Then a giant clap echoed through the room.
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Everyone stopped mid-fight and looked over to the bar counter, where they saw a strange sight—
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An old man standing on the desk.
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But he wasn’t just old—he was very, very, very small, no more than nine inches tall. He wore clothes made of leaves, had a long gray beard, and a big mushroom for a hat.
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He cleared his throat, hands behind his back, and shouted with surprising authority:
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“Everyone! I need all of you to—”
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Suddenly, a loud whirrrr came from the strange mechanical contraption next to him.
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“The machine is working!”
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The entire tavern erupted in cheers.
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“WOOOOOO!!”
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People started throwing tankards, bottles, and even furniture into the air like it was a holiday.
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The old man flinched. “Wait! It’s, uh—almost working! I mean—!”
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The cheering died down slowly into confused murmurs.
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Across the room, Eleo blinked and tilted his head.
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> (In his mind)
“Why is that guy so small...? I think my tail is bigger than him.”
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Meanwhile, the tiny old man had pulled out a curled message scroll and was reading aloud to himself.
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“Dear Jimmy… you... and make sure… or we’ll be taking…”
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Standing beside him was a younger small person, with light curly hair, large green eyes, and a mushroom cap hat too big for his head. He wore a forest-toned cloak, decorated with mossy leaves and twigs.
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He looked up at the old man and said softly, “Grampa Jimmy… can I join a group, please?”
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Jimmy continued reading.
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“Dear Jimmy you… and make—”
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Timmy jumped in the air and waved. “Grandpa! Grandpa!”
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Jimmy muttered, eyes still on the scroll, “Not now, Timmy. I’m reading.”
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Timmy slouched and sighed. “Okay…”
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Just then, Eleo walked up to the two and crouched down, squinting.
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“Yo, small people! Is this where the strongest is at…?”
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Timmy looked up and smiled politely. “Sorry. My grandpa’s in a deep reading state. When he’s like this, he barely focuses on you, and only on whatever he’s reading.”
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Eleo scratched his head. “Uhhh… okay, I think I understand what you mean.”
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Then he smiled. “But I got a really important question: Why are you two so small? Are you guys like… babies or something?”
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Timmy giggled softly. “No. We’re Minari. No more than nine inches tall.”
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He stood proudly and held out his arms. “We’re what you big people call forest creatures. We usually stay deep in the forest, away from the big folks.”
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Eleo nodded. “Why hide, though? I’m pretty sure most big people are nice.”
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Timmy tilted his head. “Well, usually. And don’t take offense, but… you guys put us through slavery.”
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Eleo’s ears shot up. “Oh... what?! Why do they keep you as slaves?!”
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Timmy answered calmly, “Because we’re very smart. We’re fast, clever, and we can complete tasks easily—cleaning, fixing, building.”
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Eleo nodded slowly. “Oh… okay. I understand. I think.”
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He paused, then perked up. “Hey! You wouldn’t happen to know where the strongest is at, would you?”
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Suddenly, Jimmy snapped the scroll shut and looked up sharply.
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“I wouldn’t do that if I was you.”
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Timmy blinked. “Huh?! Grandpa! I thought you were in deep reading!”
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Jimmy stroked his beard, stepping forward on the edge of the counter. “I was. Until I heard this young bunny kid say he’s looking for the strongest.”
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Eleo grinned. “Yup! That’s me!”
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Timmy turned back to his grandpa, eyes lighting up. “Well, since you’re done reading, can I go on adventures with other people now?! Please?!”
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Jimmy laughed and patted Timmy on the back.
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“No, no, Timmy. You’re physically not ready. And probably never will be.”
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“Awwww, man…”
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Just then, a tall cow lady with soft brown spots walked over. She wore an apron and carried a tiny bottle cap with a swirl of creamy goodness.
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“Here you go, Timmy,” she said warmly.
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Timmy lit up. “Thank you, Miss Moew!”
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Moew smiled. “Anytime, little guy.”
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Jimmy turned to her. “Miss Moew… is the machine done?”
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Moew scratched her head. “Uh… well, it’s functioning, but it still isn’t ready to print out any paper yet.”
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Jimmy sighed. “Figures.”
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“Don’t worry, sir. I’ll check again after I finish wiping down the tables.”
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She waved sweetly and walked back into the kitchen.
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Jimmy turned back to Eleo and narrowed his eyes.
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“Now... back to you.”
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Eleo tilted his head and raised a finger.
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“What? It’s not like I’m fighting without proper... uh... sanction.”
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He paused.
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“Whatever that means.”
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Jimmy suddenly burst into loud, creaky laughter, nearly falling off his mushroom cap.
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“BAHAHAHA! Oh, you poor thing!”
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Timmy just shook his head with a tiny smile. “Grandpa... I think he fell for it.”
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Eleo blinked. “Fell for what?”
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Jimmy wiped a tear from his eye. “Oh my gods, kid... hahahaha—you fell for it!”
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Eleo’s ears drooped slightly. “What do you mean?!”
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Jimmy chuckled and leaned on his tiny cane. “That whole 'proper sanction' thing? It’s just a line the Supreme Council’s military goons—the Ascendants—say to sound official. But it means absolutely nothing. They’ll still come after you, no matter what.”
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Eleo tilted his head. “Huh? But—why?”
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Jimmy smirked. “Because every newcomer falls for it. It’s how people get scammed! Some even go around selling ‘Official Strongest Fighting Permits’ or some nonsense. And the worst part? People buy them!”
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Timmy nodded seriously. “They even have shiny ones with fake gold stamps.”
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Eleo blinked again. “Okay, well... then I won’t say anything about fighting the strongest!”
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Timmy looked at him gently. “It doesn’t matter. They’ll still know.”
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Eleo scratched his head. “Huh? How??”
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Jimmy shrugged. “Nobody knows. Not even their own people know how it works. Some say it’s magic surveillance. Some say they brand you in your sleep. Others say they use birds.”
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Eleo nodded solemnly. “Birds are scary.”
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Jimmy sighed. “Listen, kid. You seem tough. But everyone says that. ‘Trust me, I can handle them!’—you wouldn’t believe how many bones we’ve had to clean up.”
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Timmy puffed up his chest. “Don’t worry! My grandpa is super strong! He’ll protect us!”
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Jimmy chuckled and patted Timmy’s head. “Aww, thank you, grandson.”
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Eleo squinted. “You’re strong? But you’re, like... really small.”
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Jimmy crossed his tiny arms. “Yeah, I may be small... but that doesn’t mean I’m weak.”
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(In Eleo’s mind)
I think I could beat him if I really wanted to...
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Jimmy smirked. “Anyway, what’s your name, big ears?”
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Eleo grinned wide. “I’m Eleo—the bunny kid who’s gonna become the strongest!”
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Jimmy raised a brow. “Hah! Confident. I like it. Well, Eleo—why not form a team? Plenty of weirdos in this place. Strong ones too.”
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Eleo glanced around and spotted the same two fighters still going at it.
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The brown-skinned guy with dreadlocks was blocking sword swings with his pinky.
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His opponent, the blue-haired swordsman, clashed back with swift precision, his blade slicing clean through a flying chair as he shouted back with wild eyes.
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Eleo’s jaw dropped. His pupils sparkled.
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“Wooooaaaahhhh...”
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Timmy peeked out from behind a mug. “Oh. Grandpa... Kenji and Olorun are fighting again.”
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Jimmy sighed like a war veteran. “Of course they are.”
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With a POOF, Jimmy teleported off the counter and reappeared between the two mid-swing.
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“Kenji! Olorun! What are you two doing?!”
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Both men clashed midair, sparks flying.
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Olorun—the dreadlock fighter—grinned wide. “I need to teach this sword-swingin' punk why I’m the strongest in the Diffler Gilffer!”
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Kenji—the spiky-haired swordsman—snapped back, “Hah! You?! Don’t make me laugh. Everyone knows I’m the strongest here!”
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Jimmy floated between them, arms raised. “Can you two please stop? You're both strong, okay? No need to explode the bar again!”
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But both shouted in unison:
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“NEVER!”
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Jimmy sighed.
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“Alright. Enough.”
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He floated higher and slammed both his tiny fists into the tops of their heads at the same time.
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BONK! BONK!
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They both hit the ground in synchronized groans.
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Back at the bar, Eleo’s jaw hung open.
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“WHOA! I guess he is strong...”
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Timmy beamed. “Told you so!”
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Jimmy dusted off his tiny palms and looked to the side.
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“Tony! Can you please keep these two from turning every argument into an earthquake?”
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From the shadows of the wall, a figure stepped forward.
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A skeleton with a partly cracked skull, wearing a black tuxedo with elegant gold floral embroidery, a white shirt, black bowtie, and a white rose pinned to his lapel. His eye sockets glowed faintly blue.
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Tony lifted a porcelain teacup to his teeth and sipped.
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“Of course, Mr. Jimmy. I’ll see to it that my dear friends behave themselves.”
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He adjusted his tie and continued sipping.
ns216.73.216.138da2
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