Podbe followed the path the duct had precisely set for him. Before reaching a transversal duct, a faint sound echoed in the distance. Someone was coming. Reia, ever vigilant, instructed him: "Prepare for battle." However, before Podbe could act, he recognized two familiar figures: Maria and Billy. Quickly, Reia intervened, sending a subtle touch to the dog's nervous system, causing the children to see Podbe move comically, as if clumsily dancing on his hind legs.
"Why did you do that?" Podbe exclaimed, annoyed by the implied mockery. Reia replied with a playful tone: "Why didn't you use your ability to see who was coming?"
After the brief commotion, the canine approached the children, who greeted him warmly. The dog gave each of them a lick on the hand, and both hugged him tenderly. Billy broke the silence: "If you can hear me, doggy friend, can you help us free the others?" Maria added with determination: "Yes, please do it."
Decisively, Podbe activated his ability. "Detective mode activated," Reia announced within his mind. This time, thanks to the thinness of the ventilation ducts, he could see beyond. He detected numerous life forms on the other side, where the children had yet to arrive. He barked to get their attention, but when they didn't understand, he gently tugged at Billy's sweater. The boy interpreted the gesture and signaled to Maria that they should follow the dog.
As they advanced, the air in the duct turned icy. "Oh! It's so cold," Maria said, seeking refuge in Billy's embrace. He blushed slightly at her closeness, but Podbe's bark snapped them out of their awkward moment. They exchanged embarrassed glances and separated, continuing their journey behind the canine.
Upon reaching the grates, they discovered a vast garden covered in frozen statues. Among them, they recognized Marie and the rest of the group. "That's why we didn't see them anywhere," Maria remarked seriously. "They're here, part of this icy landscape."
Billy pointed to an imposing machine in the distance. "Look at that big machine over there! I think that's where the toys are coming from." Maria nodded, completing her thought: "Yes, look, they're coming out of there. But it's also their control source."
Inside Podbe, Reia analyzed the cables connected to the machines. "I have an idea," she said enthusiastically. "And the children will help us," she added with conviction.
With one of his claws, Podbe began to draw on the metal, producing a sharp screech that made the children cover their ears. His strokes were rudimentary, but Maria managed to interpret something. "I think he wants to play," she said. Billy responded with frustration: "This is no time for games."
"No, Billy," she countered. "I think it's not just a game, but that game where you have to guess." Billy understood immediately. "I see," he said. The dog nodded his head.
Maria studied the drawing carefully. "That big square you drew is the machine," she stated. The dog confirmed by nodding his head up and down. "And those two circles are us," Billy deduced. The dog denied it with a side-to-side motion. "I get it now," Maria said. "It's us, but those small circles around them... Do you want us to distract them while you destroy the machine?"
The dog nodded energetically. "Is that all you wanted us to do?" Maria asked with a sarcastic smile. Billy interjected, concerned: "Are you crazy, dog? How are we supposed to run with those things chasing us? Last time, if it weren't for Eduard and the others, we wouldn't have escaped."
Maria looked at him firmly. "We'll do it if there's no other option," she declared with determination. "We must do it for the others and for Mr. Eduard, who was kind to us." Billy sighed and resigned. "Fine! Since it has to be done."
Before leaving, they spot a hooded figure conversing with a robotic bird. The person commented on how beautiful the garden was becoming with the new sculptures, though lamented that "that stupid dog and those brats" were still missing to complete the collection. The woman disappeared behind automatic doors, revealing a staircase leading to the garden.
The air grew even colder, and the three prepared themselves. Twenty meters from their target, they opened the grate and exited one by one. Podbe activated his detective mode to plan the optimal route. "Minus ten mana points," Reia informed him. "You still can't use your hardness ability; it'll take another half hour."
Without warning Billy, Maria shouted: "Hello!" The toys reacted instantly, heading toward them. She grabbed Billy by the shoulder, and both began to run. As they passed Podbe, Maria gave him a thumbs-up, and the dog launched his attack.
The helicopters and fire trucks sprayed liquid toward the children, but they ran with agility. The wide-open area allowed them to evade their pursuers. Meanwhile, Podbe approaches the machine and unleashes a Firehead, causing a dent. However, the machine continued functioning and began generating more toys.
"Damn," the dog muttered, frustrated. "I know what if we try with your fangs?" Reia suggested. Podbe stepped back, gathered momentum, and used his "steel bite" ability on the same spot. A crack echoed, followed by an explosion that filled the air with steam. The sprinklers activated, as did the alarm, alerting the floor guardian.
The toys deactivated in a chain reaction, saving Maria and Billy at the last moment. The doors opened again, revealing the hooded figure with her metallic bird perched on her shoulder. "You dare defy me?" the woman's delicate, high-pitched voice rang out. She removed her hood, unveiling an elegant face with bright blue lips. Her red dress contrasted sharply with her evident physical strength, and her permanent waves gave her a theatrical flair.
"I am Dior, the guardian of the fifth floor," she announced proudly. When she removed her microphone, her shrill voice echoed in the air. From the smoke emerged the silhouette of Podbe, as the statues began to melt from the heat. "You, this entire disaster is your fault. You will pay for destroying my dreamlike icy garden," Dior declared, sending her robotic bird to attack.
The bird dove sharply, but Podbe leaped and struck it with a Firehead. The bird crashed to the ground, and Dior ran toward it, tears of rage streaming down her face. "Little bird, are you okay?" The bird could barely move, a visible crack running across its chest.
"As I said, dog, you will pay," Dior declared. She pressed a button on the bird's back, and it grew into a gigantic steel robot. Inside the cockpit, Dior challenged Podbe: "Let's see if you can handle this, little mutt."
"Attention, Podbe, a notification has arrived," Reia informed him. "Quest: destroy the big bird in front of you. Reward: immediate level-up. Additional quest: Protect your friends who are thawing."
"Wow! Finally, a quest. This big bird must be strong," Podbe said, preparing for battle. "Remember, Podbe, you've already used nearly eighty percent of your mana. You'll need time to recharge." "That complicates things," the dog replied, concerned.