In the heart of the city stood a modest two-story building—its first floor a shop, and its second a place of residence. It was the place where the rotund man, who called himself Jack, had led us.0

"This is the place, Professor," Jack said.0

"I'll go in first," I replied.0

"Yes, of course! Hahaha…"0

I examined the building’s exterior as I made my way around it. Rather than stepping inside, I took a narrow passage leading to the back. Beyond it lay a small, overgrown yard—an old, tattered doll abandoned in the grass, a ball rolling, and an aging dog plodding after it.0

"Huff, huff—"0

The dog gave up on the ball and made its way toward me instead. It seemed fond of people, yet the weight of age had worn it down—each breath slow and strained.0

At that moment…0

“Relin~ You need to fetch the ball… Gasp.”0

A child's soft, sweet voice caught my attention, and I turned toward it. The child standing there froze in surprise as our eyes met. There was nothing remarkable about the child—perhaps, in time, the child...0