The store had a deceptive calm that morning. Feria floated through the aisles, clipboard in hand, meticulously inspecting every shelf and rearranging stacks of cup noodles with deadly precision. Bella leaned against the counter, arms crossed, scanning the store for anything that might fall or explode, already anticipating another chaotic day.
The Demon King, perched on a stool with his usual Blue Bull in hand, eyed the display of "human curiosities" with unusual interest. He tapped his clawed fingers against the counter and murmured, "I observe humans engaging in strange… rituals. Perhaps it is time I partake."
Bella squinted at him. "What are you planning?"
The Demon King pulled a sleek, metallic device from beneath his cloak. Its small size and strange shape emitted a faint hiss of vapor. "This," he announced with a solemn nod, "is called a vape. It is said to grant… relaxation and pleasure. A mortal indulgence. I shall see what power it holds."
Nyx, lounging atop a stack of soda crates, bounced with excitement. "Ohhh, yes! Do it! I need to see this! Maybe he'll turn into a smoke dragon or something!"
Bella groaned. "No. Just… don't."
Ignoring Bella, the Demon King placed the device between his fanged teeth and inhaled slowly. For a moment, he looked triumphant—majestic, even. Then his eyes widened.
A violent coughing fit erupted. Smoke shot from his nostrils and mouth like a miniature volcano. He wheezed, staggered on the stool, and a cloud of vapor filled the aisle, wrapping around Nyx and Bella like an eerie fog.
Bella yelped, stumbling back. "What the—?! Are you dying?!"
Nyx collapsed onto the floor laughing, clutching her stomach. "Ohhh, this is perfect! Look at him! He's supposed to be a terrifying overlord and now he's choking on smoke! I can't—HAHA!"
The Demon King waved the vape wildly, sending a spiraling plume of smoke toward the ceiling. "This… is… unbearable! Humans are stronger… and crueler than they appear!"
Drogan, leaning against a soda shelf, doubled over in laughter. "He's… he's flailing like a fish out of water!"
Yuwen floated just above the aisle, arms crossed. "He has no dignity whatsoever."
Bella, still recovering from the jump scare, muttered under her breath, "I've fought armies, demons, cursed relics… I've survived dungeons with collapsing ceilings. And this… almost gave me a heart attack."
Nyx peeked through the smoke, still giggling. "I've never seen him like this! This is the best chaos ever!"
Feria descended from the snack aisle, clipboard in hand, giving the scene a single, disapproving glance. "Perhaps we should ban this device from the store entirely. This… behavior is disruptive, hazardous, and frankly, beneath the dignity of even the most minor employee."
The Demon King coughed one final time, fumbling with the device. "…I will not be defeated by a mortal contraption," he said, trying to sound regal. "But… perhaps moderation is wise." He returned the vape to beneath his cloak, though his claws trembled slightly.
Bella shook her head, exasperated. "Moderation… for him. I never thought I'd live to see the day."
Nyx, still snickering, tossed a Pokémon card into the remaining smoke. "That was the best thing I've ever seen! I can't wait for the sequel!"
Even Arthos, slightly hungover and still recovering from last night's cleaning fiasco, muttered, "I… I didn't realize an overlord could be this vulnerable. That… that was impressive, in a humiliating sort of way."
The store slowly returned to its usual chaotic rhythm. Soda towers wobbled dangerously in the corners, cup noodles teetered on shelves, and stray wrappers fluttered across the aisles. The Demon King, humbled but still proud, clutched his Blue Bull and muttered to himself, "I will master mortal indulgences… eventually."
Meanwhile, Bella leaned on the counter, rubbing her temples. "Retail hell… now with added smoke."
Nyx, still grinning from ear to ear, whispered, "Next time… I'm bringing a fog machine. He'll love it!"
And somewhere on a shelf, a cup noodle teetered ominously, as if silently cheering the Demon King on in his ongoing war against human inventions.