5.5: Enigmatic Guide.

Zayne: “Pie.”

The fox ignores Zayne but paws at the canned pet food Zayne had brought from Linkon City.

MC: “In this cold, soulless world where advanced technology reigns supreme, it’s surprising to see gluttonous creatures like you.”

Zayne: “Here. Eat as much as you want.”

I kneel down to pat the little fox’s head. He turns to rub against me affectionately before eating more food.

Zayne: “He loves food but not the person who brought it.”

MC: “Did Dr. Noah name him Pie because his favorite dessert is white pie?”

Zayne: “When Dr. Noah adopted him, he ate six pies in one go.”

I can’t help but chuckle. Zayne lifts up Pie’s right leg to check something. There’s a little thing strapped to it.

MC: “What is that?”

Zayne: “A tag.”

MC: “For a vaccination?”

I suddenly feel like Pie isn’t simply Dr. Noah’s pet.

Zayne has always kept a tight lid on his polar-related research. He calls it “a vacation” or “visit to his teacher”.

What has he and Dr. Noah been researching? And why does it have to be done in such a cold place...

As I watch Zayne brush off the crumbs from Pie’s whiskers, my curiosity grows.

Zayne: “Pie is very special. He’s as intelligent as a nine-year-old child.”

Zayne: “Don’t be fooled by his cute, innocent appearance.”

With a poker face, Zayne blocks Pie’s attempt to pick up another can and taps the fox’s head.

Zayne: “You only get one can of snacks per day. Go on now.”

**********

Pie leads up swiftly through the streets. It takes a while, but we finally arrive at the place where Dr. Noah lives.

Before we can enter the front yard, we hear the sound of some creature whining and struggling.

??: “There, there. The pain is gone now.”

**********

Little animals run around, stirring up snow and dirt. An old man wearing a large coat comforts the polar mink in his arms.

??: “Zayne! What are you waiting for? Help me!”

Zayne: “...”

Zayne: “One second.”

MC: (Huh? There’s a hint of Metaflux in the air... Is it from the mink?)

——————————

Before I can ask, Zayne traps a bunch of black furballs scurrying about the yard with an ice cage he creates.

Zayne: “Are there other escapees?”

Dr. Noah: “No. Sigh, they messed up my yard agian...”

Zayne catches another few animals in the same way and puts them back in their cages.

Zayne: “Does the antagonist no longer work?”

Dr. Noah: “Its effectiveness was shortened by a week. It seems the Metaflux around this area is increasing again.”

Dr. Noah: “Oh, hello, MC. Long time no see.”

Dr. Noah dusts off the snow on his knees, gets up, and walk over with a wide smile on his face.

Dr. Noah: “Come on in. It’ll be warmer inside.”

——————————

Pie: Dr. Noah rescued a small white for from Mt. Eternal. Pie’s intelligence is equivalent to that of a nine-year-old child. He has an exceptional appetite and is adept at acting cute to get food. It’s a tactic that never fails. His name is Pie because he devoured six meat pies in one sitting when rescued.