Wasn’t it dead? It had to be dead, I’d received the notification, plus experience. Or was this a robot thing? Maybe the boss had a self-destruct function—in which case, I needed to shield Zapper and Riley as much as I could.

I could withstand another death today.

Just as I had this thought, the glow ceased. In the course of three heartbeats, the robot split in half like an enormous egg, and something pulled itself from the wreckage. Another robot, much smaller than the mecha-dog had been, but somehow more sinister looking, all sleek black metal and glowing cables.

[Wha—] I caught myself before I could start gaping. Whatever this thing was, it was clearly a threat. I just needed to see the system description, and by then my Claw Slash should be off cooldown.

Easy, or so I thought. Right until the dog disappeared.

One moment, it was standing atop its slain parent. The next, it was slightly behind me.

[How in the name of dog—?] I turned. Or tried to.

Pain coursed through my body, every muscle on fire. I glanced down and saw a perfectly circular hole going through my chest, the fur at the edges sizzling slightly. There wasn’t a drop of blood though, so the wound couldn’t have been that severe. So then why couldn’t I move?

I was still puzzling that out when I died.

----------------------------------------

Triple Chance Dog Tag has activated automatically. Remaining uses = 0. This ability will reset at midnight.

What the heck? How had that happened? I spun about as I reformed, too focused on putting the pieces together to be bothered by the rippling pain as my muscles regrew for the second time in the last ten minutes. I was confused.

More importantly, I was angry.

How dare this other mechanical dog just show up like that, after I had gone to such an effort to beat down the first one! Didn’t a guy deserve a chance for a little victory lap before being thrust back into battle?

Apparently, that wasn’t how it worked with these uniques. Suddenly I regretted not taking the time for the tutorial. It probably would have been mostly useless, but even a tidbit of information would have been appreciated about now!

A scream drew my attention. Riley!

I swung my head around, and located the rubble pile where she and Zapper were hiding. The mechanical dog was hovering near the entrance, slamming into it again and again. Clouds of dust rose into the air with each strike, followed by another of Riley’s screams. It didn’t appear the pile could take much more.

And it was at that moment the system finally chimed ever so helpfully in, blocking my vision and preventing me from seeing the monster—and more importantly, the pile of rubble it was attacking. Grrr!

Rymyshikyr the Giga-Pup, Bringer of Thunder (Rank 1)

Level 15

Boss, Unique

What comes after the lightning? Thunder! And let me tell you, does Rymyshikyr bring it.

Don’t bother trying to pronounce that name out loud—there’s a reason we went with written text for CGI’s interface system. Our design team was told to create a monster with a ‘vaguely viking-sounding name’, so they painstakingly combed through hundreds of historical documents before finally throwing all that data out and just mashing together a bunch of letters to approximate something culturally appropriate.

Since you’ve defeated Argyr, you know about its three attacks. Well, this particularly puppy—

I shook my head, dispelling the rest of the message. There’s wasn’t time right now, not with my companions in imminent danger! Without a moment’s hesitation, I charged.

My legs tore across the ground faster than I would have thought possible, likely thanks to my boosted Speed, and then the monster’s flank was in my vision. I leapt into the air, Claw Slash swinging down to hobble the robotic beast.

And the darn thing dodged my attack.

Whatever my own speed had risen to thanks to Limber, this monster far outstripped it. I only barely managed to catch the way it flowed around my claws, there one second and gone the next.

Then it retaliated, and it was my turn to be the one who just barely managed to dodge.

Fortunately, this time I got a better look at what it could do. The front of the giga-pup opened only a nano-second before an immense spear launched out, one that appeared to be made entirely of smoke and shadows. With an echoing crack it scorched the ground behind me. I almost collapsed, caught myself, and launched forward again.

This time, my Claw Slash found sweet, sweet metal beneath it to rend.

Which it didn’t do, as my claws simply scraped along the metal, scoring it with a trio of large gashes but otherwise leaving the monster unharmed.

What the dippity-doo-darn hecking heck? Seriously?

Warning: Piercing Claw Slash is ineffective against Rank 1 and above targets.

Oh. Greeeeaaaat. Seems I’d need to think outside the box on this one.

I leapt away from the monster, dropping a static field between us—most my earlier ones were still about twenty feet behind me, but I figured at least one or two must have expired thanks to Argyr. Seemed luck was on my side.

[Zapper! I need you!]

[Coming, Boss!] The little dog burst from the hole, snapping at the giga-pup’s hind leg as he passed. The monster turned and launched another shadow bolt at Zapper, but his Fast Twist pulled him easily out of harm’s way, just as I’d suspected it might. Good. We could use that to our advantage.

Not slowing in the slightest as his ability shifted his position several feet to one side, Zapper dove straight into my static field, popping out the other side unharmed. Okay, I’d also suspected that would prove true, but good to have it confirmed.

The monster, Rymsha—Rhyms—Rhys—you know what, it doesn’t matter. The giga-pup slowed to a halt, tilting its head to stare at my static field. Then it turned and loped back towards the rubble pile.

Interesting. Could it not see us through the field, or was it afraid of what damage it might suffer passing through?

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

I turned and did a quick count. Including the field I’d just created, three others remained. So with myself, Zapper, and two fields, what could we do?

Not much, not if my claws couldn’t penetrate the beast’s metal plating. But my claws weren’t my only resource.

[What’s the plan, Boss?] Zapper asked.

[I’m still formulating it,] I said, opening my inventory and starting to dig around. Yes, there it was. That just might work. [I need to see if my fields do any damage to this monster. If so, we can try to force it into several of them to weaken it. Regardless, we need to pull it away from Riley.]

[Want me to use my skill?]

[Not right now. Save it in case it looks like the monster is about to get the drop on me. I’m out of resurrections—] Joy, another system provided word. I could dwell on it later. [—so, if he hits me even once, I’m dead. Be sure to also keep count of your remaining twitches.]

[Okay!]

I glanced over and saw the giga-pup was once again trying to force its way into the rubble. Riley squealed in terror. [Start laying down fire with your boots when I give the signal. Now go!]

The dog barked and leapt towards the barrier. He hit the invisible forcefield, sparks of gold rippling out from him, and started running up its surface towards the roof. I watched him go, marveling at the usefulness of that particular ability.

Shortly after our post-Crunch reunion, Zapper had shown me the items he’d gotten from his loot boxes, the treasure I’d missed out on while having that last heart-to-heart with our former leader before he went full Cujo. Amongst the mostly useless items was one of particular note. A pair of bracers.

Spider Bracers

Level 8

Spider-Dog, Spider-Dog, does whatever a—okay, yeah, that’s all we can use before our lawyers start getting angry. Sufficed to say, though, you’ll be feeling like you’re half-spider while wearing these bracers. Not only do they provide a +8 to both Speed and Agility, but they also give you the ability to stick to most surfaces.

Note: This is a two-legged (pawed) weapon.

I left Zapper to rain fiery doom down from the ceiling and dove through my field. Pushing through the other side I dropped a second one right at the rubble’s opening—and on top of the giga-pup.

As the second the static field appeared, the monster leapt back, its unnatural speed carrying it out of harm’s way almost instantly. It glanced about as I pulled back inside the field but didn’t appear to notice me.

Alright, so it seemed the fields provided a space for protection. On the other hand, I hadn’t noticed the static field doing anything to the monster for the brief moment he was inside. Between that and how fast he moved anyway, I couldn’t count on them to do significant damage.

But the field I’d dropped should at least keep the giga-pup from attacking Riley further. Now I just needed to lead it away.

[Zapper! Start driving him towards the other fields!] I didn’t wait to hear his confirming back but broke from my hiding spot and dashed across the open square.

However, it seemed my concerns about driving the boss onward were pointless. I was only halfway across the field when I heard the grinding of gears behind me. Glancing back, I saw the monster was following me, fast. The distance between us was being eaten away in seconds.

My legs pumped faster, but there was no way I’d reached the fields in time, and I was still too close to Riley to attempt my plan.

I’d been hoping to save it, but without a better choice I dropped my final field directly behind me.

The monster immediately swerved to the side. My elation lasted for bare seconds as it curved around the field’s edge and continued pursuing me, faster than before. Whatever distance advantage I’d gained was lost almost instantly.

Then a line of fire dropped from the sky between me and the boss. Giga-pup stumbled to a halt.

[Thanks, Zapper!] I called, taking off running again. My fields were just ahead, so with a last burst of speed, I dove into one, sliding to a halt and spinning around.

The giga-pup was about ten feet behind me, glaring up at the ceiling, the line of fire now behind him. He paced back and forth a moment, his movements slower than before. Zapper must have used his skill as well to buy me some more time. Good dog.

As I watched, he launched a spear upward. There was a flicker of sudden movement as Zapper’s Fast Twitch pulled him out of harm’s way. Even the boss’s speed couldn’t compete with that ridiculously overpowered skill.

Alright, I needed to move again while the boss was distracted. Ducking out of the field, I opened my inventory and grabbed what I needed. Then I turned back towards the monster.

And barked.

It spun instantly in my direction, moving fast, despite Zapper’s slowdown effect. I allowed myself a quick tail wag of happiness. Then I activated my bracelet.

In the blink of an eye, I’d been hurled twenty feet back, leaving an imperfect replica in my place. While I’d never really worried about whether or not a monster fell for the bracelet’s secondary effect in the past, today I offered up a prayer to whatever canine deity might be listening that it would succeed.

Then a black spear burst through my simulacra’s chest, scraping the ground to come to a stop at my feet. That was all I needed to see. I turned and ran.

Not away from the monster though. Around, back towards Riley.

As I passed the monster, I glanced back. Sure enough, since his spear had ‘failed’ to kill me, he’d launched forward with that close range attack of his. I wasn’t sure what it was exactly, but it left a tube of glowing heat in the air through the fake me, causing the image to shimmer and start to break up. The giga-pup turned and watched as I disappeared, tilting its head in a perfect imitation of doggish confusion.

Then the trip mine I’d attached to a nearby piece of rubble went off in a fiery explosion.

In the days since my battle with the goblins, I’d debated on a half-dozen occasions whether to use the last of my bombs, but I’d always managed to find other ways out of a situation. Now here, I only hoped that one would be enough.

Actually, scratch that. As I saw the ball of fire rushing towards me, I hoped that it wouldn’t be too much.

The invisible wall of the arena was just ahead, so I instead dove through my static field and into the crevice where Riley was hiding. The little girl squealed as I slammed into her, but I ignored the cries and covered her with my furry mass, hoping that the explosion couldn’t get us here.

There was a slight bit of heat against my back, but that was all. A moment later it passed, and I uncovered the human.

[Zapper?] I called, moving to the crevice’s opening. [Are you still alive?]

I’d warned the little dog to get far away once he saw me activate my bracelet, but there was always a chance he missed it during the fracas.

So I waited, holding my breath. A moment later a call came from across the rubble-and-flame strewn field. [I’m okay, Boss!]

[Can you see the monster? Is it dead?] I asked, letting out a sigh of relief. Now that I knew we were all okay, the next priority was ensuring we’d finished this matter sufficiently.

[I don’t... wait! I think so!]

At that same moment, several messages flashed in my vision.

You have defeated: Rymyshikyr the Giga-Pup, Bringer of Thunder (Rank 1) — Level 15

700 XP and 1 Rare Core awarded.

You have defeated a unique entity! A bonus of 1,500 XP and a legendary loot box has been awarded.

I nodded absently at the messages at first. It appeared we’d finally dealt a fatal blow to the boss. I still didn’t know why it had the back-to-back fights, but maybe that was just an aspect of uniques.

Then the rest of the message sunk in.

Another rare core, and what’s more a legendary box? I recalled the tutorials saying those were only awarded in special circumstances.

I guess this counted as one?

Whatever. I could investigate the situation later. We’d beaten the monster, and everyone had survived. Now to get out of here and find shelter.

As Riley and I emerged from the crevice, Zapper dropped from the ceiling right at our feet. Dang him and his crazy-high Agility. [I can’t find the boss monster, Boss, but there’s a smoking crater over there if you want to check it out!]

[Later, Zapper. Right now let’s just head back once the barrier drops.]

[Yeah, Boss, about that...]

Smoke had been swirling around us, but the next moment it cleared enough that I could see back towards the exit. Or what I had thought would be the exit.

The sphere of the instance zone was visible now. No longer simply ripples of gold, it had transformed to an opaque golden dome that glowed with its own internal light.

And superimposed onto the dome were hundreds, possibly thousands of arrows, all pointing towards a point hidden by the smoke.

[What does it mean?] Zapper asked.

I had a sinking feeling inside of me. [It means whoever sent out the call still wants something. We’re not out of the woods yet.]

We talked over possibilities for a few minutes, and I even attempted to carve a way out through the instance barrier with my claws, all to no effect. In the end, we set off in the direction the arrows were pointing.

Towards CGI headquarters.

I’d been hoping my suspicions were wrong, but as we got closer, I saw that the edges of the dome terminated around the building’s entrance. Its doors were sealed, but opened automatically as we approached.

[Are you sure we want to go in there, Boss?] Zapper looked uncharacteristically nervous. Even Riley was hanging back, tugging at my fur so fiercely it hurt.

[No, Zapper, I’m not sure. I’m not sure of anything. But we’re going in there anyway.]

Slowly and hesitantly, we stepped into a clean, white-walled business lobby. Leather chairs lined either side, and a receptionist’s desk stood near the back with an enormous television monitor covering most of the wall behind it. The monitor was currently dark, and the receptionist’s desk was empty. In fact, the entire lobby appeared deserted. It seemed safe enough.

No sooner did my paws cross the threshold than another message appeared in my vision.

You have now entered the dungeon: CGI — Oakland Branch

[Yep,] I said, my sinking feeling growing tenfold. [We’re definitely not out of the woods yet.]