A Zoologist’s Guide to Surviving Magical Creatures

I couldn't help but smile at that.

He wasn't wrong.

Between dragons, ghouls, and the occasional underworld gods, my definition of "safe" had shifted drastically since arriving in Mythica.

But the trolls were something else entirely.

Trolls had a reputation for being difficult to deal with, especially when it came to their homes. They were protective, fiercely territorial, and not exactly keen on outsiders.

Before I could voice more concerns, my phone buzzed in my pocket, the sudden vibration startling me. I fumbled to pull it out, glancing at the screen.

Eldrin. I froze, briefly considering ignoring the call.

But then I remembered the last time I did that. The elf had a way of making things worse when left unattended.

With a sigh, I swiped the screen and answered.

"Carl!" Eldrin's voice crackled through the speaker, his relief palpable. But there was an edge to his tone, something urgent. "Where are you? We need you back—immediately."

I winced. Eldrin never was one for pleasantries when there was something serious on his mind. "What happened?" I asked, a knot forming in my stomach.

"It's MECCP. There's a massive protest outside the headquarters, and it's... it's spiraling out of control," Eldrin said, his voice tense.

"Something's gone wrong with one of the habitats. The Norse community—well, they were working with MECCP on a troll issue. They wanted to help preserve the troll habitat, but... well, the Dungeon Raiders council isn't happy about it. They think it's a waste of resources. Now, we have Raiders threatening to tear down the habitat, and the entire council's at odds with MECCP. It's chaos, Carl."

The Dungeon Raids council was a different kind of problem altogether. They were known for their militant approach to 'protecting' Mythica's more volatile species, and it seemed they didn't take too kindly to the idea of saving trolls.

I didn't know much about the Norse—other than that they had a long history with MECCP and were known to be more cooperative than most—so I was at a bit of a loss here.

"Wait, what do you mean they're protesting in front of MECCP?" I asked, trying to wrap my head around the situation. "Are we talking full-scale riots?"

My mind was already racing. I could see it now—raiders charging through the streets towards the MECCP building, their armors set and weapons raised in the air, their protests roars reverberating.

"Worse," Eldrin said, his voice tight with frustration. "It's bad, Carl. Even the founder has personally called for you. They need you there to help mediate the situation. Now."

I glanced at Agnos, who had been listening intently. He was silent for a moment before raising an eyebrow at me.

I exhaled sharply, shaking my head. "I can't. I'm on my way to retrieve the last fragment. It's urgent, Eldrin. I can't just drop everything."

"I understand," Eldrin said quickly, his tone softening. "But you know how bad this can get. The Trolls—if this turns violent, it could cause a chain reaction across Mythica. The council's already divided, and if the trolls feel like they're being pushed into a corner..."

"I get it," I said, cutting him off before he could continue. He didn't need to spell it out. The situation was dangerous. "Hold the line for a minute. Let me talk to Agnos."

I lowered the phone from my ear and turned to face Agnos, my mind already swirling with options and consequences.

He didn't seem surprised by my request, just... intrigued. His eyes gleamed with a kind of knowing. Like he'd been expecting this.

"I'm stuck," I said, my voice low. "There's a huge issue back at MECCP. The Dungeon Raiders are about to go full force, and MECCP want me to help fix it. But I can't exactly be in two places at once."

Agnos blinked slowly, and for a moment, I thought he might remain silent. But then, he smiled, a glimmer of something mischievous flashing in his eyes.

"What a coincidence," he said smoothly, as if the universe had just handed him a perfect gift. "The next fragment happens to be located near the Troll city."

I froze. "Wait, what?"

Agnos's grin widened. "Oh yes. The very place. How fortunate for you."

I couldn't help but narrow my eyes at him. Something about his tone seemed too... convenient. "Are you telling me the seventh fragment is located somewhere in Troll city?"

He nodded, and I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something he wasn't telling me. "Indeed. The trolls have long since abandoned their ties to the outside, but they are still part of the larger tapestry of this world. Their territory is rich with history."

"Hold on," I said, my mind racing. "The trolls don't protect the fragment? Are you sure?"

Agnos's gaze hardened just a bit, his voice clipped. "Negative. They don't qualify."

I blinked. That was unexpected.

The Trolls were some of the most ancient creatures in Mythica. They were practically legends in their own right, their strength and magic undeniable.

To hear Agnos dismiss them so easily felt… wrong. But at the same time, I was strangely relieved. If they weren't the guardians of the fragment, then I didn't have to worry about them getting in the way.

"Well, that's a relief," I muttered, more to myself than Agnos. "I guess I'll head to the Norse community and deal with this troll problem."

Agnos's eyes gleamed with a strange intensity, though he didn't say anything. I could feel his mind working, calculating the next move. His silence spoke volumes.

I looked back at the phone. Eldrin was still waiting on the line. "I'll help MECCP with the troll issue," I said, feeling the weight of the decision settle on my shoulders. "Tell the founder I'm on my way. I'll fix this."

"Thank you, Carl," Eldrin said, his relief evident. "I knew you'd come through."

I ended the call, letting the quiet settle over me. The Troll city loomed ahead, just a few miles away, but the pull of MECCP was undeniable.

There was no easy way to do this. But one thing was clear: no matter where I went, I had to keep my wits sharp. I couldn't afford to make any more mistakes—not with everything on the line.