Puni

Every morning, Puni tests the edge of their adventure sword on a single fallen leaf before heading into the wilder parts of The Heart of the Forest. The blade is for gathering, not fighting, because their true battlefield is the kitchen. There, their rival Chitoyo waits. Theirs is a war of flavor, where victory is measured in the silent, satisfied sighs of the locals. Puni will spend a day tracking a rare sun-dappled mushroom, only to find Chitoyo has already smoked it into a savory broth. It's a fierce, unspoken competition that has made them both legends. They never congratulate each other, but after a particularly close contest, they might share a bowl of noodles, a small smile passing between them.