After a few long hours of waiting, Miss Moew stepped out from the back room, wiping grease from her apron.
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She smiled and called out, “Mr. Jimmy! The machine’s done!”
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Right then—
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DING–CLANK–BZZZT!!
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The old quest machine jolted to life. Gears spun wildly. Sparks flew.
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Then—BOOM!
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Multiple parchment scrolls blasted into the air and rained down onto the dusty quest board like confetti.
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Everyone in the bar immediately surged forward, grabbing parchment like it was treasure falling from the sky.
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Jimmy stood on his counter with a satisfied smirk.
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“Well, would ya look at that... The old girl finally coughed one up.”
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Before anyone else could move, Tony strolled up calmly and snatched one of the glowing scrolls. He walked back to their table, rolled it open, and slammed it dramatically onto the wood.
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Olorun gave him a proud thumbs-up. “Nice work, Bone Man.”
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Eleo leaned over the scroll, eyes wide. “So... now what?”
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Kenji sighed. “We read what the quest is, you moron.”
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Tony cleared his throat and held the scroll open. “Alright then. Let’s see what fate has for Team... Eleo.”
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The four of them leaned in as he read:
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📜 QUEST: THE RETURN OF KING GLOOB
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Requester: The Slimefolk Council of Gloobopolis
Reward: 50,000 coins + VIP Mushroom Transport Pass + One Gloobite Amulet
“Our beloved King Gloob has gone missing. Without him, our city teeters on the edge of collapse. We plead for your aid! Coordinates have been magically transmitted.”
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As if on cue, the scroll flashed, and a floating blue hologram projected from it, showing Tony's current location—and a pulsating dot miles away, deep in the forest.
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Tony rubbed his chin. “Well, okay. This might be interesting.”
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Kenji frowned. “I don’t get it. Why would anyone want to kidnap the Slimefolk King? I mean... yeah, they’re weird, they slime up the roads, and sometimes eat hats—but they’re not exactly tough.”
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Olorun shrugged. “Who cares? We get paid.”
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Eleo punched his fist into his paw. “Well then what are we waiting for? Let’s gooo!”
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And just like that, the four of them grabbed their gear and headed out, down the winding mossy forest road.
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As they walked, Eleo stared up at the trees.
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“So... uh… what are we doing again?”
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Kenji groaned. “Were you not paying attention at all?!”
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Eleo smiled cheerfully. “Nope!”
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Olorun said, “Basically, we have to go save the Slimefolk King.”
Tony nodded thoughtfully, swirling his tea.
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“You know, I always thought slimes were… uh… non-thinking. Like, not slef conscious or slef aware or anything. Just… goo.”
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Kenji blinked. “Wait—did you just say ‘slef’?”
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Tony sipped. “Yes.”
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Kenji stared. “It’s self, bonehead. Self-aware. Self-conscious.”
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Tony shrugged. “Eh, same thing. You got the idea.”
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Eleo tilted his head. “Wait… what’s slef conscious?”
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Olorun groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose. “It’s self, Eleo. And it means being overly aware of yourself—like how you look, act, or how people see you.”
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Eleo nodded slowly. “Ohhh... okay.”
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(In Eleo’s mind)
I still don’t get it.
Then suddenly—
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A voice from right behind Tony’s back calmly said:
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“Well actually, the Slimefolk have developed cognitive awareness over the last two centuries.”
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Everyone froze.
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Slowly, they all turned.
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There, clinging to Tony’s cape, was a very familiar tiny face.
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“TIMMY?!” they all shouted in unison.
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Timmy grinned sheepishly and gave a thumbs-up.
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“Surprise~!”
Kenji stepped back, pointing accusingly.
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“Timmy?! What the hell are you doing here?!”
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Olorun crossed his arms. “Yeah! You know Jimmy doesn’t want you tagging along on dangerous adventures.”
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Timmy, still perched proudly on Tony’s shoulder, puffed out his chest.
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“I know! But I wanna explore! I wanna go on an adventure with you guys!”
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Tony tilted his head, looking back at the tiny Minari clinging to his collar. “Uhh… no offense, kid, but I’m not sure you can actually fight.”
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Timmy smirked, tapping his tiny forehead. “That’s the thing—I don’t need to! I have knowledge. Brainpower!”
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Olorun rubbed his chin. “Mmm... but we already have Tony for that.”
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Timmy huffed. “Yeah, but I’m super duper smarter!”
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Eleo beamed. “I think he should join us! He’s small, but he’s got big... uh... brain muscles!”
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Kenji squinted. “Are you sure about this?”
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Timmy started bouncing on Tony’s shoulder. “Yes, yes, yes! I’ll be super useful! I know maps! Monster types! Goblin culture! I even know how to speak Slimespeak… kinda.”
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Olorun shrugged. “Alright, but if you run away in the middle of a fight, you’re out.”
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Timmy saluted dramatically. “I won’t! You have my mushroom-honor!”
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Eleo threw a fist in the air. “Then let’s gooooo!”
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After a few hours of walking—through muddy forest trails, over slimy rock bridges, and past a bubbling swamp that smelled like boiled socks—they finally arrived at the quest marker’s location.
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The “village” was barely a few mushroom-shaped huts nestled in glowing moss.
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Eleo blinked. “Whoa… This place is, like… almost smaller than Timmy!”
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Tiny goo trails decorated the dirt paths. The air smelled like jelly and bubble bath.
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Suddenly, dozens of Slimefolk oozed out from the huts and puddles. Each was a slightly different color—green, purple, teal, and one shaped like a cube with sunglasses.
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A large pink slime with a monocle and a crown-shaped hat bounced forward, wobbling regally.
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“Thank the GLOOB you arrived!” it said. “I am Bubble, head of the Slimefolk Council. Our king—our dear, lovable, squishy king—has gone missing!”
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Tony adjusted his tie. “Why would anyone take your king?”
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Bubble wobbled nervously. “We… don’t exactly know. But... we believe it was… the goblins.”
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All the slimes behind him bounced and echoed at once.
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“GOBLINS! GOBLINS! GOBLINS!!”
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Olorun raised an eyebrow. “Wait—goblins? What would goblins want with a slime king?”
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Bubble’s slime body jiggled with guilt. “Well... uhhh... we might have tried to invade their swamp... and then they retaliated... and it kinda... turned into a war...”
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Kenji facepalmed. “So basically, you guys messed up, and now you want us to clean it up?”
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Bubble perked up. “Yes! Exactly! But don’t worry—you’ll be rewarded!”
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Tony sighed. “Of course we will…”
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Meanwhile, Timmy leaned in close, whispering into Tony’s skull ear-hole.
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“Psst... Tony. I think I know where they took him.”
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Tony arched a brow. “...Where?”
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Timmy pointed. “The Spider Cave. Goblins usually take prisoners there.”
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Tony’s glowing eye sockets narrowed. “Spider Cave? Sounds charming.”
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He whispered back, “What’re the odds the King’s still alive?”
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Timmy hesitated...
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then whispered:
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“Thirteen percent.”
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Tony stared ahead grimly.
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“…Figures.”
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