After a full week of stealth and careful observation inside the Dog Empire's stronghold, Adolf began noticing something strange. Despite the seemingly rigid structure, unusual movements occurred at night—elite dogs coming and going through secret paths, bypassing official routes.
A heavy suspicion settled in Adolf's mind.
> "Something is going on behind the scenes," he thought.
And he knew he had to find out what.
One late night, he slipped through the shadows toward a sealed-off wing rumored to be used for elite meetings. After hours of scouring, he finally found it—a narrow air vent tucked behind a layered wall. But there was a problem…
It was too small for him to enter.
Then it struck him.
Carter's words echoed in his mind:
> "You have a temporary ability. If you focus hard enough, you can reduce your body size—entirely mental. But don't overuse it…"
Adolf closed his eyes, channeled all his focus.
First attempt—nothing.
Second—still nothing.
Third—his muscles began to twitch. A strange shiver spread across his limbs.
Moments later… he was the size of a rat.
A whispered chuckle escaped him.
> "This is insane… but useful."
He darted into the vent, creeping through rusted metal and stale air. After several tense minutes, he reached a grate overlooking a large circular chamber, dimly lit, lined with polished stone seats.
The council room of the high-ranking dogs.
He crouched low and listened.
---
The Mysterious Conversation:
- Unknown 1 (deep voice):
"The humans… their movements have unified. Their armies are organized. Worse—they no longer fear us."
- Unknown 2 (calm, mocking tone):
"So, all we've built over centuries… is now slipping through our claws?"
- Unknown 3:
"We've lost over 70% of our units in the eastern sector. Entire shelters destroyed. Humans are hunting us now."
Tension rose like steam in a boiler. Some barked for war. Others urged caution and retreat. Then—
The Leader Entered.
A voice rumbled through the room like thunder:
> "Enough."
Silence fell like a blade.
The Leader emerged—towering, cloaked in black, eyes void of emotion, face unreadable. His very presence choked the air.
> "You still don't see it.
> Humans are not the problem.
> Our mistake… was mercy.
> We gave them time.
> That ends now."
He revealed a plan—something horrifying.
A fifth-generation breed: genetically engineered hybrid dogs with high intelligence, human-like cunning, and the ability to infiltrate human societies undetected.
From his hidden vantage, Adolf's blood froze.
> "This… is worse than I imagined."
Then, he heard a sound.
Sniffing.
A soft growl.
One of the guards neared the air vent.
A faint snort—he had sensed something.