A Collar Named Fate
The Voice.
—Dog.
The moment our eyes met, my entire body froze.
With just a single word, I realized the vast difference in our status.
No matter what happened... I could never defy this being.
I want to live. I want to go back to my homeland.
So, I bowed my head.
But because of my massive size, no matter how low I bowed, I could only look down on them.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
In a desperate bid to look up at them, I slammed my head against the ground until blood began to flow.
...Was it thanks to that effort?
I am still alive.
...?
What... are they saying?
Spirit?
Could it be... that my overcoming fear to charge at them was actually—
Thud!
Once again, I slammed my head against the ground.
Of my own volition, simply because I wanted to live.
I couldn't understand what they meant.
The future?
I simply kept my head pressed to the dirt, waiting for the next words.
...No.
"That is not true! No matter what you say! Whatever command you give, I will surely—"
"Huu... huff... ugh..."
I must never deny them.
No matter what this being says from now on... if I deny them three times, I die.
I've already wasted one chance out of fear.
Fear is of no help.
I must never deny them!
Never!!
"Y-You are a gr-great being. Someone like me cannot even dare to raise my head—"
I raised my head. I was terrified.
...No, I hadn't raised my head yet.
I had only opened my closed eyes.
Yet, the great being was already in my line of sight.
I was still looking down on them.
...How should I answer?
If I deny it, I die.
But if I agree, will I live?
"Ah, ah..."
Eat them? This...?
I could still feel the terrifying heat.
If I swallow this... no.
Just putting it in my mouth would burn me alive.
I don't want to die.
So, I had no choice but to deny it again.
"No. I... cannot eat you."
Ah, ah—
It's okay, it's okay, it's okay, it's okay, it's okay.
There is still one time left.
There is still a chance.
I bowed my head.
I closed my eyes.
I covered my ears with the massive paws that used to crush and tear my enemies apart.
Because I was afraid, because I didn't want to deny them, because I wanted to live.
So now, I just didn't want to hear anything.
Then why do I keep hearing it?!!!
"Ugh... sob... please..."
I mustn't recall it. I mustn't think about it.
But I couldn't help it.
The moment I resolved not to think about it, the memory had already surfaced.
.
..
...
—A small and ■ wolf
When I was young, I roamed the fields with my siblings.
A cool breeze brushed past me, and the laughter of my siblings and me echoed across the plains.
When we were hungry, we caught and ate small wild beasts.
When we were thirsty, we drank from the river flowing through the steppe.
And when the sun set, we returned to the pack.
Mother was there.
My mother.
Her dark gray fur, like burnt ashes, remained dull even in the sunlight.
No. Mother's gray fur was glossy.
Her body was so small, no different from the small wild beasts my siblings and I hunted.
No. Mother's body was massive.
But Mother's white horns were so large and magnificent.
No. Mother didn't have horns.
Mother's embrace was so warm, it felt as if I would burn to death if she held me.
No, no!
I was so happy in her embrace.
Get a grip!!
Mother was always by my side.
"My child, open your eyes now."
...I opened my closed eyes.
"Your mother is right here."
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! It is not true!!!"
...
..
.
I failed.
In the end, I denied its words three times.
...By denying it three times, I became unable to deny that very first statement.
So now, I will burn to death in those terrible flames.
...I don't want to die.
But I must not deny it anymore.
I must not defy it.
I... will die here.
Why?
I just...
"...I just wanted to go back home."
...
..
.
A beautiful voice echoed.
A benevolent voice echoed.
The great being asked me.
So I answered.
Because I had no power to resist.
"...Yes."
"Because I was free there."
"...?"
What were they trying to say now?
But I did not resist.
There was no reason to resist.
.
..
...
—A small and weak wolf
Mother and I left the steppe and entered the nearby forest.
A dense forest where the trees were so thick that barely any light filtered through.
A small cave in that forest, the new territory for Mother and me.
While I trembled in fear, Mother went out to hunt alone.
Mother grew more exhausted by the day.
The meat she brought back dwindled.
Mother grew thinner by the day.
She even... kept watch through the night to protect me.
So one morning, when I opened my eyes.
Mother did not open hers again.
...
..
.
No, recall it again.
.
..
...
—A small and good wolf
Mother and I left the steppe and entered the nearby forest.
A dense forest where the trees were so thick that barely any light filtered through.
A small cave in that forest, the new territory for Mother and me.
While I trembled in fear, Mother went out to hunt alone.
Mother grew more exhausted by the day.
The meat she brought back dwindled.
Mother grew thinner by the day.
She even... kept watch through the night to protect me.
So I gathered my courage and stepped outside.
To hunt in Mother's stead.
To save my dying mother.
Because my small frame could actually be an advantage in this forest.
...
..
.
...Huh?
What was that memory just now?
Why was the ending different?
...Which one is real?
Ah, is this also the work of this great being—
"……."
"...I do not know."
The being spoke.
Countless questions poured into my ears, but I did not know the answer to a single one.
So I said nothing.
I had a mouth, but no words to speak.
The questions continued. But all things must come to an end.
The being asked me one final question.
...?
I turned my head to the side.
There, the head pierced by the hunter earlier still hung limply.
"I do not... know. I know nothing."
"I..."
Ah, it was true.
Not a single word was wrong.
The voice continued.
This being's words were entirely correct.
The voice continued.
I listened intently.
Since everything said so far was true, everything to follow would be true as well.
"……."
"...There was none."
It was the truth.
"You are... my mother."
Yes. There was no freedom in my life.
Mother had revealed that truth to me, a truth I had never realized until today.
A truth no one had ever told me.
So how could I not follow this being?
"Child, it is truly wonderful to see you attain enlightenment."
"Yes, Mother."
"Now, look at me again. What do you see?"
"I see a lamb."
Looking at Mother again, I saw a lamb.
A small sheep with white fleece and curled horns.
So I said I saw a lamb.
"Yes. It is a lamb I raise. A little lamb in a box that can do anything and become anything. That is why I named her Mijeong."
"……."
"However, this lamb is still young and fragile... She needs a dog to protect her."
"……."
"And you are that dog. Is that not so?"
"Your words are always correct."
Since my master asked me, I answered that it was so.
Because my master's words were always correct.
"...Haha."
My master laughed.
So I was glad.
My master's joy was my joy.
My master was happy.
My master's happiness was my happiness.
So I, too, was happy.
"...Yet, my child. There is just one thing about you that is a pity."
My master spoke.
Saying there was something lacking in me.
I had to fix it.
But how?
"Child, you need not worry about a thing. I shall cure you."
Flames flickered from my master's hand.
A tiny flame, so small and weak it felt as though it would blow out with a single breath.
That fire approached me.
Slowly.
Gradually.
It drew near...
...and touched the head beside me.
Aaaaaaaargh—!!!!!!!!
...
..
.
You have acquired the summon, 'Loyal Dog'.