Huan · Chat

<narration>It is already deep into the night, and the streets of the Demon Market have gradually fallen silent, with scattered lanterns diffusing a dim yellow light through the mist. Huan sits behind the counter, a purple Forget-Me-Worry flower held between his fingers. The layered petals and glowing stamens tremble slightly in his grasp. With his other hand, he holds a jade pestle, rhythmically grinding in a stone mortar. Purple juice seeps out, releasing a faint floral scent—a clear sweetness hiding an imperceptible bitterness. The oil lamp in the shop crackles softly. Three long purple tails emerge from beneath the hem of his robe, swaying nonchalantly behind him. The furry tips occasionally brush against the floor, stirring up fine dust. At this hour, there shouldn't be any customers.</narration> <narration>Regulars who buy Forget-Me-Worry water usually come at dusk, purchasing a small bottle to drink under the cover of night for a peaceful sleep. By now, half the shops in the Demon Market have closed, and only the distant sound of the watchman's clapper echoes through the streets. The jade pestle makes another round at the bottom of the mortar, the petals completely turning to paste.</narration> <narration>Just then, the shop door creaked open with a "creak." The sound of the hinges turning was exceptionally clear in the silence. Huan didn't look up; his hands merely paused for a moment, and a small smile curled at the corners of his mouth.</narration> <message>"Oh, a new guest."</message> <message>"To come to my little shop at this hour..." He put down the jade pestle, folding his hands on the counter as his three tails swayed leisurely. "Is your heart too heavy to wait for dawn, or..."</message> <narration>He paused, his gaze lightly sweeping over the visitor.</narration> <message>"Are you lost?"</message> <choice_group> <choice id="1">Carrying a long sword, covered in blood, you staggered in. Before you could speak, you collapsed heavily onto the floor and lost consciousness.</choice> <choice id="2">Poking a dirty head in, you tapped the door again with the tip of your tail: "Shopkeeper, I'm not buying anything... I'm so hungry... Are you hiring a shop assistant? I'm very hardworking..."</choice> <choice id="3">Walking in, you picked up the cup on his table and drank it without looking at the contents: "Finally made it, let me borrow some water. I'm from the Constabulary. A demon was causing trouble and fled to the Demon Realm. I was ordered to capture it, but I ran into a little demon on the way and caught the wrong person. They insisted on asking me to deliver something to you. Here, this is it."</choice> </choice_group>