During my loneliest year, I adopted three unwanted shapeshifters—or "Beastmen," as they called themselves. The Black Python was cold and aloof. Even when his body was burning up with fever, he refused to initiate any closeness. The Snow Fox was clingy and obedient. He needed to be coaxed to eat, kissed before bed, and begged for cuddles every single day. The Grey Wolf was dominant and possessive. Every night before sleep, he checked to make sure his mark was still visible on my leg. If I refused, he'd posture as if ready to attack. To feed them, I went back to my old trade: hunting demons. Early mornings, late nights. My energy was draining day by day. Until one day, I walked in on three beautiful men plotting in my room. "I smelled a mermaid on her yesterday." "Mermaids are lustful creatures. No wonder she's been so listless lately and cold to us." "Let's not wait then. Let's just eat her." My face went completely pale. 1 I am a demon hunter in training. Because my skills were still raw, my family stationed me at a remote estate in the suburbs to cultivate my powers. By day three, I was bored out of my mind. I posted online asking how to kill time. The netizens were helpful, in their own way. "Like dogs? I have a beagle. Free delivery, but absolutely no returns." "Get a parrot. When they go crazy, it's like living with a drama queen." "Are you guys trying to kill the OP? Listen to me, raise cockroaches. Easy maintenance. When you're happy, let them nibble. When you're mad, chase them around." While scrolling through the dizzying options, I got a DM from someone claiming to be a zoo director. "My zoo went bust. I urgently need kind souls to adopt these animals. Interested?" It sounded perfect. I’d help the director and solve my boredom. I asked what animals were left. "Elephants, whales, tigers, black bears..." I fell silent. Was he serious? I asked if there were any smaller ones. The director replied eagerly, "Yes, yes! A Black Python, a Snow Fox, and a Grey Wolf. They're the leftovers nobody wanted." I said I couldn't handle that many. After some thought, I chose the Snow Fox. The delivery arrived that night. I opened the crate and froze. Three pairs of eyes stared back at me. The Snow Fox nuzzled up affectionately, the red markings at the corners of its eyes giving it a bewitching look. The Black Python, nearly two meters long with golden pupils, was coiled around the cage bars, flicking its tongue coldly. Its scales were jet black and glossy. The Grey Wolf, the largest of the three, sized me up with a lazy, arrogant gaze, as if I were already his prey. I snapped a picture and sent it to the director, asking if there was a mistake. "Oh, right! Forgot to mention. We're doing a 'Buy One, Get Two Free' promotion." What? 2 Returning them was impossible. The director claimed his grandma was giving birth—yes, you read that right—and deleted his account. I felt scammed, but I had no proof. Bang! Bang! The cage rattled violently. The Wolf’s patience had run out. Staying in a cramped cage was an insult to him. The Python had already slithered out, thanks to its flexible body. It was coiled around the banister, ignoring the Wolf's noise, eyes closed in a fake nap. In contrast, the Fox was much more normal, paws resting on the cage bars, looking at me with puppy-dog eyes. I opened the cage. The Wolf lunged out and pinned me to the carpet. I couldn't fight back at all. Thankfully, he didn't smell like blood or rotting meat. The Wolf sniffed me intensely. From head to toe. Like he was inspecting his prey. The thought terrified me. The next second, a sharp pain shot through my thigh. He bit me. I was annoyed. Just as I was about to smack him, he started licking the wound tenderly. While I was confused, I felt a dark gaze on me. I looked up. It was the Fox, perched on top of the cage. Seeing me look, he tilted his head and wagged his tail, looking innocent and cute. I didn't think much of it. After the Wolf finished his tantrum, I texted my brother describing the Wolf's behavior. My brother’s cultivation wasn't much better than mine, but he had seen more of the world. He told me not to make a fuss. "That's just the Wolf marking you. Nothing unusual." I looked down at the bite mark on my thigh. Did he have to mark me there? I kept that detail to myself. And I believed my brother. 3 After settling the three of them, I went to take a shower. Just as I took off my clothes, something scratched at the door. Accompanied by anxious whimpering. I was alone in the huge estate, so I didn't bother putting clothes back on. I opened the door. A white, fluffy ball shot into my arms. Trembling. It was storming outside. The Fox buried himself into me, seeking safety. Instead of pushing him away, I gently stroked his tail. I understood. He looked like the youngest of the three. Being in a strange place during a thunderstorm must be scary. Once he calmed down, the little Fox licked my face affectionately. Seeing I didn't resist, he moved from my lips to my neck, collarbone, and slowed down at my chest. It felt weird. I put him down outside the door. "I'm going to shower now. You stay here and be good," I said patiently. He whined unhappily, circling my ankles and rolling on the floor to please me. I hesitated. Did he want to watch me shower? A hissing sound came from nearby. The hall lights were off. The first thing I saw were two golden pupils. The snake slithered leisurely from the shadows into the light. He reared up his upper body, exuding a cold, regal aura. If a normal person saw this, they'd faint. For some reason, I felt like he was warning the Fox. The Fox hid behind my legs, covering himself with his tail. So pitiful, so helpless. I picked him up and couldn't help but scold the Python, "Don't bully him." The Python paused. He looked at me silently for a few seconds, then turned and left indifferently. His tail knocked a lamp off the table on his way out. He definitely did that on purpose. Left alone, the Fox happily kissed my lips. I turned on the shower and asked if he wanted a bath too. He hesitated, wriggled out of my arms, jumped into the tub, and spun in a circle. I understood. I filled the tub. I even threw in a few toys for him. "Go play." As I stood up, the Fox lightly bit my wrist and tugged me toward him. I paused. "Together?" "That's not appropriate." The Fox let go, disappointed. He buried his head underwater, blowing bubbles. ...How could he be so cute? My heart softened. Fine. I stepped into the tub. The Fox's eyes lit up with excitement. 4 After drying the Fox, I put him on the bed. He was so tired he couldn't keep his eyes open. I changed clothes and went to pick up the takeout I ordered earlier. At the gate, I ran into a creep who had been stalking the property. He came prepared. "You got lucky last time, but no one's coming to save you now, no matter how loud you scream." Honestly, I wasn't that scared. As a member of a demon-hunting family, I'd seen scarier things. Last time, I was actually preparing to release a demon to scare him off, but he ran away first. I stood my ground, looking at him with mockery. "Right back at you." But then, the man stopped moving. His eyes widened in terror, staring at something behind me. The shadow beneath my feet was swallowed by a larger shadow. A hissing sound came from above. I turned around. Froze. The Python had followed me without me noticing. He was bigger now. Lightning flashed, illuminating his scales with a dark, eerie glow. The pressure he released was terrifying. The creep screamed and ran. The Python was faster. He shot past me. Before I could react, I heard the man’s agonized screams. The scene was gruesome. The Python effortlessly wrapped around the sturdy man, squeezing the breath out of him. He was playing with his food. He could have crushed him instantly, but he was dragging it out, tightening his grip inch by inch. Having seen enough, I walked over. "That's enough. I already called the police." The Python ignored me. From the turn of his head, I sensed grievance and anger. I figured it was because I scolded him earlier about the Fox. Snakes hold grudges? Who knew. Saving the guy was priority. I gently patted the snake's head. "Sorry for what I said earlier. I was wrong." My hand felt empty. The man dropped to the ground, unconscious. All I saw was the tip of the Python's tail disappearing into the distance. Why was he running so fast? Did he have a flight to catch?
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