At Blaze Island, nestled to the southeast of the sprawling Omega Island, a young girl wandered the bustling streets of the modern city. She clutched a worn sketch pad tightly, eyes scanning the crowds in search of a single elusive figure. Her fingers nervously tapped the edge of the pad as she moved.
Stopping abruptly in front of a lively restaurant, she raised her voice, cutting through the chatter inside."EM, excuse me, all of you! Do you know where I can find this person?" she shouted, holding up the rough drawing on her pad, her free hand gesturing emphatically.
Heads turned, faces etched with confusion. After a beat, an elderly man sitting quietly by the corner pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and motioned her over, his weathered hands folding and unfolding restlessly in his lap."Come, child, explain more about this person you seek," he said, eyes narrowing as he studied the sketch, his fingers twitching as if ready to jot down notes.
"Em, sir, do you recognize this person?" she asked, fingers trembling slightly as she held out the crude, barely comprehensible drawing, her other hand brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"Eh… yes?" the old man replied, scratching his chin thoughtfully and shifting his weight in the wooden chair."I'm looking for him!" she declared with urgency, taking a small step closer.
"Well, okay. But first, tell me his name—or perhaps we should introduce ourselves properly?" the old geezer suggested, folding his arms and tilting his head inquisitively.
"Oh! So sorry, where are my manners?" she giggled, smacking her forehead lightly and sticking her tongue out playfully, bouncing slightly on her feet."My name's Bubble, and the person I'm looking for is called Jayden," she said, stretching out her arms toward the man's face, the sketch pad trembling in her grip.
"Jayden?" he repeated, the name lingering in the air like a secret as he leaned back and tapped his lips, pondering.
"Yes, Jayden. Do you know him? Or where I might find him? Please, if you do, tell me!" she pleaded, clasping the sketch pad tighter and biting her lip anxiously.
Inside the old man's mind, a whirlwind of thoughts raced by like fleeting shadows.(Is she his long-lost lover? A stalker? An assassin? Hmmm… this feels shady… what should I do?)
"Well, sir? Anything at all?" Bubble's voice cracked slightly as she gripped the sketch pad tighter, her foot tapping nervously against the floor.
"Em… let's see. Mind telling me what business you have with this Jayden?" the old man inquired cautiously, folding his hands on the table and leaning forward.
"Eh? FOR REALS?!" Bubble burst out, eyes wide and arms thrown up in disbelief.
Sighing with mild disappointment, she answered, "I was told to find him by someone. Does that satisfy you?" Her shoulders slumped slightly, gaze dropping to the floor.
"Mind telling me who this specific someone is?" the old man pressed, lifting his coffee cup with a knowing gaze and swirling the liquid inside.
Suddenly, Bubble plopped down and shouted to the waiter, "Two chocolate milkshakes, please!" She rubbed her hands together, clearly eager for a break.
"I don't see how I'll gain anything by telling you," she muttered, crossing her arms and glaring playfully at the old man.
The waiter arrived promptly, setting down two frosty glasses on the table."Here you go, miss." He smiled politely.
Without hesitation, Bubble snatched a glass and guzzled it, relishing the cold sweetness, her cheeks flushing with satisfaction."Ah, that was great! Okay, old man, look here: information is power!" She sprang up with a triumphant pose, fist raised high and eyes sparkling.
"Hey, young lady, don't forget the same could be said about you," the old man replied with a sly grin, twirling his mustache.
"Oh, that's true," she admitted, giggling and twirling a loose curl around her finger.
"Okay, look, I might be dumb but not that dumb, alright?" She grabbed the other milkshake and drank it while standing, swaying slightly.
"Wait a minute! This ain't chocolate milkshake! This is vanilla! Who dares to deceive my tongue?" she cried, waving the glass dramatically.
"I want a refund! I want a refund!" she demanded again, stomping her foot lightly.
Heads around the restaurant sank in exasperation, hands covering weary faces."Who invited that little brat? Last time I checked, this was a restaurant, not a bar!" some grumbled loudly, shaking their heads.
Suddenly, the restaurant door burst open, slammed aside by a horde of angry men pouring in from a nearby bar."WHAT WAS THAT, BOY?! YOU GOT SOMETHING AGAINST BARS???!" one yelled, fists clenched.
Fear rippled through the crowd, but Bubble and the old man remained unfazed, exchanging a brief, knowing glance.
One hulking brute, teeth yellowed and clenched, growled,"SUMMON THE BOOZE 'CAUSE EVERYONE IN HERE IS GETTING ONE!" He cracked his knuckles and flexed his fingers menacingly.
"BOOOZE!" the horde roared in unison, stomping the floor.
"BOOOZE! BOOZE! BOOOOZE! BOOOZE! BRING SOME!!" Crates of beer—twelve in all—were hauled into the restaurant, the smell of malt filling the air.
"Let's see… twenty people in here means two for me and two for them. Let's see, let's see, what's 2x24? Hmmm… too complicated, let's see, let's see," the brute muttered with a crooked smile, scratching his head.
"Mommy, I want to go back home!" a small boy whimpered, clutching his mother's hand tightly.
"NO ONE LEAVES UNTIL YOU FINISH TWO MEGA-SIZED BOTTLES OF BOOOZE, BOY!!!" the brute bellowed, eyes bloodshot and wild, veins throbbing on his neck.
"YOU DARE MOCK A BAR? TODAY YOU SHALL LEARN THE REMEDY OF BOOZE! DICKSON, GIVE EVERY LAST ONE OF THEM A DAMNED BOOOOOOZE!!! EEEEH HE EEEEH!!?" The brute whipped out a gun, brandishing it with a theatrical flourish.
"BOY, YOU'RE FIRST TO GO NOW—CHUNK UP!" He aimed the weapon at the trembling boy's head, jaw clenched.
With shaking hands, the boy—no older than ten—opened a bottle and began chugging the beer."Mommy, it tastes awful!" he complained, tears welling in his eyes.
Red, dead eyes bore into him, unblinking.
"BOY!!!?" the brute thundered, slamming his fist into a nearby table.
"Actually, it tastes good," the boy said quickly, gulping down more, tears running down his cheek, trembling but determined.
"NOW THAT'S MORE LIKE IT! THIS BOY KNOWS OUR STYLE, HE KNOWS OUR HERITAGE! NOW THAT'S MORE LIKE IT!" The bar patrons erupted in cheers, slapping each other on the back.
"What the fuck is everyone waiting for, huh?! OPEN YOUR BOOZE AND CHUNK UP!!!" the brute shouted, pounding his chest.
The boy's mother, clutching a bottle herself, ground her teeth and clicked her tongue in fury, eyes burning with rage."Tch. I will never forgive you!" she spat, fingers trembling as she shook the bottle.
"EY!!! WOMAN, WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING? WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE THINKING? DON'T SLOW DOWN—CHUNK UP THAT BOOZE YAAAAAHOOOO!!?" the brute came forward, gun aimed at her, breathing heavy.
"Please don't hurt my mother," the boy pleaded, now drunk, clutching the brute's leg desperately."I did what you asked—I finished all the bottles and it tasted good! Just please don't hurt her."
"Fair point," the brute nodded reluctantly, rubbing the back of his neck.
"OKAY, LISTEN UP EVERYONE! TODAY YOU DID THE UNTHINKABLE! YOU DARE MOCK US? HAVE WE EVER DISTURBED YOUR PEACE, HUH?" He pointed his finger aggressively, pacing a bit.
"DON'T EVER DO IT AGAIN, YOU FEEL ME?!" he barked as the crowd finished their booze, some nodding with gritted teeth.
As they spilled out to return to their bar, a drunk young lady suddenly rushed up, weaving through the crowd and grabbed the brute's attention, pulling out her sketch pad with a confident jab."Excuse me, sir, do you happen to know this person on the drawing?" she asked, eyes locked on him.
"WHAT AN UGLY PIECE OF ART! YOUNG LADY, ARE YOU TRYING TO MOCK ME?!" the brute snapped, eyes narrowing, jaw tightening.
"Nah, this artwork isn't enough to describe your hideousness." Bubble smirked, crossing her arms. "I'm just asking if you know where I can find this person."
"Sigh, today I've had enough drama." He shook his head, stepping back. "Go west of Blaze Island, on Island B2. You'll find your answers there!"
"Well, okay. But do you know how I might get there without a boat?" Bubble asked, frowning thoughtfully. The waters around Blaze Island boiled constantly, clouds of scalding steam rising—last time she nearly got cooked just trying to enter.
"Well, yes. Yesterday, me and my crewmates built two launching machines—a boulder thrower like the ancient siege engines, and a human cannon launcher!" The brute rubbed his chin, a hint of pride in his voice.
"Which one is safe?" Bubble asked warily, stepping closer.
"Hmmm, I personally recommend the human cannon. It's flashy, with colorful confetti, plus you get a helmet before launch. It's my favorite—though I've never used it myself, only others!" The brute giggled nervously, scratching the back of his head.
"Well, what are you waiting for? Take me there!" Bubble said boldly, crossing her arms.
"Sure, but find me at the bar in a few minutes. Name's Booze King." He gave a quick nod and strode off.
Booze King hurried off, leaving the restaurant in chaos. Bubble sat back down where the old man had been napping, the man still out cold, beer spilled across the table.
"Well, that was awkward." She sighed, rubbing her temple. "But yay, soon I'll find what I'm looking for! I really wish that stupid 6th Warlord gave me more hints before he left… Though he said it was his last request, as if he were about to die or something. Hahaha, how stupid," Bubble muttered, shaking her head.
Time passed into afternoon. Bubble woke to find everyone still asleep, herself having apparently dozed off too. She stood, stretching her arms above her head.
"That man barked something about the restaurant being a bar… The bar lovers came rushing—means the bar must be closed," she said, blinking.
She glanced left and spotted a bar right next to the restaurant."What? How is that even possible? It's so close!" She tilted her head in confusion.
Inside, the bar was lively, patrons laughing and singing loudly. Suddenly, the door swung open.
All eyes turned to a young woman with a striking appearance: a white sniper insignia emblazoned on her black eye patch; one vivid blue eye beneath long blue hair; wearing a short skirt, black gloves, and a digital skeleton imprinted black T-shirt, belts crossing from her back to her chest holding a sniper rifle. Light-skinned, with black gum-boot shoes.
She wore a cute expression laced with confusion, hands resting loosely at her sides.
"Damn, that cutie's a mankiller! Hey, little lady, mind sitting with me? I know the best booze that can transcend reality!" called out a stranger, waving a beer mug.
"Aaah, yea no thanks. See, I'm looking for Booze King. Any idea where I can find him?" she asked, raising one eyebrow and spreading her arms.
"AAAAH FINALLY, THAT'S WHERE YOU ARE! I THOUGHT YOU'D CHANGED YOUR MIND!" Booze King burst in, chugging a huge glass of beer in one gulp, slapping his hands on the table.
"Now that's life! Follow me, little girl!" he said, grabbing his coat.
Bubble followed Booze King to the island's edge, where two men waited—one holding a helmet, the other packing the cannon with colorful confetti.
"How's progress?" Booze King asked, hands on hips.
"Almost ready. Just a few more minutes before launching her!" the confetti handler replied, grinning.
The man with the helmet approached Bubble, holding it out with a serious look."This is a bad idea. Please reconsider." He folded his arms.
Bubble snatched the helmet eagerly, grinning."Nah, it's not my first time doing something crazy," she said, scratching her head.
Finally, the cannon was ready.
"It's ready!" the confetti filler announced, bouncing on his toes.
Bubble donned the helmet.
"Alright! Let's do this!" she said, climbing inside the confetti-filled cannon, wincing slightly.
"Not gonna lie, this doesn't feel comfortable," she muttered, shifting awkwardly.
"Hey, we warned you!" Booze King replied, grinning wide.
"Light it up!" he commanded.
A flare was lit, hissing loudly.
"Wait—wait! I think I changed my mind!" Bubble panicked, fingers gripping the cannon's edge.
"You changed your mind? Sigh, sorry, but we can't do that. We're having some Booze as we see you launch!" Booze King grinned, clapping his hands.
"You freaking brute!" Bubble shot back, rolling her eyes.
"Light it up, boys…!" The flammable fuse hissed.
The flammable cap was lit, and a sharp hiss sounded—pssssss.
"Aim it at the direction of Island B2!" Booze King shouted.
"Sir, which way is that?" the confetti filler asked nervously, glancing around.
Booze King froze for a moment, then blurted:
"Shit!!!? WE HAVE BEEN BETRAYED!?!?!?" He whipped out his compass and sprinted toward the cannon just as it began to launch Bubble.
Quickly, he adjusted the cannon's aim to where he thought Island B2 lay—to the west of Blaze Island.
"Bubble, please carry out our wishes. We won't be there for a next time," he said, finalizing the positioning, voice trembling slightly.
"What are you talking about?" Bubble called out, confused, fists clenched.
"Divine protection of the warm caring warriorS!? FINEST… BOOOOOOZE!!?" Booze King chanted, casting the magical protection on Bubble, hands raised high.
On her screen, a notification flashed:Notice: You have been buffed with +500 damage-taking shield for 1 minute!
Suddenly—
BOOOOOOOM!!!
Bubble was shot out like a rocket, blasted from the cannon with a burst of confetti exploding all around her.
"Nobody told me it was this dangerous! Aaaaah!!?" Bubble screamed as she soared through the air, arms flailing wildly.
NOTICE:YOU HAVE LEFT BLAZE ISLAND! 20% EXPLORATION RATE COMPLETED!
"But wait, this is kinda fun! Haaahahaha!" she laughed, disappearing into the steaming sky.
The steam thickened, blinding the view of those who launched her. Through the mist echoed her joyful laughter, followed by Booze King's farewell.
"Farewell!"
Suddenly, Blaze Island exploded violently, destroying everything and everyone, wiping all away in a cataclysmic blast.
Bubble only heard screams drowned in steam, unable to see anything. Then—
From the fog, a giant brilliant red skeleton hand emerged, massive and terrifying. On top of it stood a black-hooded figure wielding a scythe.
The giant hand reached down, grasped the island hidden in steam, and dragged it beneath the waves.
"What was that?" Bubble wondered aloud as she sped forward, eyes wide.
"But hey, I can fly!"
She spread her arms and legs midair, soaring alongside a flock of birds. A trail of confetti streamed behind her like a colorful rocket tail.
At last, she landed on Island B2.
A beer-like fountain erupted beneath her feet, cushioning her landing — Booze King's protective shield at work.
Finally, Bubble had arrived at Island B2, where silence reigned in its purest form.
"Wow, I've never heard of this island. I guess I might as well check it out myself." She glanced around, curiosity flickering in her eyes.
The island was mysterious, full of potential treasures, hidden secrets, and truths waiting to be uncovered.