A Zoologist’s Guide to Surviving Magical Creatures

The rumbling started faint, like distant thunder, but within moments, it crescendoed into a roar that made the ground beneath me shudder violently.

Dust and pebbles scattered across the underworld floor, and I clutched the baby manticore closer to my chest as my pulse quickened.

"Oh no, no, no. Don't tell me—" I muttered, but my words were cut off by the sight of something massive barreling toward us.

A manticore.

Not just any manticore, though.

This one was at least three times the size of the baby I was holding. Its golden fur shimmered under the flickering casino's neon light, and its bat-like wings stretched wide as it galloped with terrifying speed.

Its scorpion tail arched high over its back, the stinger glowing faintly with venom that could probably take down a dragon.

And it was headed straight for me.

"Great. This is how I die. Death by a manticore," I said aloud, fully aware that nobody was going to eulogize me as The Guy Who Died Hugging a Baby Manticore.

I froze in place, unsure whether to run, drop the baby, or start praying to any deity that might take pity on me.

But before I could decide, the baby manticore let out a sharp, high-pitched cry.

The sound echoed through the lower casino lobby, piercing and desperate.

To my utter shock, the mother skidded to a halt, its claws scraping against the stone floor.

Its glowing eyes locked onto me, not with fury, but with something more conflicted—concern?

Curiosity?

Parental guilt for almost skewering a random mortal?

I exhaled, my chest heaving as I stared at the massive creature looming inches from me. Its warm, heavy breath puffed against my face as it studied me, then the baby, then me again.

"Well," I said nervously, "looks like we've reached... an understanding?"

The mother's attention shifted suddenly to Agnos, who was sitting nearby, grooming one paw with the kind of nonchalance that only a purple, otherworldly god-cat could pull off.

The manticore lowered its head, its intimidating demeanor shifting to one of submission. It bowed deeply, its mane brushing the ground.

Agnos didn't so much as twitch an ear in acknowledgment. He just kept licking his paw, like this was a completely normal Tuesday for him.

The mother turned back to me, its gaze softening. There was a flicker of nervousness in its eyes as it glanced between Agnos and its baby. It seemed to be waiting—contemplating.

I swallowed hard and looked at the baby in my arms. Its tiny lion-like face looked up at me, its wide, innocent eyes gleaming with trust. I felt a pang in my chest. I didn't want to give it up. But it wasn't mine to keep, was it?

"This is the part where I do the right thing, huh?" I said softly to the baby, my voice breaking slightly.

The baby manticore nuzzled my chest one last time, and I reluctantly stepped forward, extending it toward its mother.

"Here," I said, my voice thick. "Take care of them, okay?"

The mother's expression softened, and it let out a soft rumble of approval as it gently took the baby from my hands. It nuzzled its child, its massive wings quivering with what I could only describe as happiness.

Then, without so much as a glance back, it strutted off with a proud, almost smug bounce in its step.

"Great. Just leave me here with my existential crisis," I muttered.

Agnos finally stopped licking his paw and glanced up at me. "Sentimentality won't get you far,

Carl," he said in his usual bored tone. "Shall we move on?"

I sighed. "Yeah, let's move on."

********

Dr. Philippe and Eldrin were preparing to return to MECCP headquarters. Their job here was done, and to their credit, they did manage to resolve most of the underworld's ecological mess—after I, of course, risked life and limb.

Dr. Philippe dusted off his coat, giving me a stern look.

"Carl, you've done... adequate work."

"Adequate?" I repeated, feigning indignation.

"Excuse me, but I believe I went above and beyond. I mean, I practically carried this mission on my back." I puffed out my chest, then added shamelessly, "Does this mean I get the bonus payment?"

Philippe's eyes twitched, but he sighed.

"Yes, Carl. This includes your bonus payment."

"HA!" I fist-pumped the air, hopping with unrestrained glee.

Realizing the others were staring, I coughed awkwardly and smoothed out my clothes.

"I mean... uh, that's great news. Glad I could contribute."

Eldrin snorted. "You're shameless, Carl."

"Shamelessness pays the bills," I replied, grinning ear to ear.

I turned to Dr. Philippe and Eldrin as they finalized their departure preparations. The underworld of Domos Haidou cast its perpetual twilight glow, adding a strange finality to the moment.

"Well," I said, scratching the back of my neck, "I guess this is it. You guys head back to MECCP, and I... keep doing whatever this is."

Dr. Philippe adjusted his glasses, giving me his signature mix of approval and mild disdain. "Try not to get yourself killed, Carl. You're a... unique asset, if nothing else."

"Gee, thanks for the heartfelt goodbye, Sir," I replied with a wry grin.

Eldrin clapped a hand on my shoulder, his normally stoic face softening just a little. "You did well, Carl. Remember, if you need assistance, MECCP is only a portal away—though don't abuse the privilege."

I smiled, nodding. "Thanks, Eldrin. I won't forget."

As the two of them stepped into the glowing portal that would take them back to MECCP, I stood silently, watching their forms fade into the light.

The portal shimmered once and then vanished, leaving nothing but the quiet hum of the underworld around me. I let out a long breath, realizing how much I already missed the familiar faces.

"Guess it's just me and you now," I muttered, glancing at Agnos.

"Don't sound so glum," Agnos said, flicking his tail. "The real adventure is just beginning."

I wasn't sure if that was comforting or ominous. Probably both.

"So," I began, breaking the silence, "where to next? Is it another random pit of doom or... something even worse?"

Agnos, perched lazily on a floating rock that moved at his command, stretched and yawned. "The next fragment? Ah, it's being held by a friend of mine."

I stopped in my tracks. "A friend? You mean someone you trust has it?"

"Correct," Agnos replied with a casual flick of his tail. "Before my powers were shattered and the fragments scattered, I made sure the most critical ones were secured by my closest confidantes."

"Well, that's... surprisingly responsible of you," I admitted, narrowing my eyes. "Who is this friend? Are they trustworthy? Reliable?"

"Oh, very," Agnos said, his tone maddeningly nonchalant. "He's a judge."

My ears perked up. "A judge? Like... in a magistrate court or something? Someone who upholds laws and—"

"Precisely," Agnos said slyly, his lips curling into a grin. "A magistrate of sorts."

I groaned. His tone didn't exactly inspire confidence. "You're being cagey. This 'judge' isn't just a regular court official, is he?"

Agnos's smirk widened, and he said nothing. Fantastic.