Makoto tugged at his collar, trying to keep the amulet from slipping into view.

He wasn't stupid. Walking around with an ancient artifact of untold power hanging from his neck was practically an invitation for trouble—and considering what had just happened with that demon merchant, trouble didn't need much of an invitation in this place.

"Justice," he said, quickening his pace to catch up with her. "We need to do something about this thing." He pointed to the amulet, which still pulsed faintly with a crimson light.

Justice didn't even slow down. "What, afraid of a little attention?"

"Yes!" Makoto snapped, his voice a little louder than he intended. A nearby demon—a short, hunched creature with too many teeth—glanced at him, sniffing the air curiously. Makoto flinched, pulling his blazer tighter around himself.

Justice laughed, the sound echoing through the narrow alley. "Relax, kid. I'm just messing with you." She turned slightly, flashing him a grin. "But yeah, you're right. That thing's gonna make you a walking target if you don't hide it."

Makoto let out a sigh of relief. "Finally, some good advice. So… how do I hide it?"

Justice shrugged. "Beats me. I don't do subtle."

Makoto's face fell. "You've got to be kidding me."

As they wandered deeper into the marketplace, Makoto's nerves frayed further. The demons around them seemed to shift and stir like predators catching the scent of prey, their eyes lingering on him for a moment too long. He couldn't tell if they were staring at him or the amulet, but either way, it made his skin crawl.

"Hey, Justice," he whispered, glancing around. "Maybe we should—"

He trailed off as Justice stopped in front of a small, rickety stall nestled between two larger, more imposing ones. Unlike the others, this stall wasn't loud or chaotic. It was quiet, almost unassuming, its shelves lined with strange trinkets and bits of cracked jewelry.

Behind the counter sat a demon that looked… surprisingly normal. She was tall and slender, with dark, smooth skin that shimmered faintly like obsidian. Her eyes were sharp and yellow, her hair braided into intricate patterns that framed her face. She wore simple robes, her demeanor calm and composed in stark contrast to the chaos of the Bazaar around her.

"Lorette," Justice said, leaning casually against the counter. "Got anything that can hide a kid's death wish?"

The demon—Lorette—raised an eyebrow, her gaze flicking to Makoto. "This human has a death wish?"

Justice grinned. "Not yet, but he will if he keeps flashing that fancy necklace around."

Makoto flushed, clutching the amulet protectively. "I-I'm not flashing it! It's just… really hard to hide."

Lorette's gaze lingered on the amulet, her expression unreadable. "Interesting," she murmured. "I haven't seen an artifact like that in a long time."

Makoto tensed. "You… know what it is?"

"I have my suspicions," Lorette said, her voice quiet. "But whatever it is, it's powerful. Too powerful for someone like you to carry openly." She reached under the counter, pulling out a small, black cloth bag embroidered with faint silver runes. "This should do the trick. It won't suppress the amulet's aura completely, but it'll be enough to fool most of the low-level riffraff around here."

Makoto hesitated, glancing at Justice. "Can we trust her?"

Justice smirked. "Lorette's not the backstabbing type. She likes her deals clean and simple."

Lorette inclined her head. "I value my reputation, human. Besides, you're far too entertaining to double-cross."

Makoto wasn't sure if that was comforting or terrifying, but he didn't have much of a choice. "How much?" he asked, reluctantly reaching into his pocket.

Lorette's smile widened faintly. "For you? A small favor will suffice."

Makoto blinked. "A… favor?"

"Relax, kid," Justice said, waving a hand. "Lorette's favors are never anything too crazy. Usually."

Makoto frowned, but he took the bag anyway, slipping the amulet inside. The moment he tied the drawstring, the faint pulsing light disappeared, and the weight on his chest seemed to lessen slightly.

"There," Lorette said. "That should make your life a little easier. For now, at least."

Makoto exhaled, feeling a sliver of relief for the first time since arriving in Hell. "Thanks… I think."

Lorette smiled, her yellow eyes glinting. "Don't thank me yet, human. Your journey is just beginning."

As they left the stall, Makoto couldn't help but glance over his shoulder, half-expecting Lorette to call after him with some kind of ominous warning. When she didn't, he let out a quiet sigh of relief.

"So, uh," he said, turning to Justice, "what's the deal with her? She didn't seem like the other demons."

Justice chuckled. "Lorette's a smart one. She doesn't fight, doesn't chase power—she just runs her little shop and keeps her nose clean. Some demons like the chaos. Others like to watch from the sidelines."

Makoto frowned. "She said she'd seen an artifact like this before. What did she mean by that?"

Justice shrugged. "Beats me. But if she knows something, she's not gonna spill the beans for free."

Makoto's grip on the bag tightened. Just how much trouble am I in?

As they continued through the Bazaar, the atmosphere began to shift. The stalls grew larger and more ornate, their wares displayed with a strange kind of pride. Makoto spotted a blacksmith hammering away at a sword that seemed to shimmer with liquid fire, while a nearby vendor sold what looked like preserved eyeballs in tiny crystal jars.

The demons themselves seemed different here, too. Taller, more composed, with an air of authority that made Makoto's skin crawl. Their eyes followed him as he passed, lingering for just a moment too long.

"Justice," Makoto whispered, trying not to panic. "I thought the bag was supposed to hide the amulet's aura."

"It does," Justice said, her grin widening. "But the big players? They don't need to see it to know you've got something special."

Makoto swallowed hard, his pace quickening.

They were nearly out of the Bazaar when a voice called out behind them.

"Wait."

Makoto froze, his blood running cold. Slowly, he turned to see a tall, skeletal demon in a tattered cloak standing a few feet away. Its hollow eyes glowed faintly, and its bony fingers twitched as it gestured toward him.

"That bag of yours won't save you, human," the demon rasped. "Not from what's coming."

Makoto's heart pounded in his chest. "What do you mean?"

The demon tilted its head, its empty sockets staring directly at him. "The amulet chose you for a reason. You'll learn soon enough."

Justice stepped forward, her grin razor-sharp. "That's enough, bonehead. Move along before I make you."

The demon let out a low, rattling laugh. "Enjoy your time, human. While it lasts."

It disappeared into the shadows, leaving Makoto shaken and silent.

Justice clapped him on the back, her grin returning. "See? You're already making friends."

Makoto sighed, clutching the bag tightly. "I really hate this place."

Justice laughed. "You'll get used to it."

To Be Continued…