A Zoologist’s Guide to Surviving Magical Creatures

At first, it was just a shadow, a dark shape beneath the churning water. But as it broke the surface, its form became clear—a slender figure clad in a beautiful ancient robe, its eyes glowing with a molten pink hue.

I instinctively took a step back, my heart pounding. "Uh, Agnos? Is this one of your friends?"

"I would not call this a friend," he said, his voice low and sharp.

Hearing that, I did the smart thing and ran for cover. Not that there was much to hide behind—just a few scattered rocks and some very unimpressive bushes.

I ducked behind the largest rock I could find and peeked out, watching as Agnos stood there by the lake like some kind of mythical superhero getting ready for a fight.

The figure stepped onto the shore, water cascading off her attire in rivulets. But as the light shifted, I realized she wasn't just some faceless figure.

She was a fox woman—long, flowing red hair, eyes that gleamed like pink diamonds, and an expression that radiated pure annoyance.

The lake seemed to hum with an almost musical tension, as if the water itself held its breath. I clutched the edges of my makeshift hiding spot—a rock so underwhelming it might as well have had a sign saying "Free Target Here".

My eyes darted between Agnos, now in his disturbingly handsome godlike form, and the new arrival—a stunning fox woman.

She exuded an aura of power that made the air crackle. Her nine tails swayed hypnotically behind her, each one rippling with fire energy that hinted at "instant-death" potential.

"You," she said, her voice like silk wrapped around steel. "What are you doing here?"

Agnos smirked, clearly unfazed. "I could ask you the same thing, little fox."

Little? She had nine fiery tails and the kind of commanding presence that could make world leaders weep. Little is an understatement.

Her gaze snapped angrily at Agnos, the pink fire in her eyes flaring. "Why you," she hissed, her voice as smooth as silk but laced with venom. "You dare summon me here, Agnos? After everything?"

"I didn't summon you," Agnos replied, his smirk unfaltering but his golden eyes narrowing ever so slightly. "But it's lovely to see you again, Jiuge. Did you miss me?"

Wait. What? They both knew each other?

She crossed her arms, her tails flicking in agitation. "Miss you? I'd sooner miss a mosquito buzzing in my ear."

I suppressed a snort from behind the rock, but the movement must've caught her attention. Her pink gaze snapped to me like a predator locking onto prey.

"And who," she said, her tone dripping with disdain, "is that?"

Oh, great. I didn't want to be part of this celestial soap opera, but here we were.

"I'm Carl," I said, stepping out from behind the rock with as much dignity as I could muster. "Totally not involved in whatever this is. Just an innocent bystander."

Jiuge's lips curled into a wicked smile. "Innocent? With him?" She gestured at Agnos as if he were the poster child for mischief incarnate. "Doubtful."

"Hey, I'm as innocent as they come," I protested. "The most trouble I've caused is accidentally overfeeding a baby dragon once."

Her eyes narrowed, but there was a flicker of amusement there. "Baby dragon, you say? And yet, you find yourself tangled up with this one." She jerked her chin toward Agnos, who looked insufferably pleased with himself.

"Can we skip the insults and get to the part where you tell me what you're doing here?" Agnos cut in, his tone smooth but edged.

Jiuge's eyes narrowed, her pink irises glinting dangerously. "This lake is sacred. I'm here because of personal reasons. One which I'd rather not share with the likes of a feline god."

"Oh, really, as if being a fallen divine fox god is so enviable." Agnos smirk.

The tension between them was so thick you could cut it with a knife. Sparks of purple and pink light crackled in the air, and I took a cautious step back, fully prepared to bolt if things escalated.

But instead, I stepped in—probably due to the CMO instincts kicking in, but mostly because something about their bickering didn't sit right with me.

"Alright, time out!" I said, holding up my hands. "Can we just take a second to appreciate that maybe—just maybe—we're all on the same side here?"

Jiuge turned her fiery gaze back to me, her brows arching delicately. "And what side would that be, mortal?"

"The side that doesn't end with me getting incinerated," I said, my voice cracking slightly at the end. "Look, Agnos here just did some... crystal-spitting thing, and now you're here. Maybe instead of killing each other, we figure out what's actually going on?"

For a moment, there was silence. Then, to my surprise, Jiuge let out a low, melodic laugh. It wasn't warm—it was the kind of laugh that made you feel like the joke was on you—but at least it wasn't an explosion.

"Bold, for a human," she said, her lips curling into a smirk. "Very well. Speak, mortal. What exactly is he up to this time?"

I turned to Agnos, who was now glaring at me as if to say, Don't you dare put this on me. But hey, he started this mess.

"Well," I began, rubbing the back of my neck, "he ate this fragment thing—looked like purple rock candy—and then transformed into... whatever this is." I gestured vaguely at Agnos, who rolled his glowing golden eyes. "Next thing I know, he's doing some magical light show, and then you showed up."

Jiuge's expression shifted, a flicker of recognition crossing her face. "A fragment? What kind of fragment?"

Agnos finally spoke up, his voice calm but firm. "It's none of your concern."

She narrowed her eyes. "If it summoned me here, then it is my concern."

"Summoned is a strong word," Agnos said. "I'd say it's more of a... coincidence."

"You expect me to believe this is a coincidence?" she snapped, her tails lashing behind her. "Do you take me for a fool?"

"Yes," I muttered under my breath.

Unfortunately, she heard me. Her gaze snapped to me, and I instantly regretted every life choice that led to this moment.

"Careful, mortal," she said, her voice low and dangerous. "I am not someone you want to provoke."

"Duly noted," I said quickly, raising my hands in surrender. "No provoking. Got it."

Agnos stepped forward, placing himself between me and Jiuge. "Enough," he said, his tone commanding. "Jiuge, if you must know, the fragment is part of my power of the leylines. I've been gathering the pieces together."

Her eyes widened, and for the first time, she looked genuinely alarmed. "You're trying to reassemble it?"

Agnos didn't answer, but his silence spoke volumes.

"Are you insane?" she hissed. "Do you have any idea what kind of chaos that will unleash?"

"I know exactly what I'm doing," Agnos said, his voice steady. "And I don't need another Unknown God approval, especially yours."

Jiuge looked like she was about to explode, but before she could, the ground trembled again. The whirlpool in the lake began to grow, its center glowing with an intense purple light.

"Oh, great," I muttered. "What now?"