I missed this.
Max looked around the neighborhood, his hazel eyes following every sound and smell as he trotted happily ahead of Jeremiah along the sidewalk, his tag jiggling with every step as they went the park.
The neighbor's dogs barking, the clank of bicycle wheels, distant chatter, the chirping of birds and the smell of freshly baked bread from the bakery across the street, combined with the aroma of smoked fat and spices from the backyard four houses ahead.
"You seem excited for your walk, bud. When was the last time I took you on a walk for you to be this excited?"
Two months and a several days in human time when Alex and I were in that world. But to you, it's only a few days.
Max barked, his tail wagging as he glanced at Jeremiah, who chuckled in response before greeting some of their neighbors as they walked.
I wonder if I'll see my friends today. How will I greet them once I meet them? Should I sniff them?
Max glanced around the area, then narrowed his eyes in thought before he let out a soft whine.
No, grandpa George said it's inappropriate to sniff others.....
He paused for a second, glanced at his paws, then let out a huff and continued walking.
I'm a dog, so sniffing other dogs is appropriate. Besides, Alex said that I should behave like a normal dog, especially when it isn't just the two of us.
Jeremiah glanced at Max, watching the golden retriever tilt his head as they entered the park, wondering what's on the canine's mind.
"Yo! Jeremiah! Boi, muli bwa?" a deep, cheerful voice as footsteps approached them from behind before a chocolate brown arm wrap around Jeremiah's shoulders.
Jeremiah froze for a second at the sudden contact, his brown hair fell over his face before he adjusted his grip on Max's leash and draped his other arm around the man's shoulder, "Lusekelo, my friend! How are ya?"
Lusekelo patted Jeremiah's shoulder with a hearty laugh, "I've been alright. Just the usual with Lusunge."
Max tilted his head, listening to their conversation.
"She's still giving you an earful?"
"Obviously. She wants Mirriam to pass and get accepted at a good university to study medicine."
Jeremiah sighed, "Same with Eunhee, plus it's almost that day."
That day. From what I heard from mom Eunhee is that Alex was supposed to have an older sibling, but they were born dead after she learnt about the death of her best friend.
Max's ears drooped.
I wonder if Alex knows about this though.
"Oh, that day. How is she doing this time?"
"I could say that she has been better for two years now than the other times."
"That's good. Honestly, I can't imagine how she felt that day."
"Yeah..." Jeremiah smiled sadly, his grip on the leash tightened as they stopped walking.
Max stared at the brunette and whimpered, then opened his mouth to say something but stopped himself and growled softly at his situation.
He's a dog. Besides, what would happen if he spoke? Would.... Jeremiah treat him like how that man treated his mom?
Max trembled at the thought, digging his paws in the ground.
Don't think about it! He's different! I know he's different! I think he's different. I.... hope he's different.
Lusekelo turned his gaze to the golden retriever and removed his arm on Jeremiah's shoulders, then squirted besides Max and gently patted his head, "Cheer up, my friend. Look, even Max's feeling sad."
Jeremiah chuckled softly and knelt down, then embraced Max, "Sorry for upsetting you, bud."
Maybe he's different.
Max closed his eyes to enjoy the embrace. Suddenly, he felt the call of nature and fidgeted.
Lusekelo removed the leash and Max escaped the embrace and bolted deeper in the park, leaving Jeremiah smiling helplessly at him.
Max bypassed some of his friends, who barked to gain his attention as he zoomed by, heading to the bushes, where he began sniffing around.
No, this is Fluffy's.
Sniff.
Nah, this is Bruce's.
Sniff.
Oh, Cecilia was here recently. Maybe I'll see her here.
Sniff.
Perfect! I've found mine.
Max's tail wagged excitedly, then he turned and raised his leg to relieve himself.
Click.
That's sounds unsettlingly familiar.
The world began to shift and colours rippled until the park dissolved into orange and blue to black.
"You could've at least waited until I was done!"
"—lo?"
"...sir?"
"Hello??? Are you alright, sir?"
Max opened his eyes, his vision blurred, staring blankly at the sky as he blinked and met silver eyes gazing into his.
"Oh, you're awake. Thank the deities," said the person above him.
Max blinked, then—
"Ahhh!"
"AHHH!"
"AHHHH!!"
"AHHHH!!!"
Max crawled back and got on all fours, closing his eyes and barked aggressively at the person.
As he growled, slowly backing away, the grass irritating his skin.
'Wait, why am I cold?'
Max opened his eyes and stared at his hands before traveling to the rest of his now bare human body then meeting the gaze of the person.
"...."
"...."
"...."
"...."
"AHHHH!!!!"
Flustered, Max covered his crotch while the person covered their face and turned around.
'Now I understand why Alex screamed that day. Being a human is hard.'
"I'm so sorry!" the person yelled in embarrassment.
Max glanced at the person and saw the light coily hair tied in a puff with a colourful ribbon, the brown skin that seemed gold in the sunlight and the colourful dress with patterns of clays pots and leaves on it with a leather satchel resting against her hip.
He tilted his head, 'The dress is pretty. Good thing these human eyes can see colour because the colours are beautiful. Green, pink... I think that's teal.'
The girl took a deep breath and removed her hands, then turned back to him with her eyes closed and knelt on the grass, bowing her head, "I'm sorry."
"No, I'm sorry. My current appearance is.... inappropriate."
She opened her eyes, then reached into her satchel, her wooden beads and silver bracelets click and jingle as she took out a folded multicolored material similar to the girl's dress and gave it to him without looking his way.
Max was about to refuse it before he thought for a moment and took it, wrapping it around his waist, "Thank you."
"You're welcome, sir," she smiled brightly, then stood up and dusted off her knees, "So, how did you end up here? Were you robbed? Abandoned? Are you lost?"
"Robbed? Yes, of my time of relief. Abandoned? No, I was abducted for whole knows what reason. Lost? Yep, I don't know where I am or if my brother is here too."
The girl nodded, then her eyes widened, "Do you know anything about this world or anyone in the continent?"
He shook his head, "Do you know anyone named Alex Carter?"
"Hmmm.... Unfortunately, I don't know anyone with that name."
'Maybe he woke up in a different body again. I have to find him. I now see why he hates the system.'
"So, sir, what kind of world do you originate from?"
'Should I tell her? I know I shouldn't trust people easily, but maybe she can help me out. Should I lie or be honest?'
Bupe's eyes glowed slightly, then smiled softly, "It's okay not to answer right away, sir. You're situation is somewhat understandable."
"My name is Max, not sir."
"Oh, it's nice to meet you, Max. I'm Bupe."
"It's nice to meet you too.... Bupe."
"Sir— uh.... Max, do you at least recall where you're from or anything that happened before you ended up here?"
"No."
'Yeah, I know I was peeing before the System dognapped me and made me human before leaving me nude in a forest without a clue again. But since I'm deciding to lie for a while, I have no memory.'
Bupe looked into his eyes, studying his confused expression, then glanced around the area— at the sky, grass, trees and the bushes.
"Could he be an Anomaly?" she muttered to herself, meeting his gaze once more and said to him, "I'm from a village nearby. If it's alright with you, would you come with me? Maybe my teacher might know some things about your situation."
'Should I go with her? Sure, I'm human, but who knows what roams these places. Plus, I'm not like my cousins in the wild. Hmmm....'
"Alright."
Bupe's smile widened and turned towards the path, gesturing for Max to follow her, "Let's go."
As Max left with Bupe, the air rippled above the area he was found unconscious and the orange screen panel appeared, glitching for a few seconds, before words were displayed on it.
[Character info;
Name: Bupe Chanda
Age: 17
Height: 5'8
Weight: 160 lbs
Occupation: Healer's disciple
Ability: Empathy ————
Status: Second Main Heroine ——————]
Click.
Another panel appeared next to the orange screen— it was smaller than the first one, and blue instead of orange.
[Familiar Quest: Find Holder Candidate
—Become an apprentice and learn a skill
—Protect second heroine
—Don't get corrupted
•Duration: 9 weeks
•Rewards: Space skill
•Failure: Mental collapse]
[Holder Candidate Quest Two: Don't get expelled.
—Don't die
—Pass your exams
•Duration: 4 months
•Reward: ??? + Skill
•Failure: Losing all intelligence]