Morgan pressed the fist-thick muzzle of his Piercing Crab Heavy Bowgun against the head of the creature trapped in the net.
The little thing, barely larger than a goose, let out a series of piercing shrieks and twisted its body in an attempt to break free, but its wings were tightly entangled in the Capture Net and could not spread. Morgan hardly needed to exert any force; the sheer weight of the Heavy Bowgun was enough to pin its head down.
The little creature had a fierce temper. Even though it could not move, it continued to struggle desperately, craning its neck to clamp its sharp, hawklike beak around the edge of the muzzle as if intent on tearing off a chunk.
Unfortunately for it, the Bowgun's muzzle was forged from heat-resistant alloy and far too tough to bite through. Its efforts produced only a grating metallic screech.
As a Gunner who took meticulous care of his weapon, Morgan did not appreciate the creature's behavior. A vein bulged at his temple, and the finger that had been resting outside the trigger guard now hovered lightly over the trigger.
As if sensing the mortal danger, the creature in the net finally settled down a little.
"What's this, meow?" Altaïr and Isis were not the only ones crowding around for a curious look; Sajji and Clawdia had joined them as well.
Altaïr frowned but said nothing at first, simply studying the creature in the light of the campfire.
It was tiny. Even including its long, slender tail, its body was less than a meter long, and its wingspan was probably about the same.
It had a sharp, hooked beak like a bird of prey, a clear sign that it was a carnivore.
Most of its scales were milky white, while darker, bluish-black scales covered its entire back, including the nape of its neck and the backs of its wings.
This was a classic pattern of protective coloration, often found among weaker flying creatures and juveniles.
When it flew, its white belly would blend into the clouds. When it lay on the ground, or when a more powerful predator passed overhead, its bluish-black back would help it blend into the earth.
Altaïr silently analyzed each detail.
Isis took a broader view. "This little thing looks like a miniature Remobra. No, wait, its body is more compact than a Remobra's.
"Ah! Right, an Egyurasu! Don't you think it looks a lot like an Egyurasu?"
"That's like saying a Diablos looks like a Rathalos, meow." Sajji could not help but quip, earning a fierce glare from Clawdia.
He merely shrugged. "If you say so, then it does, meow."
Morgan was already growing impatient, his Heavy Bowgun still in hand. He was neither gentle nor patient by nature. If Altaïr had not called out to him earlier, he might already have fired.
At point-blank range, a single blast from the Piercing Crab loaded with Spread Ammo would have splattered the little creature in the net across the ground.
Noticing Morgan's finger tightening slightly on the trigger, Altaïr had to intervene. "There's no need to kill it right away. It might be connected to whatever we're investigating."
Morgan gave him a doubtful look.
Altaïr offered a casual explanation. "Earlier, near a certain city, we encountered a species of small Flying Wyvern. It was later confirmed that they served a much stronger Monster."
"We don't know yet whether this creature is native to the island. If it isn't, it might have been drawn here by whatever caused the disturbance."
At that, Morgan folded away his Heavy Bowgun.
Once the weight of the Heavy Bowgun was lifted, the captive immediately began struggling even harder. A Capture Net was not as tight as a cinched rope, and the creature already seemed close to working itself loose.
Altaïr shot Sajji a look.
Sajji understood without a word. He pulled a Tranq Bomb from his Item Pouch and smashed it beside the little creature, releasing a cloud of red anesthetic mist.
The others held their breath. By the time the night wind blew the mist away, the little creature had collapsed on the ground, tongue lolling out and body motionless.
Expressionless, Morgan folded up the Capture Net, bound the limp creature securely with a sturdy rope, and tossed it aside.
Only then did he return to his seat and eat his now-cold grilled Hermitaur leg.
Altaïr continued roasting the crab claws and legs. "Judging by the development of its beak and claws, along with the downy fluff still clinging to parts of its body, this creature must still be a juvenile."
"That said, the map notes that a species of small Flying Wyvern lives on the sea cliffs not far from here."
"If I'm right, that should be its group."
Morgan grunted in acknowledgment and continued earnestly enjoying his meal, seemingly unconcerned about the fate of the juvenile Flying Wyvern.
Isis moved closer to the little creature, now deeply unconscious, and reached out to poke it with one finger.
"Since it's a juvenile, do you think we might be able to tame it? Like the Mernos back in the New World."
"Maybe when it grows up, it could even carry people through the air?"
She still could not forget those Mernos.
"It probably couldn't carry you, meow," Sajji said as he licked the meat juices from his claws. "You're big, and your weapons and equipment are heavy. I can't picture you flying through the sky, meow."
"Maybe it could carry Morgan, meow?"
"..." Isis visibly wilted with disappointment.
Clawdia angrily bared her fangs at Sajji.
Altaïr watched them in amusement. "I recall the field guide saying that a Mernos can safely carry less than two hundred kilograms. It really couldn't carry you in full gear."
"But there are larger Raphinos; some particularly strong individuals have wingspans of more than seven meters and can carry nearly half a ton. One of those could carry you with ease."
"As for this little one, it's hard to say."
"Tomorrow, when we pass those sea cliffs, we'll take a look. If the adults are large and strong enough, we might consider bringing the juvenile with us and trying to raise it."
"If they aren't that large, we'll release it. A small Flying Wyvern is still a Flying Wyvern, probably carnivorous and with a big appetite. Raising it wouldn't be cheap, and there's no guarantee it could even be tamed."
Morgan slowly finished his crab leg, set down his knife and fork, and gave a cold snort. "That would still be letting it off easy."
Altaïr picked up another freshly grilled crab leg. "Want another?"
"No, thanks." Morgan shook his head slightly. "One crab leg was more than enough."
"Isis has already wolfed down four and is working on her fifth," Sajji muttered, glancing between Isis and Morgan. "There's a reason some people grow so huge while others stay so petite."
Isis froze mid-swallow, and another vein pulsed at Morgan's temple.
Clawdia launched a kick that sent Sajji sprawling. "You've got a death wish today, haven't you, you little furball?!"
Altaïr sighed, stood, and pried the two wrestling Felynes apart before handing them a crab claw. "This claw's pretty big. You two can share it."
Then he offered another grilled claw to Isis. "This one's yours."
Isis hesitated. "I'm actually full after eating five legs..."
"Don't give me that; you were staring at it the entire time it was grilling."
"Mmm." In the end, Isis accepted the fragrant grilled claw.
Altaïr fished two more claws out of the campfire. Pointing to one, he said to Morgan, "Two Hermitaur mean four claws. This one's yours."
Morgan stared at the crab claw, which was larger than his head, and his mouth twitched. "I really am full..."
"By the way, how old are you?" Altaïr suddenly asked.
"Twenty-one."
"Mm, a year older than both of us." Altaïr nodded as he picked up his own claw. "My mentor once told me that men experience a second growth spurt between the ages of twenty and twenty-three.
"With plenty of protein and sensible exercise, your bones can keep growing as long as your growth plates haven't closed. You might gain another few centimeters.
"I grew almost three centimeters just last year."
Morgan paused for a second, then hoisted the massive crab claw and gritted his teeth. "I'll try to finish it."
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Power stones plssss