Back on Island B2, the cool evening breeze swayed the treetops, carrying the scent of damp earth and wild flowers. Bubble stood there dripping, her once-dry clothes now soaked through with the sticky, foamy beer magic from the Booze King's earlier spell. It had softened her landing, sure, but now it clung to her like a bad perfume.
With an irritated huff, she peeled off the wet garments, revealing her sleek, sporty bathing suit. "Great," she muttered, hanging the dripping clothes over a sturdy tree branch nearby. "Nothing says 'mission to find Jayden' like smelling like a tavern floor."
As the sun dipped low, dusk painted the forest in molten gold and deep purple. Her stomach growled like an impatient beast. "Alright, food first. Jayden later."
She set off into the forest, the chorus of cicadas and rustling leaves guiding her search for water. She didn't dare wander too far—losing her clothes now would be an ultimate game-over. After nearly ten minutes, she stumbled upon something unexpected: a still, glassy pond tucked within the forest's heart, glowing faintly under the fading light.
Bubble grinned. "Problem solved!."
She scavenged sticks, vines, and a sharp rock to craft a crude fishing rod. Kneeling by the pond's edge, she cast her line, squinting into the dim water. A tug! Her eyes widened as she pulled—only for the fish to wriggle free and snap her rod in two.
Her expression soured. "Oh, you think you can mock me?" she hissed. Reaching into her shimmering digital inventory, she pulled out a sniper rifle. The forest held its breath. One shot cracked the silence—
BOOM! The pond erupted, water spraying like a miniature tsunami. The peaceful fish habitat was now a crater.
That's when the shouts came.
Flames of torchlight pierced the trees as villagers rushed in—two men in front with strange tattoos curling around their necks. "There she is!" one barked. "You destroyed our-, you just destroyed our freaking pond!"
Before Bubble could explain, rough hands grabbed her. "Hey! I was fishing!" she protested. "That pond attacked me first!"
Her words were ignored. She was dragged into B-Village, a small settlement hidden deep on Island B2, and thrown into a cramped prison cell still wearing nothing but her swimsuit.
"Where are my clothes?!" she demanded.
"Buy new ones," a villager spat. "After you pay for the damages, you caused of course."
Others muttered insults: "Pervert it's a shame for a girl like this to possess such lustful desires, she is in her underwear." "Free loader, she thinks she can just destroy our pond and collect all the dead suffocated fishes." Bubble hugged herself against the cold, her breath misting in the night air. The stone walls leeched away her warmth until she was shivering violently on the corner of the prison.
Hours passed. Midnight crept in. That's when a shadow detached itself from the darkness outside her cell.
A man's voice whispered, "Want to escape?" He tossed her a heavy black cloak, the fabric still warm from his body.
Her eyes narrowed. "And you are…?"
"Not important. Take these." He placed three rainbow-colored sticks shaped like dynamite in her hands. Their surface shimmered like liquid light. "Throw them at the cellar opening when they light up. Then run."
Before she could speak again, he was gone—vanishing between the flickers of torchlight, unseen by the snoring guards.
She clutched the fireworks and wrapped herself in the cloak. Her mission was to find Jayden, not to get wrapped up in bizarre village politics. Two hours later, she dozed lightly—until screams ripped her awake.
The air outside vibrated with chaos. From between the bars, she saw them: monstrous, corrupted animals—eyes glowing red, fur melting into shadow—tearing into the village.
NOTICE: A VILLAGE RAID EVENT HAS BEGAN (LEVEL 3)
-DEFEAT ALL ENEMIES FOR A CHANCE TO GET REWARDED!
Her pulse spiked. She lit the fireworks and hurled them toward the cellar door. Pssssss-BOOM! The explosion shook the cell, colors raining down in dazzling sparks as the door blew open. Some guards tried to stop her "Hey stop!".
Bubble surged to her feet, cloak flaring behind her as she darted into the chaos. Villagers screamed, shadow beasts roared—whether they liked it or not, the "Pond Destroyer" was joining the fight.