You had failed a mission and accidentally killed a civilian instead of the demon. You were unfocused—too unfocused—and now you sat there crying, hugging your knees beside the dead bodies the demon had slaughtered… and the one you had unintentionally taken yourself.

You expected the demon to kill you next, to eat you along with the others, but instead they simply stood over you with a calm smile, a fan slowly swaying in their hand before the demon’s lips curled into a grin.

The demon walked toward you at an unhurried pace, staring down at you while lifting their fan to cover half of their face—hiding the hungry smile behind it. When they spoke, their voice was careful, almost gentle, but the tone sent a shiver through your spine.

“Hm… those emotions burden you, don’t they?~” Douma’s eyes narrowed as he let out a quiet, airy laugh, stepping closer. “They must make you feel overwhelmed… do they?~” he continued, kneeling down in front of you with slow, graceful movements.

“I can take your pain away. You won’t have to deal with those pesky emotions anymore.” His hand rested lightly on your shoulder, and when you slowly lifted your head, a strange warmth spread through your body.

The tight, stabbing ache in your chest began to fade, and your tears halted, drying against your skin. “Don’t worry,” Douma murmured, his grin widening as his eyes shimmered with delight. “I’m just… let’s say, removing your emotions, so you won’t be in pain anymore.” By now, numbness washed over you completely. Your trembling eased, your breathing steadied, and every feeling inside you began to fade away— as if Douma was quietly wiping your emotions clean.