As Eleo strolled down the long bridge, he whistled a completely out-of-tune melody, occasionally stopping to peek over the edge. The water below was crystal clear, reflecting the sky like a giant mirror.
92Please respect copyright.PENANABxS6KWAIta
"Wow! This water’s so clean I could drink it!" Eleo said, leaning over. He paused. "Wait… would I drown if I tried?"
92Please respect copyright.PENANAZy5M8cx0mt
He scratched his head, deeply pondering this important scientific question when—
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"HALT!"
92Please respect copyright.PENANATQCK362ynS
Eleo flinched as two guards stepped forward, blocking the entrance to the city. They wore polished uniforms, crisp and intimidating—exactly like the ones from that fancy boat that got wrecked earlier. Their dark blue coats had an eagle emblem stitched onto the back, its wings spread wide, giving off an air of authority. Above them, two watchtowers loomed, and Eleo could feel the sharp gaze of more guards peering down at him.
92Please respect copyright.PENANAYlSZmzPsU5
"Yo! Can I go into Lola Island?" Eleo asked, waving casually.
92Please respect copyright.PENANALulQ0ERX1z
The first guard furrowed his brows. "The city is called Umapin. Lola Island is the name of the island itself."
92Please respect copyright.PENANAmtvztzbBFl
"Ohhh," Eleo nodded sagely. "Wait, but the map only said Lola Island—"
92Please respect copyright.PENANAEUofv4qRna
"Yeah, we know," the second guard sighed. "Tourists keep getting confused, but nobody listens when we try to fix it."
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"That’s dumb," Eleo said bluntly.
92Please respect copyright.PENANAbeSJo9D8SC
"Right?! That’s what I said!" the second guard blurted before the first guard elbowed him.
92Please respect copyright.PENANAy4pdGeLjS8
"AHEM. Anyway, state your business," the first guard said, crossing his arms.
92Please respect copyright.PENANAfZDSkN7MU5
Eleo grinned. "I’m here to eat food, punch people, and become the strongest!"
92Please respect copyright.PENANA2kiMHvZwzE
The second guard blinked. "So… just chaos, then?"
92Please respect copyright.PENANAqHhwodYH9E
"Not just chaos," Eleo corrected. "There’s also food."
92Please respect copyright.PENANAhlxsA0XS4R
The guards exchanged glances. The first one sighed, already exhausted. "Do you have a passport?"
92Please respect copyright.PENANA7RDrDiWX2V
Eleo froze. "…A what now?"
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The guards stared at him.
92Please respect copyright.PENANArqP9aeS7YD
"You don’t have a passport?" the second guard asked.
92Please respect copyright.PENANAydbT0aJJIg
"I don’t even know what that is," Eleo admitted, scratching his head. "Is it a fruit?"
92Please respect copyright.PENANAyTMWthGLHy
The first guard facepalmed. "No, it’s—ugh, listen, you can’t just walk in. Umapin is a high-security city! Only authorized people can enter!"
92Please respect copyright.PENANAKSaxSUw2x9
"But I walked all this way!" Eleo groaned dramatically. "You mean I gotta turn around? That’s so far! My legs are already sore!"
92Please respect copyright.PENANAm7GSgZbM36
"You were literally skipping a second ago," the second guard pointed out.
92Please respect copyright.PENANAaGdZssNU67
Eleo gasped. "YOU WERE WATCHING ME?!"
92Please respect copyright.PENANAr04SVdYxx6
"Y-you’re literally right in front of us—"
92Please respect copyright.PENANAbGLWel18JM
"Spying on a poor traveler like that, huh?" Eleo shook his head, wiping an imaginary tear. "Shameful. Truly, the corruption of the law is a tragic thing."
92Please respect copyright.PENANAnU6tcdMha7
The first guard’s eye twitched. "Alright, I’m done with this conversation. You’re not getting in."
92Please respect copyright.PENANA6EKCDpbilI
"But what if I fight my way in?" Eleo grinned.
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"You’d get arrested instantly," the guard deadpanned.
92Please respect copyright.PENANAsShwzPoMdq
"…What if I sneak in?"
92Please respect copyright.PENANAWf8R1vT3z9
"You just said that out loud in front of two guards."
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"Damn, true," Eleo muttered.
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The second guard sighed. "Look, if you really need to enter, you’ll have to get permission from the Umapin Embassy."
92Please respect copyright.PENANAHTJCwL3dgH
"Ohhh, gotcha! Where’s that?" Eleo asked.
92Please respect copyright.PENANAgMeT2A5zYb
The first guard pointed. "On the other side of the island."
92Please respect copyright.PENANAIxD40Ok3IG
Eleo’s jaw dropped. "BRO. THAT’S EVEN FARTHER THAN TURNING AROUND!"
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"Not my problem."
92Please respect copyright.PENANAM60xw2vM76
Eleo groaned, dramatically collapsing onto the ground. "This is so much work just to get some food."
92Please respect copyright.PENANAv67Mp6JUo5
The second guard sighed, rubbing his temples. "Just… just go. I’m already tired of dealing with you."
92Please respect copyright.PENANA1R5upBdgeR
"Wait, for real?" Eleo perked up.
92Please respect copyright.PENANAkdaiSluAcv
"YES, JUST GO BEFORE I CHANGE MY MIND!"
92Please respect copyright.PENANAxll8I8sbdH
"AWESOME!" Eleo fist-pumped and ran past them.
92Please respect copyright.PENANAxOFwIIBq0z
The first guard turned to the second, frowning. "Are we gonna get fired for that?"
92Please respect copyright.PENANA6y5wkQzth3
The second guard sighed. "At this point? I don’t even care."
92Please respect copyright.PENANATZQsbR0Bop
As Eleo ran into the city, he grinned. "Alright! Time to find food!"
92Please respect copyright.PENANA8Pjcl7eJgg
He immediately crashed into a fruit stand, toppling it over.
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"MY CABBAGES!" the vendor screamed.
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Eleo dusted himself off, rubbing the back of his head as the furious vendor picked up his scattered cabbages.
92Please respect copyright.PENANAF4HYIJm6bt
"Ah, my bad, old man!" Eleo said, waving apologetically. "Didn’t see your stand there!"
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The vendor scowled, clutching a bruised cabbage. "How do you not see a whole cart, boy?!"
92Please respect copyright.PENANAv0mizMEe0r
"Uhhh… I was too excited about food?" Eleo grinned sheepishly.
92Please respect copyright.PENANA0vIYndGl8N
The vendor sighed, shaking his head. "Just go before you destroy something else."
92Please respect copyright.PENANAPazlvRncDy
Eleo gave him a thumbs-up. "Will do!"
92Please respect copyright.PENANAzDPOkLGOdw
As he walked further into the city, his eyes widened in awe. Umapin was huge. The towering white buildings were adorned with intricate carvings, giving them a grand yet ancient feel. Large banners with the same eagle emblem as the guards’ uniforms hung from balconies and windows, swaying in the breeze.
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The streets were bustling with life—merchants shouting about fresh produce, blacksmiths hammering away at glowing metal, and groups of musicians playing lively tunes on street corners. The delicious scent of roasted meat, fresh bread, and exotic spices filled the air, making Eleo’s stomach growl loudly.
92Please respect copyright.PENANANIvPyVxeoA
"OOOH!" Eleo gasped, spinning in circles as he took everything in. "This place is fancy as hell! Look at all this stuff!"
92Please respect copyright.PENANA17Sp5EmJvg
A luxurious horse-drawn carriage rolled past him, its wheels gleaming like polished gold. Inside, a noblewoman in an extravagant dress glanced at Eleo through her fan, then quickly turned away in disgust.
92Please respect copyright.PENANAHj2IxRH5mR
Eleo scratched his head. "…I think she just called me poor with her eyes."
92Please respect copyright.PENANAc3Qkddc8Kq
Nearby, a massive fountain stood in the middle of a plaza, its water sparkling under the sunlight. People gathered around it, tossing coins in and making wishes. Kids ran through the streets, laughing as they weaved between stalls and dodged annoyed merchants.
92Please respect copyright.PENANAkJoREx5q91
Eleo grinned. "Alright! First things first—FOOD!"
92Please respect copyright.PENANAsSRsjJdnET
His eyes darted from stall to stall, overwhelmed by the sheer amount of options. One stand had skewers of grilled meat dripping with savory juices, another had golden, flaky pastries filled with cream, and further down, a shop boasted massive bowls of steaming noodles.
92Please respect copyright.PENANAkqj6cZZt7C
Eleo practically drooled. "I want ALL OF IT."
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Then, he froze.
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Wait.
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His pockets felt suspiciously light.
92Please respect copyright.PENANAx6QWhfpNU4
He patted himself down, panic creeping onto his face. "No way… NO WAY… I’M BROKE?!"
92Please respect copyright.PENANAsIJanglgEJ
A long, dramatic silence followed.
92Please respect copyright.PENANASBUUsztNYc
Then, Eleo dramatically collapsed onto the ground. "THIS IS THE WORST DAY OF MY LIFE!"
92Please respect copyright.PENANACVN2MLlVRg
People around him stared. A mother quickly pulled her child away.
92Please respect copyright.PENANASvGA8A8Gah
Eleo sat up, deep in thought. "Okay, think, Eleo. No money means no food. No food means no strength. No strength means no becoming the strongest!"
92Please respect copyright.PENANAO8ZnVSd3fy
He clenched his fists. "Alright! I gotta find a job!"
92Please respect copyright.PENANA6I13MfE4W6
A man standing by a nearby food stall overheard and smirked. "Hey, kid! You want a job?"
92Please respect copyright.PENANACxxKdAzSf1
Eleo perked up. "YES! DO I GET FREE FOOD?"
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The man laughed. "You get a meal after work."
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Eleo grinned. "Deal! What’s the job?"
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The man clapped him on the back. "Congrats, kid. You’re now a waiter at The Golden Spoon!"
92Please respect copyright.PENANAChNWsUWHZt
Eleo blinked. "Wait… I gotta serve people?"
92Please respect copyright.PENANAepBYj7pYVx
"Yep! Now put on this apron and get to work!"
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Eleo said, “Well, okay!” as he tied the apron around his waist, completely oblivious to what his actual job was supposed to be.
92Please respect copyright.PENANAtobmZrnTX8
He stepped into The Golden Spoon, and instantly, the chaotic energy of the place hit him like a flying frying pan. The restaurant was PACKED. People were eating, laughing, singing, and even dancing on the tables. Some guy was juggling plates, a group in the corner was arm-wrestling while eating soup, and at least two fights had broken out over who got the last piece of bread.
92Please respect copyright.PENANAqdR6ybchms
Eleo tried squeezing through the crowd. "Excuse me—pardon me—whoa, nice flip—oof, sorry about your drink—hey, was that a knife?!"
92Please respect copyright.PENANA4NWfB7zpvC
Finally, he pushed through the madness and into the kitchen. Unlike the dining area, the kitchen was a finely tuned warzone of chefs chopping, stirring, and shouting. Pots clanked, flames roared, and the air smelled amazing.
92Please respect copyright.PENANAJTOTpnrHpb
In the middle of it all was a bald, thick-mustached man who was yelling orders at lightning speed. “WHERE’S MY SOUP?! WHERE’S MY MEAT?! WHERE’S MY—”
92Please respect copyright.PENANAgYGNfHE2N7
Eleo, not paying attention, spotted a huge pile of fresh, bright-orange carrots. His stomach grumbled.
92Please respect copyright.PENANAPdgg6jqLmo
“Man, I’m hungry.” Without hesitation, he grabbed a carrot and chomped down. It was crunchy and delicious. So he took another bite. Then another. And another. Until—
92Please respect copyright.PENANAMQbykWZPe0
“WE NEED CARROTS FOR THE STEW!” a waiter burst into the kitchen.
92Please respect copyright.PENANAE96V6ydDgp
Several chefs rushed to the carrot pile, only to freeze in horror.
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Half the carrots were GONE. And the other half? Bitten. Chewed. Abused.
92Please respect copyright.PENANAMX0BK7xIMN
They slowly turned to see Eleo, mouth stuffed like a hamster, chewing innocently.
92Please respect copyright.PENANAaU9rKYdC0z
He blinked. “Hello.”
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The entire kitchen exploded.
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“YOU IDIOT!”
92Please respect copyright.PENANAqYtmzZndNw
“WHY WOULD YOU EAT THE INGREDIENTS?!”
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“SPIT THEM OUT! SPIT THEM OUT NOW!”
92Please respect copyright.PENANAdii9L55Xco
Eleo, still chewing, mumbled, “I don’t fink you want ‘em back now.”
92Please respect copyright.PENANAhgficRKm8R
Then, the bald man—JJ, the legendary head chef—stormed over, veins popping on his forehead. "WHAT’S GOING ON HERE?!"
92Please respect copyright.PENANAU2MBzZYJwj
A terrified chef pointed. “Sir JJ, this moron ate the CARROTS!”
92Please respect copyright.PENANARLEubiLB0h
JJ’s mustache twitched. He stomped over to Eleo, grabbed him by the apron, and lifted him off the ground like a sack of potatoes.
92Please respect copyright.PENANA3JdomnNJLG
Eleo dangled in the air, still munching. “I was hungry.”
92Please respect copyright.PENANAS1r51VyqDM
JJ’s eyes nearly burst out of his skull. "IS THAT SO?!"
92Please respect copyright.PENANAyioxjyP8sO
Eleo nodded. “Yup.” Then, realizing something, he beamed. “Ohhh, are you gonna cook me something?!”
92Please respect copyright.PENANAzUuudGCxH6
The entire kitchen fell silent.
92Please respect copyright.PENANAGFfMYVpq6A
JJ’s mustache quivered. His hands shook.
92Please respect copyright.PENANAnFB7Fk2r3H
Then he threw Eleo through the kitchen doors.
92Please respect copyright.PENANANV1KzXVwH3
Eleo crashed directly into a waiter carrying a tray of food, sending soup, steak, and an entire roasted chicken flying into the air—
92Please respect copyright.PENANAWgqRjKmqL7
—Which Eleo instinctively caught in his mouth like a wild animal.
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The restaurant gasped.
92Please respect copyright.PENANAArQC6NqWaj
Eleo, still chewing, gave a thumbs up. “Mmm. That’s good food.”
92Please respect copyright.PENANA9zsDqw3Eub
JJ’s voice BOOMED.
92Please respect copyright.PENANA5pDQxZkMgd
"GET THIS IDIOT OUT OF MY KITCHEN!!!"
92Please respect copyright.PENANAe2Z0LcSBbQ
Eleo, still rubbing his head from being thrown, quickly jumped up. “Wait, wait, wait! Just give me another chance! I can, uh… I can cook! Yeah, I was the BEST cook in Coco Island!”
92Please respect copyright.PENANAvml6g26RUU
Inside Eleo’s mind: Hahaha! No, I wasn’t!
92Please respect copyright.PENANANTWedbVRzx
JJ narrowed his eyes. “…Fine. But if you mess up again, I’m launching you straight into the ocean.”
92Please respect copyright.PENANA61YeJFOqfN
Eleo beamed. “Ohhh, I always wanted to be launched into the oce—”
92Please respect copyright.PENANAG0fkWAi6cU
“SHUT UP AND GET BACK IN THE KITCHEN!”
92Please respect copyright.PENANA7vmm57WYMd
Eleo cheered and sprinted back inside, ready to prove himself.
92Please respect copyright.PENANACAma2sRjUi
JJ sighed, rubbing his temples. “Alright, listen carefully. Do exactly as I say. You are going to make a simple stew. Got it?”
92Please respect copyright.PENANACJLalcFpHU
Eleo saluted. “AYE AYE, CHEF MAN!”
92Please respect copyright.PENANA69SEUIdQwr
The kitchen roared back into action, with chefs moving like a well-oiled machine. Eleo stood in front of a large boiling pot, stroking his chin.
92Please respect copyright.PENANAJ3yL7yMa5c
“Hmmmm… what should I add?”
92Please respect copyright.PENANAIVf9dst04N
He glanced down and—
92Please respect copyright.PENANAqk0PGB73sF
GASP!
92Please respect copyright.PENANA0eLEIGiU6c
A dead rat lay on the floor.
92Please respect copyright.PENANAKAfI77jfzK
Eleo’s eyes SPARKLED.
92Please respect copyright.PENANAEA9cWIrV9O
"Perfect!"
92Please respect copyright.PENANAbefGrUWY9l
He scooped up the rat and shoved it into the pot. Then, without measuring anything, he started hurling ingredients in.
92Please respect copyright.PENANAtWN80hbq1r
"Let’s see… needs salt!" He poured half a barrel of salt.
92Please respect copyright.PENANACE7kVJCWt5
"Vinegar!" He dumped in the whole bottle.
92Please respect copyright.PENANAGVUgb2D9ki
"Water!" He poured dirty dishwater in by accident.
92Please respect copyright.PENANAj0YSc93Wt7
"Pepper!" He emptied the entire container.
92Please respect copyright.PENANAFIlJbIR47L
"SPICES!" He grabbed random jars and flung them into the pot—glass and all.
92Please respect copyright.PENANA6ZdFa0V3Tn
After a few seconds, the pot looked like a bubbling, black cauldron of doom.
92Please respect copyright.PENANAW7clGk5a1f
Eleo nodded proudly. “Alright, this pot is READY!”
92Please respect copyright.PENANAYoU3xFWXNf
A chef passed by, took one look, and immediately FAINTED.
92Please respect copyright.PENANAO9HKQB4yMd
JJ turned around. "Alright, let’s see how you—" He froze. His face turned pale.
92Please respect copyright.PENANAULSxuhl9Rh
"…WHAT IN THE NAME OF THE HOLY SPATULA IS THAT?!"
92Please respect copyright.PENANA4LEJDoZqjn
Eleo grinned. “Stew! Try it!” He grabbed a spoon and forced it into JJ’s mouth before he could react.
92Please respect copyright.PENANAu6goDb5fp4
JJ chewed. He paused. His whole body trembled. His mustache curled up like burnt paper. His soul LEFT his body.
92Please respect copyright.PENANAMMvekvnFUt
Then—
92Please respect copyright.PENANAidUkaZyjZZ
JJ exploded into a FURIOUS RAMPAGE.
92Please respect copyright.PENANA7MH9nTMkwv
"THAT WASN’T FOOD—THAT WAS POISON!"
92Please respect copyright.PENANAF2iiSVQiQG
"Well, I am a creative chef," Eleo said, proud.
92Please respect copyright.PENANA0BFrUIZag5
"YOU PUT A RAT IN IT!"
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"Yeah, for flavor!"
92Please respect copyright.PENANAKn4qmDO033
JJ ripped off his chef’s hat and threw it on the ground. "OKAY, NO MORE COOKING! YOU’RE DOING SOMETHING EASY!"
92Please respect copyright.PENANAgN0nUlw6nj
JJ handed Eleo a knife. "Just cut these tomatoes. That’s it."
92Please respect copyright.PENANAscdCQHcdeF
Eleo nodded. “Got it!”
92Please respect copyright.PENANAZAXpoUukWZ
He grabbed a tomato—
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And sliced the cutting board in half.
92Please respect copyright.PENANAfA8aEW3iba
JJ’s eye twitched. “…Okay. Maybe that was too hard.”
92Please respect copyright.PENANAqGGZ6udusE
"Just clean these plates," JJ said. "Don’t break them."
92Please respect copyright.PENANAXROm9txnHw
Eleo nodded. “Got it!”
92Please respect copyright.PENANANZ3TyShScy
One second later—
92Please respect copyright.PENANAhsI2YlpMtX
CRASH! CRASH! CRASH!
92Please respect copyright.PENANAJupjKAB3Th
JJ turned to see Eleo spinning plates like a circus act, except they were all shattering.
92Please respect copyright.PENANA8ADdiqRcP2
JJ fell to his knees. “I’M GOING TO LOSE MY MIND…”
92Please respect copyright.PENANAsBL5NkaU5N
JJ handed Eleo a notepad. “Just write down what the customers want. That’s ALL you have to do.”
92Please respect copyright.PENANAHqwreA0Gh1
Eleo confidently walked up to a table.
92Please respect copyright.PENANAneIpGemhD3
The customer said, “I’d like a steak, medium rare, with—”
92Please respect copyright.PENANAvlrKaGE1YK
Eleo nodded and walked away before they finished.
92Please respect copyright.PENANAqdyYFcbmMj
He proudly handed JJ the notepad.
92Please respect copyright.PENANA8hL25FKgDr
JJ read it.
92Please respect copyright.PENANA4BB9PlWBFt
It said:
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"Guy wants food."
92Please respect copyright.PENANAWBTK6R6rFd
JJ SNAPPED.
92Please respect copyright.PENANAMHijwCM4HX
"THAT’S IT! I’M DONE!"
92Please respect copyright.PENANAk3YZSZMEQB
JJ grabbed Eleo by the collar and dragged him to the back alley.
92Please respect copyright.PENANAv8DQWBoBDd
"Since you’re USELESS, you can at least take out the garbage."
92Please respect copyright.PENANASkov3VAs7k
Eleo crossed his arms. “Pfft, fine. I can handle that.”
92Please respect copyright.PENANAiE1ypebxQF
He picked up a garbage bag—
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And threw it through a restaurant window.
92Please respect copyright.PENANAXcfuKo9Din
JJ screa
92Please respect copyright.PENANAwXX1VGj4O9
med.
92Please respect copyright.PENANAs6GkIpavxR
"THAT’S IT! YOU’RE OUTTA HERE!!!"
92Please respect copyright.PENANAF1cY7CZSxE
He grabbed Eleo back inside, opened the back door—
92Please respect copyright.PENANAw6ux7X1smp
And KICKED HIM so hard he flew into a pile of trash.
92Please respect copyright.PENANA8gNGHjNlZj
The entire kitchen staff poked their heads out.
92Please respect copyright.PENANAQgj2FBQsy7
JJ took a deep breath and bellowed:
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"NEVER COME BACK!!!"
92Please respect copyright.PENANANlyh9CvK1P
Eleo groaned, sitting up in the trash pile.
92Please respect copyright.PENANA4gfvmq684S
“…Man. That was the best job I ever had.”
92Please respect copyright.PENANAvrtifAgTNY