted her head, giving the question genuine thought. "I might… Because now, in addition to those things, my mind wanders to other topics. For instance, whether I should sleep until I wake naturally or adhere to a strict eight-hour schedule. Or what my agenda for tomorrow should be. Or precisely how Mr. Ren will make me fall in love…"
A vein throbbed at Lucifer's temple. "That's enough! Just listen to me!"
"Yes… Boss, you seem quite angry."
"I am not!"
"Truly?"
"I'm not!"
"Boss… Although our lifespans are infinite, you, after all… Uh…" Pandemonica trailed off, catching herself. "What were you going to say, Boss?"
Lucifer's mouth twitched violently. Pandemonica had nearly stumbled upon the one topic she was most sensitive about. While it was true that demons were eternally youthful, possessing limitless lifespans and forever appearing to be in their early twenties, there was one tell-tale sign of their true age: their horns. Over the vast stretches of time, a demon's horns would slowly bleach to white. Pandemonica, for instance, was a prime example of a young, excellent demoness, her horns a deep, uniform black. As for Lucifer… hers were a pure, immaculate white. Ahem.
Taking a deep, steadying breath, Lucifer forced a calm she did not feel. "Pandora, if you were to wake up naturally, it could be decades from now… or centuries. So, it would be best for you to stick to an eight-hour sleep schedule and adjust slowly. Now, pay attention. I'm going to teach you a few things."
This time, Pandemonica remained silent, listening with the patient focus of a diligent subordinate. Lucifer felt a small measure of satisfaction. At least this version of Pandemonica was more receptive to instruction. Her sadistic second personality certainly wouldn't be, so Lucifer was grateful that this third, post-Ren-obsession persona retained her usual intellectual and sensible nature.
After a lengthy explanation of the phone's various functions, sharing a list of important contacts, and issuing a few final instructions, Lucifer added Pandemonica to the group chat.
She had no other choice. Lucifer was keenly aware of her man's charm, and Pandemonica was playing with fire. It was far safer to pull her into the fold where she could be watched.
The moment Pandemonica's name appeared in the chat, the usual lurkers began to surface. A wave of surprise rippled through the group when they saw it was Lucifer who had added someone new. The CEO of Hell's social circle was notoriously private and well-guarded. They knew it consisted of other girls, but they had never actually seen any of them. For her to directly invite someone was a major event.
[Hell Customer Service]: "Hello, everyone. I am Pandemonica, the customer service representative for the Boss's company."
A collective digital silence fell over the chat. First, Cerberus from the security department, and now a customer service representative. What was next, the etiquette department? (Modeus: Me… Oh…)
The initial shock quickly gave way to a flurry of messages. When they learned that Pandemonica was the only customer service representative, they were baffled. Everyone had heard of Lucifer's enterprise; it was rumored to be a massive corporation with numerous business ventures. The idea of it having only one customer service agent seemed absurdly exhausting.
Subconsciously, they all assumed Pandemonica had misspoken. Surely, she meant she was the head of customer service—the most capable one, a department minister. (Pandemonica: You haven't guessed wrong… It really is just me…)
At the group's insistent request, Lucifer and Pandemonica posed for a quick photo. It was Lucifer's first-ever picture with an employee, and the experience felt strangely foreign. But when the image appeared in the chat, the group exploded.
Compliments flooded the screen, one after another exclaiming how elegant and beautiful Pandemonica was. A faint, rare smile touched Pandemonica's lips. A demoness was still a young woman at heart, and this was a demoness who was seldom praised—one whose appearance had never before been the subject of admiration.
[Hell CEO]: "Am I not beautiful?!"
[Hell Matryoshka]: "Lucifer is beautiful, but she's a tsundere!"
Everyone: "Agreed!"
[Hell CEO]: "I am not a tsundere! And who in the world is Hell Matryoshka?!"
Everyone: "Cerberus!"
[Good Food Lover]: "So Ren really is a lucky, stinky man with incredible romantic fortune…"
[Hell CEO]: "And who are you supposed to be?!"
Everyone: "Yuko!"
Lucifer stared at the screen, utterly dumbfounded. It was just like her own dog to backstab her on a matter like this, but why did both of their nicknames feel so loaded with passive aggression?
She covered her face with her hands, feeling her blood pressure begin to climb. When had they all changed their names to these ridiculous things?! Were they all this idle?!
Pandemonica offered a small, amused smile. "Boss… Everyone seems very interesting."
Lucifer waved a dismissive hand, not trusting herself to speak. "You all chat amongst yourselves… I'm going downstairs to watch the store… I'll take you to buy daily necessities tomorrow."
She paused at the door. "Use your own salary."
Watching Lucifer retreat, Pandemonica's mouth twitched. While she was by no means short on funds—in fact, she was quite wealthy—that wasn't a valid reason to pay for her own essentials!
Her mind churned. After careful consideration, she realized she wasn't actually employed at the moment… At this thought, a slow, calculating smile spread across her lips.
She whispered to the empty room, "Boss… It seems I now have the same master as you… Heh."
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