Episode 05

Nestled amidst the vibrant landscapes, lay the town of Jovia. It stood as a beacon of merriment and revelry, a place where joy flowed as freely as the bubbling streams that meandered through the lush surroundings.

The townsfolk of Jovia were known for their infectious happiness, their days filled with laughter and their nights with celebration. Streets adorned with colorful banners crisscrossed the town, leading the way to an array of eateries that lined the main market square. A hub of culinary delights, the market offered a plethora of exotic goods from far-flung corners of the world, tempting the taste buds of locals and travelers alike.

Jovia's affluence shone through in the opulence of its amenities. Lavish homes adorned with intricate designs dotted the landscape, and the air was filled with the scent of exotic spices and the sounds of merrymaking. The Enig Theater, a grand spectacle in itself, stood tall as a testament to the town's love for entertainment. It was a venue where the arts flourished, hosting plays, musicals, and shows that enchanted audiences from near and far.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting hues of orange and pink across the sky, the Enig Theater came to life. Its grand doors opened wide, welcoming eager patrons. The evening promised a symphony of performances, a tapestry woven with the threads of talent from across the land.

Within the theater's ornate walls, the audience hushed in anticipation as the curtains rose, revealing a stage that shimmered with the promise of captivating tales. The air buzzed with excitement, and the notes of a haunting melody filled the space, setting the stage for a night of enchantment.

Among the attendees, locals and visitors alike exchanged animated conversations, their laughter harmonizing with the music that echoed through the theater. The spirit of Jovia was alive, capturing the essence of a town that thrived on the magic of entertainment. And little did the townsfolk know, their picturesque world was soon to be touched by the unanticipated convergence of three extraordinary hunters, each carrying their own dreams and burdens.

The enchantment of the evening spilled over into a quaint eatery nestled amidst the lively streets of Jovia. The aroma of delectable dishes wafted through the air, drawing in patrons eager to savor the culinary delights that the town had to offer.

At a corner table, bathed in the warm glow of flickering candlelight, two friends engaged in the simple pleasure of a shared meal. The gluttonous figure, a stout man with a mop hair with eyes gleaming with anticipation, attacked his plate with an unmatched fervor. Every morsel disappeared in a whirlwind of chaotic delight, as if the concept of moderation eluded him entirely.

The watcher, a slender and aging man with an amused yet resigned expression, observed the spectacle with a mixture of awe and bemusement. "Do you ever stop to taste the food, or is it all about the speed for you?" the watcher remarked, a playful glint in his eyes.

Not bothering to pause in his culinary conquest, the glutton looked up with a mouthful of food and a mischievous grin. "Taste? Aye! It's always about taste my friend. I am not just a blackhole for food, but I, Mr. Brilliant, am also a gourmet. I have a noble and gifted pallet. I know delicious foods when I taste one. And all of these right here ARE ADDICTIVELY DELICIOUS! So delicious I can finish them in a flash!"

The watcher chuckled and shook his head in mock disbelief. "You're insatiable, my friend. I don't know how you manage to enjoy the food when it's practically disappearing before my eyes."

The glutton, undeterred by the commentary, wiped his mouth with an exaggerated flourish. "Why aren't you joining in on this culinary adventure, Erton? It's a shame to waste such a delicious spread."

Erton gestured towards the empty plates that once held a variety of dishes. "By the time I even think of reaching for a bite, you've already devoured everything in sight. I'll leave the feasting to the expert."

The glutton across him shrugged nonchalantly, a sly smile playing on his lips. "Well, Erton, it's your loss. A culinary masterpiece, wasted on the slow and steady. But fear not, my friend, for I've graciously left a morsel or two for you to savor."

As the glutton continued his relentless assault on the remaining dishes, the once bountiful table transformed into a battlefield of empty plates. The pile grew steadily, reaching precarious heights that prompted a bemused look from Erton. "I swear, I've never seen someone consume so much in one sitting. Do you have a hollow leg or something?"

With the last bite conquered, the glutton leaned back in his chair, patting his contented stomach. The waitress, observing the aftermath of the culinary conquest, approached with a practiced smile. "Is there anything else you gentlemen need?"

"No, thanks," The glutton, waving off any further offerings, chimed in, "Just the check, please."

The waitress disappeared momentarily, only to return with the bill. The glutton's eyes widened in surprise as he scanned the total. "THAT MUCH?!" he exclaimed, a hint of disbelief in his voice.

Erton, seizing the opportunity for a reality check, chuckled. "Do you realize how much you just devoured?"

The glutton sighed and reluctantly opened his wallet, the once-filled vessel of currency now echoing with emptiness. The waitress thanked the glutton for his patronage, to which he responded with a nod and a half-hearted smile.

With a sigh, the glutton leaned back in his chair, his eyes fixing on his now destitute wallet. "So, Erton," he began, his tone a curious blend of resignation and anticipation, "what job do you have lined up for me next?"

Erton chuckled again, shaking his head. "None. The playwrights for the next month's shows at the Enig Theater have their performers all sorted out. No roles left for the moment."

"That's impossible!" The glutton's eyes widened in disbelief. "They can't possibly overlook the great Mr. Brilliant, whose acts have charmed audiences far and wide."

Erton leaned forward, his expression solemn. "Well, it is what it is. The theater has its own dynamics, and this time, it seems they've got everything covered."

"But I am Mr. Brilliant!" Brilliant exclaimed and straightened up in his chair, a glint of determination in his eyes. "The stage is where Mr. Brilliant belongs, and the people deserve to witness his greatness. There must be something you can do, Erton."

Erton sighed, his expression sympathetic. "My friend, there's nothing I can do about the theater's decisions. We'll need to find a different way to make ends meet for now."

Brilliant, refusing to accept defeat, leaned forward again, his eyes ablaze with determination. "But my fans will miss me, Erton! I can't just fade away into obscurity!"

Erton, choosing his words carefully, replied, "Look, Arron—"

"The name is MR. BRILLIANT!" the glutton interjected loudly with a stubborn insistence.

Erton smirked, correcting, "Arron's stage name is Mr. Brilliant. And speaking of Arron, didn't you use to be a hunter? Why not dabble in that again for a while?"

Brilliant's face contorted with reluctance. "Hunting is bothersome, Erton. It's messy, sweaty, and not at all glamorous."

"Well, sometimes life throws us a curveball, my friend," Erton chuckled, unfazed by the protest. "We adapt. And who knows, a little stint as a hunter might bring some excitement into your life. Plus, it pays the bills."

Brilliant, leaning back in his seat, let out a resigned sigh. The glint of determination in his eyes wavered for a moment, replaced by the realization that life's script had taken an unexpected turn.

Erton, ever the optimist, leaned forward. "Don't worry, I'll work on getting you back on the stage for next month. We'll find a way to make it happen."

Brilliant looked at Erton with a mix of gratitude and skepticism. "Fine," he conceded, "I guess I'll go check out the quest board tomorrow morning."

"That's the spirit." Erton grinned. "A new adventure awaits, my friend."

"Good," Brilliant replied, pushing himself up from the chair. "Let's get out of this joint. I need some fresh air after the realization that my wallet is on a diet."

The two friends left the eatery, stepping into the crisp night air of Jovia. The lively streets, once bustling with the sounds of laughter and music, were now bathed in the quiet of the early morning hours.

As the night gradually gave way to the soft hues of dawn, Brilliant emerged from his dwelling, adorned in his black and red shiny armor crafted from the sturdy Hermitaur shell. His light bowgun rested on his shoulder, and his trusty white Palamute, Shiro, stood faithfully by his side.

The citizens of Jovia, beginning to stir with the awakening day, couldn't help but notice the charismatic figure that was Brilliant. Heads turned, and whispers of recognition followed in his wake. Brilliant, ever the showman, basked in the attention, waving to the citizens as he made his way through the awakening town.

His journey took him past the blacksmith's forge, a place known as the heart of craftsmanship in Jovia. The blacksmith, Klaas, looked up from his work as the great Brilliant approached.

"Well, if it isn't the great Mr. Brilliant himself," Klaas greeted, wiping his hands on a cloth. "What brings you to my humble abode today?"

Brilliant, flashing his trademark grin, replied, "Just passing by, Klaas. Thought I'd soak in some of the town's admiration before embarking on a grand hunting expedition."

Klaas chuckled, his eyes glinting with familiarity. "Always the performer, aren't you? If you ever need an upgrade for that flashy armor of yours or a modification for that bowgun, you know where to find me. Feel free to look around."

Brilliant nodded appreciatively, his eyes wandering around the blacksmith's shop. Among the clanging of hammers and the hiss of heated metal, his attention was drawn to a set of armor being crafted from formidable Lunagaron materials. The intricate design and the promise of enhanced protection intrigued him.

Klaas, noticing Brilliant's interest, looked up from his work. "Like what you see? If you've got the materials, I can craft you a set of Lunagaron armor that'll make you the envy of every hunter in town."

Brilliant's enthusiasm faltered for a moment as he mentally tallied his meager funds. "Well, you see, Klaas, I'm a bit short on zenny at the moment. But fear not! I'll be back soon with a bulging wallet and a hunger for a new set of armor."

Klaas chuckled, understanding the predicament. "Take your time, Mr. Brilliant. The forge will be here, and so will I. When you're ready, we'll make you a set that'll turn heads."

With a nod, Brilliant left the blacksmith's shop, Shiro trailing behind. He continued his walk through the waking town, the weight of his financial woes settling in. Whining about his fate under his breath, he approached the quest board.

The board, adorned with scrolls and requests, offered a tempting array of quests. Brilliant's eyes scanned the listings, each one more enticing than the last. However, a grim realization dawned on him as he read the fine print—his hunter rank was not high enough for the more lucrative and challenging quests.

Brilliant let out a string of colorful profanities. "Really? Are you freaking kidding me!" he grumbled, his disappointment evident in the curses that punctuated the air. "Mr. Brilliant isn't good enough to do these quests? Have people forgotten how Brilliant I am?"

His eyes continued to dart across the board until they landed on a quest that he was allowed to take—an assignment to slay a Tobi-Kadachi for research purposes. A sly grin spread across his face as he snatched the paper, declaring with confidence, "Mr. Brilliant is back, baby!"

Mounting his trusty Palamute, Shiro, he rode through the awakening town, the morning sun casting a golden glow on their path. Destination: an eatery where he could fuel up before the impending hunt.

This time, Brilliant, mindful of his dwindling funds, approached the meal with a hint of sensibility. Still, the gusto with which he devoured his food betrayed none of the financial constraints. He enjoyed each bite with a fervor that only the great Mr. Brilliant could muster.

With a satisfied pat on his contented stomach, Brilliant turned his attention to the waitress who approached with the bill. "You know, honey, the food here really makes my day!" He declared, flashing his most charming smile. "But a nice candlelight dinner with a beauty like you would really make my night. What say you, hon?" he said as he pulled out a beautiful red rose from his sleeve like a magic trick.

The waitress, unimpressed and accustomed to Brilliant's antics, rolled her eyes. "Ugh... Save the charm for someone who hasn't heard it a thousand times."

Brilliant, undeterred, chuckled and paid the bill. As he sauntered towards the exit, he couldn't resist a parting flirtatious remark. "Well, my dear, it's been a pleasure as always. Until next time, when the great Mr. Brilliant will bring even more charisma to this fine establishment."

With a final eye roll, the waitress watched Brilliant exit the eatery, ready to embark on his Tobi-Kadachi hunt. He left the establishment with a confident stride, making his way with Shiro to the town gates, determined to take on the quest that awaited him in the vast and unpredictable world.