Kaito trudges through the forest, map in hand, trying to stick to the path that will lead them to the village. Lars, however, has his attention stolen by something much more important.
Lars (pointing excitedly): "Kaito! It's glowing! That means it's important, right?"
Kaito (sighing, barely looking up): "It's a bug, Lars. Unless it hands you a legendary sword, keep walking."
Map (snarky): "Warning: Hero has entered 'Irrelevant Curiosity Zone.' Intelligence drop imminent."
Kaito rolls his eyes, his pace unchanging. Lars, however, is already knee-deep in the pursuit of his glowing prey.
Side Quest Hook:As Lars vanishes into the bushes after the butterfly, Kaito sits down on a nearby stump, exhausted. His thoughts are interrupted when a chicken waddles up to him and starts pecking at his boot.
Chicken (casually): "Psst. Hey. You look like someone with two brain cells to rub together. I need help."
Kaito (blinking in disbelief): "Did the poultry just insult and recruit me at the same time?"
The chicken stares at him, waiting for an answer. Kaito blinks again, unsure of how to respond.
The Quest Offer:The chicken introduces itself as Cluckles, and Kaito listens as it explains the oppressive rule of General Pecksworth, a tyrannical rooster who's hoarding all the grain and imposing ridiculous taxes on the other chickens.
Cluckles (passionately): "He crows at 4 AM sharp! Every. Single. Morning. And don't get me started on the feather tax!"
Kaito (internal monologue): I could ignore this. I should ignore this. But I know how these things work. If I walk away now, this'll be the next global crisis in two chapters.
Map (snarky): [Side Quest Activated: "Fowl Rebellion – Regime Change by Beak Force"]
Chicken Strategy Meeting:Kaito crouches beside a makeshift map drawn in the dirt. Cluckles is briefing a ragtag group of hens and one very nervous-looking duck.
Cluckles (pointing at the map): "At dawn, we strike the silo. That's where Pecksworth keeps the good feed."
Kaito (staring blankly): "Okay, but have you considered—wait, why am I actually strategizing with birds?"
Map (dryly): "You have reached Peak Absurdity. Congratulations."
Kaito sighs and rubs his temples. This is happening. He's actually helping chickens overthrow their dictator.
Butterfly Hunter Returns:Just as Kaito tries to explain the final details of the plan, Lars bursts out of the forest, sword raised high.
Lars (shouting dramatically): "Kaito! I found the butterfly's secret lair! …Also, I stepped on it."
Chickens (panicking, scattering in all directions): "Noooo! Not the sacred butterfly!"
Cluckles (screeching in horror): "Lars! You fool!"
Kaito (facepalming): "This is why we don't leave you alone!"
The 'Battle':Amid the chaos of squawking hens and Lars swinging his sword around like a madman, the two of them lead the charge to the grain silo. General Pecksworth is perched on top of a golden egg, looking absolutely ridiculous.
Pecksworth (booming): "TRESPASSERS! I RULE THIS ROOST!"
Lars (picking up his sword dramatically): "Evil bird! Prepare to be scrambled!"
Kaito (rolling his eyes): "You realize that's not a clever line, right?"
Lars charges, fully intending to stop Pecksworth's reign of terror.
Boss Fight:In what can only be described as the most absurd way possible, Lars defeats General Pecksworth by slipping on birdseed and launching the rooster into a wall.
Kaito (deadpan): "And thus ends the shortest rebellion in poultry history. I hate how effective you are by mistake."
Lars stands victorious, posing heroically over the unconscious rooster.
Victory Ceremony:The chickens, despite the chaos, honor Kaito and Lars with grain wreaths. Lars, naturally, eats his wreath.
Cluckles (grateful): "You've done us a great service. The grain will be shared. Democracy will rule the coop."
Kaito (muttering): "Until one of you figures out taxes again."
Lars is too busy munching on his wreath to hear him.
Quest Completion:
[Quest Complete: "Fowl Rebellion" – Reward: 10 eggs, 1 shiny feather (rare), Reputation with 'Poultry Rebellion' increased.]
Map (sarcastic): "Side Quest Complete. Also, please don't make that a regular thing."
Lars (jumping excitedly): "I want another side quest! That was awesome! Do cows talk too?"
Kaito (sighing heavily): "Let's never find out."
With that, they head off, Kaito reluctantly following the map's directions to their next destination.