ʕ•̫•ʔ---I Accidentally Stole a Baby Manticore, and Its Mom Isn’t Happy

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.