A Zoologist’s Guide to Surviving Magical Creatures

Usumgallu adjusted his monocle and made a contemplative hum.

"Hmm… It seems you truly are. Please, follow me, owner."

Without waiting for a response, he turned and started walking toward a nearby counter.

I hesitated, glancing back at my companions.

Amaterasu gave me a hesitant smile, as if trying to reassure me while keeping her distance. "Maybe you should follow him," she suggested softly.

Jiuge, on the other hand, looked like she'd seen a ghost. Her wide eyes were frozen in shock, and even her nine tails had stopped their usual swishing, hanging stiffly behind her like petrified branches.

And Agnos? He was completely unfazed, comfortably lounging on one of the sofas with a steaming cup of tea in hand. Typical.

I gulped nervously, scratching the back of my neck. "Y-Yeah, I guess I should, right?" I muttered, though my voice lacked confidence.

Taking a deep breath, I trailed behind Usumgallu, who moved with an air of purpose. His name was already a mouthful—and I'd already forgotten half of it—but something told me forgetting wasn't the worst of my worries right now.

I seized the opportunity to ask, "Erm... by the way, I was wondering—what kind of information can we procure from this place? Specifically, do you have anything about the Forest of Forgotten Tales?"

Usumgallu stopped mid-stride, his movements precise and deliberate. He turned his piercing gaze to me, and the weight of his attention made me instinctively stiffen.

"On which realm?" he asked, his tone neutral but laced with an undercurrent of expectation.

"Which realm?" I echoed, blinking in surprise. Wait... there's more than one Forest of Forgotten Tales?

The realization hit me like a ton of bricks, but I quickly shoved the panic aside. I cleared my throat, trying to sound composed, even though my mind was racing. "Erm... in Mythica?" I ventured, hoping that was the answer he wanted to hear.

Usumgallu raised a brow, his expression unreadable. For a moment, he seemed to be assessing my response, and I couldn't shake the feeling that he could see straight through me.

"Very well," he finally said with a nod. "The section on the Forest of Forgotten Tales within Mythica lies in the Creatures and Habitats Archives. However, as an owner, you are also entitled to request cross-realm comparative information, should you wish to deepen your understanding."

"Cross-realm comparative information?" I repeated, unable to hide my curiosity.

Usumgallu's monocle glinted as he adjusted it. "Precisely. Knowledge here transcends the boundaries of individual realms.

However, access to such comprehensive data requires additional authorization and proof of purpose. Now, if you'll follow me, I shall grant you the initial access you seek."

He resumed walking, leaving me to process what felt like a tidal wave of new implications.

My companions exchanged glances, and I could tell they were just as taken aback as I was.

More than one Forest of Forgotten Tales? Cross-realm knowledge?

This place was shaping up to be far more complicated—and intriguing—than I had ever anticipated.

And then it hit me. Owner of realms. That was what the forest druid had hinted at before. The words I had brushed off as cryptic nonsense suddenly carried weight.

"Erm... When you say 'owner'..." I hesitated, the realization making my voice falter, "you don't mean owner of realms, right?"

Usumgallu paused, his expression steady and impassive as he turned to face me fully. His movements were deliberate, almost ceremonial, as he reached behind the counter.

"It is," he confirmed, his tone calm but firm. "Owner of Realms."

My breath caught. I glanced back at Amaterasu and Jiuge for reassurance, but they both looked as stunned as I felt.

Amaterasu's smile was a mix of awkward encouragement and concern, while Jiuge's tails started flicking nervously again, a sign that even she wasn't sure how to process this.

Usumgallu continued, pulling out what looked like an ancient scroll from behind the counter. The scroll was sealed with a shimmering emblem that pulsed faintly, as though alive.

"This," he said, holding the scroll before me with a reverent air, "is your realm ledger. It is a record of all domains under your stewardship. As an owner, it is your responsibility to maintain balance, uphold order, and prevent the collapse of natural and magical systems within your assigned realms."

"Wait, what?" I blurted, my voice rising in disbelief. "I think there's been a mistake. I'm just... I'm just Carl! A mortal. I'm definitely not someone responsible for realms!"

Usumgallu raised a single brow, unimpressed by my protest.

"The ledger does not lie," he said simply. "Your token granted you entry here, proof enough of your status. Whether you accept it or not, the responsibility is yours. The realms depend on it."

I stared at the scroll as though it might bite me. "This has to be a joke," I muttered under my breath.

Amaterasu stepped forward, her voice soft but steady. "Carl, maybe... maybe you should see what's in the ledger first. It might help clarify things."

I swallowed hard, my palms damp with nervous sweat.

Owner of realms? Stewardship? Balancing systems?

None of this sounded remotely like the duties I'd signed up for. But with everyone staring at me expectantly, there was no backing out now.

"Alright," I said, exhaling sharply. "Let's open it and see what this is all about."

Usumgallu inclined his head slightly, a gesture that seemed almost approving, and placed the scroll on the counter.

The shimmering emblem dissolved with a soft hum as I reached out to unroll it, bracing myself for whatever revelation lay within.

As the ledger shimmered, information floated magically and a projected map were displayed for everyone to see.

Amaterasu gasped, her usually composed demeanor shattered. Jiuge's jaw dropped, her nine tails stiff and bristling. Even Agnos, who had been casually sipping tea earlier, stood up abruptly, his ears twitching in surprise.

"That's Mythica!" Amaterasu exclaimed, her voice a mixture of shock and awe. "Y-you're the owner of Mythica? I thought it was the Creator—"