The morning sun rose gently over the Ancient Masters Village, spreading a soft golden light across the rooftops and narrow streets below.
Unlike the past few days—
There was no tension in the air.
No lingering danger.
No feeling of being watched.
Just a quiet, peaceful morning.
Shops slowly opened one by one, their wooden shutters creaking as they were lifted. Vendors began arranging their goods neatly—fresh fruits stacked in baskets, tools polished and placed in rows, fabrics hung out to catch the sunlight.
The smell of breakfast filled the air—warm bread, light spices, and freshly brewed tea.
Children walked lazily through the streets, some carrying small wooden practice swords, others simply chatting and laughing as they passed.
It was a normal day.
And for the first time in a while—
The team was part of that normalcy.
Kaelen stood quietly in front of the mission board, his eyes moving from one task to another.
His expression was calm, focused.
But not tense.
Beside him, Allan stretched his arms high above his head, letting out a long yawn.
"…I finally slept properly," he said. "I didn't even wake up once."
Kaito stood nearby, reading through the board with careful attention.
"That's because nothing attacked you in the middle of the night," he replied.
Allan gave him a flat look. "You really know how to ruin a good moment."
Kaelen almost smiled.
Ryuzen approached from behind, his steps steady as always.
"Choose a mission."
Allan stepped forward immediately.
"Something easy," he muttered. "Something peaceful… something that doesn't involve getting attacked…"
He scanned the board quickly.
Then—
"…Oh."
"A missing dog?" Allan read aloud.
Kaito leaned slightly to look.
"E-rank task," he confirmed.
Allan turned with a grin. "Perfect. We're taking this."
Ryuzen gave a short nod.
"Then move."
A short walk later, they reached a small house near the quieter part of the village.
The area was peaceful—fewer people, more space, and a calm atmosphere that matched the morning.
Allan knocked gently.
A few seconds passed.
Then the door opened.
An elderly woman stood there, her expression filled with quiet worry.
"Oh… you must be the ninjas…" she said softly.
Ryuzen nodded. "We're here about your dog."
Her face brightened slightly, though the concern remained.
"Kuro… he's been missing since yesterday," she said. "He always comes back, no matter how far he goes… but this time…"
Her voice faded slightly.
Allan stepped forward, giving a reassuring smile.
"Don't worry. We'll find him."
The woman nodded gratefully.
"He's very playful," she said. "Always running around… chasing anything that moves."
Kaito crossed his arms slightly. "Last place you saw him?"
"Near the market," she replied. "He ran off chasing a bird."
Allan chuckled. "Yeah… that sounds like trouble."
🔍 Investigation Begins
The team headed toward the market.
By now, it was fully alive with activity.
People moved in all directions.
Vendors shouted over each other.
Children ran between stalls.
Allan looked around.
"…Okay, how are we supposed to find one dog in all this?"
Kaito crouched slightly, his eyes scanning the ground.
"Start with what we know," he said calmly.
After a moment—
"There."
He pointed to the ground.
Faint paw prints.
Small.
Scattered.
But visible enough.
Kaelen nodded.
"He went this way."
They followed the trail carefully, weaving through the crowded streets.
But after a short distance—
The prints disappeared.
"…And it's gone," Allan said.
"Not gone," Kaito corrected. "Just mixed with everything else."
Allan scratched his head. "So now what?"
A small voice spoke nearby.
"I saw him!"
They turned.
A young girl stood near a fruit stall, pointing excitedly.
"The black dog! He was chasing a bird! He ran that way!"
Allan grinned. "See? Easy mission."
Kaito sighed quietly.
They followed the direction the girl pointed—
Out of the crowded market—
Toward the quieter outskirts.
The noise faded behind them.
The space opened up.
"Kuro really likes running," Allan said.
"Or getting lost," Kaito replied.
Then—
A blur of black fur shot past them.
"There!" Allan shouted.
A small dog sprinted ahead, tail wagging wildly, full of energy.
"Kuro!" Allan called.
The dog stopped for a moment.
Turned.
Looked at them.
Then barked happily—
And ran even faster.
"…You've got to be kidding me," Allan groaned.
"Don't chase directly," Kaito said quickly. "You'll just make him run more."
"Then what do we do?" Allan asked.
"Think," Kaito replied.
Kaelen didn't wait.
He moved instantly.
Allan blinked. "Wait—where are you going?!"
A second later—
Kaelen appeared ahead of Kuro.
The dog skidded slightly—
Then turned—
And ran the other way.
"…Okay, that didn't work," Allan said.
Kaito sighed. "We need coordination."
"Got it," Allan said. "You plan. I chase."
"That's not what I—"
Too late.
Allan was already running.
"Kuro! Come here!"
The dog barked happily—
And sped up again.
The next few minutes turned into complete chaos.
Allan chased Kuro in wide circles, nearly slipping twice.
Kaito tried to predict the dog's movement—but each time Kuro changed direction suddenly.
Kaelen blocked paths—but Kuro always found another way around.
At one point—
Allan tripped over a rock and landed on the ground.
"I'm fine!" he shouted quickly.
"…We can see that," Kaito replied calmly.
Kuro barked happily, almost as if enjoying the game.
Finally—
Ryuzen stepped forward.
"Enough."
His voice wasn't loud.
But it stopped everything.
He walked forward slowly.
No rushing.
No sudden movement.
Kuro stopped.
Watching him carefully.
Ryuzen crouched slightly.
Held out his hand.
"…Come."
Silence.
Then—
Kuro walked forward.
And sat.
Allan stared.
"…That's not fair."
A few minutes later—
Kuro was safely in Allan's arms.
Still wagging his tail.
Still full of energy.
"You caused way too much trouble," Allan muttered.
Kuro barked happily.
Back at the house—
The elderly woman opened the door.
Her eyes widened instantly.
"Kuro!"
The dog jumped from Allan's arms and ran to her.
She knelt down, hugging him tightly.
"Oh, you silly dog… where did you go…"
Allan smiled.
"Just doing his job—causing chaos."
She laughed softly.
"Thank you… all of you."
Ryuzen nodded.
"Mission complete."
As they walked back through the village—
The sun began to set.
The sky turned orange.
The streets slowly quieted.
Allan stretched again.
"…That was more tiring than fighting."
Kaito adjusted his posture.
"That's because you didn't think."
"All I heard was 'run'," Allan replied.
Kaelen smiled faintly.
For the first time in a while—
Everything felt simple.
No danger.
No pressure.
Just a mission.
And a playful dog named Kuro.
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