Scenario:Kurapika - Clash of Confusion

Clash of Confusion

After reuniting with Balurga, Kurapika discovers Skull frozen inside an icicle. Balurga grills some meat to lure Skull out, which works in spite of Kurapika's doubts. Trying not to think too hard about the logic-defying nature of Skull's escape, Kurapika digs into his own share of the meat.

---

Accepting a request to find someone's lost time capsule, Kurapika has traveled to North Vast alongside Skull and Balurga.

Though the group arrived together, Kurapika currently stands alone, sighing to himself.

Kurapika: I'd heard that violent monsters resided near glaciers here, but I didn't expect our boat to be sunk by one...

It all happened not even an hour ago.

They were traveling on a borrowed boat, heading toward the client's home village, when they passed by a seemingly normal glacier.

Tentacled Monster: ...!

Balurga: This ain't looking too good! We're almost up to our knees in water!

Kurapika: Tch... Captain, can you pull us away from that thing?

Boat Captain: Are you crazy? Thing's got us pinned good! Unless you cut off at least some of its limbs—

Tentacled Monster: ...

All conversation ground to a halt as the monster raised one large tentacle overhead.

Tentacled Monster: ...!

Everyone: Aaahhh!
Gaahhh!

The ship splintered into pieces when the tentacle came crashing down, scattering its occupants across the icy wasteland.

Kurapika: Sigh... If this is how we're starting off, I doubt the rest of our adventure will go smoothly.

Kurapika's sighing multiplies in frequency and intensity as he takes out a sodden mass from his pocket.

Kurapika: This map's completely useless now. I doubt even setting it out to dry could salvage it.

Kurapika: I should prioritize drying my own clothes first... then determine where the others have gone.

Kurapika: (I'd prefer finding them alive and well, but considering the situation, I should prepare for the worst.)

Familiar Voice: Ku... ka...

Kurapika: What was that?

Squinting into the distance, he spots a cloud of snow and several shadows at its base rapidly approaching his location.

Monsters: Groooar!

Balurga: Kurapikaaa! Good timing! You gotta help me ooout!

Kurapika: Wha... Balurga? What is going on?

Kurapika: Hold on, don't bring all those things to me! Ugh!

Hollering for dear life, Balurga makes a beeline toward Kurapika, forcing him to prepare his chains.

Balurga: Wheeze... Th-thanks for the save... Owe you... one...

Kurapika: Just... glad you're in one piece...

Exhausted after repelling the horde, Kurapika takes a moment to breathe before speaking again.

Kurapika: Balurga, did you happen to see Skull or the boat's captain on your way here?

Balurga: Uh, nope, can't say I did.

Balurga: Didn't see traces of anyone to be honest. They probably got swept farther down the current.

Kurapika: Is that right... Our next goal should be tracking them down.

Balurga: Good idea. Let's hop down this hunk of ice and see if they left any clues behind.

With that plan in mind, the two begin the walk forward.

Balurga: Heeey, Skull? Captain? Say something if you're out thereee!

Finding footprints in the snow, the searching party call out for their companions.

Kurapika: ...?
I could've sworn I heard something over there...

Skull Jr.: Awoo...

Balurga: Huh? If it ain't Skull Jr.! Nice to see you're okay!

Skull Jr.: Awo...

Balurga: What's with the frown, pal? Did something happen to Skull?

Skull Jr.: Bark, bark! Whine...

After tearing at their sleeves, Skull Jr. leads the duo to the source of his concern.

Skull: ...

Kurapika: What...

To Kurapika's horror, they stumble upon Skull encased inside a large icicle.

Balurga: Wow, that's probably the biggest piece of ice yet. Set a new record with this one, I reckon.

Kurapika: I-is that all you have to say? You're being oddly coolheaded about this!

Balurga: Uh, am I? Don't most things freeze up in super cold places when they're all wet?

Kurapika: That... is true, but if that's the case, how come neither of us ended up like Skull? It doesn't make any sense!

Balurga: Hm... Maybe we just run hotter? Honestly, you see popsicles like this all over North Vast.

Balurga: Anyway, there's nothing to be worried about. He's still kicking. Just need to get him outta the ice.

Kurapika: You're going to have to give a much better explanation if you want me not to worry!

Balurga: Sheesh, you think too much. Being that paranoid is only gonna hurt you, y'know!

Balurga: I'm gonna go look for something to help him out. You get a fire started while I'm gone. Be right back!

Kurapika: Ah, hey!

Without missing a beat, Balurga and Skull Jr. scramble out and disappear into the distance.

Kurapika: I suppose that the fundamental workings of another world could be different than mine. That might explain it...

Kurapika takes another look at the Skull-sicle before letting out a weary breath.

Balurga: I'm baaack! Sorry for the wait! Wasn't much prey out there to hunt.

Skull Jr.: Bark, bark!

Kurapika: You took so long, I thought another group of monsters might have chased you down...

Turning to greet his recently returned companions, Kurapika blinks in confusion at the bundle in Balurga's arms.

Kurapika: Balurga, what are you holding?

Balurga: Can't you tell just by looking? It's meat! Fresh as can be, since I just took down the beast.

Kurapika: That much I can tell. But why meat? I thought you were gathering materials to help Skull out.

Balurga: Because meat's exactly what'll do the job. Here, lemme show you.

So saying, Balurga expertly butchers the body and sets big cuts by the fire to cook.

Balurga: Okay, everything's good to go. All that's left is...

Balurga: Wooo! You see what I see, guys! We've got big fat slices of juicy meat on the menu!

Skull Jr.: Bark, bark!

Kurapika: Huh? What?

Kurapika's confusion only grows as Balurga faces the frozen Skull and starts yelling.

Balurga: Kurapika, you're hungry too, yeah? Come on over and grab yourself a bite! Dig into that greasy goodness!

Kurapika: Balurga, what is the meaning of this?

Balurga: Shh! Just follow my lead! Shout as loud as you can and wake that sucker up!

Kurapika: ...

Balurga: Phew, can't believe we came all that way without chowing down! It's finally meal time!

Kurapika: R-right... Balurga and Skull Jr. are going to eat everything if you don't join us soon, Skull!

Skull: ...!

Sharp cracks form on the edge of the large icicle as movement comes from inside.

Skull: Meeeaaat!

Kurapika: ...!

Skull: Who said you could kick off the barbecue without me? Hand me a piece, and make it quick!

Balurga: You think we did this for fun? Don't you got anything to say to us for bailing you out?

Skull: Thanks for the save! Now gimme some meat! Hyahaaa!

Kurapika: ...

Balurga: For crying out loud... Kurapika, you better start eating too, before Skull devours every last scrap.

Kurapika: Oh... All right. Thanks.

Still baffled, Kurapika takes Balurga's advice and picks up a skewer.

The smell of well-cooked meat dripping with grease suddenly reminds him that he hasn't eaten for many hours.

Skull: Kurapika, you sneaky dog! You grabbed that hunk before I could! Give it back!

Kurapika: (For the sake of my own sanity, I should stop thinking about everything that just happened.)

Mind made, Kurapika ignores Skull's whining and digs into his food.

Skull: Ahhh! My meaaat!

Kurapika: This is pretty good.

Balurga: Right? Nothing beats a nice, fresh roast of meat!

Clash of Confusion: Scene 2

Kurapika's paranoia grows as their search for the time capsule continues. Balurga advises him to take a page out of Skull's book and not think so hard, which Skull takes offense to. Their banter makes Kurapika laugh, much to their surprise. Eventually, the group comes upon a supposedly abandoned village—only to find people in waiting.

---

Skull: Sniff, sniff... Sniff...

Skull Jr.: Whine...

Skull: Got it! It's this way!

Skull Jr.: Awooo!

Skull: You think so too, buddy? Your nose is almost as good as mine!

Kurapika: Is he comparing senses of smell with a dog?

Kurapika: (Gon's a sniffer too, isn't he? They're similar in that regard.)

Bellies now full, the group pushes onward to the client's home village in search of the time capsule.

Kurapika, having unleashed quip after quip, tiredly stares at the unchanging landscape of their surroundings.

Kurapika: Are you sure you know where you're going? Your confidence seems unfounded...

Skull: What, you don't believe in me and Skull Jr.'s noses?

Skull: You're such a worrywart! Trust me, I've got some idea of what I'm doing!

Kurapika: Oh?

Skull: There was something my family told me 'bout ten or so years ago.

Skull: They came from a place so damn cold, no animals or even plants could survive there, let alone people.

Skull: But they didn't have anywhere else to go either, so they took a risk and joined up with my old man.

Skull: Based on what the client told us about his ol' village, I bet it's near my family's old stomping ground.

Kurapika: Hm... So you think your blood relations come from the same village as the client?

Skull: Uh, no? Think you got the wrong idea. I ain't related to the people I'm talking about.

Skull: Just my old man... Guzaletha took us all in and made us a family. Called ourselves the Odajumoki.

Kurapika: The Odajumoki?

Kurapika's eyebrows scrunch together at the mention of North Vast's most infamous gang.

Kurapika: This is the first I'm hearing of your background... Balurga, were you one of them too?

Balurga: Yeah. Did we never mention it before? We used to run with 'em until the crew picked us up.

Balurga: Not sure why it matters since the Odajumoki's gone now. Skull made sure of that!

Skull: I wanted to fly free, but the old man wouldn't let me... So I had to get rid of him and everyone else to boot.

Skull: (Captain) took us in after, and now we're on our way to being the biggest, baddest skyfarers ever!

Kurapika: Why did you keep quiet about this fact the whole time we've been together?

Skull: Uh, 'cause you never asked? Plus all the other crew members already know. Totally thought you knew too.

Kurapika: ...

Balurga: You know, Kurapika, you're way too paranoid about every little thing.

Kurapika: I'm sorry. It's just... who I am. Old habits die hard.

Balurga: Sigh... You're the type that makes life way harder than it needs to be. Knew it the moment you stepped foot on the ship.

Balurga: You should take a page outta Skull's book. Just let your head empty out and stay empty sometimes.

Skull: Hey, who're you calling Hollow-Skull! I may not look like it, but I'm always thinking about something!

Balurga: No one mentioned Hollow-Skull except for you, genius. Honestly, it's like you've got a talent for being stupid.

Kurapika: Pfft, haha...

Hearing the quiet, unexpected laughter, both Skull and Balurga turn to Kurapika in surprise.

Skull: Wh-what's so funny? You having a good time by yourself or something?

Kurapika: It's just... Watching you two bicker made me realize I've been overthinking things for no reason.

Kurapika: Balurga's right. I should give my brain a break and let it sit empty sometimes.

Not entirely sure what is so amusing, Skull and Balurga simply leave Kurapika to his chuckling.

Skull: Huh? This has gotta be the client's old village, right?

Several hours have passed since Skull and Skull Jr. started leading the group through the snowfield.

They now come upon ruined buildings buried in the snow, which Kurapika inspects with a furrowed brow.

Kurapika: Skull, no one else has lived here since the last settlers departed, correct?

Skull: Uh, as far as I know at least. There might be some monsters around, but you're asking about people, yeah?

Kurapika: Strange...

Kurapika's gaze hones in on a wooden sign peeking out through the snow.

Kurapika: (This must have been placed here recently, otherwise the characters on top would have faded beyond recognition.)

Kurapika: (Now that I look more closely, the snow on the ground is packed together, indicating a decent amount of foot traffic through the area.)

Kurapika: (I highly doubt Skull and Balurga have been lying to me up until now, which means...)

Skull: Whoa, wh-what the hell?

???: Intruders! Stay right where you are!

Kurapika, despite the multiple weapons thrust into his face, continues to sweep his gaze around the area.

Kurapika: (An ambush? Was the job a trap after all?)

Kurapika: (If that's the case, what would be the purpose of setting it?)

???: Hold your horses! Those are the passengers that I was ferrying aboard my vessel! You can trust 'em!

Kurapika: Captain, you're all right!

Boat Captain: I sure am! I'm more surprised to see you three made it out in one piece!

Boat Captain: Good thing you did, because I'm the one that's liable for your safety...

???: Psst... Are these guys really here for a visit?

Boat Captain: Yeah, a normal one. They're skyfarers on a job. Got nothing to do with you-know-what.

Kurapika: ...?

After another tense moment, the other group nod at one another and lower their weapons.

???: Sorry about that. Can't be too careful these days with how many bandits are about.

???: If you were riding with this guy, then you're probably stuck with no way back, huh?

Kurapika: That's correct. We were lost for a while after the shipwreck, as the map we had was soaked beyond use...

???: You should come to our village in that case. Another boat'll be dropping by later, so you can wait with us until then.

Kurapika: That... would be wonderful. We appreciate it.

Kurapika: (How odd... According to Skull, this place should've been abandoned for years.)

Kurapika: (And what was all that whispering about? Nothing is adding up. I best be on my guard.)

Heedful of where this situation could lead, Kurapika decides to be patient for the moment and heads deeper into the village.

Clash of Confusion: Scene 3

The people introduce themselves as villagers who stayed behind, despite reports that everyone had left. The crew explain that they are there for the time capsule, which prompts the villagers to warn that what they're seeking is dangerous. As Kurapika paranoidly begins to suspect they're hiding weapons or even a primal beast, the villagers lead the crew to the cave where the time capsule is stored.

---

Kurapika: To summarize... You're the very last residents of this village that stayed when everyone else left.

Inside a small, run-down house in a corner of the settlement, the group gathers for a chat.

The village chief introduces himself and answers their questions, but despite his forthcoming attitude, Kurapika's frown grows with every word.

Village Chief: Ah, right, you'll have noticed that there's not much out here.

Village Chief: Aside from a few monsters and even fewer animals, it's just us surviving as best we can.

Village Chief: The others couldn't take the harsh environment any longer and left for greener pastures.

Kurapika: If life is so difficult around these parts, why haven't the rest of you left?

Village Chief: We were all born here, and we'll be damned if we don't die here too. This is where my bones'll be laid to rest.

Villager: Our home means a lot to us. Honestly, I can't think of living anywhere else.

Kurapika: Is that right.

Kurapika: (They're lying in all likelihood.)

As other villagers offer the same perspective, Kurapika finds himself doubting every single one of them.

Kurapika: (The people who left must be the family Skull was talking about. But why would they neglect to mention some of them stayed behind?)

Kurapika: (Either there's a reason these villagers specifically couldn't leave... Or they're lying about who they actually are.)

Skull: Gotta say, I never expected anyone to still be living here.

Skull: I coulda sworn that Guzaletha said he picked up everyone from your village way back when.

Hearing this, the villagers' eyes go wide.

Kurapika: (Well, well...)

Kurapika: That lines up with what I remember. Didn't every single person leave this village and become members of the Odajumoki?

Skull: Yeah! Nobody mentioned that they left family behind! Isn't that kinda weird?

Villager: O-oh, them? Ahhh, it's all coming back to me now!

Villager: Tell the truth, we're actually from an abandoned village to the east of here.

Balurga: Huh? What was all that crap about being born here then?

Village Chief: I-I mean, speaking broadly, this area is still where we were born! Not strange to say this is home too, eh?

Village Chief: It's not like we can go back either. Our old settlement got buried under an avalanche, so we had to move.

Kurapika: Oh? Last I checked, it's only glaciers to the east. At least, I didn't see a single mountain capable of producing an avalanche.

Village Chief: Urk... Th-that's...

Skull: Heheheh... An idea just came to my super genius mind!

Villager: And... what idea would that be?

Skull: You're here looking for the thing too! Y'know, the stuff that's supposed to be around here somewhere!

Village Chief: The thing? What could you be referring to...

Skull: Hey, hey, hey! No use pretending around me! I know that time capsule's buried near this village!

A nervous energy immediately runs through the room at the exclamation.

Boat Captain: Hahaha! Ain't that something! Can't believe you're here for that of all things!

Balurga: What the hell do you mean by that?

Boat Captain: Exactly what it sounds like. You're looking for a treasure among treasures... one people might even kill for.

The captain's ominous tone sends a shiver down the crew members' spines.

Kurapika: (I thought the job was suspicious given the large reward, but I never expected this level of danger.)

Kurapika: Is this time capsule really something worth shedding blood over?

Boat Captain: What? Don't tell me you accepted that request without being told the full details.

Kurapika: We weren't given much information at all, to be honest. The reward did seem a little excessive for the task, so I had my doubts...

Boat Captain: In that case, I'll do you a solid and give you a proper warning.

Boat Captain: What you're looking for can drive even the toughest folks crazy. You sure you can keep your sanity long enough to deliver it to your client?

Kurapika: ...

Kurapika: (This is worse than I could've predicted.)

Kurapika: (If we're talking about something that can rob people of their sanity, then this has to be some sort of new weapon or primal beast.)

Kurapika: (We need to trick them into showing us where it is, then take them into custody and hand them over to the Crew of Enforcers.)

Village Chief: You've gone as pale as a ghost. What's wrong? You actually scared?

Villager: We're not in the business of sharing things with big babies. You should head home and get yourselves tucked in before your bedtime!

Kurapika: Us, babies? The real cowards here are you.

Kurapika: You're all shaking in your boots. Are you that afraid of us finding that time capsule?

Villager: Th-that's crazy talk! We ain't scared, just...

Village Chief: We're giving you a fair warning out of the goodness of our hearts.

Village Chief: Seen too many people get their hands on it out of pure curiosity, only to ruin their lives. This is your chance to back out while you can.

Skull: Pfft, yeah right! You gotta have farts for brains if you think we're gonna turn tail and run!

Kurapika: Skull?

Skull: I know just how scary it is to get your paws on something like that, but I came here to find it anyway! I'm ready for anything!

Boat Captain: Huh, you telling me you have experience with it?

Skull: Yep, got a taste back when I was a kid. I still sometimes dream about it.

Skull: (You usually stuff embarrassing things into time capsules, like poems or whatever, right?)

Skull: (The client's probably so desperate to get theirs back because they don't want people digging up their cringey past. 'Sides...)

Skull: A real man never backs out when they've already accepted a job. Am I right, or am I right?

After Skull's confident declaration, the ship's captain regards him with a glint in his eyes.

Boat Captain: (Well, I'll be... This guy's got spunk.)

Boat Captain: (Thought he was just some brainless nobody, but it seems like he's actually been through it.)

Boat Captain: Hey, Boss. You caught all of that, right?

Boat Captain: If they're that serious, then we can't back out, now can we?

Nodding, the chief takes a moment to deliberate with the other villagers, before facing the group once more.

Village Chief: Sorry about testing you, but we had to make sure you were up to snuff.

Kurapika: Does that mean...

Village Chief: Yeah, we'll show you to where the "time capsule" is. Follow me.

The crew trail after the village chief, past the edge of the village and into a cave.

Balurga: (Hmm... Is it just me, or did it feel like both sides were talking about completely different things?)

Balurga: (I hope Kurapika hasn't fried his brain from working it too hard... At least I don't have to worry about Skull in that regard.)

Having spent the whole conversation quietly observing, Balurga wonders what kind of trouble lies ahead.

Village Chief: ...

Kurapika: ...

Silence hangs over the group as they delve deeper and deeper into the cave that supposedly holds the time capsule.

Balurga: Are we there yet?

Balurga: We should be decently far in by now, even with all the twisting and turning and backing up.

Boat Captain: The best treasures are always in the back of the dungeon. No getting there any faster or slower.

Balurga: If you say so...

Kurapika: It makes sense. If you want to hide something, you put it in an inconvenient location.

Kurapika: (Still...)

Kurapika subtly peeks at their surroundings, being careful not to attract the attention of the chief and his villagers.

Kurapika: (There are traces of both monsters and people passing through these parts—quite a number of them too, though I can't tell exactly how many.)

Skull: Whew, sure smells in here. Been kinda stinky for a bit now, but I dunno where it's coming from.

Skull Jr.: Awo...

Balurga: I'll say. I'm detecting gunpowder and blood in the air, and that's not to mention the howling in the distance.

Kurapika: ...

Kurapika: (I'd like to avoid combat in enemy territory as much as possible, but...)

Village Chief: And we're here. You'll find what you're looking for behind that door.

Snapping out of his thoughts, Kurapika gazes up at the heavy metal door blocking the way forward.

Skull: Gulp...

Skull Jr.: Whine...

Kurapika and company watch with bated breath as the villagers push open the door.

Clash of Confusion: Scene 4

The villagers lead the crew to a storeroom of mushrooms, which are bootleg versions of a delicacy. After a conversation, the villagers realize they had mistaken "time capsule" as a code word for the mushrooms. Now that their secret is out, they attack the crew, but quick thinking on Kurapika's part saves the day. On their way out, Kurapika happens upon the actual time capsule, successfully completing the original request as well.

---

Balurga: Mushrooms?

Beyond the heavy door, the crew finds boxes upon wooden boxes filled to the brim with colorful mushrooms.

Kurapika: (They seem pretty poisonous, but not to the point that just carrying them would be enough to drive someone to insanity...)

Kurapika: ...!
It must be the spores that are dangerous! That would make these mushrooms a new form of biological weapon!

Village Chief: Uh, what're you going on about?

Village Chief: These beauts are rare delicacies grown right here in North Vast! A single bite'll tickle every single one of your taste buds!

Kurapika: Huh?

Boat Captain: And that's not to mention how they can heal any sickness, give you good luck in love and money, and even help you live longer too!

Villager: Or at least they would, if they were the real things. These are just look-alikes that we cultivated.

Skull: Uh, gotta admit, you totally lost me. I thought you were taking us to a time capsule...

Skull: You know, a metal tin you put keepsakes in that you dig up when you're an adult and get embarrassed over?

Everyone: Huh?

Balurga: Sigh... I'm pretty sure we're all on the wrong page, so why don't we go over everything from the top?

Village Chief: So... You're really just ordinary skyfarers searching for an actual, literal time capsule?

Skull: That's what we've been saying the whole time!

Boat Captain: I dunno what's crazier, that or blondie here thinking we were hiding biological weapons and primal beasts.

Kurapika: ...

Balurga: This guy does have a habit of overthinking things to an extreme...

Balurga: But he's like this 'cause he cares about the crew, so don't take it personally.

Though the misunderstanding has finally been cleared, an uneasy air settles over the group as the village chief heaves a pointed sigh.

Village Chief: I won't deny it's partially our fault for not double-checking who you are, but...

Village Chief: Unfortunately, we can't let you go now that you know about our secret mushroom stash.

Kurapika: Really? Even though you're the ones that freely offered the information about it?

Village Chief: D-doesn't matter at this point! Since you're not the contacts we've been waiting for, no point playing nice anymore.

Village Chief: You're not leaving this place alive. Sorry, but it's just business!

Kurapika: ...!
Get back, everyone!

Huge Monster: Groooar!

At the chief's signal, a fearsome monster emerges to protect the villagers.

Monsters: Grawr...

More and more monsters join the fray until the crew is completely surrounded.

Kurapika: (That would explain the other presences we felt in the cave.)

Village Chief: Go get 'em!

Another whistle from the chief, and both monsters and villagers descend upon the crew.

Skull: Exit, exit, come on, where the hell's the exit!

In a stroke of skill and luck, Skull and company have slipped through the crowd of attackers.

They now charge blindly forward with pursuers at their heels, completely lost in the twists and turns of the cave.

Skull Jr.: Bark, bark!

Skull: What's up, Skull Jr.? Didja find the way out?

As they come upon a dead end, Skull Jr. howls at a tiny, miniscule hole in the wall.

Skull: What? No! There's no way we're fitting through there!

Kurapika: I wouldn't be so sure... It'd be cutting it close, but you three could make it.

Balurga: Huh? You want us to leave you behind?

Kurapika: Not exactly. I've got the makings of a plan, and it involves you escaping first.

Kurapika: In fact, I need you all to do something only you are capable of. Can I count on your assistance?

Faced with Kurapika's determined gaze, Skull and Balurga take a moment to steel themselves before nodding.

Boat Captain: Heheheh... You got nowhere else to run.

Village Chief: Didn't expect to see you alone. Where'd your friends go?

Kurapika: I'm not answering that.

Boat Captain: What, did they decide to ditch you? Some friends they turned out to be.

Boat Captain: Can't say it's too surprising. Simple folk like them always look out for themselves first.

Kurapika: Heh...

Boat Captain: What're you grinning to yourself about?

Kurapika: Oh, nothing. It's just laughable how far off the mark you are about those two.

Boat Captain: The hell?

Village Chief: Hah, the guy's losing it now that he's all alone and cornered! Time to wake up and face the music!

Kurapika: If anyone needs a dose of reality, it's you.

Kurapika: My comrades aren't the cowardly sort who'd turn a blind eye to criminal scum and run away.

At that moment, the entire cave trembles as the sound of a detonation rings in the distance.

Village Chief: Was that... an explosion? Don't tell me...

Huge Monster: Groooar!

The nearby wall bursts open in a blast, and the resulting rubble traps the monsters in place.

Village Chief: What?

???: Hyahaaah!

Skull: Oho? We managed to hit the right place at the right time! See, told you I was a genius!

Skull Jr.: Awoo!

Boat Captain: Wh-what the hell? Did you just break through the walls to get back here?

Kurapika: My companions have a very keen sense of smell. They detected that there was gunpowder somewhere in the vicinity.

Kurapika: I requested that they find said gunpowder while I distracted you, and create our own pathway out.

Balurga: Hehe! Went straight through the most solid walls, exactly as you asked, Kurapika!

Boat Captain: You couldn't figure out where the exit was, so you decided to take a risk like that? You're insane!

Kurapika: Well, with your monsters taken care of and our exit secured, I believe there's nothing left for us to talk about.

Village Chief: Whoa, whoa, whoa! Let's not be so hasty! We can figure something out, right?

Kurapika: Unfortunately for you, I don't negotiate with wrongdoers.

Kurapika: Time to face your fate!

Chief & Captain: Gaaah!

After that, Kurapika and company round the criminals up. Exiting through their custom-made hole and finding a way off the island, they turn the criminals in to the Crew of Enforcers and head home.

Balurga: We never found the time capsule in the end...

Skull: Sigh... All that hard work for nothing! What a total waste of time!

Skull Jr.: Whine...

Skull: Should've snuck one or two of those mushrooms out when we had the chance...

Kurapika: Don't even think about it. That'll only cause trouble for (Captain), and you don't want that, right?

Skull: Arghhh, this suuucks! We didn't even do anything wrong!

As Skull rolls petulantly across the ground, Kurapika sighs and pulls out an object, holding it up for everyone to see.

Skull: Huh? Whazzat? A box caked in dirt?

Balurga: Hold on a minute... Is that the time capsule we were looking for?

Skull: No way? Seriously? When the heck... and where the heck did you find it?

Kurapika: I saw it among the rubble when we were on our way out.

Kurapika: By a stroke of luck, it seems that our target was buried near the walls you broke through.

Kurapika: I opened it up just to check this was actually the capsule, and sure enough, there were letters inside addressed to the client...

Skull & Balurga: Kurapikaaa!

Kurapika: Gah!

Kurapika: I never agreed to a group hug! Get off of me!

Balurga: You're the best! A real man through and through!

Skull: I believed in you the whole time! Knew you'd figure something out!

Balurga: We should celebrate the occasion! Get ourselves some food and cake and have a party!

Skull: Don't forget the party poppers too! And the party hats!

Kurapika: Come on, let go of me already! And you, Skull Jr.! Stop biting my clothes!

Skull & Balurga: Yahaaah!

Kurapika: Would you listen to me when I'm speaking!

Just like that, another day passes aboard the Grandcypher—one filled with lively cheering, angry screaming, and enthusiastic barking.