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 anything, but now that we’ve stopped, and I splashed some water on them, they sting,” he admitted with a grimace. Reia observed him closely and assured him they were just a few scrapes.“And aren’t you cold?” she asked, noticing how the night breeze caressed his bare arms.
“Yes, it must be that, though it’s not very noticeable,” Aiden replied, examining his distorted reflection in the river. He frowned and added, “But I don’t feel cold. Maybe it’s because we’ve been walking nonstop.”
At that precise moment, a sound interrupted the silence of the night. A deep growl echoed through the air, followed by another. Aiden quickly turned to Podbe, who had his head bowed and his ears drooping.
“Hey! Looks like you’re hungry,” Aiden said, chuckling softly. However, before he could finish his sentence, his own stomach responded with an equally insistent growl.
“I guess we’re both hungry,” he added, placing a hand on his abdomen while smiling resignedly.
Podbe tilted his head and asked hopefully with a bark if Aiden hadn’t brought something to eat in his backpack. Aiden then remembered that he had packed some cereal bars and a few almond cookies.
“Well, this will help us kill the hunger for now, little buddy,” he said, pulling out the food and sharing it with the dog. After devouring a few cookies, they resumed their journey, venturing once again into the darkness of the forest.
As they advanced, dawn began to paint the sky in warm tones, dispelling the shadows that had dominated the night. Golden light filtered through the leaves of the trees, illuminating their path. They could now clearly distinguish the sturdy trunks and the winding trail stretching before them. Though Aiden was not prone to fear and Podbe was a born adventurer, the clarity of day filled them with a comforting sense of security. Aiden turned off his lantern, and they continued their trek on foot through the vast forest, where life buzzed all around them. Gigantic trees stood like ancient guardians, meadows swayed with the breeze, and fields of flowers painted the landscape in vibrant colors. A river snaked alongside them, and they could see wild animals scurrying about: playful squirrels, curious raccoons, and birds singing morning melodies.
They walked for hours, or at least that’s what it felt like, as all they could see was green everywhere. They began to suspect they were going in circles, but fortunately, Reia guided them with precision. They climbed and descended an imposing mountain, tired but grateful that Aiden had brought enough drinking water for both of them. After crossing vast meadows, a picturesque little valley, and rugged mountains, they arrived at Arnoldstein late in the afternoon, just as dusk was falling once again.
“Look, Podbe! There’s civilization! We’re saved!” exclaimed Aiden, panting from the effort but with a spark of enthusiasm in his eyes.
Reia pointed ahead and indicated that they could rest there. She also suggested looking for some form of transportation that would allow them to cross the border.
“And how do you think we can cross the border?” asked Aiden, frowning. “I don’t have any documents with me, and besides, I don’t have much money. I doubt they’ll let Podbe in.”
“Don’t worry,” Reia responded calmly. “We’ll find a way out. For now, we need to rest. And I think Podbe is hungry again.”
Aiden looked at his furry companion, who was already sniffing the air in search of food, and couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
The people around them watched curiously, surprised that the boy was speaking aloud to his dog as if it were a human being. Aiden, noticing that he had unintentionally become the center of attention, lowered his gaze and felt an uncomfortable heat rise up his neck. Reia, sensing his discomfort, suggested gently:
“It would be better if you only spoke through your mind and didn’t go around shouting as if you were crazy.”
The boy lowered his head even more, letting his shoulders drop in resignation.
“Yes, I know,” he murmured softly, “but I’m still not used to this. It’s not like you can spy on my thoughts or anything, right?”
“No, child, that’s not how it works,” she responded mentally, her voice clear and reassuring within his mind.
After this short episode, Aiden heads toward one of the nearby inns. He entered with determined steps, though slightly nervous, and asked how much it cost to stay the night and whether there was any transportation available to Italy. The innkeeper, a middle-aged woman with an embroidered apron and a maternal expression, looked at him with a hint of suspicion.
“You’re very young to be traveling alone,” she said, lightly furrowing her brow. “Where are your parents? It costs forty-five euros per night, but we don’t accept pets.”
Aiden left the place feeling annoyed and frustrated. He began visiting one inn after another, repeating the same question. In each of the five or six places he visited, he received similar responses: no pets allowed, and he needed to be accompanied by an adult.
The boy carried with him only twenty euros, money he had saved by selling handmade ornaments at the orphanage. With each rejection, his anxiety grew. Desperate, he wandered aimlessly until, in one of the cobblestone passageways, he accidentally bumped into a young woman in her mid-twenties.
She had light brown hair, tied up in a high ponytail that shimmered under the evening light. Her large, expressive eyes seemed to hold golden glimmers, giving her a warm and friendly appearance. Her bronzed skin was smooth as cream, and her smile, though shy, radiated confidence. Podbe, always sociable, began licking his hands and wagging his tail enthusiastically.
“Why are you alone, boy?” she asked in a soft but curious voice. “Is this your dog?”
Aiden nodded, still feeling a bit self-conscious. The young woman continued:
“I’ve heard you’ve been looking for a place to stay and that you also want to cross the border. Are you running away from something? Do your parents know about this? Well, if you don’t want to answer, it’s no problem. At your age, I was also out there getting into adventures until I ended up around here. But I see you’re not alone; you have good company,” she added, gesturing toward Podbe with a smile.
The young woman paused before continuing:
“I can offer you lodging and transportation to Italy. It would cost sixty euros.”
Her words ignited a small flame of hope in Aiden’s heart, but at the same time, they filled him with doubts. Before responding, Reia intervened in his mind with a tone of warning:
“Be careful with humans, Aiden. Not all of them are what they seem. Don’t mention that you’ve run away; just tell her you need to reach the neighboring country.”
Aiden mentally nodded and responded to the young woman:
“Well, I’ll just say that we need to get to Italy and that I only have twenty euros with me.”
The young woman looked at him with a mix of compassion and cunning. Her expression subtly shifted, taking on a slightly Machiavellian tone that put Aiden on edge.
“So, only twenty? Well then, you’ll have to help me if you want me to let you stay and take you to your destination,” she said, leaning slightly toward him with an enigmatic smile.
Aiden swallowed hard, trying to hide his nervousness.
“What do you mean? It’s nothing bad, right?”
“No, not at all,” she replied lightly, though her eyes still gleamed with intent. “You’ll just have to help me deliver some packages to a few houses tonight, and with that, we’ll even have to leave tomorrow. I have some things to do over there, so it works for both of us.”
Aiden exchanged a quick glance with Podbe, who wagged his tail innocently, oblivious to the tension growing between the humans.
“A deal’s a deal,” Aiden said with determination as they shook hands.
“By the way, my name is Adia,” she added with a friendly smile, though her eyes still held that calculating glimmer.
“I’m Aiden, and this is my companion, Podbe. Nice to meet you,” the boy replied, trying to sound confident despite the uncertainty he felt.
They left the narrow cobblestone passageway and arrived in front of a two-story house that appeared to have seen better days. The structure was made of stone and earth, with visible cracks in the walls and a large wooden door worn down by time. A stable on the side housed large piles of hay that smelled of fresh countryside.
“Well, guys, this is home sweet home,” Adia commented with an ironic but warm tone.
“Well, at least it has a roof,” Reia, Aiden, and Podbe said almost in unison, exchanging a knowing glance.
Adia gestured for them to come inside. As they crossed the threshold, they found themselves facing a dusty table that seemed to have been used as a counter at some point. To their left, a small bathroom was dimly lit by a yellowish bulb; to their right, a rustic kitchen with a wood-burning stove and a dining area for five people. A stone staircase led upward, where they assumed the bedrooms were located.
“To start, head up the stairs,” Adia instructed with a wave of her hand.
Upon reaching the second floor, they saw three doors. Adia pointed to the right.
“The one on the right is mine, and you can use the other one. That means the third door is the bathroom.”
Aiden opened the assigned door and discovered a modest room: an old bed covered with worn-out blankets, a few cobwebs hanging from the corners, and a desk with a rusted lamp.
“And we’re paying sixty euros for this?” Reia remarked sarcastically, making Aiden laugh.
“Alright, you can leave your things in the room—no one’s going to take them—and report back downstairs for your task,” Adia called out from the foot of the stairs.
Aiden hesitated for a moment about leaving his belongings behind, but he reasoned that if he had to carry something heavy, he wouldn’t be able to do it with a backpack on. After leaving his things in the room, he descended the stairs and found Adia behind the counter, surrounded by ten large bags.
“Well then, boy, you need to deliver these ten packages tonight without opening the bags or looking inside. Here are the addresses for each one. If you do this, we’ll leave for Italy tomorrow.”
At that moment, a message blinked on Podbe’s system, and Reia read it aloud:
Optional quest: Deliver the ten packages on time. Reward: Five experience points per delivery.
“Wow! That’s great. It’ll help us improve Podbe’s skills,” Aiden exclaimed enthusiastically. Then, turning to his furry companion, he added, “But why an optional quest now? Your system, buddy dog, is kind of unusual.”
Podbe tilted his head as if pondering the question, and both boy and dog stared at each other for a moment. Finally, they said to themselves:
“What are we waiting for? You need to get stronger, so let’s get to work.”
Turning back to Adia, they announced with determination:
“Understood. Let’s begin.”
Adia pulled a small box from under the counter and handed them two bottles of water and three packs of cookies.
“This is for the road. It’s going to be a big night for you, and you might not go back to sleep,” she added with a mischievous laugh that left Aiden and Podbe feeling a bit intrigued.
Hopeful yet cautious because of Adia’s last comment, they left the house ready to carry out the deliveries. As she closed the door behind them, Adia wondered why the boy had some scrapes on his face and knees, and why his clothes were torn. She assumed he had probably been in a fight, like so many children his age. Without giving it much thought, she shrugged and went back inside the house.
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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
Agent's Dog System 11.The Great Boot
While our heroes slept soundly, worn out from their deliveries, Agent B revealed that, thanks to his special ability, he had managed to glimpse a small, dirty animal, shaped like a dog, that had been with Agent B-Twelve at the moment a flash struck them. Later, the canine was taken away by a municipal pound worker. Perhaps that’s the key. Everyone present was left puzzled by Agent B’s words.At that moment, Marie checked her tablet to see how many nearby pounds there were in the area and began searching. The closest one was half an hour away. Then, there’s no time to lose. Agent B and I will go to the pound, and you two, Linda and Dingo, will head to the police station to investigate what they know about the plane crash and whether anyone has reported anything related to this scene, though I doubt it very much, said Marie.Miss Marie, we’re not called Linda and Dino. We’re Lidia and Rino, and both replied kindly but firmly.Oh! A thousand apologies. You’re new recruits training to be
Agent's Dog System 12.A Collar and a Tag
Immediately after crossing the border and passing through the control center, Adia instructed her robotic chauffeur to speed up in order to reach Milan. What normally takes six hours by car, they completed in less than four.Reia began reviewing the areas they were passing through and noticed that the system was sending her numerous notifications. She wanted to wake up Podbe, but seeing him sleeping so peacefully, she decided not to disturb him, not even with a few gentle electric shocks.As they approached the city, the greenery of the fields gradually gave way to concrete. More gray than green, yet they always found traces of nature in parks, gardens, and buildings like the Bosco Verticale. They could see clusters of motorcycles and cars parked everywhere, people bustling about, technology intertwined with history in both ancient and modern architecture. The sun was already high in the sky, casting its light over bridges connecting streets and canals visible from every corner, colo
Agent's Dog System 13.Adventures in the Supermarket
The dog said to Aiden that now that he had calmed down, what had that been? That girl had made him feel different. Reia wondered if perhaps opposites were attracted. If so, why hadn’t he felt the same way about Miss Adia?Aiden responded, a bit flustered, that he didn’t know. He felt, as they say, butterflies in his stomach for Elena. But Adia was an older woman, or at least he thought so. Besides, he saw her as a friend who had helped them.Reia continued, saying he was right and that they needed to finish the shopping Miss Adia had asked them to do before heading to the center. It was lucky he mentioned it because they were standing in front of the supermarket, which was already closed. A sign announced that they had moved a couple of blocks away. Without wasting time, they set off.Meanwhile, Elena, who was near the counter, noticed some money left on it. She mentioned it to the shopkeeper, who replied that the young man had probably forgotten his change. She suggested they should
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
Agent's Dog System 15.From Love To Hate
"Now that you're level four, you've earned a point. Where do you want to place it?" Reia asked Podbe. She suggested putting it into vitality, as the system menu had changed and now displayed the skill tree for unlocking abilities. "Remember, you weren’t very fast or resilient against those bunnies," she added. "Alright, go ahead and assign it," she instructed. After doing so, she informed him that a new ability called Hardness had been activated. "Hardness?" Podbe asked, intrigued. "Yes," Reia replied. "It’s an ability that helps you protect yourself from any kind of damage, whether it’s a blow, bullets, or fire. But since it’s level one, it only allows you to protect yourself for five minutes and consumes twenty mana points." "I see," said the dog, a little annoyed that it only lasted a short time. "Now, to reach level five, you’ll need one hundred fifty experience points," Reia explained.While they were discussing the intricacies of the system, Elena and Aiden were finishing their
Agent's Dog System 16.Something Smells Bad
Finally, they arrived at Adia’s house. They repeated the same procedure: being scanned by the dragons and other security measures. Once inside, they noticed that all the lights were off. They closed the door carefully, but someone startled them from behind. It was Adia who scolded them for arriving so late. Then, laughing softly, she said:“Of course, if I were your mother, you’d already be grounded, young man.”After their souls returned to their bodies—so to speak—Adia asked the boy how his first date had gone. Aiden replied that everything had been wonderful until an incident occurred, and the girl had to leave. Adia, who normally wasn’t nosy and didn’t care much about details, simply remarked that it was fine for a first date and that there would be another chance.“Tomorrow is another day,” she said calmly.Aiden first denied that it had been a date, somewhat flustered, but then added:“Yes, you’re right, tomorrow is another day.”She told them:“Well, go to sleep.”The boy and t
Agent's Dog System 17.Find the Path
"Something smells fishy," Maria had said. Billy, a bit nervous, replied, "It’s not me—I took a bath today." She covered his mouth with her hand and whispered for him to lower his voice. Luckily for them, the driver, Rino, had turned up the music loud. Maria whispered to him that she wasn’t referring to that; rather, she found it strange that those individuals had suddenly appeared at the orphanage door. Not even the police, busy as they were, took the time to investigate on behalf of an orphan. "I think there’s something suspicious going on," Maria said. "Good thing we got in the van—let’s see where they’re headed and what they plan to do with Aiden."The car continued its journey. Meanwhile, Lidia checked that the phones were charged, which would allow them to call Marie if needed, but she decided against it and chose to go in person without Rino noticing—he was humming along to the songs he had put on.Simultaneously, while they were heading toward the site of the train derailment,
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46.The Obsidian Knight
I will go ahead, my Lord," Sir Larot said to Zeus. The latter gave him a sign of approval, saying, "Go ahead." With an almost imperceptible movement, Larot vanished as if he were a ghost. Murmurs quickly filled the air: "Arrogant, vain, pompous," some said. However, one person remained silent. In his mind, Aragon Barns reflected: "Well, well, you have found something challenging. I sensed it too." Aragon, his only friend, mentor, and confidant, was the only one who knew who hid behind that imposing armor.In a matter of seconds, Larot arrived at the battlefield. His obsidian-black armor gleamed under the dim light, and his great sword rested majestically on his back. Before him, an immense creature roared with ferocity. Without hesitation, Larot leaped as he ran, propelling himself toward the monster with a devastating kick that struck its face directly. The beast staggered backward.The spectators watched in awe as the mysterious warrior burst onto the scene. He lande
45.The Great Beast of the Portal
The dog stood in front of the beast because, after talking with Reia and Aiden without reaching an agreement, he decided to face it to save his new friends. Podbe stood tall with every hair on end, as if every fiber of his being was ready for battle. He repeated to himself mentally: "I can do this, I must protect them, or at least try. This cannot be the end.""Don't be stubborn, Podbe," warned Reia with a tone mixed with concern and frustration. "The system itself says you don’t have the strength needed to defeat it.""We can’t lose, right, Aiden? We’re the good guys," replied the canine, activating his hardness ability as he advanced toward the beast with fierce determination."What are we going to do?" asked the frightened children, watching as the enormous beast approached with gigantic steps that made the ground tremble beneath their feet.Eduard tried to calm Adia, who had curled into a fetal position after seeing that creature emerge. As she babbled, she kept repeating: "This c
44.The Precious Stones of Power
The doctor was walking toward the portal when a hand touched him from behind. It was Swang, who also wanted to enter. They locked eyes, and without saying a word, they ran until they reached the threshold. A little shy about crossing, Swang suggested to the doctor that he take her hand. Laos, more excited about what might be on the other side, gently held her hand. Without further delay, they entered.Upon crossing to the other side, they found themselves in an awe-inspiring cave. Towering pillars of deep blue stood like celestial supports, while neon-blue lamps illuminated the walls. Ahead of them, a path snaked into the darkness. As they advanced, the candles in the area lit up automatically, casting dancing shadows on the walls. On the ground, transparent tubes carry gases of various colors, creating a hypnotic visual spectacle.When they reached the end of the cave, they spotted a large room, similar to the one they had found upon arriving through the portal. In this chamber, the
43.Neon Lights
They all continued along the path toward the last floor of this inverted tower. Upon reaching the door, they placed Dior's credential. Once again, the light on the door changed from red to green, and a click sounded, indicating that it was open and ready for them to enter.Meanwhile, on the same floor—inside the seventh floor—Doctor Laos was observing the monitors alongside his three assistants and Doctor Swang, watching the effects the substances were having on Aiden’s body. His blood pressure, neurons, and other organs, along with his immune system, were in complete turmoil, struggling to fight against them."Do you think the boy will hold up?" Swang asked Laos, naturally affirming her response. "This boy, according to the analysis, is one hundred percent an excellent test subject. One of his parents wasn’t part of my father’s experiments. He comes from the other side, the place where certain beings live. Perhaps he is one of them. In my father’s notes, I found a lot of information
42.From Cold to Fire
When the immense cloud of dust began to dissipate, the state of the battlefield became visible. What had once been a frozen garden was now transformed into chaos: melted water everywhere and small cracks on the ground forming patterns resembling the tracks of a giant bird? Everyone present was protected by a crystalline shield that Adia had summoned at the last moment, a bright and vibrant force field. She remained at the forefront, her staff firmly planted in front of her.Adia, Ezequiel, and Gat watched in disbelief as the animal had caused such devastation. Only thanks to Eduard’s insistence and the trust Adia placed in him, despite their shared past, had they managed to survive. “That was incredible,” the onlookers murmured, their voices filled with awe. But then Eduard broke the silence: “Where is the doggy, Podbe?” All they could see was the robot bird lying motionless on the ground. Suddenly, Dior emerged from the rubble, his face covered
41.Super Birdie
In that garden, those present began to thaw slowly, though they did not lose consciousness. They had been trapped in an invisible prison of ice that allowed them to observe everything happening around them but prevented them from moving or intervening. Not only were Podbe’s companions there, but also other people who had been captured by the same spell. As they felt the cold dissipate from their bodies, everyone collapsed to their knees on the ground, breathing heavily, finally freed from the frozen cage that had immobilized their hands and feet. The initial joy of being free quickly turned into terror when a metallic roar echoed through the air. Before them emerged a gigantic steel bird, with enormous wings gleaming under the dim light, legs armed with blade-like claws, a tail ending in an intimidating spiked ball, and red eyes that seemed to pierce the souls of anyone daring enough to look at it. Instead of a brain, inside the central cabin was Dior, watching them with a mocking smi
40.The Battle in the Frozen Garden
Podbe followed the path the duct had precisely set for him. Before reaching a transversal duct, a faint sound echoed in the distance. Someone was coming. Reia, ever vigilant, instructed him: "Prepare for battle." However, before Podbe could act, he recognized two familiar figures: Maria and Billy. Quickly, Reia intervened, sending a subtle touch to the dog’s nervous system, causing the children to see Podbe move comically, as if clumsily dancing on his hind legs."Why did you do that?" Podbe exclaimed, annoyed by the implied mockery. Reia replied with a playful tone: "Why didn’t you use your ability to see who was coming?"After the brief commotion, the canine approached the children, who greeted him warmly. The dog gave each of them a lick on the hand, and both hugged him tenderly. Billy broke the silence: "If you can hear me, doggy friend, can you help us free the others?" Maria added with determination: "Yes, please do it."Decisively, Podbe activated his ability. "Detective mode a
39.The Cold Route
The group arrived at the door to enter the sixth floor. They used Richi’s card to open it and stepped inside cautiously. The door closed automatically as the last of them entered. The space was vast, with an intricate labyrinth featuring five distinct paths, each flanked by what appeared to be rooms. The walls were covered in a cold, metallic material, and the air carried an indefinable yet unsettling scent, as if the very environment was warning them they didn’t belong there.Billy was the first to notice something unusual: along one of the paths came several toy fire trucks. “Look, remote-controlled cars!” he thought, immediately excited. Maria also felt a spark of curiosity as she watched them approach. However, their excitement quickly faded when the toy trucks began firing a freezing liquid. Dani reacted instantly, stepping in front of Billy and taking the hit. Before Maria could protest, Dani’s body began to crystallize into ice, his features frozen in an expression of surprise.
38.Almost There, Wait for Us
Once Don Richi was defeated, the rest of the group emerged from their hiding place thanks to Eduard signaling them with a light, turning something on and off that Lidia recognized well due to the training she was undergoing to become an agent.Everyone gathered, including Dani, who approached the motionless body of Don Richi and shouted: "That's what happens when you mess with me, ha, ha!" The others stared at him with piercing expressions, causing Dani to lower his head and mutter: "Well, they did it," before retreating behind Eduard."What’s next?" Lidia asked Eduard in a firm but calm tone.He turned to Dani and asked if they should also bring this person along. The scientist shook his head."We just need to get into the machine room that activates the door for the next level and the ID card he has," Dani explained, nervously adjusting his glasses."We saw that the door came out of that wall. The control center must be there. Quickly, look