Discord: Secator VI
Wow, what an incredible leap! Ksori finishes the first round in 25.13 seconds, taking first place! Close behind is Mr. Kaiji's dog, Little Phym, at 33.01 seconds in second place!
Alright, let's take a short intermission. The second half of the competition begins in 10 minutes. Don't miss it!
Woof!
Commandant.
Mm, Ksori's still as amazing as ever.
She strokes Ksori's head with affectionate pride. Meanwhile, the dog trots in circles around you, occasionally nudging your hand-held terminal with her damp nose.
It's been some time since the practice competition. Through the slow rhythm of daily life, the bond between the three of you—two people and a dog—has only grown deeper. And now, the day of the real competition has arrived.
Even though the first half went well, I'm still a little worried...
That's right.
Kaiji.
His so-called charity work is just for show. What he really wants is to use it as advertising for his council campaign.
He's desperate for attention, doing everything he can to make sure his dog wins first place.
But he never expected the Gray Raven Commandant to enter the competition... and just like that, the media's attention shifted.
And to steal the spotlight back, he's willing to stoop so low...
A flicker of shadow crosses her face as she recalls what happened a few days ago.
Hm... Whatever the case, if he dares hurt Ksori...
Ladies and gentlemen, the intermission is ending. Trainers and their dogs, please prepare and follow me to the venue for the second half of the competition.
This next set of facilities was sponsored and modified by Mr. Kaiji—
A new venue with fresh challenges and new opportunities!
As the indoor lights come on, the crowd is met with the sight of a long waterway stretching before them.
A brand-new venue, and they tell us only two minutes before the start?!
Mr. Kaiji, what's going on?! We've had no time to practice these new events!
What the hell, Kaiji? You think a dog can learn this in one minute? Where's the event coordinator? Is no one going to do something?
Tch, the coordinator's out on business... We can't reach him right now...
The crowd begins to murmur uneasily.
Please, everyone, calm down. I understand your worries, but in real rescue work, you have to expect unfamiliar environments!
None of the dogs have been trained for this, so everyone's starting from scratch—it's a fair contest!
That's the end of Mr. Kaiji's introduction. Now, I'll present the new competition venue, which features three events: water rescue, spice search, and maze exploration!
He's using these to stop Ksori.
Discord instinctively shields Ksori's face from the sight of the water pool ahead.
...The competition doesn't matter. What matters is Ksori. I won't let her get hurt again just for the sake of a match...
Woof!
Surprisingly, Ksori slips past Discord's hands, barking excitedly, as if she's itching to leap forward.
...I think she's spotted the rescue dummy on the far side of the pool. She wants to save it.
...
Alright, Ksori. If you want to try, we'll be with you the whole way. I'll guide you through, and [player name] will watch from a distance and map our route.
Woof!
And now, as expected of Mr. Kaiji's dog—tackling this brand-new challenge in just 3 minutes, 3.41 seconds! That's two full minutes ahead of second place, putting it back at the top!
Next up, our final competitor—Ksori! Trainers and dog, take your positions. Ready... go!
Ksori, come!
Woof!
Ksori follows Discord into the water, but then panic seizes her. She thrashes in place, sending up frantic splashes.
What's going on? The fearless Ksori has completely frozen after getting into the water!
And Miss Discord isn't pushing forward—she's staying right there with the dog! That's valuable time slipping away!
...Whimper...
It's alright. We're in no rush.
She ignores the clock overhead, making no attempt to force Ksori forward. Instead, Discord stays beside the dog, calming her in a gentle voice, playfully splashing water over her back like the day the three of you spent together at the puddle.
For both people and animals alike, healing from trauma takes time. Ksori's reaction here is something she has expected.
And to both you and Discord, Ksori herself is worth far more than whatever the scoreboard says.
You stand and shout encouragement.
Woof!
Looks like Ksori's settling down... that's more like it! It's moving now, right behind Miss Discord—
Step by step, she rises from the tide that once dragged her under, breaking free from the memories that tried to hold her there.
Finding balance, pushing forward, searching for the target... Ksori finds her rhythm and completes the first event to a wave of applause.
In the last two challenges, Ksori continues to live up to expectations, running alongside Discord and finishing the competition in style...
Now for the results: First place—Little Phym, total time 3 minutes, 36.42 seconds. Second place—Ksori, total time 4 minutes, 1.37 seconds. Third place...
Let's congratulate Mr. Kaiji and his dog!
Thank you, thank you everyone! I appreciate your support, and I hope you'll all keep following our charity work. Next up—
Mr. Kaiji, you swapped out the events and had your own dog practice them in advance, didn't you?
Kaiji, you just made all our practice go to waste. What do you take us for?
My dog choked on water! How are you going to take responsibility for that?
Please, everyone, calm down. Mr. Kaiji was only trying to bring in some real rescue scenarios. This competition doesn't fully reflect a rescue dog's abilities!
That's right, I've seen the hard work of all the trainers and dogs. This award ceremony is just a formality—
The crowd grows angry. Kaiji, flustered, is surrounded on the platform but refuses to admit anything.
Mr. Kaiji, we regret to inform you that you and your dog have been disqualified from the competition.
What?!
Kaiji turns in disbelief as three people approach.
[player name], the veterinarian, and Mr. Manager?
Half an hour earlier, after Ksori finished the course, you slipped into the exam room to collect evidence of Kaiji's violations.
Kaiji, while the manager was away, you used your status as a sponsor to change the competition venue without permission.
Do you know how many dogs nearly drowned because they weren't used to the water? And how many fainted from allergic reactions to those spices?
In the exam room, over a dozen dogs lay receiving emergency treatment, while several veterinarians worked to save them.
You persuaded them to join you in reporting Kaiji's misconduct. Seeing the dogs collapsed because of his greed and vanity, the veterinarians agreed immediately.
No, no... I put in sponsorship money—at least let my dog win the title—
Temporary Dorm
4 PM
4 PM, temporary dormitory
Here... and here... hmm...
Soft fabric presses against you, along with the brush of her slender wrists and smooth hair.
She doesn't hear what you say, murmuring to herself as she keeps making adjustments, completely absorbed in her work.
The waistline still needs shortening... and the back...
She quickly trims the outfit in her hands, then takes a small step back, looking at you with satisfaction.
Alright, that should do it...
Now that the blue-haired girl has pulled herself out of her intense focus, you finally get the chance to ask the question that's been on your mind.
Award ceremony.
Yes. The prize for the ceremony was a box of dog treats and paw-themed formal outfits, one for the dog and two for the trainers.
But because of Kaiji's meddling, the ceremony was canceled.
Ksori gave everything she had during training and in the competition. More importantly, she overcame her fears.
I think she deserves to be honored... and so do we, as her trainers.
Woof!
The brown-and-white dog runs out from the room, circling you and Discord, her tail wagging high.
I just finished making Ksori's treats.
And for the formal outfits for us trainers, I want to tailor each to our own measurements.
It seems the term "formal outfit" has sparked a certain competitiveness in this seamstress, which is probably why she was measuring and cutting so intently earlier.
Alright, Commandant, it's time to see Ksori off.
Woof!
The setting sun stretches its golden light across the sky, drawing out these moments of happiness.
The last day of the Paw Guardian event is also the day you and Discord will say goodbye to Ksori. With the competition over, qualified dogs will officially become search-and-rescue dogs, joining disaster relief efforts.
Wearing the rescue uniform Discord sewed for her by hand, Ksori hops and bounces among the other dogs, her brown-and-white fur gleaming in the sunset.
Time really does fly...
The evening breeze lifts strands of her hair as she gazes at the golden sky, speaking softly.
Ksori doesn't fear humans anymore, or other dogs... and she no longer flinches at water or those scents from the past...
This training journey let both of us face who we used to be through our wounds. It's been her redemption... and mine.
[player name], thank you for becoming Ksori's trainer with me. You gave a once-stray dog a home, and you let me complete my own redemption.
Yeah.
Maybe facing the past and changing isn't so scary after all.
Because you and Ksori made me believe someone will always be waiting for me to move forward.
She lowers her gaze from the blue sky and looks affectionately at you.
Oh, isn't that Ksori—and trainers Miss Discord and Commandant [player name]?
That's us. What's the matter?
The Paw Guardian event has officially ended. We're taking commemorative photos of all the trainers and dogs. Would you like to join?
Ksori—
Woof!
Hearing her name, the dog runs over, tail wagging, bouncing happily at your side.
Alright, everyone, get into position—
You two, stand closer together!
Closer still. You won't both fit in the frame like that.
Uh...
The warm evening breeze brushes against her flushed cheeks, deepening the color.
Even if you both call yourselves trainers, the quiet feelings between you have already begun to blur that line.
Her hand is slender and cool. These are the hands that have held weapons, cooked meals for you, and sewn new clothes...
She hesitates for only a moment before firmly returning your grip. Perhaps the threads of fate have already bound you together.
She doesn't hesitate. As the distance between you closes, she naturally slips her arm through yours.
Her fingers are slender and cool. These are the fingers that have held weapons, cooked meals for you, and sewn new clothes...
Without realizing it, those threads of fate have already bound you together.
Alright, ready—3... 2... 1... cheese!
The camera captures the moment, freezing it in time—two people and a dog.
As the staff hands the photo to you and Discord, the moment to part with Ksori draws near.
Woof, woof!
Discord crouches down and holds Ksori tightly, then stands to encourage her to run ahead with the other dogs.
"Oh, where, oh, where, has my little dog gone? Oh where, oh where can he be?"
Watching Ksori go, she hums a childhood rhyme.
The melody lingers, carrying her blessing for Ksori, and for the self who once struggled in the mud.
In this imperfect world, pain and hardship may still remain, but she no longer fears them.
"With his ears cut short and his tail cut long."
She tightens her grip on [player name]'s hand.
The once-wounded girl and the little dog have both grown. From a broken world, they have pieced their souls back together, and now walk with those they cherish toward a place of light.
