If there was one thing I learned from Zone 2, it was this:

  Being a Demon Lord was not a leadership position. It was a tourist attraction.

  “GLORY TO THE SHINING LORD!”

  “HE’S RADIANT!”

  “SHE’S DIVINE!”

  “THEY’RE BEAUTIFUL!”

  "CAN YOU SHINE RAINBOW?”

  I stood there, glowing like a cursed light bulb, surrounded by screaming demons who had completely abandoned any concept of personal space.

  I blinked once.

  [Announcement: Demon Lord asking for personal space.]

  “…You didn’t have to announce that,” I muttered.

  Light still clung to my skin, faint sparkles drifting zily around me like I was some kind of limited-edition gacha character.

  I lowered my hands slowly and looked down at myself.

  Slimmer arms.

  Longer fingers.

  Chest...

  I froze.

  “…Nope,” I said calmly. “Not checking that.”

  Charmie, standing beside me, absolutely did not share my restraint.

  She leaned over, hands csped behind her back, peering at me with sparkling eyes.

  “Oh my~” she hummed.

  I turned my head very, very slowly.

  “Charmie.”

  “Yes, my lord~?”

  “Why,” I asked, teeth clenched, “do I feel like you’re enjoying this more than the crowd?”

  She giggled, covering her mouth. “Enjoying? Me? Never, I’m merely appreciating the Demon Lord’s… versatility.”

  Behind us, the demons continued to lose their minds.

  “She shines without chanting spells!”

  “The prophecy! The prophecy was true!” “The Demon Lord changes form at will!”

  I raised a finger. “I would like to formally correct that statement.”

  No one listened.

  I sighed and looked up at the sky.

  “…Am I a he right now? Or a she...?”

  I sneezed and transformed too much, I felt dizzy…

  Charmie tilted her head. “Hmm. You’re asking me?”

  “Yes,” I replied ftly. “You seem extremely invested.”

  She tapped her chin thoughtfully. “Well~ you were male earlier. And now you’re female. But spiritually?”

  She leaned closer, whispering conspiratorially.

  “You’re very cute either way.”

  I gagged.

  Another tickle crept up my nose.

  Oh no.

  Oh no no no.

  I spped a hand over my face.

  “Don’t you dare,” I warned the universe.

  Charmie’s eyes widened.

  “Ooooh?”

  I inhaled sharply.

  “…Ah!”

  ACHOOOO!!

  [ACHOOOO!! Skill Activated!]

  Light exploded again.

  The crowd screamed like they were watching fireworks.

  [Transforming…]

  [Announcement: Demon Lord successfully transformed into a male!]

  I dropped to one knee from the sheer force of embarrassment.

  “…I hate everything.”

  The light faded, and I stared at my hands again.

  Broader. Rougher.

  Okay.

  Back to default.

  I stood up slowly, brushing imaginary dust off my coat, dignity already six feet underground.

  “Alright,” I said loudly, forcing confidence into my voice. “Show’s over.”

  The demons stared.

  Then one of them raised a hand.

  “Um… Lord… can you do it again?”

  “No.”

  “Just once more?”

  “Absolutely not.”

  Charmie leaned in again. “What if it’s good for morale?”

  I pointed at her. “You are banned from morale.”

  She gasped. “Cruel!”

  Another demon spoke up. “Lord! Which form is your true form?!”

  I opened my mouth.

  ...

  Paused.

  “…That,” I said carefully, “is an excellent question that I do not have an answer to.”

  They nodded solemnly.

  “The Demon Lord transcends form…”

  "Such wisdom…”

  I stared at them. “Are you all just making things up?”

  “Yes,” Charmie answered instantly.

  [Announcement: Demon Lord Internal Confusion Level, Moderate.]

  “STOP,” I snapped, pointing at the air. “Stop tracking my emotions!”

  [System: Request acknowledged. Emotional monitoring will continue as scheduled. Thank you for your cooperation.]

  “…Thank you.” I sigh.

  ---

  We started pushing through the crowd, Charmie guiding me by the sleeve like I was a particurly valuable, and fragile package.

  “Next time,” I muttered, “I'll wear disguises.”

  Charmie ughed. “Oh my lord, that was the disguise.”

  I gnced back at the cheering demons.

  “…I miss peaceful life.”

  Suddenly, something sharp jabbed my side.

  “OW...!”

  I turned to see a small demon child poking me with a stick.

  “Are you real?” the kid asked.

  “Yes,” I replied tiredly.

  The kid poked me again.

  “I swear...!”

  Charmie scooped the child up. “Careful! You’ll anger him!”

  The kid stared at me with wide eyes.

  “Can you explode? Like BOOM!”

  “…Only emotionally,” I said.

  As we finally reached the edge of Zone 2, the cheers faded slightly, repced by a quieter, heavier atmosphere.

  The buildings thinned. The air changed.

  Even Charmie stopped teasing, for about three seconds.

  “So,” I said, rubbing my nose warily, “Zone 3 is next.”

  “Yes,” she replied softly.

  I sneezed again.

  “…Don’t.”

  It didn’t come.

  I exhaled in relief.

  Charmie smiled sweetly. “Oh don’t worry, my lord,” she said. “I’ll make sure you shine plenty today.”

  I stared at her. “You’re evil.”

  She winked.

  And with that, I stepped forward, into Zone 3 still glowing faintly, still unsure of my real gender, and absolutely certain that this trip was going to ruin my dignity.