I turned around slowly—and froze.
A massive, drooling dog the size of a three story house, was staring straight at me. Its eyes glinted with animalistic hunger, fangs bared as thick strands of saliva dripped onto the ground.
Oui... I better think of something before Munchy eats me. But what? Think! Nonsense brain! Think!
My mind raced. Panic clawed at my chest, but something sparked through the fog of fear. A memory. Mr. James once showed us a whole stack of photos of Munchy growing up. Maybe...
"Ah!"
I swallowed hard, then stepped forward cautiously.
If I can convince Munchy that I'm someone familiar, someone he trusted before... maybe he won't eat me?
I wasn't sure if it would work. But—we never try, we never know.
"Oh, would you look at that. It's Munchy the Dog." I spoke in the softest, most nostalgic tone I could muster. "Look at how big you've grown. I still remember when you were just the size of my palm when you were born."
Munchy stopped growling. Its ears perked up.
I risked a glance at Angel—only to find her giggling like a mischievous imp.
Why is she laughing like that? Did I do something wrong?
I pressed on.
"I don't know what Angel fed you, but I'm glad you look so big and healthy. Mr. James misses you, too. He looks at your photos every time he feels lonely."
Munchy tilted its massive head, as if reminiscing.
"Yup. He had this whole stack of pictures—of you biting your favorite toy, Mr. Chronos Only."
Munchy's eyes sparkled. The next moment, the beast rolled onto its back and wagged its tail, exposing its soft underbelly.
A literal boss monster—asking for belly rubs.
I sat down and began rubbing, half in disbelief. Munchy barked happily.
"Arf! Huff... Huff..."
I laughed in pure relief.
Munchy seems to really like belly rubs. I did it! I'm a genius! Ouish! And the fur—it's so warm and cozy. I could do this all day.
I felt my nerves settle as I continued rubbing, my fingers sinking into soft, clean fur.
Good thing I listened to Mr. James's stories. Never thought they'd save my life.
But then—
"H-How did you do t-that?"
Angel stood still, face blank, her voice trembling. "Not fair! Not fair! NOT FAIR! Even Munchy doesn't let me touch his cute little tummy!"
I blinked.
Wait... what?
Munchy simply wagged his tail and ignored her.
I turned to Angel. "I thought you were Munchy's owner?"
"That's right!" Angel cried out, face twisted in pure frustration. "Munchy doesn't like me at all! He only liked Mr. James—sniff—and now he likes you? A venomous pest? UHUHUHUHU!"
I reached out and patted her head, trying to calm her. "Why though?"
She sniffed. "I always thought Munchy would only let his first master, Mr. James, touch him. And now—YOU—get to rub his tummy?!"
She screamed and I held Munchy closer in self-defense.
I whispered to the beast. "Why don't you let her touch your tummy?"
Munchy didn't answer. Just wagged its tail and nudged me for more rubs.
'Why do I feel like I'm forgetting something—'
"Hey, you monster!"
A voice cut through the moment like a blade.
I turned around—and there they were. The three other children who had survived up until now. Their fists clenched, but their legs shook like leaves.
"Don't think your size scares us! We're going to defeat you and become disciples of the 10 Masters!"
The other two nodded, shouting. Munchy blinked. Then shrugged.
The kids screamed and rushed forward.
—Bad move.
Munchy's tail lashed like a whip.
CRACK!
All three bodies were flung and slammed into the stone wall. Blood dripped from their mouths and noses. They slid down, unmoving.
I winced.
They're probably dead...
Angel let out an amused snort. "Pfft... They really thought they had a chance? Their stupidity is beyond my comprehension."
Then she turned to me with a sly smile. "Well, looks like you're the only one left. So... how are you going to end the game, hmm?"
I stood up and dusted off my clothes. "The end game is to defeat Munchy, right?"
Angel crossed her arms, watching me closely.
I turned to Munchy and patted his head. "Get up, Munchy. Time to go home."
Munchy groaned like a lazy dog and stood. Then, without warning—SLURP.
"Oui! I'm filled with slime again! Hahaha!"
I wiped it off and laughed, leading Munchy back into his cage.
"Bye, Munchy. I hope we can meet again."
Munchy leaned his head against the bars.
I rubbed it gently. "Yeah. I had a great time too."
With a bark—"Woof!"—Munchy shimmered and vanished into thin air.
Angel clapped dramatically. "Congratulations to our remaining survivor."
She floated beside me and poked my arm. "What's your name?"
"Oui. Llyne."
"Oui Llyne! She has passed all 3 trials, including the final one. Applause!"
I looked around. Nothing. No audience. Just silence.
I tugged on her sleeve. "Who are you talking to? There's no one here."
Angel tilted her head. "The 10 Masters, duh."
I stared blankly at the curtain behind her.
"Stop lying. The 10 Masters aren't even here. Those shadow figures behind the translucent red curtain? They're mannequins."
Angel jolted. "What?! How did you know?! You peeked while I was distracted, didn't you!?"
I shrugged. "Didn't need to. I saw how the real Masters looked back in Game One. And those behind the curtain aren't them."
Angel puffed her cheeks and stomped. "Hmph! I worked so hard on those mannequins! And one look—you saw through them! You big meanie!"
Tears welled up as she pouted like a kid losing a board game.
I panicked. "Wait, no! I didn't mean—uh... How am I supposed to apologize when it's true?!"
Angel sniffled, then tsked. "You're annoying."
She flicked her fingers—and reality twisted.
In a flash, I was back in the dungeon.
From afar, I saw Isaac, Rona and Ronald sitting together.
"Isaac! Rona! Ronald!"
I ran toward them with a grin. "I missed you all! You okay? 'Cause I'm not. I nearly got eaten by a giant dog named Munchy. But we ended up becoming best friends! Too bad the other four kids died miserably. Anyway, how were your trials?"
Isaac stared at me. "That was a very short summary for someone who went missing for six hours."
He sighed. "Anyway, I'm exhausted. Me and five other kids got chased by dinosaurs."
Rona gasped. "Waaah! Rona jealous! Isaac got free meat!"
"My trial," she continued, "was a room. No food. No water. It reminded me of my old room. I tried banging the door, but it wouldn't budge. I was so lonely."
Ronald patted her head. "So, how'd you get out?"
"I munched the door." She bared her teeth proudly. "Though it was tasteless."
We were stunned.
I rubbed her tummy and Rona giggled. "Hahaha! Stop that, Lil!"
"You ate the door?" Isaac asked.
"Is that even possible?" Ronald blinked.
I laughed. "You think you'll poop it out later?"
"THAT'S your question?!" Isaac shouted.
I nodded. "Oui. Aren't you curious?"
"NO!"
"Why are you surprised? It's Rona. She can eat anything!"
Isaac massaged his forehead. "And you don't think that's weird?"
I shook my head.
Isaac turned to Ronald. "What about you?"
Ronald yawned. "Nothing special. I just slept."
Isaac raised a brow. "That's it?"
"Oh, there were other kids. They were acting weird and all, blushing and squirming. I tried to ask them but they ignored me. I looked around but there was nothing else. So I laid down and slept."
Isaac and I exchanged a look.
His trial was probably lust-related. But since he doesn't have any lust in him...
I nodded. "Oui. They weren't expecting a teenage boy with zero hormones. Good for Ronald."
Isaac added, "That makes me less worried about him touching Rona."
Oh, Isaac... If only you knew.
I smirked. 'But if I tell him, there won't be any entertainment for me later.'
We were laughing, relaxed for the first time in hours—
Until we heard footsteps.
Step. Step.
Isaac snapped to attention. "Who are you?!"
Ronald stepped protectively in front of Rona.
Oui? Another group of children?
I moved forward, hand outstretched—toward the sound of the approaching figure.
"Llyne! Wait!" Isaac shouted.
Too late.
I reached into the darkness—and felt another hand grab mine.