Ren, Evie, Elena, and Pamela sought refuge inside the inn, their sanctuary from the raging storm outside. The inn exuded an air of warmth and coziness, with flickering candles casting dancing shadows on the walls and a crackling fire in the hearth providing a comforting glow.

Despite the inviting ambiance, the atmosphere inside was tense, with the howling wind and pounding rain serving as a constant reminder of the turmoil raging beyond the inn's sturdy walls.

As they settled in, it became evident that the storm showed no signs of abating anytime soon. The sky remained shrouded in darkness, and the steady drumbeat of rain against the windows seemed to echo throughout the inn.

"I wonder what happened to the others?" Evie muttered, her voice barely audible over the storm.

"Don't worry about them. Let's worry about whether this building will hold out," Elena replied, her brow furrowed in concern as she surveyed their surroundings.

Pamela was unfazed by the tumult outside, and lounged casually on a nearby table, her demeanor relaxed as she indulged in a meal. "Don't worry, the structures inside here are sturdy, protected by the Goddess of Smiles herself," she reassured them between bites.

"She's living in that castle, right?" Elena inquired, gesturing towards the imposing structure visible through the rain-streaked windows.

Pamela shrugged nonchalantly. "Must be. Goddesses like fancy stuff."

Ren and the others exchanged bemused glances as they observed Pamela's beggar like behavior. Despite the gravity of their situation, she seemed completely at ease, munching on her meal with no concern for the storm raging outside.

"Except for you," Elena muttered under her breath, unable to hide her exasperation at Pamela's apparent lack of decorum.

"They should arrive here soon," Evie muttered, peering over Ren shoulder at the rain-drenched streets outside. "Don't worry, those guys are strong. They wouldn't be taken down by just a storm blowing in their faces."

Evie shook her head, her expression troubled. "No, it's not the storm I'm worried about. It's just . . . they could run into mischief and cause us trouble."

Ren opened his mouth to protest, but then found himself silently agreeing with Evie. "Let's hope that's not the case."

However, deep down, Ren couldn't shake the feeling that trouble was indeed brewing elsewhere. He was sure that Azazel, Desira, Malifira, Vivi, and Iraelyn were causing some kind of trouble, inadvertently or otherwise.

As the storm raged outside, Azazel, Desira, Malifira, Vivi, and Iraelyn found themselves scattered throughout the bustling marketplace of Smiling Town, each pursuing their own interests amidst the chaos of the tempest.

Azazel, with his insatiable appetite, had made a beeline for the food stalls, eager to sample the diverse array of culinary delights on offer. His eyes sparkled with excitement as he darted from vendor to vendor, his stomach growling in anticipation at the tantalizing aromas wafting through the air.

Meanwhile, Vivi had been drawn to the dessert stores, her eyes widening with delight at the sight of rows upon rows of sugary treats. She bounced from one confectionery to the next, sampling everything from delicate pastries to decadent chocolates with reckless abandon.

Desira had set her sights on the fashionable boutiques that lined the streets of the marketplace. With a confident stride and a discerning eye, she perused the latest trends, her fingers grazing over luxurious fabrics and exquisite designs as she searched for the perfect ensemble to add to her wardrobe.

Malifira had headed straight for the apothecary shops, her mind focused on gathering supplies and potions that would aid her in their journey ahead. With a keen eye for quality and efficacy, she sifted through shelves laden with herbs, tinctures, and potions, her attention focused despite the storm outside.

And then there was Iraelyn with a penchant for weaponry and combat. She navigated the maze of weapon shops, her gaze alighting on gleaming swords, sturdy shields, and deadly projectiles as she sought out the perfect arsenal to bolster her defenses.

As they immersed themselves in their respective desires, oblivious to the storm raging outside, trouble soon began to brew.

Azazel, in his eagerness to sample every delicacy the marketplace had to offer, had inadvertently angered a particularly cantankerous chef by devouring an entire tray of freshly baked pastries without paying. With flour-covered hands and a mischievous grin, he attempted to charm his way out of trouble, but his smooth-talking only seemed to exacerbate the situation, much to the trouble of the onlookers.

Anger was a strong emotion that wasn't allowed inside Smiling Town, and thus the Guardians of the place were quickly alerted. Meanwhile, Vivi was lost in a sugary haze of delight, and had inadvertently knocked over a towering display of cakes, sending them crashing to the ground in a cacophony of shattered porcelain and frosting. With wide-eyed innocence, she attempted to offer her assistance in cleaning up the mess, but her efforts only seemed to make matters worse, leaving her covered in a sticky, sugary mess.

Desira, in her quest for the perfect outfit, had caught the eye of a persistent salesperson who was determined to make a sale at any cost. With a relentless barrage of compliments and persuasive tactics, they had convinced her to try on an outrageously flamboyant ensemble that left her feeling more like a circus performer than a fashion icon. Desira was so mad that she turned the sales person into a frog, and this alerted the Guardians. Malifira, on the other hand, was engrossed in her search for essential supplies, had inadvertently knocked over a precarious stack of potion bottles, sending them tumbling to the ground in a cascade of glass and liquid. With a muttered curse, she attempted to contain the spill, but her efforts only seemed to spread the mess further, leaving her surrounded by a puddle of colorful liquids and a distinctly pungent odor.

And before she knew it, she turned into a very small demoness.

"Hmm . . . this is not good," she uttered to herself and chuckled. And the last, Iraelyn was wary of danger, and had attracted the attention of a group of Guardians who took offense to her scrutinizing gaze. With a brash display of strength, she had took care of the Guardians and went on her way, not realizing that their actions caused the notice of the Goddess of Smile and Happiness.