They entered through the tunnel. It was such a narrow space that Froggy could barely fit, crawling between the two sides. Some of the dwarves with him had the same problem… having to hold their breath so their stomachs would let them pass.
The place was dark; the dwarves only carried a couple of improvised torches. As for Froggy, his glowing underwear gave off enough light for him to clearly see where he was going. And the lizard began to glow faintly in the darkness as well.
As for his weapon, it didn't shine. Froggy tried shaking it several times, attempting to turn it into some kind of cheap flashlight, but it was useless. No matter how hard he tried, the knife refused to light up. It felt strange.
—Stop. —said Twar.
Everyone halted. Another collapse blocked the way. They began passing rocks along in a line—one dwarf would lift them, pass them along, and eventually toss them aside. Froggy found them far too heavy for his liking, so he didn't help much.
Eventually, they cleared a path forward. The dwarves, however, feared what they might find in the city. What had really happened? Had a demonic army truly arrived? Even being optimistic, a conquest that fast was unlikely—unless it was something else.
Only the Demon Lord or one of his seven generals could accomplish such a feat alone, but Twar doubted they had come this far. Beings that powerful required constant energy, and the dungeon only produced enough to sustain the primordial fire guardian.
Even so, a regular army—even an elite one—could maintain a siege for an entire afternoon. But it still felt strange. They continued toward the city ruins. And when they entered, they did not find what they expected.
—T-this can't be.
The dwarves looked on in panic. It was impossible for the place to be completely destroyed. This was their home. What the hell had happened? Had everyone disappeared… or been…?
The area was almost entirely buried under dirt. The underground city of Kraft no longer had its former glory; now it was nothing but ruins covered by tons of earth, making it impossible to enter the houses—only walk over rooftops on uneven terrain.
They found no bodies, only scattered remnants of life—some buried furniture. Despair spread across their faces.
—Human, this is strange. —said Lizard.
—You think? This looks deliberate. —Froggy replied.
Lizard stretched, then climbed from Froggy's shoulder onto his head, gripping his hair.
—Move forward, mortal. —he declared.
—Do you think I'm your horse?
—You're my human. If I say walk, you walk. If I say feed me, you feed me.
—That sounds like slavery.
—Mounts don't talk. Walk.
Froggy sighed. He couldn't complain too much—Lizard was his light source, basically a living helmet with a flashlight. If he annoyed him, the creature might refuse to help out of spite. He was a tiny ball of hatred.
—Want me to show you where I used to live? —Froggy asked.
—You lived here? It suits an insignificant being.
—It's changed a bit, as you can see. Tell the dwarves we'll explore on our own.
Lizard turned to the dwarves.
—My servant says he'll take me for a walk.
Twar nodded.
—I see. Tell… Mr. Idiot we'll wait at the entrance. —the word caught in his throat for a moment before coming out.
Twar didn't feel comfortable addressing his savior that way, but if the lizard said so, it was probably true. After all, the man did seem like some eccentric exhibitionist.
Froggy raised his hand in farewell and walked across part of a collapsed roof. He nearly fell from a second story due to another collapse but managed to steady himself.
—There it is. See that big ruined house?
—Uh-huh.
—That's the one.
The building was cracked, filled with dirt. Froggy didn't hesitate and entered anyway. The interior was nearly empty, aside from some broken chairs and a plate he almost stepped on. He went down the stairs, having to jump when two steps gave way.
They reached the prison. Two empty cells stood there, their bars bent and nearly destroyed.
—What do you think, Lizard?
—Trash.
—It's not that bad. Over here should be… the cherry on top!
Froggy started digging in the right cell, in one corner, until his efforts paid off.
He pulled out a straw bed buried under dirt from the collapse.
—Now you collect garbage? I expected nothing less from you, mortal.
—You'll see, it's good.
—Trash.
—It's useful.
—System, store this.
[System Notice]
"The bed has been successfully stored."
—Now what? Going to keep digging through trash?
—Let's investigate. Maybe we'll find something useful.
Froggy left the building the same way he entered. Outside, he continued exploring, searching houses for anything valuable—but found nothing worth taking.
—You've been quiet, Lizard.
The lizard had gone silent, scanning the surroundings.
—Something feels off.
—What are you talking about?
—Don't you hear it?
—Lizard… don't tell me… are you hallucinating?
Froggy touched his forehead, checking for fever.
—What are you doing, mortal? —Lizard nearly bit his hand.
—Checking if you have a fever. Looks like you do. Hallucinating is normal.
—I am an ancient being of primordial fire! HOW DARE YOU SAY I HAVE A FEVER! I've never been sick. —he boasted proudly.
—This place feels… wrong.
—Not at all. —Lizard replied.
They kept walking, but Froggy noticed a strange sound—like footsteps. Something was moving around the corner of a house he couldn't see clearly. He approached cautiously.
—Hello?
The creature noticed him. It was some kind of dog, wrapped in flames, with liquid lava dripping from its mouth. They locked eyes.
—H-hello, doggy. —Froggy tried to sound friendly.
The knife in his hand began to glow, making the dog even more aggressive.
—We should back away… slowly, mortal… —Lizard whispered.
Froggy stepped back slowly, but the dog rose and growled, ready to pounce at any moment.
—Are you good at fighting, Lizard? —Froggy muttered.
—I am the best. —Lizard replied.
—Good.
Froggy grabbed the lizard off his head.
—WHAT ARE YOU DOING, MORTAL?!
Froggy threw him toward the dog, pointing dramatically.
—Lizard, I choose you!
The lizard rolled upon landing. Rage began to build within him—a vast rage, one that could swallow the world, the same rage that had once destroyed civilizations. Filled with power, he rose, fixed his gaze on his prey, and unleashed everything he had.
[System Notice]
"Your ally Absolute Lava Lizard Lv. 1 has used (Spark)"
A tiny flame shot from his mouth, hitting the dog's face. It shook itself.
—Feel my fury! —he shouted.
[System Notice]
[Enemy Hellhound has been injured]
[Hellhound has entered berserker mode]
The creature's eyes turned red.
—Hey, Lizard… can you do that again?
—Mortal… I'm tired… I need to recover energy… —he panted.
—Weren't you all-powerful?
—I am. —he replied while running away from the dog trying to bite his tail.
He climbed back onto Froggy, who was already running at full speed… which was extremely slow.
—Faster, mortal!
The dog stopped chasing them. Instead, it howled—a sound that echoed through the ruins. Dozens of red eyes opened in response.
The dog stood tall.
The hunt had begun.