2025-03-12 00:36:05We returned to the train tracks, where only the great freight train could be seen, derailed by the violent impact. This train transported various materials within the country and to neighboring nations: firewood, steel, precious materials, and other essential goods. It was an impressive train, with twelve cargo cars and five operators who worked in the engine cabin, located in the first car.
“Are you guys okay?” asked Reia in a worried but firm voice.
“The grass on this side cushioned the fall,” the two men responded almost in unison, though their voices betrayed a hint of confusion.
Aiden’s pants were torn at the knees, as was his vest, revealing a few bruises and bumps from the violent fall.
As the scene unfolded, it occurred to me that I hadn’t yet shared some important details about the characters and setting. Let me take a moment to paint a clearer picture for you. Aiden, on the day he ran away, was dressed in a striking red vest, a fitted black polo shirt, worn-out jeans, and spotless black sneakers. Slung over his shoulder was a navy-blue backpack, perfectly coordinated with his outfit, carrying essentials like food, underwear, socks, spare pants, and other necessities.
If you’re curious about where this story takes place, we find ourselves in Austria—a country renowned for its baroque architecture, winter sports (though it’s autumn at that moment), enchanting music, and awe-inspiring landscapes. Our protagonists are nearing the border with Italy, their journey unfolding against this picturesque backdrop. With these details in mind, let’s return to the heart of the story.
“Podbe, are you okay?” asked Aiden as he observed the small canine attentively.
“Yes, it didn’t hurt much. I think I have more resistance to pain,” Podbe replied with a mix of pride and confidence.
At that moment, both of them stood up and turned to face the scene before them, horrified. The train was practically split in half, with everything it had been carrying scattered everywhere. The area where they were was almost deserted, a remote place where hardly anyone lived, if anyone at all.
The train workers also got to their feet, staggering slightly from the impact. They ran toward where Podbe and Aiden were, but before they could reach them, thick, sharp vines emerged from the ground with startling speed, trapping the five operators and dragging them underground.
“But, what just happened?” the three exclaimed in unison, their faces painted with astonishment.
From the three holes left by the vines emerged three small white rabbits, with black eyes like those of any common rabbit. These animals had been sent by the extraterrestrial who attacked the agent, guided by the energy emanating from the artifact fused inside the puppy that now resided in Podbe.
“What adorable little creatures!” said Podbe enthusiastically, wagging his golden tail.
“They’re the calmest and gentlest animals there are,” added Aiden with an innocent smile.
“I hate to ruin the fun, guys, but I don’t think they’re as cute as they seem,” Reia retorted in a serious yet somewhat sarcastic tone.
“Why?” both asked in unison, looking at her with curiosity.
The rabbits’ eyes began to turn red, as red as the blood coursing through veins. Their small teeth elongated into sharp fangs, and their tender paws transformed into claws as sharp as blades. Reia received a message from the system that said: Eliminate the demonic rabbits while protecting your new master. Reward: instant level-up, plus one point for each rabbit exterminated.
“You heard me, Podbe, we have to eliminate them,” Reia said in a firm tone.
“Eliminate them?” he repeated, confused. “How can I eliminate them if I only have a bit more strength and am slightly faster than before? That system sure is crazy to give me this kind of quest.”
The rabbit from the middle hole launched a direct attack toward them, running with its claws extended like deadly daggers. Aiden and Podbe managed to avoid it at the last moment thanks to Podbe pushing Aiden with a precise headbutt. The other two rabbits began to extend vines from their snouts, unfurling them like dark tentacles.
“Oh, so that’s where those plants came from,” Reia remarked with a mix of sarcasm and concern.
“Aiden, go to that tree behind us. There’s no time to lose. Can you walk and climb it, right?” the dog instructed in a hurried but determined voice.
Aiden nodded quickly and began running toward the tree, though his gaze reflected anguish at leaving Podbe alone.
“What are you going to do, Podbe?” the boy asked, worried about the little canine.
“Reia, what can I do?” Podbe asked, seeking guidance.
“You have more strength, defense, and agility than a normal dog. Try to separate the rabbits. The one that attacked first must be the leader; go after him first,” Reia responded swiftly.
The dog, slightly larger than the rabbits, ran toward the lead rabbit and rammed it with a headbutt, but the other two rabbits quickly blocked his path, forming an impenetrable barrier.
“How am I supposed to tell them apart if they all look the same?” Podbe said, visibly frustrated.
“I don’t think so,” Reia replied. “Look, the first one has a cap.”
“To me, they’re all gray,” the puppy retorted, remembering that, as people say, dogs see everything in black and white or shades of gray. However, something crossed his mind. “But there’s something we dogs have, and that’s our sense of smell. I had forgotten about that.”
He began sniffing the air attentively, moving his nose with precision.
“I know now,” he finally said. “The first rabbit gives off a different scent than the other two. It smells like damp earth, while the other two smell like dry earth.”
“But I can’t attack it because the other two are shielding it,” Podbe reflected, analyzing the situation.
“Maybe if we used a feint,” Reia suggested cleverly.
“Yes, why not?” the canine responded, determined.
The dog approached the rabbits, pretending he was going to attack the leader. Just as the other two rabbits took up defensive positions to protect him, Podbe suddenly retreated and, with a quick motion of his hind legs, struck the rabbit farthest from the leader, causing it to cross paths with the one acting as a shield. Taking advantage of the momentary chaos, Podbe ran toward the leader again and this time lunged at him without hesitation. The lead rabbit unsheathed its sharp claws and leaped toward him, but before it could touch him, Podbe lowered his head and delivered a powerful kick with his hind legs, sending the rabbit crashing to the ground with a dry thud.
“You’ve taken half of the rabbit’s health,” Reia announced in a professional tone.
“How do you know that?” Podbe asked, looking at her curiously.
“I can visualize the health of your enemies and the level they’re at. For now, that’s all you need to know. Go and hit him again to finish him off,” she replied confidently.
But before Podbe could land another blow, the other two rabbits launched their vines toward him from their snouts. The vines, sharp as whips, captured the puppy’s hind legs and began dragging him toward them while their leader got back on its feet and fled quickly into one of the holes. However, Podbe didn’t give up. With a precise bite, he broke one of the vines, freeing one of his legs.
“It works! Great!” Reia exclaimed enthusiastically. “I think they’re like their tongues. Go for the other one too.”
“Oh no, you’re not getting away, little bunny!” the puppy growled with determination. Once free, he ran toward the rabbit still holding the vines and, with a powerful headbutt, struck the creature in the back. It disappeared instantly, turning into smoke before their eyes. The other two rabbits stood motionless, as if confused. They probably communicate telepathically or something similar, Reia thought.
“Well, let’s go for the other two,” Podbe said decisively.
Without a second thought, he returned and delivered a headbutt to each of them, first to one and then to the other. Both rabbits vanished just like the first, leaving the area free of threats.
“Great job, Podbe! You did it!” Reia congratulated him proudly. “Let’s check the reward you earned. Aiden, you can come down from the tree now.”
Aiden carefully climbed down and ran to Podbe, hugging him tightly.
“Thank you for saving me, little hero,” Aiden said with gratitude in his voice.
“Those bunnies were nothing to me,” Podbe responded playfully, though his golden tail wagged with pride.
“Yes, you’re my hero, little pup,” Aiden added with a warm smile.
Reia interrupted, ever practical:
“Yes, good job defeating them. They were level three, one level higher than you. Well, now that you’ve completed the quest, we can upgrade your abilities.”
“Abilities?” Aiden asked, intrigued.
“Yes, abilities. As Reia explained, every time I complete quests, I can level up and gain new abilities. I see why I need them now. The system shows a screen with all the things I can improve,” Podbe explained enthusiastically.
“Oh, but I can’t see any screen. I guess only you and Reia can see it,” Aiden said, sounding a bit disappointed.
“But you can hear me,” Reia interjected gently. “I’ll tell you what appears.”
“Alright,” Aiden replied, accepting the situation.
“Well, Podbe, you’re now level three. You have one point in strength, one in vitality, and zero in the other two, which are intellect and perception.”
“How many points have you earned, Podbe?” the boy asked, curious.
“Three. What if I put one in each of the missing ones and one more in strength?” Aiden suggested thoughtfully.
“Alright, as you wish, master,” Podbe responded with a mischievous smile. “One for each of the missing ones and one for strength.”
“Update complete,” Reia announced firmly. “There’s an active attack: Firehead.”
“Firehead? What’s that about?” Aiden asked in a teasing tone. “It must be because of all the headbutts you threw during the fight.”
“Well, explain to us what this new attack is,” Aiden and Podbe said in unison, looking expectantly at Reia.
“Well, it seems that by increasing strength and activating your intellect, you’ve unlocked this ability, which costs twenty mana points every time you use it,” Reia explained in a didactic tone.
“Interesting,” Aiden and Podbe said together, exchanging glances filled with curiosity. “We need to activate more attacks, yes we do. Let’s go for it.”
Both began walking with determination, but Reia stopped them with an unexpected question:
“And where exactly are you going?”
The two looked at each other, bewildered. The truth was, they had no idea where to go.
“Those creatures will probably keep appearing,” Aiden reflected. “You’ll need more power, that’s for sure, but… where do we go next? It’s not like we have a map in our heads.”
“Wait! I do have one in the system!” Reia exclaimed, quickly checking the information. “Aha! We’re in Austria, almost reaching the border with Italy. If we head south, we’ll get there.”
“Where should we go?” they both asked, looking at each other uncertainly.
“I need some clue about my father,” Aiden said pensively. “I don’t even know what he looks like. My mother didn’t leave any clues in that letter. And what about the people who hurt you, Podbe?”
“Well… I don’t know either,” the puppy replied with a tone of barely concealed frustration.
At that moment, a notification blinked before them: Go to southern Italy and you will find the clues you need to understand your past. Gain twenty experience points if you find what’s necessary.
“Wow, that system sure is timely,” Podbe commented with a mix of sarcasm and amazement. “Well, I don’t have any clues about myself, not even where to start.”
Further down the message, it read: Requires both of you to go and find clues.
“Are you serious?” Aiden asked, surprised. “Apparently, you’re linked to the system, I don’t know how. But it’s a good sign, isn’t it?”
“Well, let’s not waste any more time, onward!” Podbe exclaimed with renewed enthusiasm.
With a resounding “yes” echoing in their hearts, they began heading south, determined to face whatever was necessary to uncover their hidden truths.
Previous Chapter
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Agent's Dog System 7.Lost Orphan
It was a new day in Styria, Austria. In one of the picturesque towns of this region, the great sun rose majestically in the sky, though the crisp autumn air still lingered, slowly dissipating the moisture left by the rain from the night before. The leaves of the trees were beginning to transform, painting the landscape with golden, reddish, and ocher tones, as if nature itself wanted to celebrate the arrival of a new season.At the Order of the Sun orphanage, all the children were called for breakfast, a morning ritual that marked the start of their studies within the cozy facilities.In a room with five beds, each crafted from sturdy oak wood, the single-sized mattresses were covered with immaculate white sheets. Each bed had a somewhat firm pillow and a warm blanket that offered comfort during the chilly autumn nights. Four of the beds held children sleeping soundly, but the fifth was empty. Aiden was no longer there.His friend Billy, always resourceful, had placed a few pillows
Agent's Dog System 8.The Orphan Is Still Missing
A telephone began to ring repeatedly, breaking the silence of the room with its insistent tone. Someone picked up the receiver and answered:“Hello, Marie, how are you? How’s everything going?” said a familiar and friendly voice from the other end.“Mr. B, how are you? We need your support to solve a case,” Marie replied, her tone tinged with urgency, though she tried to keep it subdued.“Ah! I see. Although I was on break, I’ll make an exception for you and for my former pupil, Agent B Twelve. So, you heard about what happened,” he responded, maintaining a calm but curious tone.“Yes,” Agent B replied, his voice firm and decisive.“Good, I’ll help you. Where are you?” he asked, ready to take action.“In Styria, Austria,” Marie responded without hesitation.“Ah! Perfect. I’m nearby, in Vienna,” he said enthusiastically. “I’ll put on my uniform and head over. I’ll be there in an hour. Send me the exact location. See you soon.”Agent B hung up the phone. At that moment, the silhouette o
Agent's Dog System 9.Optional Quest
As they walked under the flickering light of the lantern Aiden carried, Podbe and he wondered who that mysterious person could be who had taken possession of the artifact in which Reia traveled. It was a mystery that tormented them, but they had no way to answer it; not even Reia knew. The images they had glimpsed were blurry, and the figure of the person remained shrouded in shadow.“Hey, hold on a second!” exclaimed Podbe in his high-pitched but friendly voice. “Aiden, don’t those little wounds hurt? Plus, your clothes are… well, let’s say they’re still fashionable, though they’re torn to shreds. Let’s stop by that spring so you can at least clean those wounds and keep them from getting infected. And no, I’m not joking, although they say dog saliva can heal them.”Aiden smiled faintly as he approached the crystal-clear water. He bent down to wet his hands and wash the red marks streaking his skin. “Well, I think with all the adrenaline running through my veins, I didn’t feel anythi
Agent's Dog System 10.Ten Deliveries
The two left the house somewhat puzzled by Adia’s last comment, but in the end, they had made the decision themselves, and therefore, they had to fulfill what was asked of them. “Well, a deal’s a deal,” they said in unison, with a mix of resignation and determination.Another concern that weighed on them was why, now that Aiden was about to reach level four, his progress was advancing so slowly. “I wonder if things will be like this from now on,” Aiden commented, frowning as they walked.Reia intervened then, explaining that she didn’t have a clear answer either. However, on the screen that only Podbe could see (and which Reia described in detail to Aiden), it indicated that one hundred experience points were needed to level up. The three fell silent, deep in thought, but since they still didn’t have an answer to this great mystery, they decided to set it aside for the moment and focus on finding the delivery points.“I can’t see anything,” Aiden murmured, squinting as he tried to m
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Agent's Dog System 13.Adventures in the Supermarket
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Agent's Dog System 14.Is This the First Time?
Aiden’s shouts echoed through the house, startled by the intensity of Adia’s gaze. She glanced at the kitchen clock; it was three in the afternoon. “We don’t have much time to buy a suit, but at least we can fix your hair,” she said. Without giving him time to react, she grabbed the boy, lifted him as if he were a feather, and rushed upstairs with him. Podbe followed alongside, wagging his tail curiously. They entered Adia’s room, which was as spacious as Aiden’s but painted a light green that gave it a fresh and cozy feel. She sat him down in front of the mirror and observed his hair, messy and unkempt. Noticing something strange near the back of his head, close to his neck, she gently pulled on a tube that blended with his skin. To her surprise, the object turned out to be a sort of artificial hair extension.Adia looked at him curiously. “Why were you hiding the rest of your hair? It’s clever, but unnecessary.” Aiden lowered his gaze and replied shyly, “At the orphanage, they would
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78.Plan B It Shall Be
Everyone present on Paul and Vera’s ship began donning dark camouflage suits, adjusting their weapons and accessories with precise and methodical movements. The atmosphere was thick with tension but also determination.“In the end, we had to go with Plan B. We should have done it from the start,” Paul muttered as he finished equipping himself with the last of the mission gear. His voice carried a barely concealed tone of frustration, as if internally grappling with the feeling of having lost control of the situation.Meanwhile, at the orphanage, night slowly descended upon the building. The director, known to all as the Mother Superior, stood before the children, who were gathered in perfectly aligned rows. With her characteristic serenity, she spoke the phrase that always accompanied their nightly farewells:“Everyone has the opportunity to have a new beginning. No matter where you are heading, if you move forward with love and happiness, you will always find a new dawn.”Her words r
77.Failed Plan
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76.The Uncovering
The team Melisa was traveling with dropped her off at her house, along with Creg and Ian. The three of them got out of the helicopter, but not before bidding farewell to the professor and his companion. They made their way into Melisa’s apartment. She opened the door and said,“Well, guys, feel free to take whatever you want from the kitchen. I’m going to take a shower after being in all that dust. If you’d like, there’s also a guest bathroom downstairs, and I think there’s some of the clothes you left last time, Creg. Ian, you can use the clothes my brother doesn’t wear anymore; they’re about the same size as yours. It’s down that hallway.”Melisa went upstairs to shower, while the other two, driven by the hunger left by their adventure, began to eat, though Creg ate more than Ian. Afterward, they took turns showering and changing.Meanwhile, Melisa had finished showering and was drying her hair with the blow-dryer. She looked in her closet and began searching for her special outfit:
75.The Start of the Play
"I have the perfect place," Doctor Laos said with a calculating smile. "Since these children are orphans, we can start with the orphanages. What was the name of the one Aiden and his group came from? Ah, yes... the Order of the Sun."Zeus nodded in satisfaction."Excellent. That way, no one would suspect a thing. Who's going to stand up for a bunch of orphans?" he added with disdain. "You're a genius."He rose from his seat, his tone firm as he continued."I'll send my men to work while you, with Lady’s team, prepare this place for large-scale Metalux production."Doctor Laos frowned, intrigued."And how do you plan to do that, boss?"Zeus flashed a malicious grin and replied casually,"If things go smoothly, I’ll have them adopted. But if it takes too long... I'll have to use plan B."His eyes gleamed with a sinister light before he turned and left.Richard, the doctor, wasted no time contacting Lady to coordinate the restructuring of the facility. They needed to adapt it for simulta
74.The Legacy Continues
“Doctor Laos, we have arrived,” announced one of the soldiers accompanying them on the ship.“Excellent. Take these four containers and tell my team to prepare them; they’ll know what to do. And, soldier,” the doctor added with a severity that made the man tremble, “be extremely careful with the contents. They are extremely fragile. If anything happens to them, you will know the fury of our lord Zeus.”The soldier swallowed hard and nodded with a rigid movement of his head, hurrying to take the four containers away on a cart. These containers, resembling polarized capsules, held the four kidnapped youths.“Where are we, Doctor?” Swang asked.“Ah, that’s right, you don’t know this place. It’s a secret base known only to high command. This place is the most important to me. This is where it all began,” Doctor Laos said as he walked off the ship, followed by Doctor Swang, who watched him with a furrowed brow and a thoughtful expression. What does he mean, ‘where it all began’? She wonder
73.Old Faces, New Paths
The ship carrying Azulema and her team quickly approached the designated direction. Leila, with a worried expression, addressed Azulema:—But how are we going to take someone else? There's no room for anyone else here. We're already cramped, and Mark is squeezed in with you.Azulema let out a light laugh before responding:—Relax, girl, we'll figure it out. Don't get all worked up, or you'll get wrinkles.Leila frowned, feeling somewhat offended, and replied:—I'm not upset, and I'm not getting wrinkles... am I?Rosa, who was sitting nearby, glanced quickly and said with a mischievous smile:—No, although you're starting to look a bit like a raisin.—Really? —Leila asked incredulously.—It's just a joke —Ada chimed in, trying to stifle a laugh.Rosa and Ada burst into laughter at Leila's offended expression, who muttered something unintelligible while crossing her arms and looking out the window.—Alright, girls, we've arrived. This is the place —Margaret announced from the cockpit as
72.The Unexpected Draw
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71.Mission Accomplished, Whats Next?
Inside the ship where the Zeus team was traveling, one of the guards noticed something strange. One of the injured, who had been motionless just moments ago, now seemed hypnotized, his eyes fixed on a broadcast playing on one of the monitors. The guard, curious, was also captivated by the screen.Zeus, who happened to be passing through the area at that moment, noticed the scene. At first, he called out to the guard to get his attention, but he didn’t respond. Frowning, Zeus decided to approach directly to snap him out of his trance.Just as he was about to look at the monitor, he felt a tug on his arm. It was Aragon.“Sir, don’t look at that,” he warned firmly. “Someone is using a mental control frequency to manipulate the events and memories of the battle. I’ve managed to block it thanks to my use of the aura.”Zeus raised an eyebrow, intrigued.“Your ability seems to be very effective,” he commented, as an invisible energy suddenly enveloped him. A warm sensation began to flow thro
70.Red Alert: Last Breath
When she put on the helmet, Leila felt a force pressing down on her as she tried to concentrate and not lose her emotional balance. Sheila and Martha watched her from a distance, looking a bit more composed, saying: — "Oh no, now our time has come. Surely, with this, we'll get fired and bring down the agency," they said resignedly, because there was nothing they could do about it. With the helmet on, Leila could hear the voices and minds of all the people, even her teammates, who were also wearing visors and suffering greatly from the machine's power, which was draining their energies more intensely than before. Inside her, she began to tell herself: — "Come on, concentrate, relax." A memory came to her mind, in which she heard: — "Leila, transform the pain into happiness, relax, pay more attention to what surrounds you. Don't let your power consume you; it's yours and part of you, use it" —she remembered her boss, Azulema, teaching her to control her power. Azulema knew that Leila's
