A Zoologist’s Guide to Surviving Magical Creatures

Baku shook his head. "No. If I use the Dream Orb on him, he'll end up unconscious forever. If what the Theos said is true—that he's a Fragment Bearer—then only fragments can restore his memories."

Something clicked in my mind. Wait. Is that why I can absorb memories from the fragments? Because I'm a Fragment Bearer?

A wave of unease settled in my chest. But what exactly is a Fragment Bearer? Is it rare? Unique? Does this make me special?

Then, a darker thought crept in.

But most of all… I'm still human, right? Still mortal?

"Hold on! Can someone please explain what a Fragment Bearer actually is before I lose my mind?" I snapped, my patience fraying like an overused rope.

Every pair of eyes turned to me. Fenrir let out a long-suffering sigh, like he'd just been asked to explain basic arithmetic. "Kid, a Fragment Bearer is exactly what it sounds like. You bear fragments. Nothing mysterious about it."

I clenched my jaw. "That's not an answer." Frustration crawled up my spine, coiling tight. "But more importantly—am I still mortal?"

Naga tilted his head, eyes narrowing slightly as he studied me. "Do you feel like you have powers right now?"

I hesitated. Did I? I did have the weird ability to absorb memories from fragments, but beyond that? Nothing. No sudden super strength. No glowing magic hands. No divine whispers in my head telling me I was the chosen one. I had tried magic before, and well… let's just say my fireball attempt had resulted in exactly zero fire and one very amused tutor.

"…No," I admitted.

Naga raised a brow. "Do mortals have powers?"

"…No."

"Then why would you think you're not human?"

I opened my mouth—then promptly shut it. Oh.

Now that he put it like that, I felt like an idiot. Why had I jumped to the conclusion that I wasn't human? Was I expecting some grand revelation? Some prophecy nonsense that I was secretly a god or a half-immortal being of incredible power? Because that would've been way cooler than just being a guy who could… absorb fragments.

Fenrir chuckled, clearly enjoying my existential crisis. "For what it's worth, Carl, you are human. Fragment Bearers have always been human from the start."

I let out a slow breath. "Oh." A weak smile tugged at my lips. "That's… good, I guess."

Jiuge smirked. "Really? Because you don't look entirely convinced."

"I am convinced," I said quickly.

His smirk widened. "Then why do you sound like you're trying to convince yourself?"

I scowled. "I was just shocked, okay?"

"Uh-huh. Sure."

Before I could hurl something at him, Fenrir abruptly stood. The air in the room shifted—his usual easygoing demeanor replaced by something sharper. "Alright. We know the Theos are behind the balance disruptions in Mythica. But we still don't know who the mastermind is."

Agnos nodded. "They mentioned a 'benefactor.' Someone's backing them, and I have a feeling it's not that simple."

Jiuge frowned. "But why Mythica? We're a new realm."

Naga leaned back, his expression unreadable. "Mythica may be new, but it's the biggest realm in existence."

I blinked. "Wait—what? You mean Mythica is the largest realm out of all of them?"

Naga nodded. "Bigger than the Heavens itself. And don't forget, we have our own celestial realm—one that rivals the Heavens."

"Well, that makes sense," Fenrir added. "Besides, Kaleon is one of the most powerful beings in existence. Even the other Realm Owners fear him."

"Kaleon is that powerful?" I asked, taken aback.

"And popular," Fenrir said with a smirk. "He has plenty of allies… and just as many enemies."

I believed it. After everything I'd seen—my encounters with Enlil at the heavens, and the Between Realms with Lady Ilona—it was obvious that Kaleon's influence stretched far beyond what I'd initially thought.

Then it hit me—Lady Ilona's gift! The free wines!

My eyes snapped to Naga.

"Naga. Did a special delivery package arrive?" I asked, trying to sound casual.

He blinked. "Special delivery?" A crease formed between his brows. "What package?"

I hesitated. "Erm… something from the Peak at Between Realms. From the Thunder Wine Gallery."

Naga tilted his head, thinking. "Wine gallery? Oh."

…Oh? That's it?

My pulse jumped. What about my wine? Did he get it or not?

I leaned forward. "It was for the Owners of Realms. A free tribute from the wine gallery. So… did you receive them?"

"Oh, that." He nodded. "Yeah, I did."

Then silence.

I stared at him. He stared back.

I narrowed my eyes. And? Why was he just sitting there like the conversation was over?

My patience frayed. "So… where is it?"

Naga let out a thoughtful hum. "I was wondering why we suddenly got so much wine recently." He shrugged. "So I gifted some to others."

My brain short-circuited.

"You what?!"

The words burst out before I could stop them. The room went dead silent.

Naga flinched. Agnos nearly spilled his tea. Jiuge, wide-eyed, teetered so far back in her chair she almost toppled over. Fenrir's head snapped up, his expression unreadable.

And Baku?

…Baku was asleep.

Seriously? At this moment?!

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm. "I mean… why did you give them away?"

Naga simply shrugged. "Because I don't drink alcohol."

I stared at him, waiting for more. That was it? That was his reason?

Fenrir chimed in. "It's true. Naga can't drink."

The others nodded in unison, as if this was some well-known fact.

"T-then… how many bottles are left?" I asked, my voice suddenly unsteady. No. My wines. My precious wines…

Naga met my gaze, completely unbothered. "I gave them all away."

I felt something inside me shatter.

Nooooooo!

I slumped back into my seat, utterly defeated. My precious wines. Gone. Just like that.

I forced myself to speak, though my voice came out more broken than intended. "Who… who did you give them to?"

Naga tapped his chin, as if trying to recall. "The Council members. A few of the Unknown Gods. Oh, and—Fenrir."

I didn't even let him finish. My head snapped to Fenrir so fast he actually flinched.

"The wine," I said, inching closer. "Where is it? Give it back. That's mine."

Fenrir blinked, caught off guard. Then, to my utter annoyance, he chuckled. "Whoa, easy, kid. If you want it that badly, I'll give it to you."

I exhaled in relief. Yes. At least one bottle was salvaged. The rest… well, I technically knew they were supposed to be Kaleon's, but he hadn't claimed them. I had. And as the interim owner, that meant they were mine.

It wasn't like there was anyone else to contest it. No family to claim them on his behalf.

…Family.

The word left a bitter taste in my mouth. That's right. My family was fake.

Then a thought struck me like a lightning bolt. "Did any of you know that Kaleon has a brother?"

The room shifted.

Naga's eyes widened ever so slightly. Fenrir's smirk vanished.

The weight of their silence pressed down on me. Oh yeah. They knew something. And they weren't telling me.

"You met Kaleon's brother?" Naga asked, voice sharper now.

"Uh… yeah. A few days ago."

"In the Heavens?" Fenrir this time, his tone almost too casual.

"Y-yeah?" I hesitated. "Why?"

Silence.

The glance they exchanged was quick—too quick—but I caught it. There was a secret here. And judging by their reactions, it was big.

A sinking feeling curled in my stomach.

Oh no. Don't tell me those two are estranged.

I narrowed my eyes. "Are they… not on good terms?"