So I'm a Snake, Who Cares

It meant the zoo became a 'military institution' - a specialized facility under direct imperial control.

Something like the emperor's personal guard, though even that comparison didn't fully capture its importance. Even that elevated status brought its own set of challenges and headaches.

Even Daisy, who was once a reckless girl running wild through the grounds, has been stronger than ordinary knights for a long time. Her transformation was just one example of how the zoo's new status had changed those connected to it.

But the emperor also threw in one task.

"You are forbidden from directly hunting white monsters and black monsters. Let white monsters and black monsters breed, prosper, and fight among themselves."

Even Kadam couldn't endure there.

"Your Majesty, if that happens we won't be able to manage the monsters. If they escape even my control, I don't know what disaster might occur."

"Do not worry, Kadam Kazans. A calamity won't be born as you worry."

"But..."

Even Kadam couldn't get angry at the emperor.

"Observe the white monsters and black monsters. Research and study white evolution and black evolution."

He instructed like that.

The emperor gave a 3-year deadline.

Find a way to evolve black to white or white to black.

Setting aside 'why', 'how?'

Though the zoo was like an ivory tower of monster studies, even here evolution was wrapped in a veil of mystery.

The deadline promised by the emperor approached.

But Kadam Kazans had achieved nothing.

The black monsters and white monsters prospered to the point where no one but Kadam could handle them anymore.

And not even a hair's worth of evolution's secrets were discovered.

That's when a savior arrived.

'A black gorilla that can talk.'

Speaking monsters are rare.

And monsters that can get along with humans are far rarer.

The intersection of both?

This gorilla might become Kadam's savior now.

"There's a condition."

Kadam said so in front of those watching him.

"Of course I can provide temporary protection. Since you're such a cute gorilla."

"Cuute?"

Yes. Cute.

A face just like Kadam's.

Pitch black fur and dignified muscles too.

All of it was a monster to Kadam's taste.

"But if you can help with zoo work. I'll hire you as staff rather than temporary protection."

"A gorilla as staff?"

Daisy was bewildered.

But Kadam didn't care.

The zoo was an independent institution. Everything except the emperor's words was up to Kadam.

"Yes."

"How much is the salary?"

The one who suddenly raised their hand and asked was none other than Obern.

But Kadam was in such a good mood now he could even smile at Obern.

"I'll give the same salary as Daisy. Plus incentives."

"Master!"

Daisy protested unfairly.

Daisy's salary was more than twice Obern's current salary.

"So what work would Madam Rila need to do?"

Phili asked the most important thing.

"Monster hunting."

"Monster hunting...?"

"You'll join the cleaning squad."

Kadam roughly explained about cleaning.

The rule that black and white monsters can't be hunted by Kadam and human staff.

And how because of that, their numbers have grown hard to control.

"I can do it..."

When Kadam finished speaking, Madam Gorilla clashed her prosthetic fists together with a bang.

Sparks flew with the loud noise. That sight was very satisfying.

That's when.

'Is this okay...'

It was slick Obern muttering.

He met Kadam's eyes and quietly raised his hand.

"Could you hire my familiar as staff too?"

"What...?"

Kadam was bewildered.

Come to think of it, he heard from Daisy that Obern's familiar was a small cute white snake.

'Small and cute' aren't adjectives Kadam particularly likes.

"Saa..."

Soon a snake shyly crawled out from Obern's sleeve.

The snake stood proudly beside Madam Rila.

With an attitude like it could pull its weight too.

"Not a summon, but a tamed monster?"

Mages' familiars are quite diverse.

"Yes."

"Does it listen well? Seems like a specimen with no combat power."

"...It's very strong."

The snake held its head up high.

Kadam gave an honest evaluation.

"Seems quite useless... What use is something mouse-sized."

"Saaak!"

Then the snake got angry at Kadam.

Kadam's eyes widened.

"Well, being a familiar it seems to understand human speech. Even a worm has its talents."

And not being scared of Kadam was talent enough. Your next chapter awaits on empire

"Alright, let's see and judge. If you're good enough, I'll hire you with the same salary."

"Yaaay!"

"Sasasa!"

The snake held out its tail and Madam Gorilla gently grasped that tail.

At least they seem to get along well.

Kadam thought so.

And they headed to Zoo Section 3.

They put the gorilla and snake inside the enclosure, while Kadam and company watched from outside.

Daisy muttered.

"Can Snakesnake do well..."

"Snakesnake?"

"It's the name I gave."

"What a pathetic name."

Kadam evaluated so.

The gorilla and snake didn't look scared at all.

As instructed, the gorilla rang the installed bell.

Ding ding ding ding-

The signal for feeding time.

And hyenas as big as calves started appearing lazily.

"Already over ten."

They're Fang Hyenas.

Dangerous monsters that are ferocious with strong bite force and move in groups.

They barked at the gorilla and snake.

"Woof, wooof!"

"Grrrr!"

They slowly approach while forming a formation.

They clearly recognized prey.

And the gorilla muttered.

"Miss Spot too..."

"Sasa."

The snake nodded.

The hyenas charged at them who were so relaxed.

The gorilla just swung her fist.

But, steam burst from that prosthetic and accelerated the fist.

Bang!

With a sound like a bomb, one hyena's neck snapped and flew off.

A broad smile spread on Kadam's face.

Ping-!

And a sound like an arrow being shot.

Looking to the side, the snake was sitting on top of a hyena.

The hyena staggered, then collapsed with a thud.

There was a bright red hole pierced in its chest.

When did it...?

Kadam's eyes sparkled.

==

'Isn't this a completely legal hunting ground!'

I sensed that from the moment I heard Kadam's explanation.

And it actually was true.

The magical energy I absorbed after so long was thrilling.

But what was most thrilling was.

That I might get my first proper job.

'Mom, Dad, I got a job!'

Thinking of Medusa Mom who became a wandering spirit, and Dad who left to find the stars.

I charged towards the approaching hyenas.

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