Shrrp, Shrrrp.
The sound of footsteps crunching over dry branches and leaves sounded softly as Diablo and Void made their way through the tall trees. Void turned toward Diablo.
"Man, why are we going this way? I hope this'll be safe for my pet." He noticed how deserted this place looked—very different from what he had expected. For a little pet, this place looked more like somewhere his pet could serve as a sandwich for the wild.
"Oh really? If you have a better place, then go there, dude," Diablo spoke in a quiet tone. As Void fell silent, Diablo added, "Yeah, this is my special spot. You're lucky I'm even taking you here. You owe me one," he said. "Now shut up."
Void smirked and nodded. "Ooh, taking the upper hand 'cause you know I have no backup, right?"
Diablo chuckled softly, shaking his head.
Then Void asked, "You're not a snitch, right?"
Diablo raised an eyebrow. "If I was, you think I'd still be stuck at the lowest rank?"
No one needed to explain to Void what Diablo really meant by that. Void just coughed and shook his head. "Man, stop speaking in parables. I don't f*ck with that."
Diablo smirked, but Void's tone grew serious. "You're the only one who knows about my hidden ability."
Diablo glanced at him. "Not to cross a line, but… why were you transferred here?"
As soon as the words left Diablo's mouth, Void stiffened. The air thickened with tension. Diablo quickly shook his head.
"No harm, man. No harm," he said, trying to smooth things over. But he knew he had touched something raw. His eyes flickered downward, catching the way Void's fingers moved sharply before turning normal—like he was reaching inside himself and pulling something back out. Definitely a sensitive topic.
And Diablo loved that.
"Maybe I could dig more into it," he thought to himself.
Better mind your business, Diablo's inner voice warned him. Or you'll dig yourself a coffin hole—and fall right in.
'Nice,I smell death'
They finally made it to a small clearing tucked into the grass. Diablo spoke softly, almost in a whisper, "Ellie."
The leaves rustled before Void's eyes widened as he stared at the creature stepping out—a small, ink-black dragon. With wide eyes, he turned to Diablo, clearly needing an explanation.
"Bro… bro," he said,as Diablo turned to him.
"Bro what?" Diablo asked with a raised brow.
"Weren't you the one who said pets weren't allowed? And what the f*ck is a dragon doing here? A dragon, bro?" Void's voice rose. "What in your sane mind are you thinking, bro? Isn't this—this—banned? In our country, a dragon is a forbidden animal!"
It was common knowledge: dragons were seized by the government, nearly extinct, because their bones were worth trillions of dollars. In fact, the reason their country's stability was so high was because they sold dragon bones. The only reason their country could stand on its own was because they were rich—they could sell bones, and wherever a dragon was found, death followed.
And money was abundant.
If a dragon was found by a commoner, it was reported immediately. If you reported it, you'd be rewarded greatly—your name would be posted in the museum. On the museum's main house. The presidential house. Anyone who passed by would see the list of honored people—the favorites of the nation.
From that day on, you would have generational wealth—meaning no matter what, your bloodline could never be considered poor.
And here this guy was—with a little dragon.
The most wanted one..a black dragon'
Void raised his brow. Then Diablo turned to him.
"You're not a snitch, are you?"
Void fell silent. He realized Diablo had just used his own words against him.
Then Diablo spoke again. "Would you bring your pet or not?"
Their lives were both on the line now.
Just as reporting it brings generational wealth, hiding or keeping it to yourself brings a generational curse—you would be jailed and tortured till death. That was how brutal it was.
Void finally spoke calmly, "Jimmy."
Void then turned as Diablo quietly spoke, gently patting the black dragon's head and running his hand down her scales.
"Ellie," he said softly, "you have a new friend. If he comes, be nice, okay?"
The dragon shifted her body and let out a low growl.
"Nice one, Ellie. You'll get a treat," he added quietly, patting her head again.
The dragon wagged her small—not too long—tail, and Diablo chuckled, shaking his head.
Void stood in silence, almost in shock.
Then, suddenly, a little, small, tiny—teeny-tiny—wolf popped out of Void's pocket.
Void broke the silence. "Hope your Ellie stays a good girl. I wouldn't want to come back and find pieces of my wolf's fur on the floor."
Diablo shook his head. "Oh please, give me a break. Ellie doesn't eat prematures."
Void's eyes widened just as Diablo began to laugh. This time, it was his turn to enjoy the moment.
"Oh, funny. Very funny, man," Void muttered with a deep frown.
Diablo continued laughing as the tiny wolf fully stepped out. Then void turned to him.
"Could you simply explain yourself, mister?" he asked. "Having an animal… In fact, pets is against the rules, you say? The worst part is that they aren't even allowed in our legion. Talk less of a dragon! It's considered illegal unless handled by someone from the government."
And here they were—both literally putting their lives on the line.
Like some..'Buy one get one free ice cream"
In fact, at this point, Void's case was different. Diablo was in an even worse situation.
Diablo rolled his eyes. "Save the speech for your funeral letter, man. You brought a pet, so don't act like an angel."
Then Diablo bent down, speaking to Ellie again, her green eyes looking at him, her head tilting slightly.
"Remember… teach," he said. "Guide him." He motioned.
He turned back to Void. "Hope your wolf's got some sense in him. Ellie's gotta teach him how not to come out when soldiers are passing—and not to come out unless we call."
Void looked at him, confidence in his voice. "Of course, my wolf is a smart one."
Diablo rolled his eyes. "Okay, at least he's not as dumb as you."
"Says the one with a lucky rock," Void grinned.
Then Void chuckled before sitting down quietly on the rough grass. Diablo sat as well, dusting his hands as he settled in.
Then Void spoke, "Here I was thinking I was the only one sneaking in a pet… not knowing I've got the Master of Dragon as a tentmate huh."
Diablo turned to him. "Man, if you wanna be a comedian, at least try harder."
Void chuckled again, shaking his head.
But before they knew it—
"What are you two doing there?"
Diablo's body went still.
They both froze immediately.
If he wasn't mistaken… that was the Commander's voice.
Just what the hell was this jobless man doing here?