A Zoologist’s Guide to Surviving Magical Creatures

A moment later another male Fae came to the counter. This time the man was a little older than Fior and looked more wiser. He was wearing glasses. As he sized me up with that uncertain expression, he spoke up.

"Hello Sir. I was told by my staff today that you're in fact an owner?"

"Yes, I am." I said with the confidence I never knew I had.

"Then if you don't mind sir, we need some form of verification?" he probed.

Verification? Did he mean my token? I took out my token-the core fragment- and laid on the desk gently.

The moment the Faes saw it, their eyes widened in recognition. The older Fae nodded at Fior. And Fior went and grab a cube like item. Similar to what the Forest Druid at the Ziggart once took out.

He then motioned me to put in the token inside. I did. And the cube shone bright.

The older Fae smiled, then spoke "It seems we have confirmed the verification of your status. Welcome to the Tunder Wine Gallery, Owner. I am Frojer. I will attend you today. Could you please follow me, Owner." he politely said.

I nodded and motioned Eva to follow but Rojer stopped her. "I'm sorry Miss, but only Owner is allowed entry in this area."

Eva gane me a helpless look then she shrugged, "It's okay. I'll just wait outisde with Dash. he must be bored to death right now."

Just like that, I was escorted into an opulent lounge, the kind of place that reeked of excessive wealth and impeccable taste. I forced myself to maintain a composed expression, nodding along as if this level of luxury was something I encountered daily.

The room was lavishly decorated—an absolute shrine to extravagance. The plush sofa I sank into was so ridiculously soft that, for a moment, I debated just curling up and taking a nap right then and there. Every ornament on the shelves was encrusted with gems and diamonds, glistening under the warm glow of enchanted chandeliers.

And then I saw the wine bottles.

I did a double take.

Diamonds. The bottles were literally made of diamonds. Not crystal, not glass—actual, honest-to-gods diamonds.

How absurdly rich were the Fae?! Were they hoarding wealth just for fun at this point?

Frojer gestured to a female Fae, who appeared to be his assistant, and with practiced grace, she laid out an array of exquisite wine samples in delicate crystal shot glasses.

The difference in treatment was staggering.

If VVVVIPs only got to look at the wine, then Owners? We got to taste it.

Now that was what I called next-level luxury customer service!

"These here are our finest and most exquisite wines," Frojer explained, gesturing elegantly to the lineup of shimmering liquids. "Each one has a unique effect. The first on the right enhances youthful appearance, this golden-hued one boosts stamina and vigor, the almost-clear liquid sharpens wisdom and clarity, and this—"

I barely heard the rest.

The rich, intoxicating aroma of the wines curled around me, making my fingers itch to grab a glass and take a shot. The urge was unreal.

But I held back.

I couldn't afford to look like some clueless, uncultured newbie. This was the Peak. If I wanted to blend in with the elite, I had to act like one.

By the time I snapped out of my daze, Frojer had already finished introducing the wine samples.

"I was informed this is your first visit, Owner?" he inquired, his tone polite yet conversational.

I cleared my throat, gathering my composure. "Ah, yes. It is."

Frojer nodded knowingly. "In truth, you don't have to come here in person. We can deliver the wine directly to your realm—a complimentary service for Owners. We understand how busy Owners can be. Also, every Owner is entitled to a free bottle of Tunder Spirit Wine every five years."

I blinked. Wait, what?

They deliver the wine? And Owners get free premium wine just for existing?

"You're saying… I get a free bottle?" I asked, barely masking my disbelief. But I quickly caught myself and adopted a nonchalant smile. "I see. I just happened to be in the area visiting the Ziggurat, so I figured I'd drop by in person."

Frojer nodded in understanding. "Ah, that makes sense. In that case, may I ask which realm you oversee, Owner? If you haven't claimed your complimentary bottles yet, I can check our records for you. Usually, Owners must sign a receipt form before we proceed with delivery. Would you like me to confirm your status?"

I hesitated for a moment, then shrugged. "Sure. My realm is Mythica."

The instant the words left my mouth, Frojer froze.

His polite demeanor wavered. His eyes widened slightly. He blinked—once, twice—then leaned in as if he hadn't heard me correctly.

"Pardon me, Owner… but could you repeat that?" he asked carefully. "Did you say… Mythica?"

Oh. Oh. What was that reaction?

A sudden wave of unease prickled at the back of my neck.

I cleared my throat. "Uh… yes? Mythica. Is something wrong?"

Don't tell me Mythica doesn't qualify?

Frojer's expression flickered with something unreadable—then, all at once, he straightened and bowed slightly. "My deepest apologies, Owner. I did not immediately recognize you as the Owner of Mythica. Please excuse me for a moment."

Then, without another word, he bolted.

Literally ran out of the room like the Fae equivalent of Usain Bolt.

I sat there, staring at the door in stunned silence.

…What. The. Hell?

What was that reaction?

Suddenly, my confidence didn't feel so solid anymore.

I paced anxiously around the room, trying to keep my nerves in check. The moment the door creaked open, I jumped before forcing myself to stand tall, straightening my posture as if I hadn't just been freaking out.

And then she entered.

This Fae was… different.

She didn't just walk into the room—she commanded it. Regal, ethereal, untouchable. Her presence alone warped the air, making it feel as though the world I stood on was not the same one she inhabited. Like she existed on an entirely different level of reality, and we were all just here as a courtesy.

She was breathtakingly beautiful, but it wasn't a delicate kind of beauty—it was the kind that ruled. The kind that made people bow without question.

Then she saw me.

She froze.

For a split second, her composed expression cracked—first into shock, then into confusion.

She turned sharply toward Frojer, who was standing behind her, his head bowed so low it looked like he was trying to sink into the floor.

"You said the Owner of Mythica is here," she said, her voice smooth but edged with impatience. "Where is he?"

Frojer hesitated before glancing up, looking genuinely puzzled. Then, slowly, he motioned toward me—me, who was standing as straight as a board, equally confused but also a little awestruck.

"It's him, lady Ilona," Frojer said solemnly. "That's the Owner of Mythica."

The regal Fae woman turned her piercing gaze back to me. Scrutinizing. Unimpressed.

Then, she frowned.

And the next words out of her mouth nearly made me choke.

"Who are you?" she demanded. "You're not Kaleon."

…Excuse me?

She knows Kaleon?

How many deities, ancient beings, and powerful figures does Kaleon have on his contact list?!

Something told me that Kaleon wasn't just some omnipotent ruler of Mythica.

Oh no.

I had a sinking feeling—an inkling, if you will.

Kaleon… he must be that popular kind of a god.

Not just any popular guy, either. The kind that exists in some exclusive, cosmic-level school of realms, where only deities, rulers, and other absurdly overpowered beings casually network over celestial brunch.

And apparently, I just waltzed in here as his stand-in, claiming to be the Owner of Mythica (which I am since I'm the Interim)—and Lady Fae Ilona clearly isn't buying it.

Her piercing gaze flicked over me, scrutinizing every inch as if trying to find the cosmic clerical error that had accidentally deposited me into this position.

Yeah. I don't think I fit in either, Lady Ilona.

This is just great.