Who Let It Loose?
The poop bags and the pick-up tongs I always carried in my pocket when heading out weren't going to cut it for containing a nearly one-meter-long saltwater crocodile.
And if I just strolled out carrying the thing openly and ran into someone...
It was the kind of ridiculous misunderstanding that could spiral out of control.
Of course, if I reported it to the environmental hotline, it wouldn't be my problem anymore.
But if some unknown government agency hauled off this mystery croc, I'd never get the details on where it came from or when it was dumped.
Once I leave the city streets, I'm bound to run into people... Ah?
As I checked the crocodile's breathing and heartbeat, a sudden idea flashed through my mind.
"Ssal-i."
—Yeah, Dad.
"Think you could help out?"
—Yeah! How?
"Can you transform this croc into a smaller animal? Something like Thunder or Maeng-maeng-i would be perfect. No, scratch birds—rodents are safer. Can't have it freaking out and trying to fly mid-transformation."
—Hmm... I don't think I can do that.
"You can't?"
I'd thought it was a brilliant way to sneak the croc out undetected, but Ssal-i, still in his woodpecker form, shook his beak side to side.
"Why? You low on energy right now?"
—No, it's not that... Transformation magic requires the target to recognize it's turning into another animal, and it needs a clear mind. With this guy out cold like this, I can't muster the power. Maybe after the full moon juices me up...
"It's fine. Can't be helped if it can't be helped."
No point sucking my thumb in regret. Top priority was moving the unconscious croc.
In the end, it's down to... the pick-up tongs?
I twisted the tongs like a rope and bound the croc's jaws shut.
Even as a juvenile, this thing carried the DNA of a king.
One panicked thrash once it woke up, and its claws, teeth, or that rough tail could shred me easily.
"Ssal-i, one more set of tongs."
—Here, Dad!
Using the tongs Ssal-i fetched with his sharp beak, I sealed its feet like shoes and bound the legs together.
Finally, I wrapped from the rough tail to the body as tightly as the tongs would allow.
With a smooth swish—slide—
I stuffed the tong-wrapped, slippery juvenile croc inside my clothes and hurried toward Hanmaum Animal Hospital. But things didn't go entirely smoothly.
—Ugh?! Oof! Urk!!!
We were almost at the hospital when the croc woke up.
"Calm down. I'm taking you somewhere safe. No need to worry... Ngh?!"
—Dad!
Its thrashing tail grazed me, drawing blood even through the tong-wrap dress. No matter it was a baby—the royal DNA was fierce.
"I'm okay. We're here now. Let's go inside."
Managing to get it to the hospital without running into anyone was a win.
I soothed Ssal-i's anxious eyes and got straight to treating the croc.
Just hang in there a bit longer. I'll make sure it doesn't hurt. And I'll find out who dumped you.
And a little later.
Chomp-chomp-chomp—
—Mmm. That was so good. And earlier... I'm really, really sorry. I didn't mean to scratch you with my tail.
The croc vacuumed up the chicken breast I'd given it, bowing its head in endless thanks and apologies.
Thankfully, the juvenile saltwater croc had just fainted from the sudden environment shift and hunger—no major health issues.
"It's fine. More importantly, how'd you end up in that stream? I'd love to hear the story."
—Well, see...
The croc's full tale left me slack-jawed.
Her name was Elli.
A three-year-old female saltwater crocodile, dumped in the stream two days ago.
—...They said I was growing too fast and they hated it. Said they never would've bought me if they knew I'd grow this quick...
Saltwater crocs are CITES Appendix I species—trade allowed only for scientific/research purposes, and private ownership is flat-out banned for all Appendix I animals.
Smuggling it in the first place was illegal, and now dumping it like trash?
No, someone breaking the law from the start probably ends up like this.
Maybe it hit too close to home?
The more Elli explained, the angrier I got.
But first, cool my head and dig for info on the abandoner.
"Elli."
—Yeah?
"Sorry to ask this, but I need details on the guy who raised you—your abandoner—to track him down. Bear with me."
—It's okay. What do you want to know?
"Besides eating too much and growing fast, was there anything else that made them dump you?"
I grilled her like an interrogation, zeroing in on the dump site, date, reason, and more.
—Well... that was an issue, but not the only one. The day I got dumped two days ago... I heard it clear before passing out.
"What'd they say?"
—They said... I wasn't needed anymore. Told me to find my own way and live free. After three years in that house, where the hell was I supposed to go free?
"......"
Unlike Smith, Elli was genuinely shocked at being abandoned.
Who the hell does something like this?
Elli the saltwater croc's abandonment.
I didn't know then it was just the beginning.
A month passed since Elli, and early June brought the heat in full force.
"Long time no see, Mong-sil. Let's see. Tell me if it hurts when I press—don't hold back."
—Got it. Hey, Doc, you hear the talk going around among the animals lately?
"Huh? About me?"
Mong-sil, the Yorkshire terrier, was one of our regulars.
And regulars' gossip directly tied to hospital revenue.
Can't dismiss what regulars say. Switched the BGM like Mong-sil suggested, and patients loved it.
So as I thoroughly checked her sprained leg, I pressed on.
"What about me? Bad treatment? Not cleanliness—the fees are frozen, so no big changes."
—No, not you.
Mong-sil sprawled out and continued.
—They say tons of abandoned animals turning up around Saemangeum Safari lately. What's the deal?
"Warmer weather means more abandonments, yeah. Flip side of the coin."
Whoosh—
—But even with the thaw, isn't it too frequent? And such weird ones... Ow! Yeah, there—that's the spot!
Like Mong-sil said, abandonments around Saemangeum Safari had spiked lately.
And the problem wasn't just the act itself.
"Green anaconda, Himalayan monkey, blue-and-yellow macaw, sulcata tortoise, veiled chameleon, even a fennec fox..."
Animals you wouldn't spot casually in the city.
"It's not just abandonment—that they're CITES species is the real issue."
—CITES? What's that?
"Simple terms: animals illegal for private ownership or import. The fact they're here at all is impossible. Slight sting from the anesthetic. No thrashing—three, two."
—Ow!
CITES—the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.
Over 180 countries regulating commercial trade in endangered wildlife to protect ecosystems.
Even births or deaths require reporting, not just transfers.
"Good job holding still, Mong-sil. Didn't hurt much, right?"
—Hmph. Still stung—rub my butt, you dope.
Violations? Up to three years in prison or 30 million won fine.
CITES species loose everywhere like this? What's going on?
Most abandonees from Saemangeum lately were CITES-listed. Unbelievable.
The state cracks down hard—report unauthorized import/export/possession of Appendix I/II, even get a reward.
And the bigger shock? This was just the tip.
Unbelievable. What kind of headspace...?
Blue-and-yellow macaw owner.
Sulcata tortoise owner.
Veiled chameleon owner.
Fennec fox owner.
Different sites and times, but one common thread.
...Same guy. One perp.
The Saemangeum CITES abandonments were the work of a single serial dumper.
Not just from matching descriptions—
Like Elli, I rushed a few survivors to Hanmaum for treatment. They recognized each other.
A fat guy living alone.
Visits day or night.
Constant lurking watches.
Who the hell was he? No clue, but from Elli and the others, his place wasn't far from Saemangeum.
Wish the cops would investigate faster. Can't just sit idle.
Police were on it after my report, but it was our turf—I couldn't wait.
So for the past month, I'd pieced info from rescued CITES animals before/after work and lunch.
Pinpointing residence was tough; IDing the perp, tougher.
...Trash bastard.
Rescuees were sedated/anesthetized during dumps—most incoherent day one.
"Whew. Ssal-i, ready for patrol today?"
—Yeah! Ssal-i's set!
So Ssal-i and I scouted Saemangeum before/after shifts and lunch.
Any more dumps? Spot the dumper?
—Dad... nothing today either...
—Hm. One more loop to the entrance?
—Yeah! Let's!
But combing 5km of Saemangeum for a deliberate dumper? Needle in haystack.
—Nothing today. Head in, Ssal-i.
—Yeah! Sun's brutal.
Slipped in via rooftop as usual.
—Good work, my Ssal-i. Shake those feathers before we go in, and turn Dad back.
—Right! Here goes, Dad.
—Thanks.
—Moonlight Smith, unholy power light-o! Yap yap yap!
Ssal-i chanted his improvised spell, and I reverted.
Checked mirror for stray feathers, headed down to the exam room—
"Hey? It's Baek Teacher!"
A wide-eyed kid pointed at me.
"Oh my, what? No pointing at the doctor!"
Most guardians didn't freak on seeing me.
But snot-nosed kids like this still treated me like a celeb sometimes.
"Little guardian. Something to say to the doc?"
"Yeah! Baek Teacher, autograph please! Gonna brag about it!"
"Oh... kid, seriously! He's busy, you..."
"It's fine, ma'am."
Mom scolded but eagerly pulled out pen and notebook.
Adorable mismatch—I took the pen and eyed the kid.
"Name."
"Im Jong-gyu! Write 'Piggy, stay healthy and never get sick' with it!"
Piggy was his dwarf hamster. I signed with a curly 100 like a snake and doodled a hamster; Jong-gyu's eyes sparkled.
"Whoa! That's my Piggy?"
"Yeah. Drew it hoping you two stay healthy. Hm? Cute stickers."
The notebook cover was plastered with webtoon-style stickers like Pokémon—Picture Pets or whatever.
"Right! All from Animal Era."
"Animal Era?"
"Huh? Baek Teacher doesn't know Animal Era? And you're a vet?"
What?
I blinked confused; Mom pretend-flicked Jong-gyu's forehead with an awkward smile.
"Ho ho. Hot webtoon with kids these days. Animals talking human talk or something. Fun imagination, right? Oh ho."
"...Intriguing. Animals chatting with people."
The hook hit; as I reeled, Jong-gyu's sparkling eyes kept going.
"Baek Teacher, check it out! Tons of weird animals! All these stickers star in it!"
He proudly flipped pages, showing his collection.
Sure enough, rare beasts not in daily life.
Fennec fox, green anaconda, Himalayan monkey. Cute ones all rounded up... Wait?
Something jumped out.
I startled, scanning the notebook; Jong-gyu puffed his chubby belly.
"Can't take 'em—they're mine. But photo okay."
"Jong-gyu, all these animals from that webtoon?"
"Yup. Fennec fox is the hero. Not always animal-side—balances human side too..."
I half-tuned his chatter, pulled my phone, searched Animal Era.
Swish-swish-swish—
"This...?"
The more I read, the weirder it got.