King Of The Beasts (By Accident)

The night air was thick with the usual eerie stillness that came with living in a place where every myth and legend existed. The trees whispered, the wind carried the faint howls of distant creatures, and the shadows were never empty.

And yet…

Every single monster, beast, and nightmare lurking in the darkness was staring at one thing.

Kikidori.

More specifically—Kikidori walking through the forest with a baby Cerberus trotting happily at his side.

The three-headed pup was glued to him, matching his every step, its three sets of glowing red eyes locked onto him with pure, undying devotion. Every time Kikidori stopped, Cerby stopped. When Kikidori turned, Cerby turned. When Kikidori sighed in irritation—Cerby wagged its tails faster, thrilled to be included.

Kikidori pinched the bridge of his nose. "Haruna is gonna pay for this."

Cerby barked happily.

And that's when Kikidori realized.

They weren't alone.

The forest was watching him.

Like, actually watching him.

A massive, snake-like creature curled around a tree branch, its golden eyes unblinking.

A griffin perched high above on a jagged rock, staring directly at Kikidori with intense curiosity.

A shadowy, faceless figure lurked just beyond the trees, its form shifting and flickering, as if deciding whether Kikidori was something to be feared or followed.

Even a Chupacabra, which was normally a feral, bloodthirsty gremlin, poked its grotesque little head out from behind a boulder, sniffing the air like it wasn't sure whether to be terrified or impressed.

Kikidori sighed, fully aware of the mythological audience.

"Alright," he muttered. "I know what you're all thinking."

Silence.

Even the wind seemed to still.

Kikidori crossed his arms. "Yes, I tamed a goddamn Cerberus. No, I don't know how. Yes, he's following me around now. No, I'm not your new beast master or whatever the hell you're all assuming."

Cerby, oblivious to the tension, rolled onto his back in the dirt, all three heads wagging happily.

The snake creature tilted its head. The griffin blinked slowly. The faceless shadow figure shuddered before vanishing completely.

Then—

The Griffin let out a low, guttural chirp before leaping down from its perch and following Kikidori.

Kikidori stopped.

"…What."

Then, the snake creature slithered down from its tree and coiled behind him, watching.

Then the Chupacabra skittered forward a few steps, sniffing, its glowing eyes wide.

Then—

A fucking Phoenix swooped down, landing gracefully on a nearby branch, its flaming wings folding in as it observed him.

Kikidori's eye twitched.

Haruna was going to lose her mind.

"…I am NOT collecting pets," he muttered, mostly to himself.

Cerby barked joyfully.

The Griffin let out another low chirp.

The Phoenix's tail flames flickered.

Kikidori exhaled through his nose.

This was getting out of hand.

The End of Chapter 15.