"That's right, old Witch, you're already old, so go home and rest; don't try to act tough!"
Several Wizards nearby noticed the commotion around Duncan. They approached with malicious smiles, clearly intending to get a piece of the action.
"You all better behave. He's my prey, and I spotted him first. Don't forget who my son is!" The old Witch paused, glared at the Wizards with a fierce warning, and then turned back to Duncan. Either she didn't believe Duncan's words or she was extremely confident in her own strength, for she grinned, revealing her yellowed teeth.
"There's some truth to what you say, but I know one thing even better: whatever you're relying on, you've underestimated the danger here, child. You won't be going back. Be more careful in your next life, and never come to a place like this again."
"Tsk, I don't know if your eyes are blinded by Galleons or if you're truly foolish. I didn't want to do this originally…" Duncan shrugged, fully opening the case, and tapped his finger lightly on its side. "Come out, Misk."
The old Witch frowned slightly, quickly and warily scanning the dark opening of the case. She swiftly cast a magic spell, and a dazzling light shone in the street, but it failed to hit Duncan. The magic spell was blocked by a colossal creature that suddenly leaped out of the case.
"What has a heart but does not beat?" The monster, with a body like a terrifyingly large lion but the head of a woman, with long almond-shaped eyes, crouched on the ground and spoke in a deep, hoarse voice. "Answer my riddle, and if you answer correctly, I might consider forgiving your recent offense."
The old Witch stood as if under Petrificus Totalus, stunned for a moment before being startled awake by Misk's voice. She trembled and retreated a few steps, leaning against the wall in fear: "S-Sphinx?"
The once bustling market suddenly fell silent. The expressions of several onlookers froze, followed by a deafening roar.
"A Sphinx, damn it!"
"How could someone bring a Sphinx here?"
"Quick, run! Don't let it have a chance to ask you a question!"
"Damn it, how can someone carry a Class XXXX Magical Beast with them? Is this person crazy?"
"Newt Scamander, it must be that damned scoundrel again!"
"I've always said, get rid of those guys illegally selling Magical Beasts sooner, or that jinx Scamander will keep coming!"
"Damn it, why are we running? Are we afraid of it with so many of us?"
"A few of you, let's take it down together, and we'll split the reward!"
…Although people kept shouting fiercely, no one chose to act.
The surrounding Wizards apparated away, making various popping sounds. The bustling street became empty in an instant, leaving only some uncollected stalls and some scraps of paper carried by the wind, swirling in the air.
While they could certainly defeat Misk if they united, if they were to get even slightly injured in the fight, they might not gain any benefits and instead become prey for others, making it not worth the trouble.
Furthermore, Newt's reputation was too formidable, and they couldn't be sure if Duncan would tap the case again and summon more ferocious beasts.
"Wrong answer." Misk ignored the chaos of the others. She stared at the old Witch in front of her, a hint of displeasure on her face, and slowly rose. "Duncan, do you know the answer?"
"Of course, the answer is an artichoke." Duncan's clever mind stirred slightly, and he instantly thought of the correct answer.
"Correct answer." Misk nodded with satisfaction. Seeing that the old Witch also wanted to escape, she pounced forward with a whoosh, her yellow form flashing through the air, instantly appearing in front of the old Witch. Her massive front paw was raised high and then slammed down.
The old Witch's head instantly shattered into several pieces like a watermelon, red and white splattering everywhere.
"Successfully dispelled the surrounding Wizards, optional quest completed."
"Quest Reward: Virtual Coin x50, Acromantula Venom x1, Color-Changing Giant Snail x1."
"Current Virtual Coins: 110."
Duncan turned, looking at the empty and quiet street, and nodded with satisfaction at the text on the screen.
Although the method he used today was a bit different from what Newt usually taught, it was clearly more effective.
Almost in the blink of an eye, those Wizards had cleared out, unlike previous times when he had to use more words.
At this moment, the Owl circling in mid-air suddenly let out a few more chirps, and the Sphinx also turned its head, looking warily at the side wall.
"Duncan, someone's coming from that direction." Misk warned in a deep voice, stepping forward to shield him, protecting him.
"Grandpa should be coming out now. Let's step back a bit." Duncan retreated several steps, standing under a haphazardly constructed vendor's awning on the other side of the street.
A moment later, with a bang, a violent impact sound came from the direction Duncan had just left. The wall shook wildly, with several bulging lumps rising on its surface, as if encasing lava, and spreading rapidly outwards, melting a large hole.
A muffled roar came from the hole, followed by the ground beginning to tremble, and rumbling footsteps. Four-legged creatures the size of vans burst out. Their bodies were covered in thick, heavy gray hide, much like rhinos. They charged forward with their heads down, their sharp horns pointing straight ahead. Iron chains wrapped around their thick ankles dragged on the ground, making a clanging sound.
"Duncan, quick, quick, open the case and get them inside! These Two Venomous Horned Beasts have been enraged by those awful Wizards, and I'm losing control of them! If they get out, things will be terrible!"
As one Erumpent just ran out of the hole, Newt's disheveled figure appeared right behind it. His blue coat was torn in several large holes, with irregular strips of fabric fluttering up and down in the air, but he didn't care, only waving his hand and shouting anxiously to Duncan.
Duncan dared not waste time. He expertly stepped forward, his case shaking open with a snap and placed on the ground.
"Please come over here and enter the case. We are here to help you; trust us!" Duncan's voice carried a magic spell, continuously soothing the Erumpents' emotions, gradually calming them down.
The leading Erumpent let out a roar, hesitated, ran a few more steps forward, and then abruptly turned, signaled its teammates behind it, and lowered its head to forcefully squeeze into the case placed on the ground.
"Well done!" Once both Erumpents were inside the case, Newt excitedly rushed to Duncan, bent down to pick up the case, and clicked the two latches shut. He let out a sigh of relief.
"If I hadn't brought you today, things might have been troublesome. This entire street could have been destroyed by them, and then those people from the Ministry of Magic would be bothering me again. Most importantly, Tina…"
While Newt was speaking, Duncan saw a few dark specks appear in the alley by the hole in the wall. Those Wizards chasing Newt were cursing loudly and angrily while waving their wands and pursuing them.
Although Newt was usually a bit socially awkward, at certain times he could become quite talkative.
Like now… "Misk, stop them quickly!" Duncan said rapidly.
Misk immediately stepped forward, her eyes fixed on the Wizards, and she asked in a deep voice: "What room has no walls, no doors or windows, and no floor?"