As Eleo strolled down the long bridge, he whistled a completely out-of-tune melody, occasionally stopping to peek over the edge. The water below was crystal clear, reflecting the sky like a giant mirror.
46Please respect copyright.PENANAvpJrntdSLn
"Wow! This water’s so clean I could drink it!" Eleo said, leaning over. He paused. "Wait… would I drown if I tried?"
46Please respect copyright.PENANAypFW8QOKIo
He scratched his head, deeply pondering this important scientific question when—
46Please respect copyright.PENANAY9vqNURJPS
"HALT!"
46Please respect copyright.PENANABvWzlql6b5
Eleo flinched as two guards stepped forward, blocking the entrance to the city. They wore polished uniforms, crisp and intimidating—exactly like the ones from that fancy boat that got wrecked earlier. Their dark blue coats had an eagle emblem stitched onto the back, its wings spread wide, giving off an air of authority. Above them, two watchtowers loomed, and Eleo could feel the sharp gaze of more guards peering down at him.
46Please respect copyright.PENANASIfboebfXH
"Yo! Can I go into Lola Island?" Eleo asked, waving casually.
46Please respect copyright.PENANAnITUVCee9z
The first guard furrowed his brows. "The city is called Umapin. Lola Island is the name of the island itself."
46Please respect copyright.PENANAmoSfRp6bVz
"Ohhh," Eleo nodded sagely. "Wait, but the map only said Lola Island—"
46Please respect copyright.PENANAJQnNXTiCAE
"Yeah, we know," the second guard sighed. "Tourists keep getting confused, but nobody listens when we try to fix it."
46Please respect copyright.PENANARmXu9avkAd
"That’s dumb," Eleo said bluntly.
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"Right?! That’s what I said!" the second guard blurted before the first guard elbowed him.
46Please respect copyright.PENANAT0VIXcuiLk
"AHEM. Anyway, state your business," the first guard said, crossing his arms.
46Please respect copyright.PENANAVoJhpzm63z
Eleo grinned. "I’m here to eat food, punch people, and become the strongest!"
46Please respect copyright.PENANAzyx4O2xGzg
The second guard blinked. "So… just chaos, then?"
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"Not just chaos," Eleo corrected. "There’s also food."
46Please respect copyright.PENANALpwSHZ2xk9
The guards exchanged glances. The first one sighed, already exhausted. "Do you have a passport?"
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Eleo froze. "…A what now?"
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The guards stared at him.
46Please respect copyright.PENANA8xf2vUtmwm
"You don’t have a passport?" the second guard asked.
46Please respect copyright.PENANAMEiJztyMa0
"I don’t even know what that is," Eleo admitted, scratching his head. "Is it a fruit?"
46Please respect copyright.PENANAB2V4BRFrCH
The first guard facepalmed. "No, it’s—ugh, listen, you can’t just walk in. Umapin is a high-security city! Only authorized people can enter!"
46Please respect copyright.PENANAunB9d1kkvC
"But I walked all this way!" Eleo groaned dramatically. "You mean I gotta turn around? That’s so far! My legs are already sore!"
46Please respect copyright.PENANAnZhVuPjURH
"You were literally skipping a second ago," the second guard pointed out.
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Eleo gasped. "YOU WERE WATCHING ME?!"
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"Y-you’re literally right in front of us—"
46Please respect copyright.PENANApyBiUjQmO1
"Spying on a poor traveler like that, huh?" Eleo shook his head, wiping an imaginary tear. "Shameful. Truly, the corruption of the law is a tragic thing."
46Please respect copyright.PENANAjM7gYRJNgm
The first guard’s eye twitched. "Alright, I’m done with this conversation. You’re not getting in."
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"But what if I fight my way in?" Eleo grinned.
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"You’d get arrested instantly," the guard deadpanned.
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"…What if I sneak in?"
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"You just said that out loud in front of two guards."
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"Damn, true," Eleo muttered.
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The second guard sighed. "Look, if you really need to enter, you’ll have to get permission from the Umapin Embassy."
46Please respect copyright.PENANAhzwHU7eszf
"Ohhh, gotcha! Where’s that?" Eleo asked.
46Please respect copyright.PENANAVVHLCAEvD0
The first guard pointed. "On the other side of the island."
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Eleo’s jaw dropped. "BRO. THAT’S EVEN FARTHER THAN TURNING AROUND!"
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"Not my problem."
46Please respect copyright.PENANAuXlLPtedkU
Eleo groaned, dramatically collapsing onto the ground. "This is so much work just to get some food."
46Please respect copyright.PENANACM6IYJyBvK
The second guard sighed, rubbing his temples. "Just… just go. I’m already tired of dealing with you."
46Please respect copyright.PENANAVz0JhXneoV
"Wait, for real?" Eleo perked up.
46Please respect copyright.PENANAQ2sZVWQvi6
"YES, JUST GO BEFORE I CHANGE MY MIND!"
46Please respect copyright.PENANAjNoOrc43TP
"AWESOME!" Eleo fist-pumped and ran past them.
46Please respect copyright.PENANASmDmlUYbWP
The first guard turned to the second, frowning. "Are we gonna get fired for that?"
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The second guard sighed. "At this point? I don’t even care."
46Please respect copyright.PENANADmwy5ecfN7
As Eleo ran into the city, he grinned. "Alright! Time to find food!"
46Please respect copyright.PENANAb1PVVtTh9O
He immediately crashed into a fruit stand, toppling it over.
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"MY CABBAGES!" the vendor screamed.
46Please respect copyright.PENANAyskyHkjPay
Eleo dusted himself off, rubbing the back of his head as the furious vendor picked up his scattered cabbages.
46Please respect copyright.PENANA1b1zNzCfbm
"Ah, my bad, old man!" Eleo said, waving apologetically. "Didn’t see your stand there!"
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The vendor scowled, clutching a bruised cabbage. "How do you not see a whole cart, boy?!"
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"Uhhh… I was too excited about food?" Eleo grinned sheepishly.
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The vendor sighed, shaking his head. "Just go before you destroy something else."
46Please respect copyright.PENANAuTtsFpUCfH
Eleo gave him a thumbs-up. "Will do!"
46Please respect copyright.PENANAMeXPJLueF1
As he walked further into the city, his eyes widened in awe. Umapin was huge. The towering white buildings were adorned with intricate carvings, giving them a grand yet ancient feel. Large banners with the same eagle emblem as the guards’ uniforms hung from balconies and windows, swaying in the breeze.
46Please respect copyright.PENANAYj1x6eMBlY
The streets were bustling with life—merchants shouting about fresh produce, blacksmiths hammering away at glowing metal, and groups of musicians playing lively tunes on street corners. The delicious scent of roasted meat, fresh bread, and exotic spices filled the air, making Eleo’s stomach growl loudly.
46Please respect copyright.PENANAAnjJk1Nj1P
"OOOH!" Eleo gasped, spinning in circles as he took everything in. "This place is fancy as hell! Look at all this stuff!"
46Please respect copyright.PENANAG2gBMtO6wx
A luxurious horse-drawn carriage rolled past him, its wheels gleaming like polished gold. Inside, a noblewoman in an extravagant dress glanced at Eleo through her fan, then quickly turned away in disgust.
46Please respect copyright.PENANAVtlxQC6EC6
Eleo scratched his head. "…I think she just called me poor with her eyes."
46Please respect copyright.PENANAyaAAc5EQhP
Nearby, a massive fountain stood in the middle of a plaza, its water sparkling under the sunlight. People gathered around it, tossing coins in and making wishes. Kids ran through the streets, laughing as they weaved between stalls and dodged annoyed merchants.
46Please respect copyright.PENANAkaOLGww9N8
Eleo grinned. "Alright! First things first—FOOD!"
46Please respect copyright.PENANA4vPRzEYd40
His eyes darted from stall to stall, overwhelmed by the sheer amount of options. One stand had skewers of grilled meat dripping with savory juices, another had golden, flaky pastries filled with cream, and further down, a shop boasted massive bowls of steaming noodles.
46Please respect copyright.PENANAYE2P28WxXv
Eleo practically drooled. "I want ALL OF IT."
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Then, he froze.
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Wait.
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His pockets felt suspiciously light.
46Please respect copyright.PENANAhln86MWOV7
He patted himself down, panic creeping onto his face. "No way… NO WAY… I’M BROKE?!"
46Please respect copyright.PENANA3mzIdVJCP9
A long, dramatic silence followed.
46Please respect copyright.PENANATH2P3IaUbu
Then, Eleo dramatically collapsed onto the ground. "THIS IS THE WORST DAY OF MY LIFE!"
46Please respect copyright.PENANARxTNlrnXnM
People around him stared. A mother quickly pulled her child away.
46Please respect copyright.PENANAEpgXmmH1dA
Eleo sat up, deep in thought. "Okay, think, Eleo. No money means no food. No food means no strength. No strength means no becoming the strongest!"
46Please respect copyright.PENANAC6QjpIAFl1
He clenched his fists. "Alright! I gotta find a job!"
46Please respect copyright.PENANAI0iUff0Khd
A man standing by a nearby food stall overheard and smirked. "Hey, kid! You want a job?"
46Please respect copyright.PENANA0xDtj3pw3Z
Eleo perked up. "YES! DO I GET FREE FOOD?"
46Please respect copyright.PENANA1IyZkERxnn
The man laughed. "You get a meal after work."
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Eleo grinned. "Deal! What’s the job?"
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The man clapped him on the back. "Congrats, kid. You’re now a waiter at The Golden Spoon!"
46Please respect copyright.PENANAWEnLpSppPI
Eleo blinked. "Wait… I gotta serve people?"
46Please respect copyright.PENANA9BNGehFUPE
"Yep! Now put on this apron and get to work!"
46Please respect copyright.PENANARDcWqUEWLd
Eleo said, “Well, okay!” as he tied the apron around his waist, completely oblivious to what his actual job was supposed to be.
46Please respect copyright.PENANAXzQPbbRaKs
He stepped into The Golden Spoon, and instantly, the chaotic energy of the place hit him like a flying frying pan. The restaurant was PACKED. People were eating, laughing, singing, and even dancing on the tables. Some guy was juggling plates, a group in the corner was arm-wrestling while eating soup, and at least two fights had broken out over who got the last piece of bread.
46Please respect copyright.PENANAyrcuOf9NsQ
Eleo tried squeezing through the crowd. "Excuse me—pardon me—whoa, nice flip—oof, sorry about your drink—hey, was that a knife?!"
46Please respect copyright.PENANAWvspCYmYoV
Finally, he pushed through the madness and into the kitchen. Unlike the dining area, the kitchen was a finely tuned warzone of chefs chopping, stirring, and shouting. Pots clanked, flames roared, and the air smelled amazing.
46Please respect copyright.PENANANALICP7T1g
In the middle of it all was a bald, thick-mustached man who was yelling orders at lightning speed. “WHERE’S MY SOUP?! WHERE’S MY MEAT?! WHERE’S MY—”
46Please respect copyright.PENANAGQXbVSUyYT
Eleo, not paying attention, spotted a huge pile of fresh, bright-orange carrots. His stomach grumbled.
46Please respect copyright.PENANA4QxVgGZfRz
“Man, I’m hungry.” Without hesitation, he grabbed a carrot and chomped down. It was crunchy and delicious. So he took another bite. Then another. And another. Until—
46Please respect copyright.PENANAygsRZ6Og8m
“WE NEED CARROTS FOR THE STEW!” a waiter burst into the kitchen.
46Please respect copyright.PENANAWb4B9K4dfA
Several chefs rushed to the carrot pile, only to freeze in horror.
46Please respect copyright.PENANALHAgFuZRW2
Half the carrots were GONE. And the other half? Bitten. Chewed. Abused.
46Please respect copyright.PENANA9ssJm56ghW
They slowly turned to see Eleo, mouth stuffed like a hamster, chewing innocently.
46Please respect copyright.PENANAGeULSSTDQ6
He blinked. “Hello.”
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The entire kitchen exploded.
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“YOU IDIOT!”
46Please respect copyright.PENANARa0wulYcyB
“WHY WOULD YOU EAT THE INGREDIENTS?!”
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“SPIT THEM OUT! SPIT THEM OUT NOW!”
46Please respect copyright.PENANAcR1jQoVnvy
Eleo, still chewing, mumbled, “I don’t fink you want ‘em back now.”
46Please respect copyright.PENANAbJ4Ul7Uqsc
Then, the bald man—JJ, the legendary head chef—stormed over, veins popping on his forehead. "WHAT’S GOING ON HERE?!"
46Please respect copyright.PENANA2bKHPRrxNP
A terrified chef pointed. “Sir JJ, this moron ate the CARROTS!”
46Please respect copyright.PENANAAppi1tIvJH
JJ’s mustache twitched. He stomped over to Eleo, grabbed him by the apron, and lifted him off the ground like a sack of potatoes.
46Please respect copyright.PENANAPRQqLQNmmJ
Eleo dangled in the air, still munching. “I was hungry.”
46Please respect copyright.PENANAvmM5CpiTnv
JJ’s eyes nearly burst out of his skull. "IS THAT SO?!"
46Please respect copyright.PENANAq0ZeY3SVum
Eleo nodded. “Yup.” Then, realizing something, he beamed. “Ohhh, are you gonna cook me something?!”
46Please respect copyright.PENANA1sRUu5nRoD
The entire kitchen fell silent.
46Please respect copyright.PENANAc2xNY4fbZT
JJ’s mustache quivered. His hands shook.
46Please respect copyright.PENANAqNQ4hA8ebK
Then he threw Eleo through the kitchen doors.
46Please respect copyright.PENANAyNWrlFvfxn
Eleo crashed directly into a waiter carrying a tray of food, sending soup, steak, and an entire roasted chicken flying into the air—
46Please respect copyright.PENANAtV3gSDrgOr
—Which Eleo instinctively caught in his mouth like a wild animal.
46Please respect copyright.PENANAAW1sVa9Cj9
The restaurant gasped.
46Please respect copyright.PENANAYRqOWb0cnD
Eleo, still chewing, gave a thumbs up. “Mmm. That’s good food.”
46Please respect copyright.PENANA8BOWD2L4eG
JJ’s voice BOOMED.
46Please respect copyright.PENANAhFenWkL2IM
"GET THIS IDIOT OUT OF MY KITCHEN!!!"
46Please respect copyright.PENANAV4qhd5HQ6M
Eleo, still rubbing his head from being thrown, quickly jumped up. “Wait, wait, wait! Just give me another chance! I can, uh… I can cook! Yeah, I was the BEST cook in Coco Island!”
46Please respect copyright.PENANAbnHlJIEzhA
Inside Eleo’s mind: Hahaha! No, I wasn’t!
46Please respect copyright.PENANALcA9XJfSfg
JJ narrowed his eyes. “…Fine. But if you mess up again, I’m launching you straight into the ocean.”
46Please respect copyright.PENANA70P8lYyfnT
Eleo beamed. “Ohhh, I always wanted to be launched into the oce—”
46Please respect copyright.PENANAWkyIvcKd5d
“SHUT UP AND GET BACK IN THE KITCHEN!”
46Please respect copyright.PENANA7bueeaGIbC
Eleo cheered and sprinted back inside, ready to prove himself.
46Please respect copyright.PENANAmPplwy3q7D
JJ sighed, rubbing his temples. “Alright, listen carefully. Do exactly as I say. You are going to make a simple stew. Got it?”
46Please respect copyright.PENANAYZx2nnFOze
Eleo saluted. “AYE AYE, CHEF MAN!”
46Please respect copyright.PENANAjGMcm9Rv7d
The kitchen roared back into action, with chefs moving like a well-oiled machine. Eleo stood in front of a large boiling pot, stroking his chin.
46Please respect copyright.PENANAlMLEKxnv9J
“Hmmmm… what should I add?”
46Please respect copyright.PENANAT5nNpQlUVh
He glanced down and—
46Please respect copyright.PENANAKxY4ylnrwg
GASP!
46Please respect copyright.PENANA8iZRlCgdqM
A dead rat lay on the floor.
46Please respect copyright.PENANArV8Bexyt4O
Eleo’s eyes SPARKLED.
46Please respect copyright.PENANA3s4khaNdd2
"Perfect!"
46Please respect copyright.PENANAnU4ErP7miN
He scooped up the rat and shoved it into the pot. Then, without measuring anything, he started hurling ingredients in.
46Please respect copyright.PENANAa9UQSHHmEj
"Let’s see… needs salt!" He poured half a barrel of salt.
46Please respect copyright.PENANAsZM8eU4UXG
"Vinegar!" He dumped in the whole bottle.
46Please respect copyright.PENANAd109eZEbPA
"Water!" He poured dirty dishwater in by accident.
46Please respect copyright.PENANALeveYqcRUL
"Pepper!" He emptied the entire container.
46Please respect copyright.PENANAdI7PjCS7fE
"SPICES!" He grabbed random jars and flung them into the pot—glass and all.
46Please respect copyright.PENANAURfPRqWSd1
After a few seconds, the pot looked like a bubbling, black cauldron of doom.
46Please respect copyright.PENANA3RGH2kICnQ
Eleo nodded proudly. “Alright, this pot is READY!”
46Please respect copyright.PENANAi9rZcUiQT4
A chef passed by, took one look, and immediately FAINTED.
46Please respect copyright.PENANA1eHxp1fttI
JJ turned around. "Alright, let’s see how you—" He froze. His face turned pale.
46Please respect copyright.PENANAlX5f1dHKAV
"…WHAT IN THE NAME OF THE HOLY SPATULA IS THAT?!"
46Please respect copyright.PENANAagASU4WP1V
Eleo grinned. “Stew! Try it!” He grabbed a spoon and forced it into JJ’s mouth before he could react.
46Please respect copyright.PENANALy5LWf9qwY
JJ chewed. He paused. His whole body trembled. His mustache curled up like burnt paper. His soul LEFT his body.
46Please respect copyright.PENANAzHTBQtXeIw
Then—
46Please respect copyright.PENANAAt3pmJySHZ
JJ exploded into a FURIOUS RAMPAGE.
46Please respect copyright.PENANAwHbQkriQ0Z
"THAT WASN’T FOOD—THAT WAS POISON!"
46Please respect copyright.PENANANzBM4oblqr
"Well, I am a creative chef," Eleo said, proud.
46Please respect copyright.PENANAJc6A0Te5zg
"YOU PUT A RAT IN IT!"
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"Yeah, for flavor!"
46Please respect copyright.PENANAxSUn3zyDa9
JJ ripped off his chef’s hat and threw it on the ground. "OKAY, NO MORE COOKING! YOU’RE DOING SOMETHING EASY!"
46Please respect copyright.PENANAgyZq8qcWQd
JJ handed Eleo a knife. "Just cut these tomatoes. That’s it."
46Please respect copyright.PENANAYunZqvasL6
Eleo nodded. “Got it!”
46Please respect copyright.PENANAuqybzeyf8f
He grabbed a tomato—
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And sliced the cutting board in half.
46Please respect copyright.PENANA6xOnuNmruR
JJ’s eye twitched. “…Okay. Maybe that was too hard.”
46Please respect copyright.PENANATuWv54CuNs
"Just clean these plates," JJ said. "Don’t break them."
46Please respect copyright.PENANAt2MYKCxD9c
Eleo nodded. “Got it!”
46Please respect copyright.PENANAeO4svY19qm
One second later—
46Please respect copyright.PENANApdLaegKeGe
CRASH! CRASH! CRASH!
46Please respect copyright.PENANA1NCwwLh6lX
JJ turned to see Eleo spinning plates like a circus act, except they were all shattering.
46Please respect copyright.PENANAPhGfwsSrkA
JJ fell to his knees. “I’M GOING TO LOSE MY MIND…”
46Please respect copyright.PENANAb1F7kDY8C3
JJ handed Eleo a notepad. “Just write down what the customers want. That’s ALL you have to do.”
46Please respect copyright.PENANAVH6ZGvUmGi
Eleo confidently walked up to a table.
46Please respect copyright.PENANAcwIWudmmwb
The customer said, “I’d like a steak, medium rare, with—”
46Please respect copyright.PENANAwNS793WrOS
Eleo nodded and walked away before they finished.
46Please respect copyright.PENANA9b8Jz5ZSUV
He proudly handed JJ the notepad.
46Please respect copyright.PENANAi7vKMXPOhx
JJ read it.
46Please respect copyright.PENANA8NvgnAU0fP
It said:
46Please respect copyright.PENANAf5CHEQqKng
"Guy wants food."
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JJ SNAPPED.
46Please respect copyright.PENANAHD4vSkMy7T
"THAT’S IT! I’M DONE!"
46Please respect copyright.PENANA47hrCBdcz8
JJ grabbed Eleo by the collar and dragged him to the back alley.
46Please respect copyright.PENANA65uVmEQNbR
"Since you’re USELESS, you can at least take out the garbage."
46Please respect copyright.PENANAzgkBRyFgNA
Eleo crossed his arms. “Pfft, fine. I can handle that.”
46Please respect copyright.PENANALABAYDtffE
He picked up a garbage bag—
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And threw it through a restaurant window.
46Please respect copyright.PENANA3q3d6DIEcE
JJ screa
46Please respect copyright.PENANAiZDKH1bOoy
med.
46Please respect copyright.PENANAnqrDbMvRRp
"THAT’S IT! YOU’RE OUTTA HERE!!!"
46Please respect copyright.PENANAZbCiL7IiaG
He grabbed Eleo back inside, opened the back door—
46Please respect copyright.PENANAsCstu7vSO0
And KICKED HIM so hard he flew into a pile of trash.
46Please respect copyright.PENANAtx25IjTc67
The entire kitchen staff poked their heads out.
46Please respect copyright.PENANAWMrcnsPAsi
JJ took a deep breath and bellowed:
46Please respect copyright.PENANAjevKamDApB
"NEVER COME BACK!!!"
46Please respect copyright.PENANA0viEcQq1E8
Eleo groaned, sitting up in the trash pile.
46Please respect copyright.PENANAJigGY8F6lZ
“…Man. That was the best job I ever had.”
46Please respect copyright.PENANANTBRWLVLDT