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.

Related Chapters
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,
Latest Chapter
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
Lieutenant Paul Fernandez drove alongside his team toward the location of the orphanage where Aiden had come from. The ship that transported them landed at the designated spot. With a metallic hiss, the door opened slowly. Paul stepped out with firm strides, closely followed by a companion whose face had also been altered thanks to Lady’s advanced technology. It was a crisp morning, around ten o’clock, with a clear sky promising a sunny day.Both were dressed in outfits designed to make them look like an ordinary couple, disguised as people eager to adopt a child. Their vehicle, a modest but well-maintained blue van, stopped in front of the main entrance. Paul, who was behind the wheel, rolled down the window and addressed the gatekeeper in a friendly tone:“We’re here to complete an adoption,” he explained, though his expression quickly shifted from cordial to serious, almost irritated, when the man asked if they had an appointment.The woman, sensing Paul’s sudden change in demeanor
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
Once the quest was completed, and they had regained some composure, the team began to leave the TV set, carefully packing the machine's parts into each backpack. Mark, ever the gentleman, held the door open for everyone. The girls thanked him with smiles, and their boss, with a more affectionate gesture, pulled his cheeks while affectionately exclaiming: — "That's my Marky! A true gentleman and a sweetheart."Leila, watching the scene from behind, couldn't help but scowl and think to herself, "Sycophant."When everyone was outside, Mark closed the door behind them. Azulema, with her usual authority, gave the order: — "Onward. Let's return to the ship."—"But the ship is far away," Margaret interjected with some concern.Azulema, undeterred, responded energetically: — "Well, what better time to start our physical training than by walking there? Today I realized that we need to improve our physical condition. I know we balance it with our mental abilities, but to be complete warriors, w
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
