The store was a disaster. Soda towers lay toppled across the floor, cup noodles rolled between aisles, and a faint smell of burnt microwave hung in the air. The automatic lights flickered intermittently, casting long shadows over the chaotic battlefield of shelves.
Bella leaned against the counter, exhausted. "I cannot believe we survived this."
Nyx giggled, tossing a Pokémon card at Drogan, who caught it mid-laugh. "It's perfect chaos! I'd say ten out of ten for effort!"
Suddenly, the front doors swung open with a sharp creak. Everyone froze. Even the Demon King's noodles paused mid-sip.
A regal figure stepped inside. His armor gleamed under the fluorescent lights, and his presence alone made the air feel heavier. The store seemed to quiet itself, as if holding its breath.
The King.
Arthos scrambled upright. "Your Majesty?" His words slurred slightly from earlier drinks.
The Demon King straightened, his eyes narrowing. "…He's here."
The King's gaze swept across the broken shelves, spilled soda, and scattered noodles. He raised a hand, and the room seemed to tremble. "Explain. Explain this chaos."
Yuwen muttered under her breath, "I knew someone would show up…"
Varkos tried to look innocent while holding a half-eaten bag of chips. "It… it was… uh… team-building?"
The Hero stammered, "We were… reorganizing… the aisles strategically!"
Nyx hid behind the counter, holding her Pokémon cards like a shield. "It wasn't that bad!"
The King's eyes fell on Bella, still leaning calmly against the counter, dagger at her side. "And you… assassin elf. You let this happen?"
Bella met his gaze, deadpan. "I survive dungeons, dragons, and demon armies. This? This is retail hell."
The King's shoulders stiffened. Then, slowly, he raised a hand toward the broken shelves. With a wave, the knocked-over soda towers righted themselves, cup noodles rolled back into neat stacks, and the flickering lights stabilized.
The room fell silent. The heroes and generals stared, wide-eyed.
The King's voice echoed, calm but commanding. "If you wish to survive here… you will treat this place as a battlefield. Discipline, focus, and respect. Or you will answer to me."
The Demon King muttered, barely audible, "I… may have underestimated mortals."
Nyx peeked out from behind the counter, whispering, "Okay… that was terrifying."
Bella sighed, sheathing her dagger. "Finally… someone understands the stakes."
The King turned to leave, his cape flowing behind him. "I will return if order is not maintained. Do not test my patience."
And with that, the store fell silent—broken, messy, but somehow slightly more under control.
Bella glanced at the group. "Well… I guess the real training begins now."
Nyx groaned. "And I was just getting used to chaos."
The Demon King slurped his noodles slowly, eyes flicking toward the ceiling. "Perhaps… retail is the ultimate battlefield after all."