Harlan Flint leaned back in his chair behind the counter of Galehaven Comics. The shop was finally quiet. The crowd from earlier—Fischl's show, the Lady's dramatic transformation, Luke's skirt issues—had cleared out. Only the faint whistle of the kettle behind him broke the silence, filling the room with the scent of dandelion tea. Sunlight streamed through the front window, cutting across the dusty floorboards and glinting off the comic shelves.
He opened the system menu. Eleven customers served. One comic draw unlocked. He rubbed his hands together. "Let's go with two new ones this time. System, pull."
The panel lit up in his mind.
[Drawing initiated… Extracted comic: Little Master]Description: Liu Maoxing, a young chef from Yangquan Tavern, earns the title of Special Chef and battles against the Dark Cuisine Realm with food and heart.
Harlan smiled. "Little Master. Classic."
He remembered the show well—ridiculous food battles, light erupting from soup bowls, egg fried rice that could start wars. It was over-the-top, but it worked. Better than Fugui, more heart than Shokugeki. The only question was: would Mondstadt care?
He thought about it. Mondstadt's food was heavy—boar steaks, apple cider, grilled dishes. Little Master was about precision, finesse, subtle flavors that glowed. But good food was good food. If the comic delivered, the rest didn't matter. "Let's see if the right customer walks in," he muttered, stomach growling. It was already past noon.
He stood, stretched, and went upstairs to grab lunch. He debated between keeping it simple or trying something inspired by the comic. A rice bowl with spice, maybe. Either way, it was a break.
Outside Mondstadt, Barbara stepped through the Whispering Forest. Her blue skirt brushed the grass as she moved through the undergrowth, her Hydro Vision at her side. The forest was quiet and cool, the wind steady. She'd left the city earlier that morning, wanting a break from her usual healing work.
Snowballmon chirped from her shoulder. The Digimon had been her partner since visiting Galehaven. It had grown on her fast—small, fluffy, happy. A good match for her. Harlan had told her that with the right food and setting, it could evolve. She'd taken his advice seriously.
"Alright, let's find you some ingredients," she said.
They started collecting: Dandelion Puffs, Lamp Grass, even an apple or two. She fed them to Snowballmon as they gathered. It didn't complain. It ate everything she offered, bouncing between bites. She smiled, kneeling down in the moss as it tore into another Lamp Grass. Its appetite was impressive for something the size of a melon.
"You're going to evolve today," she told it.
She didn't doubt it. Not because of the forest or her efforts—but because Harlan had said it would happen. And if he said something, she trusted it.
The pile of forest food finally ran out. Snowballmon chirped once, then twice. Barbara leaned in. "More?"
It bounced in place.
"Alright," she said, sighing. "Last round."
She gathered more—Sweet Flowers, more glowing herbs, even a ripe sunsettia. Snowballmon devoured the lot, and then it started to glow. White light surrounded it, sharp and bright. Barbara stepped back but didn't panic. This was what she'd waited for.
A few seconds later, the light burst out in a short wave, then faded. Snowballmon was gone. In its place sat a yellow, catlike Digimon with a curling tail and sharp eyes.
"Nyaromon," she said, recognizing the form.
It looked up at her. "Nya!"
Barbara picked it up and grinned. "You did it."
The forest around her seemed quieter now. Even the wind held still. But the moment didn't last.
A rustle came from nearby. She turned, instantly alert. A hilichurl stepped out of the brush, club in hand, eyes locked on her. It wasn't big, but it didn't need to be. She handed Nyaromon off gently and raised her hands. The Freeze Fruit's power surged, cold air collecting in her palms.
"Stay behind me."
The hilichurl charged. She fired off a blast. Ice shot forward and wrapped around its legs, locking it in place. It roared and swung, but it was too late. She froze it solid.
"Done," she said, breathing hard.
She looked back at Nyaromon, who sat watching with wide eyes. The bond was stronger now. They had both changed.
She held the Digimon close. "Let's go home."
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Reflection:Barbara's faith in Harlan's guidance proves well-founded as Snowballmon evolves into Nyaromon. Her confidence grows with her power, making her more independent outside the city. The Whispering Forest, once a danger, now becomes a training ground. Meanwhile, Harlan's choice of Little Master introduces culinary themes that could appeal to future Liyue customers.