The automatic doors slid open with an ominous chime, and in walked disaster wearing sunglasses indoors. She marched straight to the counter, arms crossed, lips pursed, already radiating dissatisfaction.
Nyx felt it first. "Oh no," she whispered. "That aura… that's not a boss fight. That's a Karen."
Bella didn't look up from the register. "Everyone stay calm. Maybe she'll just buy something and leave."
She did not.
"Excuse me?" the woman snapped, tapping the counter aggressively. "Why is this store so messy? Why are the noodles stacked like that? Why is the floor shiny? Is that hygienic?"
Vario looked up, blinking. "Uh, welcome? Can I help you—"
"I wasn't finished," she cut in. "Also, why do you look like that? Is that uniform even regulation? And why are there chips there? They should be there. I shop here every week, I know how stores work."
Nyx leaned on the counter, smirking. "Actually, you don't—"
"I want the manager."
Bella pointed calmly at Vario. "That's him."
Vario froze. "Wait, I am?"
The Karen gasped dramatically. "Unbelievable. You're the manager? This explains everything. This store has gone downhill. Back in my day, convenience stores had standards. And don't get me started on your attitude. You look tired. Why are you tired? Are you lazy?"
Vario opened his mouth. Closed it. His eye twitched.
She continued without mercy.
"And what is that smell? Is that soda? Or something worse? Also, why are the prices like this? Do you think money grows on trees? I want a discount. Actually, I deserve a discount. I had to wait three seconds at the door."
Nyx started counting on her fingers. "Wow. She hasn't even breathed yet."
Bella whispered, "Vario, don't engage. Just breathe."
Too late.
The Karen leaned closer. "And another thing—your shelves are crooked. Your lighting is too bright. Your lighting is too dark. This store is too loud. Why are there anime posters? Is this some kind of theme? Are you people cosplayers?"
Vario's vision blurred.
"Ma'am," he said weakly, "we just survived an Oni siege…"
"I don't care about your excuses," she snapped. "Customer service is dead. Absolutely dead."
That was it.
Vario swayed. His soul visibly left his body. With a soft, defeated sound, he collapsed behind the counter.
Silence.
The Karen blinked. "Oh my god. Did he just faint? This is a lawsuit."
Nyx hopped over the counter immediately. "Nope. Nope nope nope. You did this. Psychic damage. Critical hit."
Bella checked Vario's pulse, then sighed. "He's alive. Just… emotionally destroyed."
Seraphine appeared seemingly out of nowhere, glowing softly. "He has suffered great spiritual damage," she said gently. "We must move him away from the source."
Nyx pointed at the Karen. "That's you."
"I want compensation," the Karen said, arms crossed again.
Bella stood up slowly, smiling in a way that promised violence. "Ma'am. Please leave the store."
"Or what?"
The automatic doors opened behind her with perfect timing.
Nyx smiled sweetly. "Or the store closes for 'emotional recovery.' Permanently. With you outside."
The Karen huffed, grabbed a pack of gum, slammed exact change on the counter, and stormed out. "I'm never coming back here again!"
The doors closed.
Everyone exhaled.
Vario groaned faintly from the floor. "Did… did we win?"
Bella patted his head. "No, Vario. You lost."
Nyx nodded solemnly. "First enemy to ever defeat you without magic, weapons, or effort."
Vario closed his eyes again. "I hate retail."