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EAT recalls that day from long ago.
--
With a red cloak fluttering, he moved across outer space and headed straight toward a group of armed Olpin.
A low-ranking Olpin who spotted EAT first shouted.
"Ah! It's EAT! The Red Rooster is coming!"
The Olpin raised their weapons and stared at EAT approaching. Their relationship did not look good at all.
EAT walked toward the largest Olpin among them. He was the general of the Olpin forces.
EAT: "I came to see Polun. Let me meet Polun."
General: "You insolent fool! How dare you call the Supreme Commander's name so casually! How many times must I tell you to watch your tongue!"
The EAT the general faced now was completely different from the present one. He was taller and looked far more agile.
Of course, he was still smaller than the general, but that was only because the general was unusually large. Compared to ordinary Olpin, EAT was slightly bigger.
EAT: "I'm busy. Move. Otherwise… you…"
General: "You dare threaten me? Otherwise what! Fine! Today I'll correct that arrogant attitude of yours!"
In an instant, all the armed Olpin surrounded EAT. Silence fell, and tension filled the space.
Meanwhile, far in the distance, the golden owl Polun watched while sipping a drink through a straw, his eyes full of concern.
Polun: "Ah… this isn't good… hmm…"
At the general's command, all Olpin charged at EAT.
Polun watched quietly, finishing the drink in his cup completely. "Slurp, slurp." [sound of sucking through a straw]
In the dark vacuum of space, the general's black cloak covered the view. As it slowly moved—
EAT appeared, his fist clenched.
Around him, all the Olpin were floating unconscious in space.
The general's fierce gaze slowly faded, and he too lost consciousness, as if letting everything go.
Polun: "Hey! What do you mean one hit?! That's why I told you not to touch the Red Rooster! Why don't you ever listen?!"
EAT flew toward Polun, waving his hand with a smile. [He has something to ask Polun]
Polun: "Why are you waving at me like you did something good? Want praise? Is he sane?"
EAT: "Polun, I'm in a hurry. This time, I really found the cure."
EAT: "Just give me a little more time! I'll solve everything. Please, Polun!"
Polun: "Ha…" [in pain]
EAT: "Polun, I'm serious! I'll show you proof right now. Just wait a moment! Postpone the judgment. Please, Polun."
Polun: "Ugh… EAT."
EAT: "Yeah, Polun…"
Polun: "You've had… enough time."
EAT: "What? Polun! Wait! I can explain—this is real!"
Polun: "I'm sorry. It's no longer within my authority."
Polun created a radiant gate behind him and attempted to step inside.
EAT rushed toward him, trying to change his mind—
He slammed into an invisible wall.
EAT: "Ugh… what is this? Polun! Polun! Don't go! Listen to me!"
Polun: "I'm sorry. You've had enough time… truly… it's no longer within my authority…"
Polun disappeared before EAT's eyes.
No matter how much EAT shouted, Polun did not turn back.
After pounding on the invisible wall, EAT eventually calmed his bitterness and turned away.
But as he tried to leave—
EAT: "Ugh…"
Not only the front—but every direction was blocked.
The invisible force was mysterious, and even EAT's immense power could not break it.
He struck the barrier again and again…
Each time he threw a punch, his hands felt closer—was it just his imagination?
He stopped and looked at his hands.
Something was wrong… they felt smaller than before.
He checked his body.
His hands, his feet—nothing remained unchanged.
Everything had shrunk.
He screamed, calling out to Polun.
"Hey!! Polun!! Polun!!"
[This is EAT's memory.]
As he recalled that painful moment, he suddenly came back to his senses.
The golden owl Polun—the Supreme Commander of Olpin—was holding his hand tightly.
Polun: "My friend, have you been well?"
EAT: "...You…"
Polun: "Yes, EAT. Say anything. I'm listening." [extremely gentle gaze]
EAT: "...You…"
Polun: "Yes?"
EAT: "You made me like this… how dare you do this to me?"
At the same time, EAT grabbed Polun by the collar and shook him violently.
Polun's owl head shook back and forth.
Yet Polun was not surprised. He remained completely calm.
EAT: "Look at me! You made me like this!"
Polun: "No."
EAT: "What!"
Polun: "No~ I don't have the power to make you like this. Which means it wasn't me."
EAT: "What are you saying! Fix me!"
Polun: "I don't have the power to restore you either. Which means… it truly wasn't me."
Rotor and Pad, Polun's direct subordinates, watched and whispered among themselves.
Pad: "Looks like the stories about Lord EAT being a legend are true… No—definitely true."
Rotor: "Right! I think so too!"
Pad: "Have you ever seen the Supreme Commander act like that toward someone? I haven't."
Rotor: "Seriously! Same here!"
Pad: "Lord EAT really is a legend."
Rotor: "Of course! No need to even say it!"
...Under the night sky where the round, bright moonlight gently illuminated the world,
today, the Olpin had gathered…
only to end up being grabbed by the collar.