Ding!
{She was obviously cut by sothing sharp.}
A brief pause followed before the system spoke again.
Ding!
{Oh... found it.}
The interface flickered back to life, projecting a new image in front of Ivy. This ti, it displayed a rusted iron gate nearby. One of its bars had snapped, leaving a jagged, spear-like edge protruding outward.
The tip of it was stained with fresh blood.
The sa blood that now soaked into the dog’s golden fur.
Ivy’s expression darkened instantly.
"So that’s what did this..." she muttered under her breath, her jaw tightening slightly.
Without wasting another second, she acted.
Quickly, she grabbed the hem of her gown and tore a long strip from it. The fabric ripped with a sharp sound, but Ivy didn’t hesitate. She gently lifted the dog’s injured leg again.
The dog whimpered, its body flinching in pain.
"I know, I know... I’m sorry," Ivy soothed softly, her voice calm and reassuring as she worked. "Just hold on a little longer, okay?"
Carefully, she wrapped the torn cloth around the wound, tying it firmly enough to slow the bleeding but gently enough not to cause more pain.
Surprisingly, the dog stayed still this ti.
Its body trembled slightly, but it didn’t struggle.
It was almost as if...
It trusted her.
Ivy noticed that, and her heart softened even more.
"...You’re such a good girl," she whispered, brushing her fingers lightly through the dog’s fur.
Then her gaze shifted and sothing caught her attention.
Around the dog’s neck was a golden chain.
Attached to it was a small tag.
Ivy leaned closer, squinting slightly before reading the engraved na.
"...Golden."
A soft smile spread across her face.
"Golden, huh? That’s such a beautiful na," she said gently.
She let out a small, amused chuckle, shaking her head.
"What a coincidence... I just nad my system Golden, and now another Golden shows up."
Her fingers continued to stroke the dog’s fur soothingly.
"So what should I do now?" she mused playfully. "Call you Golden number two... or change the system’s na instead?"
The dog let out a weak sound, leaning further into her touch, its body relaxing despite the pain.
Ivy’s smile softened.
"...Alright. Enough talking."
Her expression turned serious again as she looked at the wound.
"I need to treat her properly."
She glanced upward slightly.
"System, first aid kit. Do you have anything suitable for animals?"
Ding!
{To treat the dog, is the Host willing to spend twenty points? This would give her full treatnt.}
Ivy didn’t even pause.
"Of course," she replied imdiately, her tone firm and certain. "If it ans she’ll be completely healed, then it’s worth it."
Ding!
{System initializing treatnt.}
Before Ivy could say anything else—
A bright blue light suddenly engulfed Golden’s body.
"Bark—!"
The dog cried out loudly, its body tensing as the light seeped into her skin.
Ivy’s eyes widened slightly in alarm.
"Hey—! Easy, easy..." she murmured, gently holding the dog in place. "It’s okay... it’s helping you. Just hang on..."
The light pulsed softly, almost like it was working from within—repairing, restoring, rebuilding.
Golden’s whimpers grew louder at first, her body trembling under the intensity of the treatnt.
Seconds stretched into what felt like minutes.
Minutes that felt like forever.
Ivy stayed right there the entire ti, her hand resting on Golden’s head, stroking gently as if trying to share so of her strength.
"...You’re doing so well," she whispered. "Just a little more..."
Finally—
The blue light faded.
Slowly... completely... until it disappeared.
Silence followed.
For a brief mont, Ivy didn’t move.
Then, quickly, she reached for the cloth tied around the dog’s leg and carefully untied it.
The fabric fell away.
And—
"...No way."
Her eyes widened in disbelief.
The wound was gone.
Completely gone.
No blood, cut....not even a scar.
It was as if the injury had never existed.
"Bark! Bark!"
Golden suddenly barked, her voice now full of energy.
She jumped to her feet instantly, wagging her tail excitedly as if she had never been hurt in the first place.
Ivy blinked once... then laughed in amazent.
"Oh my goodness...you’re really okay now!"
Her face lit up with pure relief and joy as she reached out to pet her again.
Golden barked happily, circling her with excitent, her tail wagging nonstop.
"So..." Ivy said, tilting her head slightly with a playful smile. "Will you co ho with ?"
She raised a brow, watching the dog’s reaction closely.
Golden didn’t hesitate.
"Bark! Bark!"
She rushed toward Ivy imdiately, still wagging her tail, her entire body radiating happiness.
Ivy chuckled softly.
"I’ll take that as a yes."
Without wasting another mont, she bent down and carefully lifted Golden into her arms.
The dog didn’t resist.
Instead, she lted right into Ivy’s embrace, pressing her body close as if she had finally found sowhere she belonged.
Ivy held her securely, one hand gently stroking her back.
"Alright... let’s get out of here before those monsters show up," she muttered, her tone turning alert again as she glanced around.
Her grip on Golden tightened protectively.
"Let’s take you ho."
A small smile returned to her lips.
"Aria, Lila, and Hope are going to love you."
She let out a soft breath, already imagining their reactions.
"They might even give you a new na," she added lightly.
Golden gave a small, content sound, snuggling deeper into her arms.
And with that, Ivy turned and made her way back toward the shelter...her steps steady, her heart a little lighter than before.
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