Max ran from cage to cage, pulling away the black cloth coverings with growing desperation.

Nothing.

Another cage.

Nothing.

Another one.

A lizard with way too many eyes.

"Definitely not in here."

He ran to the next one.

"Neros, give me a hand and check something too."

The cat man stayed behind him, sword in hand, watching the chaos around them.

"I’m busy making sure you don’t get killed."

He blocked the swipe of a small furry creature that clearly didn’t want to stay locked up anymore either.

CLANG.

"I’m covering your back."

Max sighed.

"Yeah, well, try covering it while looking for a blonde human girl."

A few meters away from them, the warehouse had become an absolute disaster.

The manticore roared while two orcs tried to restrain it with chains.

The small earth elemental rolled across the floor, violently smashing ankles with strength wildly disproportionate to its size.

And the giant spider...

Well. The giant spider was having the best day of its life.

Finn moved through the chaos practically invisible.

Slipping behind distracted orcs.

SWISH.

His dagger sliced through a guard’s tendon. The orc screamed and dropped to his knees.

Before he could react, the giant spider descended from above.

FWUMP.

Webbing directly to the face.

"AAAAAH!"

Another orc fell, quickly getting wrapped in more webs.

Finn smiled in satisfaction.

"Excellent teamwork, boys."

The manticore smashed through a wooden crate in a single hit.

The elemental bit someone’s finger.

The spider kidnapped another orc.

The warehouse had descended into complete chaos.

Finn took advantage of the moment and sprinted toward the warehouse’s massive door.

Then slammed it shut before the orc reinforcements could arrive.

BOOM.

After that, he shoved a huge metal bar through both supports.

CLANK.

Perfectly sealed.

On the other side, Vasha’s distant voice could still be heard.

"BRING REINFORCEMENTS! THE PRODUCTS ESCAPED!"

Finn turned toward Max and Neros.

"What the hell are you doing?"

He pointed at the cages.

"Free everyone!"

Max pulled aside another cloth. A skeleton mounted on something that had probably once been a horse.

"...Ok, that’s pretty metal."

He turned toward Finn.

"We’re looking for the king’s pet."

He frowned.

"It’s not like we’re sightseeing in here."

Finn scoffed.

"Then sightsee faster. We don’t have much time."

Without wasting another second, he started opening more and more cages.

CLICK.

CLICK.

CLICK.

Doors opened everywhere.

A centaur burst out galloping furiously.

A golden bird smashed through the top of a crate and began flying in circles overhead.

Two undead creatures stumbled out and immediately attacked an orc trapped in spiderwebs.

A massive reptile broke metal bars apart with its head.

The warehouse now looked like the direct result of an extremely bad collective decision.

But there was still no sign of Chloe.

Max kept searching desperately.

Nothing.

Nothing.

Nothing.

Neros finally decided to help in his own way.

He simply started smashing cages apart with his sword.

CRASH.

Another one open.

CRACK.

Another one.

"Well," Max commented while continuing to search,

"I guess that technically counts."

Then suddenly, Max stopped.

Ahead of them stood another door.

Smaller. Reinforced. Separate from the main warehouse.

His heart gave a small jump.

"...She’s in there. I’m sure of it."

Neros turned toward him.

"You sure?"

Max nodded immediately.

"Yeah. Absolutely sure."

He didn’t know how to explain it. He could just feel it.

Finn appeared beside them and glanced around.

The roaring, crashes, and screams kept growing louder.

"We need to hurry."

He pointed behind them.

"Before more orcs arrive."

Max pointed at the lock.

"Then use your rogue tricks and open this door."

Finn grinned sideways.

"I charge extra for locksmith work."

He pulled several small metal tools out of some questionable place in his clothing.

CLICK.

CLICK CLICK.

Fast. Precise hand movements.

And then...

CLACK.

The door opened.

Finn gave a small bow.

"You’re welcome."

Max immediately pushed the door open.

And froze.

Inside was only a small, dark, empty room.

Except for a single figure hanging from chains attached to the ceiling.

Chloe.

She was wearing nothing but simple underwear.

Her arms were raised above her head, held in place by metal cuffs.

Faint bruises covered parts of her skin.

And she was clearly unconscious, her face pale and dark circles beneath her eyes.

Max felt instant relief at the sight of her.

"We found her!"

Neros immediately stepped forward.

"Get ready to catch her."

He raised his sword.

And with one clean slash—

SHING.

The chains snapped.

Chloe fell, but Max caught her before she hit the floor.

He held her in his arms.

And right then...

The royal pet’s eyes slowly began to open.

She blinked in confusion.

Looked at Max.

And smiled.

A brief silence.

"...Why do I always wake up half-naked in your arms?"

Max let out a small laugh.

"Pure coincidence."

He smiled in relief.

"But we came to rescue you."

Chloe blinked again, clearly exhausted.

"Since they couldn’t put me to sleep because of my supposed ability..."

She swallowed hard and held her stomach.

"...they just stopped feeding me."

Her voice came out weak.

"Any food you have... please."

Max reacted immediately.

He reached into the infinite backpack, pulled out a loaf of bread, and handed it to her right away.

"Here. I don’t know if it’s enough, but it’s something."

Chloe practically snatched it in desperation.

She immediately started eating quickly.

Finn glanced toward the door.

"Hurry."

His ears twitched.

"They’re coming."

Max helped Chloe steady herself better.

"Now we’ve got an army of furious creatures to stop them."

Finn grinned widely.

"...That’s true."

He spun the dagger between his fingers.

"I like the way you think."

Max removed his cloak and draped it over Chloe to cover her.

The human girl sighed, a little calmer now.

"Thank you very much."

She adjusted the cloth around herself and wiped bread crumbs from her face.

"I already feel much better."

Finn tilted his head.

"...What language is that?"

He blinked.

"I’ve never heard it before."

Max opened his mouth. Then shook his head.

"That’s not important right now."

He looked toward the blocked gate.

"First, let’s get out of this warehouse alive."

Neros tightened his grip on his sword.

Finn walked toward the massive main door.

He placed one hand on the metal bar, dagger in the other hand.

And smiled.

Ready to open it.