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.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAknufraxNpB
"Wow! This water’s so clean I could drink it!" Eleo said, leaning over. He paused. "Wait… would I drown if I tried?"
162Please respect copyright.PENANAwxbySQw1Cj
He scratched his head, deeply pondering this important scientific question when—
162Please respect copyright.PENANARmEHBZngbA
"HALT!"
162Please respect copyright.PENANAVMOUQn2zoz
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.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAQJq68tJyPL
"Yo! Can I go into Lola Island?" Eleo asked, waving casually.
162Please respect copyright.PENANA8bJQMm2M1E
The first guard furrowed his brows. "The city is called Umapin. Lola Island is the name of the island itself."
162Please respect copyright.PENANAnl7xAEI1SB
"Ohhh," Eleo nodded sagely. "Wait, but the map only said Lola Island—"
162Please respect copyright.PENANACbDMF1L4qp
"Yeah, we know," the second guard sighed. "Tourists keep getting confused, but nobody listens when we try to fix it."
162Please respect copyright.PENANA2ONr1i18DN
"That’s dumb," Eleo said bluntly.
162Please respect copyright.PENANApL5Q3k1bDC
"Right?! That’s what I said!" the second guard blurted before the first guard elbowed him.
162Please respect copyright.PENANATsiWCAB1Bq
"AHEM. Anyway, state your business," the first guard said, crossing his arms.
162Please respect copyright.PENANApcWPE7FYKA
Eleo grinned. "I’m here to eat food, punch people, and become the strongest!"
162Please respect copyright.PENANAP6Ydbz4DTH
The second guard blinked. "So… just chaos, then?"
162Please respect copyright.PENANAs0UWYDfBwy
"Not just chaos," Eleo corrected. "There’s also food."
162Please respect copyright.PENANA328RwscF6j
The guards exchanged glances. The first one sighed, already exhausted. "Do you have a passport?"
162Please respect copyright.PENANAO77ch0BOt7
Eleo froze. "…A what now?"
162Please respect copyright.PENANAQd28GEjk82
The guards stared at him.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAjGoK2X6POc
"You don’t have a passport?" the second guard asked.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAIP6jMHIChP
"I don’t even know what that is," Eleo admitted, scratching his head. "Is it a fruit?"
162Please respect copyright.PENANAIW7vhnk7za
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!"
162Please respect copyright.PENANAkukiRP6KYz
"But I walked all this way!" Eleo groaned dramatically. "You mean I gotta turn around? That’s so far! My legs are already sore!"
162Please respect copyright.PENANAygC4VZ8CeR
"You were literally skipping a second ago," the second guard pointed out.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAfQ36NHTjKc
Eleo gasped. "YOU WERE WATCHING ME?!"
162Please respect copyright.PENANAAsDqYZoDH3
"Y-you’re literally right in front of us—"
162Please respect copyright.PENANAktDHhfamaE
"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."
162Please respect copyright.PENANArHUw7PF7Pg
The first guard’s eye twitched. "Alright, I’m done with this conversation. You’re not getting in."
162Please respect copyright.PENANAp2WRXCqBXd
"But what if I fight my way in?" Eleo grinned.
162Please respect copyright.PENANARVLA1to4e4
"You’d get arrested instantly," the guard deadpanned.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAxCxm5cu5zp
"…What if I sneak in?"
162Please respect copyright.PENANAnHk0M4u0JI
"You just said that out loud in front of two guards."
162Please respect copyright.PENANAlsGYSwVig5
"Damn, true," Eleo muttered.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAmSke2F9tJb
The second guard sighed. "Look, if you really need to enter, you’ll have to get permission from the Umapin Embassy."
162Please respect copyright.PENANA2nj16pDzoN
"Ohhh, gotcha! Where’s that?" Eleo asked.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAz1Hd2zqvZB
The first guard pointed. "On the other side of the island."
162Please respect copyright.PENANAKowu0Lb4zd
Eleo’s jaw dropped. "BRO. THAT’S EVEN FARTHER THAN TURNING AROUND!"
162Please respect copyright.PENANA73MmpZ0C3B
"Not my problem."
162Please respect copyright.PENANA9hyY75DA5Z
Eleo groaned, dramatically collapsing onto the ground. "This is so much work just to get some food."
162Please respect copyright.PENANA0QtQ5G0rCC
The second guard sighed, rubbing his temples. "Just… just go. I’m already tired of dealing with you."
162Please respect copyright.PENANAFT2Mp5S2zq
"Wait, for real?" Eleo perked up.
162Please respect copyright.PENANASCRqz2SGB7
"YES, JUST GO BEFORE I CHANGE MY MIND!"
162Please respect copyright.PENANAyNkhJUkKVI
"AWESOME!" Eleo fist-pumped and ran past them.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAdRlg0hVTsC
The first guard turned to the second, frowning. "Are we gonna get fired for that?"
162Please respect copyright.PENANA5ht5XZUUCn
The second guard sighed. "At this point? I don’t even care."
162Please respect copyright.PENANAOKeLzTccuS
As Eleo ran into the city, he grinned. "Alright! Time to find food!"
162Please respect copyright.PENANAwAnAo0rkld
He immediately crashed into a fruit stand, toppling it over.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAxEDNSiJmwV
"MY CABBAGES!" the vendor screamed.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAkIIrvltFdQ
Eleo dusted himself off, rubbing the back of his head as the furious vendor picked up his scattered cabbages.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAHPMl2oRcMH
"Ah, my bad, old man!" Eleo said, waving apologetically. "Didn’t see your stand there!"
162Please respect copyright.PENANAfFee6XWr0F
The vendor scowled, clutching a bruised cabbage. "How do you not see a whole cart, boy?!"
162Please respect copyright.PENANAD8MqsqmvjJ
"Uhhh… I was too excited about food?" Eleo grinned sheepishly.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAQ7JawmTxeQ
The vendor sighed, shaking his head. "Just go before you destroy something else."
162Please respect copyright.PENANAuJ4LE1sQKu
Eleo gave him a thumbs-up. "Will do!"
162Please respect copyright.PENANAe7OHRUyTMc
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.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAeuWVnQqxR8
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.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAxkvGBQtDLH
"OOOH!" Eleo gasped, spinning in circles as he took everything in. "This place is fancy as hell! Look at all this stuff!"
162Please respect copyright.PENANAQJJrAwGXnS
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.
162Please respect copyright.PENANArDWn8iE8Gn
Eleo scratched his head. "…I think she just called me poor with her eyes."
162Please respect copyright.PENANAWiwpmfzpla
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.
162Please respect copyright.PENANA0ZlO89x8Xw
Eleo grinned. "Alright! First things first—FOOD!"
162Please respect copyright.PENANAhrpxSVQZCz
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.
162Please respect copyright.PENANABHR420BztJ
Eleo practically drooled. "I want ALL OF IT."
162Please respect copyright.PENANAYutIsthdjg
Then, he froze.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAS2IszdLKok
Wait.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAXhDQEsVjvo
His pockets felt suspiciously light.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAD4VRChtmqq
He patted himself down, panic creeping onto his face. "No way… NO WAY… I’M BROKE?!"
162Please respect copyright.PENANABg1fh0aGrh
A long, dramatic silence followed.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAZENxuCy4Ud
Then, Eleo dramatically collapsed onto the ground. "THIS IS THE WORST DAY OF MY LIFE!"
162Please respect copyright.PENANAlmfb0Z3iCk
People around him stared. A mother quickly pulled her child away.
162Please respect copyright.PENANA7PIJc97n1a
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!"
162Please respect copyright.PENANAHijC1M9Hxf
He clenched his fists. "Alright! I gotta find a job!"
162Please respect copyright.PENANAsF2C4PaZkR
A man standing by a nearby food stall overheard and smirked. "Hey, kid! You want a job?"
162Please respect copyright.PENANAMP9mRlkahg
Eleo perked up. "YES! DO I GET FREE FOOD?"
162Please respect copyright.PENANAxvfYxxLw8e
The man laughed. "You get a meal after work."
162Please respect copyright.PENANAO93SnvZYlt
Eleo grinned. "Deal! What’s the job?"
162Please respect copyright.PENANAeCpkgdjS7D
The man clapped him on the back. "Congrats, kid. You’re now a waiter at The Golden Spoon!"
162Please respect copyright.PENANACDz67SFAA6
Eleo blinked. "Wait… I gotta serve people?"
162Please respect copyright.PENANAAMNU8r4EAJ
"Yep! Now put on this apron and get to work!"
162Please respect copyright.PENANAyBEeAw0C1j
Eleo said, “Well, okay!” as he tied the apron around his waist, completely oblivious to what his actual job was supposed to be.
162Please respect copyright.PENANA8FA0r6zCQN
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.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAyM0OLrjz6c
Eleo tried squeezing through the crowd. "Excuse me—pardon me—whoa, nice flip—oof, sorry about your drink—hey, was that a knife?!"
162Please respect copyright.PENANAnUDxO2QSs2
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.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAv2WE5nuppn
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—”
162Please respect copyright.PENANAH5FpmS7zBX
Eleo, not paying attention, spotted a huge pile of fresh, bright-orange carrots. His stomach grumbled.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAUOCjMMz7rJ
“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—
162Please respect copyright.PENANAsA1pot8ySP
“WE NEED CARROTS FOR THE STEW!” a waiter burst into the kitchen.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAzeRXg6s4oc
Several chefs rushed to the carrot pile, only to freeze in horror.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAdn0pp0RKk5
Half the carrots were GONE. And the other half? Bitten. Chewed. Abused.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAPKMg9RSn3P
They slowly turned to see Eleo, mouth stuffed like a hamster, chewing innocently.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAvKLyA9WhDM
He blinked. “Hello.”
162Please respect copyright.PENANAVunov44XkC
The entire kitchen exploded.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAo6KXJcIrXT
“YOU IDIOT!”
162Please respect copyright.PENANAy6HEM2Z5Ml
“WHY WOULD YOU EAT THE INGREDIENTS?!”
162Please respect copyright.PENANAGbPdFYHHVw
“SPIT THEM OUT! SPIT THEM OUT NOW!”
162Please respect copyright.PENANAoNHcIKEdtb
Eleo, still chewing, mumbled, “I don’t fink you want ‘em back now.”
162Please respect copyright.PENANAin8qdiWrgp
Then, the bald man—JJ, the legendary head chef—stormed over, veins popping on his forehead. "WHAT’S GOING ON HERE?!"
162Please respect copyright.PENANAMKc0f7DQbN
A terrified chef pointed. “Sir JJ, this moron ate the CARROTS!”
162Please respect copyright.PENANAe8BYIYZXJe
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.
162Please respect copyright.PENANA69AQ0RTkJa
Eleo dangled in the air, still munching. “I was hungry.”
162Please respect copyright.PENANAgGQYTB0CsI
JJ’s eyes nearly burst out of his skull. "IS THAT SO?!"
162Please respect copyright.PENANAMMR5601Ras
Eleo nodded. “Yup.” Then, realizing something, he beamed. “Ohhh, are you gonna cook me something?!”
162Please respect copyright.PENANA662dvuphIj
The entire kitchen fell silent.
162Please respect copyright.PENANA8kG0JhxazC
JJ’s mustache quivered. His hands shook.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAi24KTWuH39
Then he threw Eleo through the kitchen doors.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAX6vBXkm25M
Eleo crashed directly into a waiter carrying a tray of food, sending soup, steak, and an entire roasted chicken flying into the air—
162Please respect copyright.PENANAG9axUNrZbE
—Which Eleo instinctively caught in his mouth like a wild animal.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAHwfs7YbBQm
The restaurant gasped.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAyIAR2zw1WV
Eleo, still chewing, gave a thumbs up. “Mmm. That’s good food.”
162Please respect copyright.PENANA1dCSwa5QOQ
JJ’s voice BOOMED.
162Please respect copyright.PENANA2AFO9igw5L
"GET THIS IDIOT OUT OF MY KITCHEN!!!"
162Please respect copyright.PENANAuRmZCeKo3H
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!”
162Please respect copyright.PENANALesgyr3o9S
Inside Eleo’s mind: Hahaha! No, I wasn’t!
162Please respect copyright.PENANAkXl7X3es7H
JJ narrowed his eyes. “…Fine. But if you mess up again, I’m launching you straight into the ocean.”
162Please respect copyright.PENANAjUVH604oel
Eleo beamed. “Ohhh, I always wanted to be launched into the oce—”
162Please respect copyright.PENANAMTHwEVzQuy
“SHUT UP AND GET BACK IN THE KITCHEN!”
162Please respect copyright.PENANARZ4oFqiTFQ
Eleo cheered and sprinted back inside, ready to prove himself.
162Please respect copyright.PENANA9iZZQTHWz6
JJ sighed, rubbing his temples. “Alright, listen carefully. Do exactly as I say. You are going to make a simple stew. Got it?”
162Please respect copyright.PENANAK1yQI5oc6W
Eleo saluted. “AYE AYE, CHEF MAN!”
162Please respect copyright.PENANA063GKq20m4
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.
162Please respect copyright.PENANATHcAkNhakj
“Hmmmm… what should I add?”
162Please respect copyright.PENANAwO6KX1wPn6
He glanced down and—
162Please respect copyright.PENANAF0l9hH2T8h
GASP!
162Please respect copyright.PENANAMso8bNExOF
A dead rat lay on the floor.
162Please respect copyright.PENANANNB7ebuQCz
Eleo’s eyes SPARKLED.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAt2Qdzfmdrl
"Perfect!"
162Please respect copyright.PENANAnORgxz7QnW
He scooped up the rat and shoved it into the pot. Then, without measuring anything, he started hurling ingredients in.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAoh3UssESeR
"Let’s see… needs salt!" He poured half a barrel of salt.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAPrmmBHWhig
"Vinegar!" He dumped in the whole bottle.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAKzcYuJP2bn
"Water!" He poured dirty dishwater in by accident.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAkKa559H1Sa
"Pepper!" He emptied the entire container.
162Please respect copyright.PENANA0QWXNQDYbB
"SPICES!" He grabbed random jars and flung them into the pot—glass and all.
162Please respect copyright.PENANA8V5hIzrSCq
After a few seconds, the pot looked like a bubbling, black cauldron of doom.
162Please respect copyright.PENANATvkbRdaXQ0
Eleo nodded proudly. “Alright, this pot is READY!”
162Please respect copyright.PENANAtnjxLSbyck
A chef passed by, took one look, and immediately FAINTED.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAOpZfnyfCvQ
JJ turned around. "Alright, let’s see how you—" He froze. His face turned pale.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAItlBZmKJNS
"…WHAT IN THE NAME OF THE HOLY SPATULA IS THAT?!"
162Please respect copyright.PENANAKaAVhhg2EZ
Eleo grinned. “Stew! Try it!” He grabbed a spoon and forced it into JJ’s mouth before he could react.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAkDVjqZRGlZ
JJ chewed. He paused. His whole body trembled. His mustache curled up like burnt paper. His soul LEFT his body.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAhQKEfYANxc
Then—
162Please respect copyright.PENANA4P8ePYiVqM
JJ exploded into a FURIOUS RAMPAGE.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAt64nHzifej
"THAT WASN’T FOOD—THAT WAS POISON!"
162Please respect copyright.PENANAul5RmSsK93
"Well, I am a creative chef," Eleo said, proud.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAkhhMK1VhMQ
"YOU PUT A RAT IN IT!"
162Please respect copyright.PENANAFB50sn5H3F
"Yeah, for flavor!"
162Please respect copyright.PENANA1zHx7ehjny
JJ ripped off his chef’s hat and threw it on the ground. "OKAY, NO MORE COOKING! YOU’RE DOING SOMETHING EASY!"
162Please respect copyright.PENANAdiLoNCPs1M
JJ handed Eleo a knife. "Just cut these tomatoes. That’s it."
162Please respect copyright.PENANAKuZjDz2thi
Eleo nodded. “Got it!”
162Please respect copyright.PENANAEbWmsb3qvk
He grabbed a tomato—
162Please respect copyright.PENANAY6zOJMHW0U
And sliced the cutting board in half.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAx4AjbaZtl0
JJ’s eye twitched. “…Okay. Maybe that was too hard.”
162Please respect copyright.PENANAhQUgQvcPik
"Just clean these plates," JJ said. "Don’t break them."
162Please respect copyright.PENANAphVziTpo0Z
Eleo nodded. “Got it!”
162Please respect copyright.PENANAS8xdTiMfi0
One second later—
162Please respect copyright.PENANAr0U0VGh2X7
CRASH! CRASH! CRASH!
162Please respect copyright.PENANAygiNeRqsi7
JJ turned to see Eleo spinning plates like a circus act, except they were all shattering.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAYAB6gGARqT
JJ fell to his knees. “I’M GOING TO LOSE MY MIND…”
162Please respect copyright.PENANAtJ4U8ue1HE
JJ handed Eleo a notepad. “Just write down what the customers want. That’s ALL you have to do.”
162Please respect copyright.PENANAIoQuku56rw
Eleo confidently walked up to a table.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAjhdSWXkFph
The customer said, “I’d like a steak, medium rare, with—”
162Please respect copyright.PENANAuMII6UA1lb
Eleo nodded and walked away before they finished.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAM4feaNH6L2
He proudly handed JJ the notepad.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAvS5mjPzKA2
JJ read it.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAfssEetzEi3
It said:
162Please respect copyright.PENANAPm3U7LGkdn
"Guy wants food."
162Please respect copyright.PENANAseInlwtdQS
JJ SNAPPED.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAD4ErSMOVsx
"THAT’S IT! I’M DONE!"
162Please respect copyright.PENANAOkIRJ9t0PO
JJ grabbed Eleo by the collar and dragged him to the back alley.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAYeuGXTGhps
"Since you’re USELESS, you can at least take out the garbage."
162Please respect copyright.PENANA4zlfgk4m9E
Eleo crossed his arms. “Pfft, fine. I can handle that.”
162Please respect copyright.PENANAYdZ91u3mGI
He picked up a garbage bag—
162Please respect copyright.PENANAV6kjUQUWlO
And threw it through a restaurant window.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAG3bbSpTeGS
JJ screa
162Please respect copyright.PENANAVMrn1Gr2gq
med.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAsTdKTnjakn
"THAT’S IT! YOU’RE OUTTA HERE!!!"
162Please respect copyright.PENANA0RuNYdEPG8
He grabbed Eleo back inside, opened the back door—
162Please respect copyright.PENANA2Wgh4bF159
And KICKED HIM so hard he flew into a pile of trash.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAZQlXWFzTs4
The entire kitchen staff poked their heads out.
162Please respect copyright.PENANArXuCQPsP8p
JJ took a deep breath and bellowed:
162Please respect copyright.PENANAA8NsNMfaHU
"NEVER COME BACK!!!"
162Please respect copyright.PENANAfTjtnOF7gX
Eleo groaned, sitting up in the trash pile.
162Please respect copyright.PENANAPtlFEXX2Ye
“…Man. That was the best job I ever had.”
162Please respect copyright.PENANAPZD9ek6ChN