Boom! The thick solid-wood door shattered under the impact, and the Magic Runes that had appeared on it broke apart as well.
Alrian the Military Dog whimpered and darted through the broken doorway. While everyone was stunned, he fled.
Once outside, Alrian looked back. At that moment, a deafening explosion erupted from an upstairs window. Fire engulfed the room where Levitta had been, killing everyone who had rushed in.
A sly, almost human smile spread across Alrian's canine face. "That should buy us a little more time." Then he raced into a nearby dark alley.
Before long, four tall figures in black hooded robes appeared where Alrian had stood.
One of them worked a device in his hands, then said coldly, "Sir, Levitta's mark has disappeared." He looked toward the mansion burning fiercely nearby—Levitta's home.
"Alrian's mark is still there. Find him," the hooded figure addressed as "sir" said coldly. "And report what happened here to Lord Number Zero."
"Yes!" As he answered, the man rapidly worked the device, its keys clattering beneath his fingers.
Alrian ran as fast as he could. It felt like being young again, when he had been selected for the War Dog Camp. He had to run faster, react quicker, endure longer, be smarter... Those who failed had no reason to live. Only the dogs that lasted to the end survived. He remembered running with all his might, the wind rushing past his ears, overtaking every other dog. In the end, he had become an outstanding Military Dog and been sent to the battlefield.
But since coming to Levitta's side, he had not run like this in a long time. Kept in estates and mansions, fed prime beef and fresh milk, he had lost his freedom.
As a Military Dog who had seen the horrors