They entered through the tunnel. It was narrow, forcing Froggy to squeeze through little by little, scraping along the sides. Some of the dwarves behind him had the same problem—especially because of their width…
The place was dark. They only had a couple of makeshift torches and the glow coming from the lizard. To Froggy's surprise—or maybe misfortune—the knife hadn't shone for a while. It felt nice, somehow, but also strange. It was his weapon, after all. He'd look into it later.
Twar: Stop.
Everyone froze.
Another blockage.
They began clearing rocks one by one, slowly trying to open a path inward. With every bit of progress, the dwarves' anxiety grew. Twar looked especially shaken.
He had left the city, traveled only a few kilometers, and when he returned… everything was ruined.
What had happened?
Had a demon army truly arrived?
Even being optimistic, there was no way the city could have fallen so quickly. If the Demon Lord himself had come, that would be another matter.
But the doubt remained.
At last, traces of what had once been the city came into view. The cavern widened slightly, opening into a larger area. More than half the city was completely buried in earth, with shattered sections that looked like ruins abandoned for centuries.
Twar: N-no way…
The other dwarves stared in the same disbelief.
Impossible.
This had been their home.
The tavern district was completely crushed beneath a collapsed ceiling. They climbed over the rubble, searching desperately for survivors.
They found nothing.
No bodies. No clothes. Nothing that proved life had ever existed there.
Despair nearly swallowed them whole.
Lizard: Human… this is strange.
Froggy: It is… We need to keep looking.
The lizard simply adjusted himself. He had climbed onto Froggy's head, both paws resting on his forehead.
Lizard: Move, mortal.
Froggy: So now I'm your horse?
Lizard: Mounts do not speak. Move.
Froggy sighed.
The lizard was their only real light source. He couldn't exactly tell him to get down and risk annoying him again.
Then again… would it matter?
Froggy: I'll show you where I used to live.
Lizard: You lived in this disaster? Very fitting for your style.
Froggy: It's changed a little. Tell the dwarves we're going to scout ahead.
The lizard turned toward them.
Lizard (translating): My servant says he shall carry me on a pleasant walk.
Twar nodded.
Twar: Understood… Lord Idiot.
The word stuck in his throat for a second. It felt wrong saying it—but the man had asked for it.
They had no choice but to accept it.
Froggy raised a hand behind his back in a noble farewell.
Froggy: Such polite dwarves.
Lizard: Mere mortals.
Froggy: Yeah, yeah. Sure.
They moved ahead, climbing a hill of dirt formed from the collapsed ceiling. A moment later, from the top, Froggy looked up and saw it.
Froggy: There it is.
Lizard: Hm.
The building was cracked, with sections missing where the roof had once stood. Just empty space now. A couple of broken chairs. Nothing else.
The decorations were gone.
Everything had changed.
They descended a staircase and reached the place.
Two empty cells.
The bars were bent from the collapse.
Froggy: What do you think, Lizard?
Lizard: Trash.
Froggy: It's not that bad. Look—here's the best part.
Froggy stepped into one of the cells and began digging with his hands. Something slowly came into view.
Lizard: Why are you searching through garbage? You've sunk low, mortal.
Froggy looked up.
Froggy: Wait. You'll see.
Finally, he pulled it free.
A small straw bed, dirty and damaged.
Froggy: A bed.
Lizard: Trash.
Froggy: Very useful.
He shook it off, then straightened it proudly.
Froggy: System, store this.
[SYSTEM NOTICE]
"Bed stored successfully."
Lizard: Now what? More digging through ruins?
Froggy: Let's investigate a bit more.
He kept exploring the city, entering houses and checking for anything useful.
He found nothing.
Froggy: Hey… you've been quiet.
The lizard had gone silent for a while, head raised.
Lizard: Something feels wrong.
Froggy: What are you talking about?
Lizard: Don't you hear it?
Froggy: Hear what? You're imagining things.
Lizard: What are you implying, MORTAL?
Froggy: I don't know… maybe… you're scared?
Lizard: HOW DARE YOU THINK THAT?! An ancient being such as I has never known fear!
The lizard slapped a paw dramatically against his chest.
Froggy: This place is kind of creepy, though.
Lizard: Not at all.
Froggy kept walking.
Then this time… he heard it too.
Something beyond the corner house.
Footsteps.
Maybe the dwarves.
Froggy: Hello?
He peeked around the corner.
No dwarves.
Only a creature with lava dripping from its jaws.
It looked like some kind of canine lizard.
Like… a dog?
Froggy: H-hi there… doggy.
The knife in his hand began to glow again.
Lizard: We need to back away. Slowly.
Froggy stepped backward carefully.
But the beast rose and growled.
Ready to pounce.
Froggy: Hey… are you any good at fighting?
Lizard: Who do you think I am?
Froggy: Good.
He grabbed the lizard.
Lizard: HEY, MORTAL, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!
Froggy threw him.
Froggy: Lizard, I choose you!
The lizard hit the ground and rolled once.
He felt the rage rising inside him.
That ancient rage.
The fury that once melted civilizations.
Filled with power, he rose, stared at his prey… and unleashed his wrath.
[SYSTEM NOTICE]
"Your ally Absolute Lava Lizard Lv.1 has cast (Spark)."
The lizard spat a tiny burst of flame straight into the dog's face.
It shook violently.
Lizard: FEEL MY WRATH!
[SYSTEM NOTICE]
"Enemy Hellhound has taken damage."
"Hellhound has entered Berserk Mode."
The beast's eyes turned red.
Froggy: Hey, Lizard… can you do that again?
Lizard: I am exhausted, mortal… I require recovery.
Froggy: Weren't you all-powerful?
Lizard: SILENCE!
The lizard sprinted back and climbed onto Froggy.
Froggy wasted no time.
He ran with all his strength…
At a very slow pace.
Lizard: FASTER, MORTAL!
The dog didn't chase them.
Instead, it howled.
The sound echoed through the cavern.
Alerting the dwarves.
Then dozens of red eyes opened in the darkness.
And the hound stood tall.
The chase had begun.