The night wind in Skyhaven City was sticky, smelling of dust and sea salt.
But I didn't mind. Compared to the corpse-rot stench of the apocalypse, this smoggy industrial air smelled like the peak of the Alps.
I hid in the shadows of a dirty alley, acting like a fugitive, peeking around the corner.
Looked down at myself. Shredded suit jacket, stained with black blood and mystery sludge. Smelled sour. Hair like a bird's nest. Face probably looked like a chimney sweep's.
"Poop Scooper, what are you doing? You look suspicious."
Shadow sat at my feet, impatient. His golden fur had that "dust-repellent" mutation or something—he looked cleaner than me. majestic, even.
"Thinking about how to get home," I whispered, rubbing my hands anxiously. "Five kilometers to the rental. Walking is too tiring. Taxi... no driver will pick up a guy looking like this."
"Then commandeer one."
Shadow raised a paw, pointing at a red sports car parked nearby. "That red metal box looks decent. Chassis is a bit low, but acceptable."
I looked at the Porsche. My mouth twitched.
"Shut up. This is a society of laws. You think we're playing GTA? Robbery is illegal."
"Hassle." Shadow snorted, golden eyes full of disdain for human rules. "Humans are so dramatic. Over there, the strong just take what they want."
He looked around. "What about that two-wheeled thing? No guard."
I followed his gaze. A lonely shared bike under a streetlight.
I looked at the yellow bike. Looked at my trembling legs. Gritted my teeth.
"Fine. Better than walking."
Five minutes later.
A bizarre scene appeared on the streets of Skyhaven.
A homeless-looking man, covered in mud, pedaling a shared bike like his life depended on it. And in the front basket... sat a Shiba Inu, posture straight, expression serious.
"Slow down! It's bumpy!" Shadow clung to the basket rim, complaining via telepathy. "No shock absorbers? Did your human tech tree branch off in the wrong direction?"
"Shut up! Be grateful you're getting a ride!"
I pedaled furiously, a sour-smelling wind cutting through the bustling streets, diving into the winding alleys of the urban village.
Half an hour later.
Finally back at my rental. Sixth floor. Old building. No elevator. This place was the appendix of the city. Voice-control lights were broken. Walls plastered with ads for "Drain Cleaning" and "Rich Lady Seeking Son."
I climbed six floors like a thief, shoved the key in with shaking hands.
Click.
Door opened. Smell of dampness, moldy wallpaper, and old instant noodles. Home sweet home.
I rushed in, slammed the door, locked the deadbolt. Finally relaxed.
"Hah... alive."
Dropped the backpack. Collapsed on the floor. Didn't even take off my shoes.
Shadow hopped down lightly, judging the twenty-square-meter studio apartment. Bed. Table. Flimsy wardrobe. Corner piled with takeout boxes. My three years of "striving" in the city amounted to this.
"This is your kennel?" Shadow poked a takeout box. "Messy. Slightly better than the overturned bus, but only slightly. Poor ventilation. Bad Feng Shui. And..."
He sniffed. "Smells like poverty."
I ignored him. Too tired to argue. Man and dog passed out right there.
6:00 AM.
SLAP!
A heavy paw smacked my face.
"Wake up, Scooper." Shadow's voice boomed in my head.
I blinked, disoriented. Still seeing zombies. Then I saw the water stain on my ceiling. And a Shiba Inu standing on my chest.
"...Not a dream," I sighed, pushing his paw away.
"Obviously." Shadow hopped off the bed. "System says we have a seven-day rest period in reality. After seven days, ready or not, we get pulled back."
"Seven days?" I rubbed my temples. "Can we stay longer? Or just... not go back?"
"Sure," Shadow said, not looking back. "Just die. Then you don't have to go back."
"..."
I struggled up to wash my face. Shadow turned, golden eyes locking onto me.
"Why are you spacing out?"
BZZT. The cold electronic voice synced in our heads.
[Daily Mission: The Cultivation of an Excellent Host]
Difficulty: F (Tutorial)
Goal: Host (Shadow) must supervise Battle Pet (Victor) to complete three daily activities for mental and physical health.
Tasks:
Walk: 30+ Minutes.
Hygiene: Keep Battle Pet clean.
Diet: Provide balanced meal (Must contain meat).
Reward: Host Skill Points +2; Pet Skill Points +1.
Penalty: Energy deduction & Lv.1 Electric Shock.
I stared at the text. Mouth twitching.
"Walk the dog, eat, shower? For ME? You sure this isn't backward?? And there's a penalty??"
Shadow raised his tail, sitting elegantly. "Looks correct. It is me taking care of you."
"Could my life get any sadder? Being babysat by a dog..."
System wasn't done.
[Sync Mission: Battle Pet Obedience Training · Basic]
Goal: Complete 3 basic commands.
Tasks: Sit, Wait, Leave it.
Reward: Pet Skill Points +1.
Penalty: No food for 24 hours.
"Shadow," I pointed at myself, "You sure about who the pet is?"
Shadow: "According to the mission, undoubtedly you."
He stood up, stretched. "Let's start. Item 1."
"Item 1?" I frowned. "Don't tell me..."
[Sub-mission Start: Daily Care · Walk 30 Mins] [Note: A responsible Host must follow safety regulations. Please leash your Battle Pet.]
I froze.
"...Leash?"
Shadow looked up. "System said so."
"You're joking..."
[Warning: Failure to leash will lower rating and risk penalty.]
I watched Shadow drag a red plastic twine (from my old express packages) out of the corner. He hopped onto the shoe rack and pointed his nose at my wrist.
"System says Host must apply it personally."
I sighed. Squatted down. Tied the string around... Shadow's neck.
"Nice try," Shadow sneered. "You're the one being walked, not me."
But to avoid getting electrocuted, we compromised. Rope on his neck, but I had to follow his pace.
Five minutes later.
Morning sun in Skyhaven. Me, in wrinkled sportswear, being dragged by a dog through the neighborhood.
Neighbor grandma: "Young man... is this a new workout trend? Dog walking the human?"
Me, panting: "Have to. It's a life-or-death bond."
Shadow marched ahead, checking my distance.
"Keep up. A pace of 30 meters per minute suits your lung capacity." Like a strict gym coach.
"You're enjoying this," I grumbled.
"No, it's duty." He paused. "But it is funny."
Ten minutes in. Dignity crumbling. Shadow stopped on the curb.
[Prompt: Host please assist Pet in completing command "Sit".]
"Sit?" I frowned. "Me?!"
"Sit." Shadow turned, issuing the command.
I looked at the pedestrians. Pride stiffened my spine. "...I refuse."
[Warning: Pet refused command.] [Initiating Mild Penalty: Social Death Ringtone.]
Before I could react, my smashed phone lit up. Volume maxed out automatically.
"Woof~ Woof~ Woof~ I am a good boy~ I want a bone~"
A childish, incredibly embarrassing nursery rhyme blasted.
The whole street went quiet. A guy walking his dog stopped. His dog stopped. Both looked at me in shock. Even the falling leaves seemed to pause in awkwardness.
My face turned purple. "I... I surrender."
Shadow: "Continue training. Sit!"
I crossed my legs and sat on the pavement faster than light.
[Mission Resumed. Penalty Lifted.]
Shadow nodded. "Good boy."
Me: "..."
Half an hour later. Home. Soul crushed.
[Sub-mission 1 Complete.] [Sub-mission 2 Start: Hygiene.]
Five minutes later. Me in the bathtub. Dead inside. Shadow on the sink counter, holding the showerhead in his mouth, spraying me.
"Temp is 37 degrees. Optimal for human skin. Close eyes."
"You sure you know what you're doing?"
"System tutorial." Serious face.
"Can't I wash myself?"
"You missed a spot on your back last time." Shadow sprayed water. Shampoo smell.
Ten minutes later. Sofa. Me smelling like cheap soap. Shadow sitting opposite like a boss conducting a performance review.
"Not bad. 86.5% completion."
Me: "I won't die in the apocalypse. I'll die of embarrassment here."
Shadow yawned. "Third task."
[Sub-mission 3: Balanced Meal (Must contain meat).]
"I can't cook," Shadow said.
"Then what do we eat?" I asked.
"Mission didn't say I had to cook. Ordering takeout counts."
"A dog knows takeout?"
"Read your memory fragments." Shadow looked righteous. "Phone."
I opened the app. Shadow scanned the screen, tapped a Western restaurant. "Steak! That one!"
Price: 288 RMB.
"No money!" I refused instantly.
Shadow blinked. "What?"
"NO. MON. EY." I emphasized every syllable. "Balance is 300. That's my life savings for the week."
"Don't care. Want steak."
"Budget is 30. Take it or leave it."
[Warning! Pet must unconditionally cooperate with Host's food choice! Penalty: Shock!]
Zzzzt. Electric noise in my brain.
"I... screw you guys... rigged..."
Under the System's tyranny, I opened Alipay with tears in my eyes.
"Insufficient Balance."
Trembling, I clicked the blue icon—Huabei Credit.
Beep. Payment Successful.
Fifteen minutes later. Steak on the table. Smelling great. My heart bleeding. That was my ramen money for the week!
Shadow was happy. "Smell that! High-grade meat!" He dug in.
"Don't sulk. Eat." Shadow pushed a container with half a steak (saved for me) towards me. "Look on the bright side. We're alive. And we're eating meat."
I looked at the steak. Looked at the carefree dog. Funny and tragic.
"Thanks a lot!" I forced a smile. "Whatever. Bought it now. Might as well eat."
Took a bite.
Damn. It was delicious.
[Mission: Daily Care Complete] [Reward: Host Skill +2; Pet Skill +1.]