Chapter 141: The Monopoly of the Underground Bar and the "Angel Fund" Spanning a Century
Beneath New York, the Blind Pig Bar.
This was an illegal underground bar hidden behind wanted posters.
The air was thick with suffocating cigar smoke, the clamor of jazz, and the smell of illegal alcohol.
It was a gathering place for Goblins, gangsters, and wandering Wizards.
When Morrin and his party pushed the door open, all eyes in the bar focused on them.
"Wow." Jacob stared at the House-elf pouring drinks, his eyes wide, "What is this place?"
"This is an intelligence exchange."
Morrin walked straight toward a large table in the depths of the bar.
Sitting there was an ugly-looking Goblin with rings covering his fingers—Gnarlak.
He was the boss here and an intelligence peddler in the New York underworld.
"Look who it is." Gnarlak exhaled a puff of smoke, his greedy little eyes sizing up Newt, "Isn't this the British zoologist who caused big trouble? Someone has put a high bounty on your head, Scamander."
"I think you are mistaken, Mr. Gnarlak."
Morrin White slammed his black ironwood wand heavily on the table, making the glasses jump.
"We are not wanted criminals. We are investors."
"Investors?" Gnarlak sneered, "In this day and age, besides that Grindelwald, who dares to invest in New York?"
"Me."
Morrin took out a heavy alchemical pouch from his bosom and untied the string.
Clatter.
A pile of pure silver bricks, shimmering with a seductive luster, poured onto the table; they were refined from Occamy eggshells.
Gnarlak's eyes went wide instantly.
The surrounding patrons also stopped what they were doing, staring greedily at the pile of silver.
"This is my sincerity."
Morrin sat down, interlacing his fingers, that aura belonging to a superior making Gnarlak put away his contempt.
"I want to buy three things."
Morrin held up three fingers:
"First, real-time intelligence on those escaped beasts. I know your informants are all over the city."
"Second, I want to acquire 51% of this bar. Don't be in a hurry to refuse; I know you are being audited by the Wizarding Congress, and I can help you clear your books."
"Third..."
Morrin leaned forward, his voice lowered:
"...I want you to help me set up an organization. It will be called the 'White Mutual Aid Society'."
"Mutual Aid Society?" Gnarlak asked while touching the silver bricks, "What for? Charity?"
"On the surface, it is to help wandering Wizards, Squibs, and even... half-breed Goblins who cannot survive in Muggle society."
Morrin's gaze deepened:
"But in reality, this is a talent reserve. I want you to help me collect those who are talented but oppressed under the current system. Give them food, give them work, and teach them magic."
"I want them to infiltrate the American magical and financial worlds over the next few decades."
"And..." Morrin's pupils flashed with golden light, "...add a clause to the core contract of this organization: when that emblem lights up again, no matter how many years have passed, they must unconditionally respond to the call."
This was a move spanning 70 years.
Morrin knew that when he returned to 1998 to fight Lord Voldemort, Britain's resources might have been exhausted.
At that time, this force, which had been lurking in the United States for more than half a century, would become the key reinforcements that decided the outcome of the war.
Gnarlak looked at the silver bricks, then at Morrin's eyes, which seemed to be able to see through the future.
He was a Goblin; he only cared about money.
Besides, what Morrin gave was simply too much.
"Deal." Gnarlak grinned, revealing a mouthful of sharp teeth, "But I also want that."
He pointed at the Bowtruckle in Newt's pocket.
"Don't even think about it." Newt protected his pocket.
"Use this as collateral." Morrin casually threw out a bottle of golden [Polyjuice Potion (Improved)], "The price this can fetch on the black market is enough for you to buy a hundred Bowtruckles."
Gnarlak took the potion, sniffed it, and nodded with satisfaction.
"The Demiguise is at Macy's. The Erumpent is in Central Park. As for that shiny little thing... it is in a jewelry store window."
Intelligence acquired.
Morrin stood up and patted Jacob on the shoulder.
"Mr. Kowalski, I heard you want to open a bakery?"
Jacob was stunned: "Yes... yes, but I don't have any collateral."
"Now you do."
Morrin pointed at the smoky bar:
"From today on, you are the nominal logistics manager of this 'White Mutual Aid Society'. You can use the kitchen here to bake bread and sell it to these Wizards. I think they are tired of rotten sausages and will like your donuts."
"Really?!" Jacob was so excited he was about to cry.
"Of course. This is also a kind of—cover."
Morrin smiled slightly. Letting a Muggle be the manager, who would suspect that this was the base of a secret organization spanning the century?
...
Leaving the bar.
"Morrin, do you really want to build a force?" Newt walked on the street, somewhat worried, "The Wizarding Congress does not like people forming cliques."
"I am not forming a clique; I am doing charity." Morrinstraightened his trench coat, "Besides, compared to a madman like Grindelwald who wants to start a war, a businessman like me who only wants to make money is practically a dove of peace."
"Now, separate actions."
Morrin glanced at the system compass.
"You go to Central Park to catch that rutting Erumpent. Remember to bring your pheromones."
"And you?" Newt asked.
"I am going to that orphanage called'Second Salem'."
Morrin's gaze turned to the shadows of the city.
"There is a boy named Credence there. He hides a massive power inside him."
"Grindelwald is looking for him, trying to turn him into a weapon."
Morrin gripped his black ironwood wand, a flash of cold determination in his eyes:
"But I plan... to turn him into my'shareholder'."
"Before Grindelwald does."
Evening.
New York's winter came very early, with cold wind rolling flyers on the dirty streets.
The Second Salem orphanage was a gray, depressing wooden building, like a coffin that could swallow hope at any moment.
In front of the orphanage steps, Mary Lou was scolding the children.
She held a leather belt in her hand, her eyes fanatical and cruel.
"Are the flyers finished? Credence!" She screamed, staring at the thin boy who was huddled in the corner and still much taller than her even with his head lowered.
Credence.
The most powerful Obscurial in history.
At this moment, he was like a frightened mouse, shaking his head.
"Useless thing! You have been corrupted by evil!"
Mary Lou raised the belt and struck down hard.
Snap!
The belt did not land on Credence.
A hand wearing a black leather glove had firmly caught the end of the belt in mid-air.
"Who?!" Mary Lou turned back angrily.
Morrin White stood at the bottom of the steps.
He was wearing that expensive black trench coat, holding his black ironwood wand, his expression as cold as if he were looking at a pile of trash.
Chapter 142: The Redeemed Orphan and the Dark Lord in the Alley
"Pardon me, Madam."
Morrin flicked his wrist, and his [Half-Giant Strength] erupted.
Mary Lou felt a massive force hit her, causing her to stagger and collapse onto the ground. The belt slipped from her hand and landed at Morrin's feet.
"You... you're a Wizard?!" Mary Lou screamed in terror, pointing at Morrin. "Devil! You're a devil!"
"I am your creditor."
Morrin pulled a document from his coat, one he had obtained through Gnarlack's Goblin gang.
"The mortgage for this orphanage is three months overdue. Ms. Barebone, according to bank regulations, if you don't pay up, this house will be auctioned off tomorrow."
"What?" Mary Lou froze. "No... God will protect..."
"God doesn't handle debt collection, but I do."
Morrin used his cane to lift the belt and threw it into a nearby trash can with disdain.
"Now, I have two proposals."
Morrin walked over to Credence. The boy was looking at him with an expression of disbelief, fear, and longing.
"Proposal one: You continue abusing children here, and then end up on the street tomorrow."
"Proposal two: I pay off your debts for you. In exchange..."
Morrin placed his hand on Credence's shoulder. He could feel the violent, surging obscurus beneath his palm.
It was an extremely unstable nuclear reactor.
"...I want to take this boy with me."
"Take him?" Mary Lou scrambled up from the ground, a glint of malice in her eyes. "You want this waste? He is the devil's child! His mother was a wicked..."
"That is my business."
Morrin cut her off, pulled a roll of dollars from his pocket, and threw it in Mary Lou's face.
"Take it and buy some bread. Or print your pamphlets. But from now on..."
Morrin looked at Credence, his voice low and firm: "...You are the first official employee of the White Mutual Aid Society. You no longer belong here."
Credence was trembling all over. He looked at Morrin, then at the money on the ground. For the first time, someone had not only stood up against that terrifying "mother" for his sake but had also paid a price.
"Go... go with you?" Credence asked hoarsely.
"Yes. If you want to eat your fill and stop getting beaten, follow me."
Credence hesitated for a moment, then finally took a step and stumbled after Morrin.
...
Two blocks away, in a dark alley.
Morrin stopped. Credence followed behind him, looking around nervously.
"Well done, Mr. White."
A low, magnetic voice came from the shadows at the alley entrance. Percival Graves, or rather, Grindelwald, slowly walked out.
He was wearing a black and white coat, his hands in his pockets, his deep eyes flashing with dangerous light in the dim glow.
"You've snatched my 'informant'." Graves looked at Credence, a mocking smile playing on his lips.
Seeing Graves, Credence instinctively shrank back.
Graves had also approached him, but that was to make him...
"That was a legal employment contract, Director Graves."
Morrin turned and blocked Credence from view.
"I paid off his debts and gave him a job. This is entirely in compliance with United States law."
"Law?" Graves scoffed, taking a step forward. "In this world where the strong prey on the weak, the law is a shackle forged for the weak. Mr. White, you are a smart man; you should understand..."
Graves' gaze drifted past Morrin to Credence: "...Some powers cannot be bought with money. They need, they need guidance to be released."
"Credence." Graves reached out, his tone seductive. "Come with me. I will teach you how to control yourself. I will give you... freedom."
Credence's eyes wavered. His longing for magic was etched into his very bones.
"Freedom?" Morrin suddenly laughed.
He did not stop Graves but stepped aside, letting Credencemake his own choice.
"Does Mr. Graves' so-called freedom mean turning you into a bomb to blow up a Muggle city, only to be hunted down and killed by Aurors?"
Morrin pulled a piece of chocolate from his pocket—a snack he carried for Luna—unwrapped it, and handed it to Credence.
"Credence, I won't teach you magic for now, nor will I give you ethereal promises."
Morrin looked into the boy's eyes: "But I can give you dignity."
"In my factory, no one will hit you. You will have a warm bed, and hot milk and bread every day. You only need to work to be paid."
"This is not charity; this is a transaction. In a transaction, we are equals."
Credence looked at Graves' outstretched hand—empty, offering only promises—and then at the chocolate in Morrin's hand, real, sweet food.
For someone long accustomed to hunger and abuse, the instinct for survival conquered the desire for power.
Credence reached out with a trembling hand, took the chocolate, and popped it into his mouth. The sweetness melted on his tongue. He stood behind Morrin.
Graves' hand froze in mid-air. His expression darkened with the anger of being offended.
As the first Dark Lord, he was rarely refused, especially by a "Muggle-born capitalist" who had intercepted his plans.
"You are playing with fire, White."
Graves' hand slowly moved toward the wand in his coat.
"The thing inside this boy... you cannot control it."
"That is a matter of my own risk assessment."
Morrin gripped his cane tightly; the [Storm Perception (Purple · from Thunderbird)] within him allowed him to sense the violent fluctuations of magic in the air.
"And, Mr. Graves."
Morrin's pupils constricted slightly as he activated the suppression field of the [Gate of Truth]:
"If you make a move now, I wouldn't mind causing a scene here and drawing every Auror from the Wizarding Congress."
"By then, would that 'perfect disguise' of yours still hold up?"
Graves narrowed his eyes, staring intensely at Morrin. He realized it now. This youth knew who he was.
A long silence followed. Graves released his grip on his wand and resumed his arrogant posture.
"Very well."
Graves smiled, a smile that sent chills down one's spine.
"I hope your 'investment' yields a return. But remember, in this era on the brink of transformation, a merchant without a stance... usually dies first."
With that, he Apparated and vanished.
Only Morrin and Credence, who was still chewing the chocolate, remained in the alley.
"Let's go."
Morrin let out a sigh of relief; facing Grindelwald was still quite stressful.
He took out a portkey in the shape of a silver coin engraved with the White emblem and handed it to Credence.
"Take this and go to the Blind Pig Bar to find that fat baker, his name is Jacob. He will arrange a place for you to stay."
"And you?" Credence asked.
"I still have to deal with a few other 'lost little animals'."
Morrin glanced at the sky; dark clouds were gathering.
"Besides, that Thunderbird told me a great storm is coming."
"Before the storm arrives, I must earn enough money."
Chapter 143: The "Statue" in the Display Window, the Looted Diamond District, and the Perfect Storage Technique
The Diamond District of New York is the most bustling and dazzling place in the city.
Countless jewelry stores line the streets, with display windows showcasing diamonds and gold enough to make any woman scream.
But today, it is also the most dangerous place outside of a bank.
Morrin White stood on the street corner with Newt and Jacob.
Newt looked anxious, while Jacob was obliviously eating the sandwich Morrin had given him.
"According to Gnarlack's intel," Morrin pointed to the largest jewelry store across the street, "the little guy who loves shiny things is in there."
"Niffler!" Newt exclaimed in a low voice. "It's going to empty the place out!"
"If it doesn't get caught, it certainly has the ability to do so." Morrin adjusted his gloves. "Let's go see the masterpiece of this 'master thief.'"
Stanley Jewelry Store.
Although it was daytime, there seemed to be a "minor situation" inside the store.
Through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows, one could see display racks toppled all over the floor, with pearl necklaces rolling everywhere like scattered marbles.
And in the most conspicuous central display window, there were several mannequin stands draped with diamond necklaces.
One of the "mannequins"
It was only one foot tall, covered in black fur with a platypus-like mouth, holding a giant sapphire in its hands, maintaining an extremely stiff pose as it tried to disguise itself as a statue, motionless.
Niffler.
"There!" Jacob shouted, pointing at the display window.
That shout ruined everything. The Niffler realized it had been exposed; it immediately abandoned its disguise, shoved the sapphire into its belly pouch, and turned to run.
"Catch it!" Newt waved his wand and rushed toward the glass door.
"Alohomora!"
The glass door opened in response.
Newt and Jacob rushed in, beginning a chaotic chase.
The Niffler leaped across the counters, sweeping more jewelry into its pouch, while Newt cast various spells from behind in an attempt to snare it, only to shatter more glass cabinets.
Morrin did not run.
Like an elegant customer, he strolled slowly into the store, casually closed the door behind him, and hung up a "Closed" sign.
"How rude."
Morrin looked at the mess on the floor and shook his head.
"This indiscriminate method of looting is too inefficient. If it were me, I would prioritize cut loose diamonds; they are small in volume and high in value."
He walked to the counter and looked at the Niffler, which was hanging from the chandelier, trying to reach the gold leaf decorations on the ceiling.
"Come down."
Morrin raised his black ironwood wand and tapped the chandelier lightly.
[Gate of Truth] — — Metal Fatigue.
Snap.
The metal chain of the chandelier snapped instantly.
The Niffler fell along with the chandelier, but a second before hitting the ground, Newt cast a "Cushioning Charm."
The Niffler wasn't hurt; after landing, it immediately bounced toward the door like a pinball.
It didn't want to be caught and taken back to that penniless suitcase; it wanted freedom! It wanted gold!
It was just about to squeeze through the gap in the door.
"This way is blocked."
Morrin's wand tapped the floor again.
[Alchemy · Material Reconstruction].
The floor at the doorway suddenly liquefied, then instantly rose, turning into a semi-circular metal cage that trapped the Niffler securely inside.
"Squeak, squeak, squeak!"
The Niffler slammed frantically against the cage, but since it was metal reinforced by Alchemy, it didn't budge.
Newt ran over, panting, grabbed the Niffler from the cage, and held it upside down.
The scene that followed was nothing short of a "miracle."
Newt scratched the Niffler's belly, and countless diamonds, gold necklaces, silver candlesticks, and even a gold brick poured out like a waterfall from that tiny belly pouch, piling up into a small mountain.
"Good heavens..." Jacob stared in shock. "Is its stomach a bottomless pit?"
"It's a natural version of the Undetectable Extension Charm." Morrin walked over, picked up a high-quality pink diamond to examine it, and added, "A very advanced spatial folding talent."
[Contact Successful!]
[Target: Niffler]
[Current Extraction Attempts: 2]
"Can't miss this opportunity."
Morrin reached out and stroked the Niffler's furry head.
[Consumption of Extraction Attempts x 1]
[Extraction Successful!]
[Congratulations on acquiring trait]: Dimensional Stomach (Purple · Spatial Type)
[Description]: Your trench coat pocket (or any container you designate) will gain additional storage space, ignoring weight. 100 cubic meters.
[Bonus]: Gold Intuition (Passive). When you are near high-value precious metals, your nose will tingle slightly.
"A very useful skill." Morrin retracted his hand with satisfaction. From now on, he would never have to worry about not having enough room for loot.
Just then, the piercing sound of sirens rang out at the street corner.
Muggle police had arrived.
"We have to go!" Newt hurriedly stuffed the Niffler back into his suitcase.
"Wait."
Morrin looked at the pile of priceless jewelry on the floor.
Although most of it was returned to the shop owner, as a "security service fee"...
He waved his wand.
From the pile of jewelry on the floor, a few of the most expensive loose diamonds and that gold brick flew up silently and automatically slipped into Morrin's newly upgraded [Dimensional Stomach].
"Alright, now we can go."
Morrin adjusted his collar and said to Jacob and Newt, who were still dazed:
"The back door is over there. The police should arrive on the scene in about thirty seconds."
"Remember, we are just 'concerned citizens' passing by who helped catch that 'wild monkey,' understand?"
The three of them slipped out the back door.
By the time the police rushed in, they only saw a mess of jewelry on the floor and the chandelier that had inexplicably fallen.
In the alleyway.
Newt wiped his sweat and hugged his suitcase. "Thank you, Mr. White. If you hadn't sealed the door..."
"Don't mention it." Morrin touched his bulging pocket.
"Where to next?" Jacob asked. He now felt that following these two Wizards was even more exciting than watching a movie.
"Central Park."
Morrin glanced at the Alchemy Compass in his hand.
"There is an Erumpent in heat there."
Morrin looked at Newt, his eyes carrying a hint of mockery:
"Mr. Scamander, I hear you have a unique 'mating dance'? I look forward to seeing it with my own eyes."
"Er..." Newt's face turned red. "That was... for science."
"Of course, science." Morrin smiled. "However, in order to prevent that big guy from blowing up the park, I suggest we hurry."
"Because the Erumpent's horn contains explosive fluid enough to blow up a building."
"And that is exactly the raw material my factory is in urgent need of."
Chapter 144: Night in Central Park.
Central Park, New York.
Although it was early winter, this urban lung was already covered in a thin layer of snow.
The lions and seals in the zoo were pacing restlessly in their cages, disturbed by the intrusion of a heavyweight overlord.
A colossal, rhinoceros-like grey beast was standing on the frozen lake.
Its skin was as thick as armor, and the massive horn growing from its nose was emitting a dangerous orange glow, like a lightbulb filled with magma.
An Erumpent.
"It is in heat." Newt Scamander hid behind a rock, nervously smearing a pungent musk onto his wrists. "Its horn can pierce anything, and if the liquid inside is injected into an object, it will cause a devastating explosion."
"Sounds like a self-propelled siege tank."
Morrin White stood by an oak tree, hands in his trench coat pockets, looking relaxed.
"In my factory, every ounce of that liquid is worth more than gold. Mr. Scamander, please be careful; don't let it waste that precious liquid on the trees."
"I will do my best." Newt took a deep breath. "Whatever happens next, neither of you move."
Newt took off his coat and walked onto the ice.
The scene that followed would be unforgettable for JacobKowalski for the rest of his life.
This serious British magizoologist began to... towards the multi-ton beast.
He stuck out his rear, waved his arms, and made strange purring sounds, dancing to mimic the mating ritual of a female Erumpent.
"Good god..." Jacob covered his eyes. "This sight is too beautiful; I dare not look."
"This is the most primitive, yet most effective form of biological communication." Morrin watched with great interest, even pulling out a pocket watch to time it. "Although the posture is quite unsightly."
The Erumpent was deceived. It walked docilely toward Newt, seemingly prepared to accept this "mate."
Everything was going smoothly.
Until Jacob accidentally knocked over the bottle of musk Newt had given him.
Crash.
The pungent liquid spilled all over Jacob.
The wind direction changed.
The Erumpent's massive nostrils twitched.
It smelled a stronger, more alluring "female" scent—coming from that chubby baker.
"ROAR!!!"
The Erumpent instantly abandoned Newt, its bloodshot little eyes locking onto Jacob. It lowered its head, aiming its glowing horn at Jacob's stomach.
Charge!
"Run! Jacob! Run!" Newt shouted.
Jacob let out a miserable shriek and bolted. But his round figure couldn't run fast on the snow, and the giant beast behind him was like an out-of-control locomotive, rumbling and crushing the ice and benches in its path.
"Help!" Jacob slipped on the ice, and the sharp horn was about to pierce his chest.
"Tsk."
Morrin shook his head.
"Although this is an amusing farce, if my baker dies, who will cook for my mutual aid society?"
Morrin moved.
[Half-Giant Speed].
His figure flashed across the snow, instantly appearing in front of Jacob.
He didn't use a spell to block it.
Because an Erumpent's horn can pierce the vast majority of magic shields.
Morrin gripped his black ironwood wand tightly with both hands, not blocking, but swinging sideways as if playing golf.
[Gate of Truth]—Terrain Reconstruction · Ice Prison.
"Rise!"
Rumble!
The ice between Jacob and the Erumpent suddenly exploded. Countless massive chunks of ice, manipulated by Alchemy, instantly rose up, forming a three-meter-thick ice wall slope.
The Erumpent couldn't brake in time and slammed hard into the slope; the massive inertia sent it flying up along the slope, soaring over Jacob's head.
"Whoa!" Jacob watched the beast fly over his head, terrified and collapsing onto the ground.
The Erumpent crashed heavily into a large tree not far away.
Its sharp horn pierced into the trunk.
Hum—
The liquid in the horn was injected into the trunk.
The oak tree, thick enough for two people to wrap their arms around, instantly began to expand and turn red, like an inflated balloon.
"It's going to explode!" Newt lunged over, pinning Jacobbeneath him. "Protego!"
BOOM!!!
The violent explosion blew the tree into a sky full of wooden debris fireworks.
The Erumpent was knocked to the ground by the shockwave of the explosion, somewhat dizzy.
"Perfect explosive effect."
Morrin stood in the rain of flying wood chips, protected by an [Alchemy Repulsion Field], not a speck of dust touching him.
He looked at the Erumpent lying on the ground, struggling to get up, a flicker of a hunter's greed flashing in his eyes.
"Newt, the case!"
Morrin shouted.
Newt immediately opened the suitcase.
But the Erumpent was too heavy, and it was still going berserk.
"Let me help you."
Morrin walked behind the Erumpent.
He reached out, not grabbing the horn—that was too dangerous—but pressing down on the Erumpent's thick back.
[Contact Successful!]
[Detected High-Level Magical Creature: Erumpent]
[Current Extraction Count: 1]
"I won't extract traits this time." Morrin calculated in his mind. "Traits aren't as valuable as the physical object."
[Alchemy · Local Anesthesia.]
A stream of blue magic shot from Morrin's palm, directly striking the Erumpent's central nervous system.
The giant beast whined.
"Now, take the sample."
Morrin took out a specially made, large mithril bucket with stabilizing runes carved all over the inner walls.
He skillfully walked to the side of the Erumpent's horn and used his wand to gently tap specific acupoints at the base of the horn.
Hiss—
A stream of orange, glowing, viscous liquid dripped from the tip of the horn into the bucket.
Erumpent horn venom.
This is the most efficient liquid explosive in the magical world.
"Just taking a little bit, it won't affect its health." Morrinexplained to the dumbfounded Newt while collecting it. "This counts as... a fine for it destroying the park."
After filling a large bucket, Morrin quickly sealed the lid and stored it in the [Dimensional Stomach].
"Get in, big guy."
Morrin patted the Erumpent's rear.
He and Newt worked together, mainly Morrin doing the heavy lifting, pushing the multi-ton beast into the suitcase.
"Click."
The suitcase closed.
Central Park returned to peace, leaving only a smoking crater and ice debris everywhere.
"That was insane..." Jacob sat on the snow, looking at Morrin. "How did you do that? You just... milked that beast?"
"That is the art of Alchemy collection, Jacob."
Morrin pulled Jacob up and helped him brush the snow off his body.
"Now, that's three. Only one left."
Morrin looked toward the bustling department store.
"Demiguise."
"That little guy can foresee the future and can turn invisible. It should... be in a department store right now."
"Let's go."
Morrin glanced at the time.
"We must finish off this last bit of trouble before the Aurors from the Wizarding Congress seal off the block."
"And..."
Morrin's gaze became deep:
"...The eyes of that Demiguise can see the future. This is a very useful ability for me."
Chapter 145: The Shrinking Behemoth, the Future-Predicting Monkey, and Toying with Time
Gimbels Department Store stood tall in the night, its doors tightly shut.
But with the unlocking techniques from the Gate of Truth, it was no different from Morrin's own backyard.
The three of them walked into the empty department store building.
It was eerily quiet, with only the occasional sound of clinking glass.
"Over there!" Newt lowered his voice, pointing at the cosmetics counter.
A large-eyed creature with silky silver fur, resembling an ape, was sitting there, clutching a lady's handbag and holding a piece of candy.
A Demiguise.
His name was Dougal.
Its eyes were blue, staring at a certain point in the void as if seeing something about to happen.
"Don't look at its eyes," Newt warned. "It can predict the future. The moment we have the intent to catch it, it will flee in advance."
"Predict the future?"
Morrin White stood in the shadows, his lips curling into an interested arc.
"In other words, it's playing 'Rock Paper Scissors' with me, and it knows what I'm going to throw?"
"Roughly speaking." Newt was preparing to quietly circle around.
Suddenly, the Demiguise vanished.
It didn't run away; it used its fur's optical camouflage to turn invisible.
Immediately after, a massive roar came from overhead.
Shelves collapsed, and glass shattered.
A massive monster with feathers and a serpentine body, shimmering with blue-violet light, poked its head out from the ceiling attic.
It was too large, its body coiling throughout the department store's atrium like a mythical dragon.
An Occamy.
"Oh, my god..." Jacob fell back onto the floor in fright, "Is that... a dragon?"
"It's an Occamy," Newt explained. "It's a 'choranaptyxic'. Its body will grow or shrink according to the size of the space it's in."
"What a perfect... logistics trait."
Morrin looked at the giant Occamy, his eyes flashing with the fanaticism of a capitalist seeing new technology:
"If we could analyze this creature's genes and apply it to container shipping... I could fit a cruise ship's worth of cargo into a matchbox. Shipping costs would drop to zero."
[Ding!]
[Special Node detected: Fantastic Beast Nest (Department Store)]
[Check-in successful!]
[Reward obtained: Draw attempts +1]
[Current attempts: 2]
"Since I have the attempts, let's get to work."
Morrin gripped his wand tightly.
"Newt, you go handle that big snake. I have a way to deal with that invisible monkey."
Newt took out a teapot and a cockroach he'd caught from somewhere to lure the Occamy, taking advantage of its shrinking nature.
Meanwhile, Morrin turned around, facing the empty corridor.
[True Sight] — Thermal imaging/Magic sensing.
He saw it.
That little invisible thing was crouching on a mannequin's shoulder, holding that handbag, preparing to flee toward the exit.
"Got you."
Morrin spun around abruptly, his wand lashing out with a Stupefy.
Swoosh!
The spell missed.
The Demiguise had already jumped away a second before Morrin raised his hand.
It had predicted the attack.
It revealed itself, crouching on a distant railing, those blue eyes staring at Morrin as if mocking his slow movements.
"Interesting."
Morrin wasn't angry.
He stepped forward.
The Demiguise immediately jumped to the left. Morrin's second spell missed again.
It was always one step ahead.
This was the rogue nature of [Predicting the Future].
"You can see the future, right?"
Morrin stopped his pace, standing before the railing and looking at the smug monkey.
"You saw me raise my hand, you saw the trajectory of the spell, so you dodged."
"But, little thing."
In Morrin's pupils, that golden hourglass began to rotate in reverse.
[Sand of Time (Gold)] — Prepare.
"What if I modify the 'past'?"
Morrin raised his wand again.
An image flashed in the Demiguise's eyes: Morrin would attack to the right.
So it made a predictive jump to the left.
The moment it was in mid-air.
"Time 0.5 seconds — Rewind."
Hum—
The world rewound in Morrin's perception.
Back to 0.5 seconds ago.
The exact moment when the Demiguise had just jumped, hadn't landed yet, and had no leverage to move.
And in 'this' timeline, Morrin did not attack to the right.
He predicted the Demiguise's prediction.
His wand defied physical inertia, snapping back in mid-air to appear precisely on the left trajectory where the Demiguise was about to land.
Thump!
This was a solid physical strike.
The black ironwood wand slammed hard against the Demiguise's forehead.
"Squeak!"
The Demiguise let out a miserable cry, its wise eyes filled with total confusion.
In its prediction, this place was clearly safe! Why was there a stick waiting for it?
It fell from the air, crashing onto the floor, and the handbag dropped out.
Morrin stepped forward, pinning its furry tail down with his foot.
"Predicting the future is quite impressive."
Morrin looked down at the dizzy creature:
"But before a time manipulator, your future is just a film strip I've edited."
[Contact successful!]
[Target: Demiguise]
[Consuming draw attempts x 2]
[Draw successful!]
[Congratulations on obtaining trait: Intuitive Warning(Purple · Passive)]
[Description: You cannot see specific images like it does, but your intuition is enhanced to the extreme. One second before danger occurs, your body will instinctively react (similar to Spider-Sense).]
"A decent life-saving skill."
Morrin withdrew his foot and picked up the Demiguise by the scruff of its neck.
By now, Newt had also successfully used the teapot to trap the shrunken Occamy inside.
"Got it." Newt raised the teapot excitedly.
"I've got mine too." Morrin shook the monkey in his hand.
Just then, Morrin's gaze fell on the handbag the Demiguisehad dropped.
Was that an Occamy egg? Or... he opened the bag.
There was no egg inside.
Only a large pile of shiny candy wrappers and... a fragment of 'The New York Ghost'.
There was a photo on the newspaper.
It was a photo of Credence Barebone.
The headline read: 'Destruction Strikes Again! Unknown Black Smoke Attacks Senator Shaw!'
Morrin's gaze froze.
"The obscurus has erupted."
Morrin tossed the handbag aside, his expression becoming grim.
"Grindelwald has made his move. He killed that senator to incite war between Wizards and Muggles."
"Newt, Jacob."
Morrin turned around, his tone urgent:
"The animals are all caught. Now, we're going to catch the biggest 'monster' of all."
"Where to?" Newt asked.
"The subway station."
Morrin looked out at the pitch-black night, where the faint sound of thunder could be heard—not from a Thunderbird, but the roar of an obscurus.
"If we don't hurry, that poor boy is going to be torn to shreds by the Aurors of the Wizarding Congress."
"And I..."
Morrin gripped his wand, his eyes flashing with desire for the [Obscurus Origin]:
"...will never allow my 'core asset' to be destroyed by anyone."