What if there's some kind of wild Ghost-type Spirit Beast on this bus? (Part 1)

The bus smoothly moved forward, and at the same time, the sun was setting, gradually casting off the golden hue that had painted the surfaces of the skyscrapers.

"We've reached Treetop Station. Passengers getting off, please make sure to take your belongings and exit through the back door," the electronic stop announcement suddenly rang out.

At this station, the bus became considerably more crowded, with all the seats occupied and an additional 5 or 6 passengers standing.

After about 3 more minutes of travel, Fire Dog suddenly turned its head without warning and let out a cry toward a fellow passenger.

Sitting next to Riley was a female student wearing the No. 37 Beast Tamer High School uniform, the same bus stop where Riley had boarded.

The female student glanced at Fire Dog but didn't say anything, only shifting slightly in her seat.

Riley turned Fire Dog to face him and asked, "What's wrong with you?"

Fire Dog looked at the female student.

"Bark?"

It tilted its head, appearing somewhat puzzled.

"Do you realize that this might scare people?" Riley said while patting Fire Dog's head.

"Bark."

Fire Dog simply responded and turned its gaze back to the window, admiring the scenery once again.

The female student, seeing this, smiled friendly towards Riley and said, "I'm fine."

Riley looked at the increased distance of over 10 centimeters between them, compared to before, and was about to say something.

At that moment, Fire Dog turned to the female student again, showing its teeth and appearing menacing.

The female student was startled and instinctively tried to get up.

"Could you please control your Fire Dog? It's scaring people. Are you responsible for that?" a male voice complained.

The speaker was standing right next to the female student.

Riley looked over to see a man with a square face and wearing a gray vest.

"Yeah, this Fire Dog clearly hasn't been tamed properly," the woman next to him added.

"Indeed, you should put it away with all the people on this bus," another voice chimed in.

Hearing everyone's comments, the female student looked at Riley expectantly, hoping that he would control Fire Dog.

Riley furrowed his brow but chose to ignore them. Although he hadn't been bonded with Fire Dog for long, he knew what kind of Spirit Beast it was.

It was a well-behaved Spirit Beast. Moreover, Fire Dog had ridden the bus without any issues before.

"What's the matter?" Riley turned Fire Dog to face him and asked.

"Bark."

Fire Dog arrogantly turned its head away from Riley, choosing not to look at him. It had overheard the people around them and assumed its Beast Tamer was going to scold it.

"Fire Dog." Riley gently turned its head back, holding it in place so it had to look at him.

Fire Dog's eyes were moist, showing a mix of stubbornness and aggrieved.

Riley stared into its eyes and said seriously, word by word, "I believe in you, and you should believe in me. If there's something wrong, you can tell me. You know I can understand what you mean."

Fire Dog, upon hearing its Beast Tamer's words, instantly became excited.

"Bark! Bark!"

"Bark, Bark."

"Bark, Bark, Bark, Bark! Bark!"