Sneakys paradise

Outside the dungeon…

"Hey, Sneaky!" Lan Tian called out, smirking.

Sneaky, still pouting from being dragged out, suddenly snapped. "Hey, you brat! I don't know who the hell you are, but bow your head and greet your king!" He puffed out his chest, swishing his tail dramatically like he was some kind of legendary ruler.

Lan Tian just raised an eyebrow. Then, without a word, he flicked his finger.

"AAAAAAAAAHHHHH!" Sneaky let out a high-pitched scream, flopping onto the ground like a fish out of water. "WHAT THE HELL?! WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME?!"

Lan Tian grinned. "Oh? Did I forget to mention? You're my pet now. That means I can… you know, discipline you however I want."

Sneaky's expression instantly changed. The arrogance melted away, replaced by a forced, shaky smile. "M-Master… I was just joking! Haha! Y-You know me, always messing around! Haha… ha… P-Please stop this!"

Lan Tian watched as the once-mighty serpent trembled at his feet. This was going to be fun.

"Sneaky, we still have plenty of time left, so let's grind some experience and get stronger," Lan Tian said, stretching his arms.

Sneaky, still recovering from his lesson earlier, groaned. "Ugh… Can't we just go admire some beautiful ladies instead?"

Lan Tian shot him a look. "No. First, we need to go somewhere important."

A while later, they arrived at the World of Equipment shop. The scent of burning metal and old wood filled the air as Lan Tian stepped inside. The clang of a hammer rang through the shop as an old man worked on a blade—the same sword Lan Tian had ordered.

Lan Tian opened his mouth. "Mas—" He stopped himself.

The old man looked up for a brief second, his weathered eyes landing on Lan Tian. Then, without a word, he went back to hammering the sword.

Sneaky, completely oblivious to the tension, peeked over Lan Tian's shoulder. "Ooooh, fancy place. Hey, old man! You got anything cool for me?"

The blacksmith ignored him.

Lan Tian sighed. "This is going to be awkward..."

Lan Tian stepped further into the shop, calling out, "Ms. Shuan! Ms. Shuan! Are you here?"

A moment later, a woman with glasses and soot-covered hands emerged from the back, brushing stray strands of hair from her face. She smiled warmly. "Oh! Dear customer, it's you! Your sword is almost ready, but you'll have to wait two more days." She gestured toward a seat. "Please, sit. Would you like some tea or coffee while you wait?"

Lan Tian shook his head. "I need nothing."

As he spoke, Ms. Shuan's gaze drifted to Sneaky, who sat sulking beside him. Her eyes immediately sparkled. "Oh my! How adorable! What is this creature? Is this your pet?"

Before Lan Tian could answer, Sneaky made his move.

Like a slippery little snake—oh wait, he was a snake—he darted forward and dove straight into Ms. Shuan's chest, disappearing into the soft embrace like a fish diving into a warm ocean.

Lan Tian's eye twitched.

Only Sneaky's head peeked out now, his smug little snake face showing off an expression that screamed: Heh, see? You can't touch me now! I'm in paradise!

Ms. Shuan giggled, completely unaware of the sheer betrayal unfolding in Lan Tian's heart. "Aww, he's so affectionate!" she said, gently stroking Sneaky's head.

Sneaky, meanwhile, gave Lan Tian a look. A look that said, You're just mad because you can't be here.

Lan Tian clenched his fists. "You little—!"

Sneaky snuggled in deeper. "Ahhh, this is the life~."

Lan Tian's jealousy skyrocketed. "GET. OUT. OF. THERE."

Sneaky grinned. "Nah, I think I'll stay~."

Lan Tian cracked his knuckles. "Fine, you brought this on yourself."

A second later, a system notification popped up.

[You have activated: The Pet Owner's Wrath! Your pet will experience extreme suffering.]

Sneaky's smug face instantly contorted in agony. "AHHHH, MASTER, MERCY! MERCYYY! I WAS JUST KIDDING!"

Lan Tian smirked, arms crossed. "Not so fun now, huh?"

Ms. Shuan, still petting Sneaky's twitching head, blinked. "Hmm? Is something wrong?"

Lan Tian put on his best innocent face. "Nope. Nothing at all. He's just… overwhelmed with joy."

Sneaky, now twitching in regret, whimpered, "I hate you…"

Lan Tian stretched his arms. "Alright, Ms. Shuan, we're leaving now."

Ms. Shuan waved. "Take care, and don't let your cute pet get into too much trouble!"

Sneaky, still nestled in her embrace, wagged his tail like a spoiled brat. "Actually, I think I'll stay here—"

Before he could finish, Lan Tian grabbed his tail like a lifeless rope and started dragging him toward the exit.

"NOOOO! LET ME GO BACK! I BELONG THERE!" Sneaky wailed, clawing at the air.

Lan Tian rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, cry about it."

After dragging Sneaky away from paradise, they soon arrived in front of a D-rank dungeon. Lan Tian cracked his knuckles. "Alright, it's time to rock."

Sneaky tilted his head. "Time to… rock? What does that even mean? Are we collecting stones?"

Lan Tian facepalmed. "No, idiot, it means we're about to do something exciting!"

Sneaky still looked confused. "Then why not just say it's time to hunt or let's go? Why mention rocks? Are rocks powerful in human culture?"

Lan Tian sighed. "Forget it."

Sneaky, deep in thought, nodded seriously. "Hmm… if rocks are strong, then I shall train with them too! Yes! I will become the strongest snake by mastering the way of the rock!"

Lan Tian groaned. "Please shut up."

But Sneaky had already turned around and was biting at a random boulder. "Witness my training, Master! I shall crush rocks with my fangs!"

Lan Tian dragged a hand down his face. "Why am I stuck with you…?"

As Lan Tian watched Sneaky wrestle with the boulder, a faint smile tugged at his lips. It was moments like this, filled with absurdity and chaos, that reminded him of how far he'd come.

But then, as he looked around the dungeon entrance, a solemn thought crossed his mind. This world is broken. Full of monsters, lies, and people blinded by fear. Yet, somewhere in all of this madness, I have to find the strength to protect humanity.

He clenched his fists, the weight of the responsibility settling in. I can't let them fall. I will become strong. I will fight, not just for my own survival, but for everyone who believes in a better future. Even if I have to face monsters, betrayals, or the very end of this world, I won't stop.

Lan Tian's gaze hardened as he turned toward the dark path ahead. I'll stand at the front lines, and I will shield the innocent from the chaos that's coming. I'll fight for those who can't fight for themselves. I'll become their hope.

His heart pounded with determination. Because I... am humanity's last hope.

Sneaky still trying to train with rocks...

Lan tian looked at him..Sigh..what can i do for this foolish snack.

FLICK!

AAAAAHHHHHH!MASTER PLEASE DON'T...