(Next Morning)
Elio was sleeping soundly, peacefully—like drifting atop clouds high in the sky.
After yesterday's absurd, reality-breaking events, he deserved proper rest.
Unfortunately, peace has a terrible habit of expiring.
"Beep! Beep! Beep!"
"Ugh… five more minutes…" he mumbled, eyes barely opening as he fumbled for his phone and silenced the alarm.
He blinked at the screen.
5:31 A.M.
"Yawn… Sunday. Church day."
Early. Painfully early.
Still half-asleep, he began his usual routine—morning prayer, light stretches, making his bed with practiced efficiency. Habit grounded him. Routine kept things normal.
And he desperately needed normal.
After tidying up, he shuffled toward the kitchen to prepare breakfast.
That was when something dashed across his vision.
No—someone.
A small black-and-white blur skidded to a stop directly in front of him.
Elio blinked.
A Boston Terrier.
The dog barked sharply, impatiently, staring up at him with sharp, intelligent eyes.
"Bark! Bark!"
(About time you woke up. I'm starving.)
Elio froze.
"…I understood that."
The dog barked again, louder.
"Bark!"
(Yeah? Then move it, human. Food.)
Elio stared at him for three full seconds before rubbing his face.
"Right. Of course. Multiverse. Familiar. Talking dog. Perfectly normal Sunday."
He sighed and opened the fridge.
"Alright, alright. I'm making breakfast."
The Boston Terrier huffed, sitting down but keeping his gaze sharp and suspicious.
Despite his small size, there was something undeniably sharp about him—calculating. Alert. Proud.
And underneath that bravado… confusion.
The dog remembered dying.
Which was deeply concerning.
But to understand how a notoriously ill-tempered Boston Terrier ended up in Elio's apartment, we have to rewind to last night.
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(Flashback – Yesterday Night)
"Okay… maybe I should've used the coupon in the bedroom instead of the living room," Elio muttered.
The blinding light from the previous summon had nearly given him a heart attack. If the neighbors had seen that flash through the curtains, he would've needed more than excuses.
Thankfully, most of the building had been quiet.
He stepped into his bedroom, closing the door firmly behind him.
In his hand rested the red-and-gold cross.
The Bakal na Krus.
Not just any cross—but the sacred weapon wielded by Juan dela Cruz.
Elio stared at it with a mixture of nostalgia and disbelief.
"I can't believe I actually got this…"
The cross looked ordinary—simple, unassuming. But he knew better.
It could transform into multiple weapon forms—each tied to a specific virtue. To unlock them, the wielder had to fully understand and embody that virtue.He had tried earlier.
Nothing happened.
"Guess I'm not enlightened enough yet."
Still, even in its base form, it was priceless.
He carefully placed it inside his drawer.
"Alright… last coupon."
He opened his phone.
[Do you wish to use the Random Familiar Coupon?]
"Yes."
[Congratulations! You have obtained the familiar: Iggy.]
[Iggy: A scrappy, fiercely independent Boston Terrier, Iggy is an aloof and stubborn companion whose antisocial attitude hides sharp instincts and unexpected loyalty. Despite his small size, he excels in scouting and combat support, relying on cunning tactics and survival smarts. Through his Stand, The Fool, he manipulates sand to create weapons, shields, traps, and even wings for mobility, allowing him to control the battlefield with versatile offense and defense. Unpredictable yet brave when it counts, Iggy is a tactical and resilient familiar who thrives in dangerous situations.]
A blinding light erupted once more—this time contained safely within his closed room.
When the light faded—
A Boston Terrier lay on his bed.
The dog's eyes snapped open instantly.
He looked around.
Looked at his paws.
Then stiffened.
"Bark?!"
(…I should be dead.)
His head whipped around wildly.
"Bark! Bark!"
(Is this another enemy Stand?!)
Elio blinked.
"…Oh no."
The dog's gaze locked onto him immediately.
And just like that—
The air shifted.
The Boston Terrier stood, low to the ground, teeth bared, muscles tense.
Small.
But absolutely ready to throw hands.
"Bark! Bark! Bark!"
(You. Talk. Now. Where am I?)
Elio raised both hands.
"Easy! Easy! I mean no harm!"
The dog snarled louder.
"Bark!"
(You dragged me here, didn't you? This better not be some cheap trick.)
Elio winced.
"…Technically? Yes."
The dog's eyes narrowed dangerously.
Elio swallowed.
Right. This wasn't just any dog.
This was Iggy.
The same Iggy Noah once enthusiastically explained to him in detail. The same stubborn, foul-mouthed Stand user from JoJo's Bizarre Adventure.
The same Iggy who—
Had died saving someone.
"Bark!"(Is this the afterlife?) The dog barked sharply
"No," Elio answered gently. "You're alive. Very much alive."
The dog blinked.
"...Bark."
(…Explain.)
Elio took a breath.
"You were summoned. Randomly. By a system. To become my familiar."
Silence.
Then—
"Bark."
(That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard.)
"…Fair."
Elio hesitated.
"What do you remember before arriving?"
Iggy looked away briefly.
"…Bark."
(I was dying. Saving an idiot.)
Elio's chest tightened.
"…Do you regret it?"
The dog didn't answer immediately.
His ears twitched.
Then—
"Bark."
(No.)
A pause.
"…Bark."
(But if that idiot didn't survive, I'm biting him in the afterlife.)
Elio couldn't help smiling.
"I'm sure he survived. From the way you say it… he sounds stubborn."
Iggy huffed.
"…Bark."
(…Yeah. Annoyingly stubborn.)
The hostility in the room eased slightly.
Elio slowly knelt to eye level.
"My name is Eliandro Cruz. You can call me Elio."
The dog squinted at him.
"…Bark. Bark."
(…Iggy. And don't call me 'little.' I can crush you.)
Elio coughed politely.
"Noted."
He exhaled slowly.
"Alright. This is going to sound insane. But hear me out."
And so he began.
About the Multiverse Chat Group.
About becoming an Administrator.
About coupons.
About divine weapons.
About everything.
Iggy listened.
Interrupting frequently.
Judging constantly.
"...Bark,"(…So you're telling me,) Iggy barked flatly, "bark, bark, bark, bark"(you're some accidental cosmic manager who pushed a button and dragged me here.)
"…When you put it like that, I sound irresponsible."
"Bark."
(You are irresponsible.)
"…Fair."
Iggy stared at him for a long moment.
Then flopped onto the bed.
"...Bark. Bark. Bark. Bark."
(…Fine. Whatever. I'm alive. There's food. And no one here smells like evil Stand users.)
He glanced at Elio again.
"...Bark."
(…For now.)
Elio released a breath he didn't realize he was holding.
"…So you're staying?"
Iggy rolled onto his side.
"Bark."
(Try to stop me.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(End of Flashback)
After using every coupon granted to him as Administrator, Elio had gained quite a lot.
An ability.
A weapon.
And a notoriously ill-tempered Boston Terrier as a familiar.
Objectively speaking, it was a good haul.
Subjectively speaking…
He had absolutely no idea what he was doing.
He didn't know how to properly use the Bakal na Krus. He barely understood his Quick Learner ability. And now he had an extra mouth to feed—one that might insult him on a daily basis.
Still.
Responsibility was responsibility.
For now, breakfast came first.
There was something mildly ironic about all this.
Elio was not a dog person.
In fact, he wasn't an animal person at all.
Out of everyone in his family, he was the only one uncomfortable around pets.
Strangely enough, animals loved him.
Whenever his parents brought home a dog or cat, the pet would immediately latch onto him. Not casually.
Obsessively.
They ignored his parents.Ignored his younger brother.Followed only him.
Clingy didn't begin to describe it.
It escalated to the point where his parents eventually gave the pets away—because Elio couldn't even walk to the living room without being tackled by affection.
And that was how he retired from pet ownership permanently.
…Until yesterday.
Now he had Iggy.
A Stand user.
A battle-hardened dog.
With attitude problems.
Fantastic.
Still, he had summoned him.
That meant responsibility.
"Sorry, Iggy. I only have leftover meatballs for now," Elio said while preparing his own simple BLT sandwich and coffee. "I'll go to the mall later and get proper food and supplies. Bear with me."
Iggy was already devouring the reheated meatballs.
"Bark. Bark."(Feh. Like I'm complaining.) he muttered between bites. "Bark. Bark. Bark"(These are actually decent. You cook better than that weird French guy.)
Elio blinked.
"…I'll take that as a compliment."
"Hmph. Bark"
(Hmph. Don't get cocky.)
Despite his words, Iggy was clearly enjoying himself.
For a moment, it felt strangely normal.
Owner and pet.
Breakfast.
Peace.
Elio checked the time.
6:46 A.M.
After cleaning up and preparing himself, he dressed in simple Sunday attire—white long sleeves, black trousers, polished shoes. His hair was tied neatly into a bun. A leather watch rested on his left wrist, a wooden rosary bracelet on his right.
He looked presentable.
Before leaving, he turned to Iggy.
"I'm heading to church. Can you guard the apartment? I'll bring you a treat if you do."
Iggy lay on the couch, unimpressed.
"...Bark, bark, bark?"
(…You're seriously asking me to babysit your box of furniture?)
"It would help."
A pause.
Iggy huffed.
"Bark. Bark. Bark. Bark."
(Fine. But bring something good. None of that cheap dry stuff. And don't take forever.)
Elio smiled softly.
"Deal."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Noon)
"I'm home."
The door opened carefully as Elio stepped inside, arms full of shopping bags—dog food, bowls, bed, toys, cleaning supplies.
"These are heavier than groceries…"
He dropped the bags onto the table and collapsed onto the couch.
Immediately—
Iggy trotted over.
"Bark."
(You're late.)
"It's been five hours."
"Bark."
(Exactly.)
Elio pulled out a pack of premium beef jerky.
"As promised."
Iggy's ears perked up instantly.
"...Bark!"
(…Now we're talking.)
He snatched the strip and chewed happily, tail wagging despite himself.
"Not bad, human. You're learning."
Elio smiled faintly and opened the group chat app.
[Welcome! To the Multiverse Chat Group, Admin Reluctant_Recluse.]
He groaned.
"I'm never changing that username, am I?"
Iggy snorted.
"Bark? Bark. Bark, bark."
(Reluctant_Recluse? That's accurate. You look like someone who apologizes to furniture after bumping into it.)
Elio ignored him.
He inhaled slowly.
It was time.
[Reluctant_Recluse]: @Everyone. Good afternoon. Could you both come online for a moment? I need to discuss something important.
Iggy watched from beside him, chewing.
"Bark. Bark."
(You look like you're about to confess to tax fraud.)
"It's worse."
[Member Unlucky_Alcoholic is now online.]
[Member Fairy_Titania is now online.]
[Unlucky_Alcoholic]: If this is about paperwork, I'm drinking.
[Fairy_Titania]: Is something wrong, Elio?
Elio straightened his posture.
[Reluctant_Recluse]: There is no immediate danger. But I have withheld information from you. I believe it is time I told you the truth.
[Unlucky_Alcoholic]: Knew it. You've been twitchy since day one.
[Fairy_Titania]: You seemed burdened. Speak freely.
Elio swallowed.
[Reluctant_Recluse]: In my world… both of you are fictional characters.
Silence.
Long, heavy silence.
[Unlucky_Alcoholic]: …That's a new one. I've heard a lot of crazy things. That's top five.
[Fairy_Titania]: Explain yourself.
Elio continued, forcing himself steady.
[Reluctant_Recluse]: When you introduced yourselves, I immediately recognized you. Your histories, your abilities, your connections… all documented in media from my world.
[Unlucky_Alcoholic]: Kid. Be very careful about your next words.
Elio exhaled.
[Reluctant_Recluse]: Qrow Branwen. Former member of Team STRQ. Teammates: Summer Rose, Taiyang Xiao Long, and your twin sister Raven. Former Branwen Tribe member. Currently aligned with Ozpin of Beacon Academy.
A pause.
Then—
[Unlucky_Alcoholic]: …How the hell do you know that?
Elio pressed on.
[Reluctant_Recluse]: Erza Scarlet. S-Class mage of Fairy Tail. Guild Master: Makarov Dreyar. Fellow S-Class: Laxus, Gildarts, Mystogan, Mirajane. Artificial right eye. Tragic past in the Tower of Heaven.
The chat fell silent.
Completely.
[Fairy_Titania]: …You speak truths few outsiders know.
[Unlucky_Alcoholic]: That's classified-level stuff, kid.
[Reluctant_Recluse]: Because in my world, you are characters in stories. Your journeys are watched. Analyzed. Loved.
Another silence.
He typed one more line.
[Reluctant_Recluse]: I am not powerful. I am not special. I am simply from a world that sees yours as fiction.
[Unlucky_Alcoholic]: …So what are you, then?
[Reluctant_Recluse]: Just a healthcare worker. Chosen by something unknown to manage this chat.
[Fairy_Titania]: …This revelation changes much.
[Unlucky_Alcoholic]: Yeah. I need a drink.
[Unlucky_Alcoholic]: We're continuing this later.
He went offline.
[Fairy_Titania]: I will reflect upon this information. We shall speak again, Elio.
She logged out as well.
Elio dropped his phone and slumped into the couch.
"That was… more exhausting than expected."
Iggy stared at him.
"Bark, bark."
(…You basically told two warriors their lives are bedtime stories in your world.)
"I know."
"Bark. Bark."
(You've got guts. Dumb guts, but still.)
Elio covered his face.
"Was I too hasty?"
"Bark."
(Yes.)
"…Thank you."
Iggy tilted his head.
"...Bark."
(…By the way.)
Elio froze.
"…Yes?"
"Bark?"
(Am I fictional too?)
Silence.
Elio slowly turned his head toward him.
"…Yes."
Iggy stared.
"...Bark."
(…Huh.)
Another pause.
"...Bark?"
(…Am I cool at least?)
Elio hesitated.
"…Very."
Iggy smirked.
"Bark. Bark."
(Good. Then I'll allow it.)
Elio sighed deeply.
"…I'm going to have a headache."
"Bark, bark."
(Get used to it, Human.)
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(TO BE CONTINUED)
Name: Eliandro "Elio" Cruz
Ability: Quick Learner
Weapon: Bakal na Krus (Iron Cross)
Familiar: Iggy
Multiverse Chat Group
Administrator: Eliandro "Elio" Cruz (Username: Reluctant_Recluse)
Members:
Erza Scarlet (Username: Fairy_Titania)
Qrow Branwen (Username: Unlucky_Alcoholic)