【Beginning】
It sensed something warm touching its head; the warmth lingered on its forehead before it diminished. Devoted Dog did not wake. Its paws lightly trembled, but its eyes remained closed. Suddenly, someone softly shook its tiny body, said...
- ???: ‘Sleepy fellow, my little puppy, it’s time to wake up!’
Devoted Dog casually sat up as it heard someone calling for it. It lifted up its head, gave a yawn and then opened its eyes to look around. Surrounded by nothing but dazzling white snow, it was puzzled by what had happened just now...
Devoted Dog stepped forward, a chill ran up his back from its paws as it plunged through the snow. It keenly hopped across the icy terrain, for that was its first time in snow. The biting cold did not bother Devoted Dog at all; instead, it enjoyed the snow a lot — so much so that it had not only forgotten the voice of its master who had called for it, but had also lost interest in looking for its master.
To this little creature, what laid before its eyes was a strange and unknown world that it was eager to understand. Devoted Dog roamed around on the mountain top, nibbling icy snow, touching lava rocks, yet there was so much more waiting for it to discover. Just as it was immersing itself in the pleasure of playing, it heard screams and calls for help from a short distance away...
【Before Battles】
- Traveller: I... I don’t want to die. Please let me go! I will give you whatever you want!
- Snowy Grome Leader: We want every slice of flesh on your body...!
Although Devoted Dog was young, its animal instincts told it that it had to save the man standing before it.
All demonic beasts must be vanquished, too. Therefore, it charged the gang to rescue the traveller.
【Enemy Dialog】
- Snowy Grome Leader: What the heck is this thing? I’m going to cook and eat you as well!
- The Devoted Dog: ‘I’ll do my best to stop you!’
【End】
Although Devoted Dog was smaller than the gnomes, it was more agile. Not only were they unable to hurt it, they suffered consecutive sneak attacks diminishing morale. Weaker gnomes had long fled, while their leader only stayed behind to fight the puppy to maintain its reputation. Yet, it soon realized that it was no match for Devoted Dog and escaped as well.
Devoted Dog kept barking at the shrinking silhouette of the fleeing gnome, proudly celebrating its first victory. It walked towards the travellers, checking his wounds; the traveller squatted down and stroked it to show his gratitude.
Devoted Dog accompanied the traveller downhill to prevent another attack. After they had farewelled each other, it returned to the mountain top. From that day onwards, it had helped numerous people by either leading the lost in the right direction or stopping the attacks from gnomes.
Later, tales of Devoted Dog’s good deeds spread widely through the villages nearby. By happenstance, it saved Nello, and together, they journeyed in search of both the authenticity of myths and its own mission in life...