Hikari was stunned, letting out a surprised "Huh?!" Her expression reflected anxiety, with wide eyes and rapid breaths as she continued, "This is no joke, Hiro! That wolf can sense weakness in people's hearts and lure them to their deaths. He is a true monster."

As Hikari spoke, Ace, who was present, yawned in boredom, letting out an audible sigh. His snout opened slowly, briefly revealing the inside of his mouth. His face displayed a disinterested expression.

Hiro began to laugh, filling the air with infectious laughter. His lips curved into a warm smile, revealing white and gleaming teeth. His eyes sparkled with amusement, while small wrinkles formed at the corners, attesting to the sincerity of his laughter.

"Take it easy, calm down," said Hiro.

With a gentle gesture, Hiro lowered his shirt, exposing his chest. "See, he's now my companion. I'll keep him in line, so don't worry," Hiro said, attempting to calm Hikari.

[https://img.wattpad.com/b197b95c855e51651ffe8320efc7ef6a081de353/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f79354d3378626471396b675a77413d3d2d313335373234333835332e313736636561663734353530336532323230373734353431343430312e706e67]

Ace wagged his tails as he declared, "I would never harm anyone important to the master!"

"Well, now the peasant has found himself a dog that treats him as a 'master,'" King said mockingly.

"Don't be jealous, King, of everyone here being more attractive and better than you," Hiro retorted, deliberately trying to irritate King.

Hikari turned her back, pronouncing her words with a tone laden with disappointment and resentment. "Come on, King, it seems he doesn't need us after all," she said, heading towards the cave's exit without looking back, clearly expressing her discontent and desire to distance herself from the situation.

"Well, Ace, let's go after them," Hiro said.

"Yes, master!" Ace replied.

As they exited the cave, they noticed the twilight unfolding before their eyes. The sky was painted with a vibrant palette of golden, orange, pink, and lilac hues, blending harmoniously. Delicate clouds formed shapes, reflecting the last rays of sun that bathed the landscape. It was a spectacle that filled their hearts with admiration.

In addition to the beauty of the sunset, they also noticed that the weather had become cooler. A gentle breeze caressed their faces, bringing relief after the intense heat of the day. It was as if nature was exhaling a sigh of relief with the arrival of the night.

"This way, it won't take us long to reach the next town. Speaking of which, Hikari, what's the nearest town?" Hiro asked. "Night City," Hikari replied shortly and quickly as she climbed into the wagon with King.

Hiro climbed into the back of the wagon, accompanied by Ace, and said, "Believe me, she's not acting like herself right now. She's a good person." Upon hearing Hiro's words, Hikari's lips parted, revealing a brief smile that went unnoticed by the others.

Hikari increased the speed of the wagon and declared, ""Well, Ace, let's go after them," Hiro said. "Yes, master!" Ace replied.

As they exited the cave, they noticed the twilight unfolding before their eyes. The sky was painted with a vibrant palette of golden, orange, pink, and lilac hues, blending harmoniously. Delicate clouds formed shapes, reflecting the last rays of sun that bathed the landscape. It was a spectacle that filled their hearts with admiration.

In addition to the beauty of the sunset, they also noticed that the weather had become cooler. A gentle breeze caressed their faces, bringing relief after the intense heat of the day. It was as if nature was exhaling a sigh of relief with the arrival of the night.

"This way, it won't take us long to reach the next town. Speaking of which, Hikari, what's the nearest town?" Hiro asked. "Night City," Hikari replied shortly and quickly as she climbed into the wagon with King.

Hiro climbed into the back of the wagon, accompanied by Ace, and said, "Believe me, she's not acting like herself right now. She's a good person." Upon hearing Hiro's words, Hikari's lips parted, revealing a brief smile that went unnoticed by the others.

Hikari increased the speed of the wagon and declared, "You guys can get some rest, we won't be there until late at night." The energy of the horses was contagious, propelling the wagon along the road as the night advanced. The steady pace and gentle sway provided a conducive environment for rest, allowing Hiro, Ace, and even King to close their eyes and surrender to rest during the journey. The energy of the horses was contagious, propelling the wagon along the road as the night advanced. The steady pace and gentle sway provided a conducive environment for rest, allowing Hiro, Ace, and even King to close their eyes and surrender to rest during the journey.

"Hey, wake up. We've arrived," Hikari said as she approached the city.

Hiro, King, and Ace began to awaken and, as they stood up, they were greeted by a city immersed in a spectacle of nighttime lights. The streets were illuminated by a profusion of colorful lanterns adorning the facades of houses and extending along the main thoroughfares. A vibrant and enchanting aura permeated the surroundings, creating a breathtaking scene.

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The city's buildings, made of stone and wood, were decorated with sparkling lanterns and shimmering ribbons gently swaying in the night breeze. The rooftops of the houses were adorned with small lamps forming luminous constellations, transforming the landscape into a starry sky on solid ground.

"Hikari?! If we were only going to arrive late at night, why are there so many people out here?" Hiro said, his eyebrows slightly furrowed and his eyes fixed on the city that piqued his curiosity. His face revealed a mixture of interest and questioning as he tried to understand or decipher what was happening.

"This city is named Night City for a reason, it only operates at night!" Hikari said, enchanted by the lights.

Upon entering the city, they left the wagon and horse at the stable located at the city's entrance, taking only their belongings with them.

As Hiro, Hikari, King, and Ace walked through the streets, they could admire the diversity of colors and shades emanating from the commercial establishments. The shop windows displayed gleaming merchandise such as precious jewels, fabrics embroidered with golden threads, and magical artifacts that emitted a mesmerizing glow.

The city's nightlife was in full swing, with street performers showcasing their talents in squares and corners, engaging spectators in fascinating performances. Musicians played captivating melodies on exotic instruments, while skilled jugglers tossed luminous objects through the air, creating a spectacle of movement and light.

Cafés and bars scattered throughout the city offered outdoor seating adorned with suspended lanterns and flickering candles. The enticing aroma of delicious dishes and exotic drinks filled the air, inviting visitors to indulge in the flavors of the night.

As Hiro, Hikari, King, and Ace traversed that illuminated city, their clothes and fur were bathed in vibrant colors projected from the buildings and decorations. Smiles and laughter echoed through the streets, revealing the contagious joy of that festive and welcoming atmosphere.

"Hello, young ones! Care to step inside and take a peek?" whispered a mysterious lady standing at the door of an establishment with a provocative sign that read "50/50". Her eyes sparkled with a mix of curiosity and mischief.

Hiro, King, and Ace exchanged glances, intrigued by the tempting offer. The facade of the establishment exuded an air of mystery, with its half-opened curtains revealing a faint mist escaping outside. The soft and captivating music emanating from within further heightened the temptation.

With a mischievous smile, Hikari approached the lady and asked, "What exactly will we find inside?"

The lady tilted her head to the side, her enigmatic gaze conveying a mix of secrecy and excitement. "Ah, young one, within these walls, you will find a universe of possibilities. A unique experience where fate and fortune intertwine in a game of chance and skill. One can win big... or lose it all."

Hiro and his companions exchanged a look filled with curiosity and excitement. The invitation to enter the "50/50" sparked a spark of adventure and challenge in their hearts.

Ace, raising his ears, let out a small growl, as if sensing something hidden beyond that door. His heightened instincts warned of the presence of magic in the air.

Hiro made an impulsive and courageous decision. "Let's go in and find out what awaits us. Whatever it may be, we will face it together."

With a mixture of excitement and nervousness, they entered the "50/50". As they entered, a tall man in a suit, with a thin mustache and a top hat that read "Night City" in gold, passed by with a woman clinging to him, closing the door behind them. Hikari couldn't help but feel a shiver run down her spine witnessing that scene, a foreboding omen lingering in the air.

The interior of the establishment revealed itself to be a true labyrinth of halls and corridors, where games of chance and entertainment unfolded at every corner. Laughter, whispered voices, and the clinking of coins filled the air, creating a hypnotic and enticing atmosphere.

Hikari took advantage of a momentary pause to approach Hiro, her serious expression reflecting her concern. "Hiro, we have to be careful. Remember the money Arthur gave us for the trip? If we lose everything here, we'll be in trouble."

Hiro nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. He knew Hikari was right and that the temptation of gambling could be irresistible. With a determined look, he promised himself that he would play cautiously and responsibly.

As they explored the halls, they came across a variety of intriguing and challenging games. Card tables, wheels of fortune, dice, and other skill games were available for adventurers eager for a chance to win big.

Hiro, King, Hikari, and Ace decided to start with modest bets, sticking to their plan of not risking more than they could afford to lose. At first, luck seemed to be on their side, accumulating small victories and moments of excitement.

However, as the night progressed, a dark aura hung over the group. The vibrant and enticing atmosphere of the "50/50" began to fade, replaced by a sense of unease and despair.

The games became harder, the bets riskier. A series of unexpected losses left the group in shock. As the coins dwindled in their hands, tension grew. The money Arthur had entrusted to them was slipping through their fingers.

No matter how hard they tried to control themselves, the temptation to recover their losses became irresistible. Adrenaline took hold of them, causing them to ignore the warning from the inner voice that whispered to give up while they still had something.

In the end, the group lost everything. The fortune they had painstakingly accumulated vanished into the cruel hands of fate that awaited them at the "50/50". Hikari's face reflected devastation and disappointment, while Hiro, King, and Ace shared a sense of defeat.

They left the establishment as the sun began to rise on the horizon. The nocturnal city was now enveloped in soft shades of orange and pink, as the first rays of sunlight broke through the shadows of the night.

As they wandered through the city, affected by such a loss, they heard a woman crying loudly as she ran towards them. "Young ones... Have you seen... my... daughter... we were supposed to meet at the tavern 'BERE' before dawn."

Abruptly, the lady shoved an image in Hiro's face and said, "She... looks like this."

Hiro took the image and noticed that the lady's daughter was the woman he saw leaving with that mysterious man. "Ma'am, I saw your daughter leaving with a tall man in a suit, with a thin mustache and a top hat that read 'Night City' in gold."

"YOU'RE LYING! I WAS WITH THE CITY'S CHIEF IN A TAVERN ALL NIGHT. IT'S IMPOSSIBLE FOR IT TO BE HIM!" The woman said sharply as she snatched the image of her daughter back.

Unable to make sense of it all, Hiro, Hikari, King, and Ace, who were too tired and disappointed to seek answers, returned to their carriage to get some sleep as they didn't have money for a room.

Will our heroes manage to regain their honor after such a defeat? And how did the man with the top hat end up with that lady?