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.
41Please respect copyright.PENANA3eWCuKsSIH
"Wow! This water’s so clean I could drink it!" Eleo said, leaning over. He paused. "Wait… would I drown if I tried?"
41Please respect copyright.PENANA58HXIcrCvh
He scratched his head, deeply pondering this important scientific question when—
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"HALT!"
41Please respect copyright.PENANAY8g0qYo2Yd
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.
41Please respect copyright.PENANAanS8aHRQtU
"Yo! Can I go into Lola Island?" Eleo asked, waving casually.
41Please respect copyright.PENANAeE4TDYPQMV
The first guard furrowed his brows. "The city is called Umapin. Lola Island is the name of the island itself."
41Please respect copyright.PENANAycxU4LOyxX
"Ohhh," Eleo nodded sagely. "Wait, but the map only said Lola Island—"
41Please respect copyright.PENANAvx4NYDkLWH
"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.
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"Right?! That’s what I said!" the second guard blurted before the first guard elbowed him.
41Please respect copyright.PENANAeU4icKd9GP
"AHEM. Anyway, state your business," the first guard said, crossing his arms.
41Please respect copyright.PENANAknDC7o4Zwm
Eleo grinned. "I’m here to eat food, punch people, and become the strongest!"
41Please respect copyright.PENANA3G9q93eDHk
The second guard blinked. "So… just chaos, then?"
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"Not just chaos," Eleo corrected. "There’s also food."
41Please respect copyright.PENANAGhkUz3Iatx
The guards exchanged glances. The first one sighed, already exhausted. "Do you have a passport?"
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Eleo froze. "…A what now?"
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The guards stared at him.
41Please respect copyright.PENANAvh2SRipyp1
"You don’t have a passport?" the second guard asked.
41Please respect copyright.PENANANpkqs8feF9
"I don’t even know what that is," Eleo admitted, scratching his head. "Is it a fruit?"
41Please respect copyright.PENANA1NpySTN4cH
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!"
41Please respect copyright.PENANAfiwwyYXNkw
"But I walked all this way!" Eleo groaned dramatically. "You mean I gotta turn around? That’s so far! My legs are already sore!"
41Please respect copyright.PENANAfrJyDgAEOA
"You were literally skipping a second ago," the second guard pointed out.
41Please respect copyright.PENANAeEg52PYwSS
Eleo gasped. "YOU WERE WATCHING ME?!"
41Please respect copyright.PENANA7DGiUzYNJt
"Y-you’re literally right in front of us—"
41Please respect copyright.PENANAfQiRTBWV0A
"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."
41Please respect copyright.PENANAO3yT7icWgV
The first guard’s eye twitched. "Alright, I’m done with this conversation. You’re not getting in."
41Please respect copyright.PENANAkN04W0Bso0
"But what if I fight my way in?" Eleo grinned.
41Please respect copyright.PENANADlYhRGyWKk
"You’d get arrested instantly," the guard deadpanned.
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"…What if I sneak in?"
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"You just said that out loud in front of two guards."
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"Damn, true," Eleo muttered.
41Please respect copyright.PENANALgGLuxKGdY
The second guard sighed. "Look, if you really need to enter, you’ll have to get permission from the Umapin Embassy."
41Please respect copyright.PENANAm2mkHenJqX
"Ohhh, gotcha! Where’s that?" Eleo asked.
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The first guard pointed. "On the other side of the island."
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Eleo’s jaw dropped. "BRO. THAT’S EVEN FARTHER THAN TURNING AROUND!"
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"Not my problem."
41Please respect copyright.PENANAd8mhaPjkxY
Eleo groaned, dramatically collapsing onto the ground. "This is so much work just to get some food."
41Please respect copyright.PENANAUMSYn9D8v1
The second guard sighed, rubbing his temples. "Just… just go. I’m already tired of dealing with you."
41Please respect copyright.PENANAzjnCiuD6ih
"Wait, for real?" Eleo perked up.
41Please respect copyright.PENANAHhZWohgwwC
"YES, JUST GO BEFORE I CHANGE MY MIND!"
41Please respect copyright.PENANAccqP8kmVzy
"AWESOME!" Eleo fist-pumped and ran past them.
41Please respect copyright.PENANAxv4EiH4hBg
The first guard turned to the second, frowning. "Are we gonna get fired for that?"
41Please respect copyright.PENANAflkryihrnK
The second guard sighed. "At this point? I don’t even care."
41Please respect copyright.PENANAygEUazg05Q
As Eleo ran into the city, he grinned. "Alright! Time to find food!"
41Please respect copyright.PENANAPf6DfVeqEn
He immediately crashed into a fruit stand, toppling it over.
41Please respect copyright.PENANAqpkokE5hIm
"MY CABBAGES!" the vendor screamed.
41Please respect copyright.PENANAfsn16Om351
Eleo dusted himself off, rubbing the back of his head as the furious vendor picked up his scattered cabbages.
41Please respect copyright.PENANAuVeIPYDb0f
"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?!"
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"Uhhh… I was too excited about food?" Eleo grinned sheepishly.
41Please respect copyright.PENANAPyoz9wOeic
The vendor sighed, shaking his head. "Just go before you destroy something else."
41Please respect copyright.PENANADDh7XAbJFa
Eleo gave him a thumbs-up. "Will do!"
41Please respect copyright.PENANArbojTYIcX9
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.
41Please respect copyright.PENANA55wVzCtUlW
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.
41Please respect copyright.PENANA9yEZSNp50n
"OOOH!" Eleo gasped, spinning in circles as he took everything in. "This place is fancy as hell! Look at all this stuff!"
41Please respect copyright.PENANAWtPi7GxHzo
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.
41Please respect copyright.PENANAxbsdlBAYMJ
Eleo scratched his head. "…I think she just called me poor with her eyes."
41Please respect copyright.PENANAGFbZgF51wu
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.
41Please respect copyright.PENANATmpbkAoah5
Eleo grinned. "Alright! First things first—FOOD!"
41Please respect copyright.PENANACPHFwW8LGt
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.
41Please respect copyright.PENANA3uAd9xVBWd
Eleo practically drooled. "I want ALL OF IT."
41Please respect copyright.PENANAXYJYKtKRm5
Then, he froze.
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Wait.
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His pockets felt suspiciously light.
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He patted himself down, panic creeping onto his face. "No way… NO WAY… I’M BROKE?!"
41Please respect copyright.PENANAvstqJ8FfMi
A long, dramatic silence followed.
41Please respect copyright.PENANALKAhxgpmAd
Then, Eleo dramatically collapsed onto the ground. "THIS IS THE WORST DAY OF MY LIFE!"
41Please respect copyright.PENANA1ycXxf5akL
People around him stared. A mother quickly pulled her child away.
41Please respect copyright.PENANAXWCia0wYBR
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!"
41Please respect copyright.PENANApXAmgJ9q7Q
He clenched his fists. "Alright! I gotta find a job!"
41Please respect copyright.PENANAZQRgLlWcF3
A man standing by a nearby food stall overheard and smirked. "Hey, kid! You want a job?"
41Please respect copyright.PENANAnu67M7E8Nk
Eleo perked up. "YES! DO I GET FREE FOOD?"
41Please respect copyright.PENANAS4uxzisqxb
The man laughed. "You get a meal after work."
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Eleo grinned. "Deal! What’s the job?"
41Please respect copyright.PENANABCuQBqDtXg
The man clapped him on the back. "Congrats, kid. You’re now a waiter at The Golden Spoon!"
41Please respect copyright.PENANArbcjc1cyoT
Eleo blinked. "Wait… I gotta serve people?"
41Please respect copyright.PENANAIEoYGYGjsD
"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.
41Please respect copyright.PENANAOkyS2WQZdE
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.
41Please respect copyright.PENANACV3Cr30i3e
Eleo tried squeezing through the crowd. "Excuse me—pardon me—whoa, nice flip—oof, sorry about your drink—hey, was that a knife?!"
41Please respect copyright.PENANAnHPXlJf7o5
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.
41Please respect copyright.PENANAY3VkCtoDNj
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—”
41Please respect copyright.PENANAuJafKYWmx2
Eleo, not paying attention, spotted a huge pile of fresh, bright-orange carrots. His stomach grumbled.
41Please respect copyright.PENANAyM6PsVezmQ
“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—
41Please respect copyright.PENANAkdOJVTF2wz
“WE NEED CARROTS FOR THE STEW!” a waiter burst into the kitchen.
41Please respect copyright.PENANAriet2ilrV3
Several chefs rushed to the carrot pile, only to freeze in horror.
41Please respect copyright.PENANAxODh6LfNvA
Half the carrots were GONE. And the other half? Bitten. Chewed. Abused.
41Please respect copyright.PENANA7034ZLgGLe
They slowly turned to see Eleo, mouth stuffed like a hamster, chewing innocently.
41Please respect copyright.PENANADs9j7TF0DP
He blinked. “Hello.”
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The entire kitchen exploded.
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“YOU IDIOT!”
41Please respect copyright.PENANACtJOz466GE
“WHY WOULD YOU EAT THE INGREDIENTS?!”
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“SPIT THEM OUT! SPIT THEM OUT NOW!”
41Please respect copyright.PENANAGJNOpK6A3W
Eleo, still chewing, mumbled, “I don’t fink you want ‘em back now.”
41Please respect copyright.PENANA8TEjlmtcaj
Then, the bald man—JJ, the legendary head chef—stormed over, veins popping on his forehead. "WHAT’S GOING ON HERE?!"
41Please respect copyright.PENANAiTOPYg7EWN
A terrified chef pointed. “Sir JJ, this moron ate the CARROTS!”
41Please respect copyright.PENANAQL1g0H23rs
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.
41Please respect copyright.PENANA46QEAAnxUi
Eleo dangled in the air, still munching. “I was hungry.”
41Please respect copyright.PENANAPM6IbCWzEi
JJ’s eyes nearly burst out of his skull. "IS THAT SO?!"
41Please respect copyright.PENANApeGYgYw2WD
Eleo nodded. “Yup.” Then, realizing something, he beamed. “Ohhh, are you gonna cook me something?!”
41Please respect copyright.PENANA3PsSe4UPsT
The entire kitchen fell silent.
41Please respect copyright.PENANAkcey3gb3A1
JJ’s mustache quivered. His hands shook.
41Please respect copyright.PENANAHIVZz96A9i
Then he threw Eleo through the kitchen doors.
41Please respect copyright.PENANAhgX70vtwq8
Eleo crashed directly into a waiter carrying a tray of food, sending soup, steak, and an entire roasted chicken flying into the air—
41Please respect copyright.PENANAIQkeobekmu
—Which Eleo instinctively caught in his mouth like a wild animal.
41Please respect copyright.PENANANSzqhP1odo
The restaurant gasped.
41Please respect copyright.PENANAscR2pEGVwe
Eleo, still chewing, gave a thumbs up. “Mmm. That’s good food.”
41Please respect copyright.PENANAE7evziKwEt
JJ’s voice BOOMED.
41Please respect copyright.PENANAIZva3AhhZq
"GET THIS IDIOT OUT OF MY KITCHEN!!!"
41Please respect copyright.PENANAcAfFJPCY95
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!”
41Please respect copyright.PENANAilbleqFR8r
Inside Eleo’s mind: Hahaha! No, I wasn’t!
41Please respect copyright.PENANAKTfeOe6lVM
JJ narrowed his eyes. “…Fine. But if you mess up again, I’m launching you straight into the ocean.”
41Please respect copyright.PENANAwuVzJj8VRU
Eleo beamed. “Ohhh, I always wanted to be launched into the oce—”
41Please respect copyright.PENANAeOVApYqPmU
“SHUT UP AND GET BACK IN THE KITCHEN!”
41Please respect copyright.PENANAqxjTAdx2qQ
Eleo cheered and sprinted back inside, ready to prove himself.
41Please respect copyright.PENANAd8AjmnE7sm
JJ sighed, rubbing his temples. “Alright, listen carefully. Do exactly as I say. You are going to make a simple stew. Got it?”
41Please respect copyright.PENANAQUKdQfm59J
Eleo saluted. “AYE AYE, CHEF MAN!”
41Please respect copyright.PENANAMAWO1lWyGo
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.
41Please respect copyright.PENANAOB8M49Ki2m
“Hmmmm… what should I add?”
41Please respect copyright.PENANAWyPv0OtJaz
He glanced down and—
41Please respect copyright.PENANAUYtW4GvYS2
GASP!
41Please respect copyright.PENANA8UJo4IQe9K
A dead rat lay on the floor.
41Please respect copyright.PENANA0hgXmaevAo
Eleo’s eyes SPARKLED.
41Please respect copyright.PENANA2Pzu6YHap8
"Perfect!"
41Please respect copyright.PENANAz6QJJW0bC9
He scooped up the rat and shoved it into the pot. Then, without measuring anything, he started hurling ingredients in.
41Please respect copyright.PENANA17f87YcxxE
"Let’s see… needs salt!" He poured half a barrel of salt.
41Please respect copyright.PENANAlHcILBkgGS
"Vinegar!" He dumped in the whole bottle.
41Please respect copyright.PENANAOK9uXoMmym
"Water!" He poured dirty dishwater in by accident.
41Please respect copyright.PENANARGV3xqAnjI
"Pepper!" He emptied the entire container.
41Please respect copyright.PENANAqTFga4LxS7
"SPICES!" He grabbed random jars and flung them into the pot—glass and all.
41Please respect copyright.PENANAc0vYUNfDVO
After a few seconds, the pot looked like a bubbling, black cauldron of doom.
41Please respect copyright.PENANA590dyGjOBB
Eleo nodded proudly. “Alright, this pot is READY!”
41Please respect copyright.PENANA2WKHd6Zhi8
A chef passed by, took one look, and immediately FAINTED.
41Please respect copyright.PENANAIESciyUskf
JJ turned around. "Alright, let’s see how you—" He froze. His face turned pale.
41Please respect copyright.PENANAltBwNsFK8J
"…WHAT IN THE NAME OF THE HOLY SPATULA IS THAT?!"
41Please respect copyright.PENANA5VvmJgxP20
Eleo grinned. “Stew! Try it!” He grabbed a spoon and forced it into JJ’s mouth before he could react.
41Please respect copyright.PENANAqhkJmfR1j0
JJ chewed. He paused. His whole body trembled. His mustache curled up like burnt paper. His soul LEFT his body.
41Please respect copyright.PENANApz2FHXJGEA
Then—
41Please respect copyright.PENANA9C8FIj4xcK
JJ exploded into a FURIOUS RAMPAGE.
41Please respect copyright.PENANAeMIDLJCQB4
"THAT WASN’T FOOD—THAT WAS POISON!"
41Please respect copyright.PENANA4OWsGhioam
"Well, I am a creative chef," Eleo said, proud.
41Please respect copyright.PENANAdOu4F37N1o
"YOU PUT A RAT IN IT!"
41Please respect copyright.PENANAANTirkSus2
"Yeah, for flavor!"
41Please respect copyright.PENANA2BIB0fqPgw
JJ ripped off his chef’s hat and threw it on the ground. "OKAY, NO MORE COOKING! YOU’RE DOING SOMETHING EASY!"
41Please respect copyright.PENANAY6sd2bSm9q
JJ handed Eleo a knife. "Just cut these tomatoes. That’s it."
41Please respect copyright.PENANAKjNRT6oKLG
Eleo nodded. “Got it!”
41Please respect copyright.PENANALXR7NA1PTT
He grabbed a tomato—
41Please respect copyright.PENANAVkLhsATAtO
And sliced the cutting board in half.
41Please respect copyright.PENANApyA9RGobn7
JJ’s eye twitched. “…Okay. Maybe that was too hard.”
41Please respect copyright.PENANA547ULpH1iR
"Just clean these plates," JJ said. "Don’t break them."
41Please respect copyright.PENANAEsvUx6Ohf1
Eleo nodded. “Got it!”
41Please respect copyright.PENANATnnzEaDNFE
One second later—
41Please respect copyright.PENANAw8xm2DhFw3
CRASH! CRASH! CRASH!
41Please respect copyright.PENANALieuPJ36Wf
JJ turned to see Eleo spinning plates like a circus act, except they were all shattering.
41Please respect copyright.PENANA02mxNhB8he
JJ fell to his knees. “I’M GOING TO LOSE MY MIND…”
41Please respect copyright.PENANA1Oc9iVwltz
JJ handed Eleo a notepad. “Just write down what the customers want. That’s ALL you have to do.”
41Please respect copyright.PENANASzKHsYf4tJ
Eleo confidently walked up to a table.
41Please respect copyright.PENANArtPJIUOgLJ
The customer said, “I’d like a steak, medium rare, with—”
41Please respect copyright.PENANApmxm969jQi
Eleo nodded and walked away before they finished.
41Please respect copyright.PENANACWONBSZgnK
He proudly handed JJ the notepad.
41Please respect copyright.PENANADNvfLHHjej
JJ read it.
41Please respect copyright.PENANARZPPDcT4Wn
It said:
41Please respect copyright.PENANAVyNlbGmqWE
"Guy wants food."
41Please respect copyright.PENANAgR24Vo1Lo9
JJ SNAPPED.
41Please respect copyright.PENANAZDaNToMc8e
"THAT’S IT! I’M DONE!"
41Please respect copyright.PENANAk1ENecitlz
JJ grabbed Eleo by the collar and dragged him to the back alley.
41Please respect copyright.PENANA2D8BySKgCQ
"Since you’re USELESS, you can at least take out the garbage."
41Please respect copyright.PENANAmoMHDc61SX
Eleo crossed his arms. “Pfft, fine. I can handle that.”
41Please respect copyright.PENANAWviYRs0Zwl
He picked up a garbage bag—
41Please respect copyright.PENANAtxjEsO6t7X
And threw it through a restaurant window.
41Please respect copyright.PENANAztvlo6twYh
JJ screa
41Please respect copyright.PENANAnMhHN1M0HV
med.
41Please respect copyright.PENANA9sv3byf3LY
"THAT’S IT! YOU’RE OUTTA HERE!!!"
41Please respect copyright.PENANA3VM7ZT5nHl
He grabbed Eleo back inside, opened the back door—
41Please respect copyright.PENANAk5YgmjlUBk
And KICKED HIM so hard he flew into a pile of trash.
41Please respect copyright.PENANAL6dNjbb3dp
The entire kitchen staff poked their heads out.
41Please respect copyright.PENANAB5wLxgKStT
JJ took a deep breath and bellowed:
41Please respect copyright.PENANANYWJCTNxme
"NEVER COME BACK!!!"
41Please respect copyright.PENANAfUfTb58X2j
Eleo groaned, sitting up in the trash pile.
41Please respect copyright.PENANAAbySsLm3Qb
“…Man. That was the best job I ever had.”
41Please respect copyright.PENANAFHfQLVsson