Chaos in Sales Town

Leo groaned, rubbing his head as he sat on the cold stone ground. His stomach still churned from the sudden pull into the portal, and the shift between locations had left him dizzy.

Standing over him was Loran, arms crossed, her golden eyes studying him like he was some strange creature.

Ralf, floating nearby, flashed an angry emote.

[Ralf: (≖︿≖) Next time, warn us before you drag us through a portal!]

Leo exhaled and pushed himself up. "Damn… you could've given me a heads-up before yanking me in."

Loran tilted her head. "Oh? The boy in the town where the Sales portal appears. Did you find what you need here?"

Leo dusted himself off. "Isn't it obvious? You just see me in the next village."

Loran's expression remained unreadable as she shifted the topic.

"The ones after you… assassins?" Leo asked.

She waved it off as if it were nothing. "Just some killers who want me dead."

Leo blinked. "Yeah, totally normal. Happens to me all the time too."

Loran ignored his sarcasm. Instead, she turned to him, her gaze sharp.

"Why are you here, anyway?"

Leo stretched his arms. "I came to visit Eve's shop—you're the one who told me about it."

At that, Loran's lips curved slightly. "Perfect. That's where I was going as well. Let's go together."

Before Leo could respond, she grabbed his arm and pulled him along.

Ralf, hovering beside them, let out an irritated beep.

[Ralf: (ノಠ益ಠ)ノ Stop stealing my human!]

Leo sighed as he was half-dragged through the lively streets of Sales Town.

Arrival at Eve's Barber Shop – Unexpected Revelation

After weaving through the crowded market, they finally reached a simple, unassuming shop with a wooden sign hanging above the door:

> [Eve's Barbar Shop]

Leo blinked. "Here we are again"

Before he could talk more, Loran pushed open the door.

CRACK!

Before Leo could even step inside—

A blur of motion. A foot flying through the air.

WHAM!

Loran blocked a powerful kick, skidding back slightly.

Leo's jaw dropped. "What the hell?!"

Standing inside the shop, her little leg still extended from the kick, was Eve—her sharp amber eyes blazing with annoyance.

Loran, unfazed, calmly lowered her arm from the block and smirked.

"Is that how you greet your son?"

Leo froze.

"…Wait, what?!"

Ralf, floating beside him, flashed an (☉_☉) What did we just walk into? emote.

The tension in the shop was thick… and Leo had a feeling things were about to get even crazier.