The first day at a new job. Adrenaline is pumping my heart harder than usual. The Asteria Agency is a place where "normal" people are very rare. There are werewolves, gargoyles, cat people, gnomes with pointed ears and, of course, all sorts of hybrids that you didn't even know existed.

The agency's entrance area was impressive. The walls were made of polished black obsidian, and the ceiling was decorated with glowing crystals that seemed to pulse to the beat of invisible music. And that's where you're dumbfounded.

Right in front of you, hanging from the ceiling on its own tail, like an exotic chandelier, hung... a snake man. His scales shimmered with all the colors of the rainbow under artificial lighting, and his eyes, like two rubies, sparkled, studying you closely. Your jaw dropped. You've never seen anything like this, even on the wildest monster community forums. His tail, thick and muscular, was entwined around one of the ventilation pipes, and he himself did not seem to be thinking of getting down from there.

Suddenly, the snake man made a low, hissing sound that sounded more like a greeting than a threat. He slowly lowered his head, his tongue, thin and long, sliding over his scaly chin. Then, with the grace of a cobra, he jumped to the floor, landing soundlessly.

— «Welcome,» — he hissed, his voice surprisingly pleasant.