Becoming the Keeper of an Alluring Merfolk - Chapter 1

Chapter 1: The Merfolk Come Ashore

In 2090 AD, humanity faced its most severe crisis in history.

An asteroid named “Fish Tail,” nearly 900 kilometers in diameter, was on a collision course with the moon at a speed of 70 kilometers per second.

Song Xiu, deep in the desert on a paleontological dig, got a disturbingly clear “view” of the scene.

Due to the tight schedule, they had set up camp right next to a dinosaur femurbone as tall as a person.

Although Captain Liu had mandated that everyone stay inside their tents during the moon impact, the tent roofs all had zippered skylights.

At night, Song Xiu lay alone in her sleeping bag, using her camera to document a meteor with a massive fiery “tail” striking the moon.

Her slender, pale fingers ‘click-clacked’ as she adjusted the focus.

Though the sound of the explosion couldn’t be heard, the sheer brightness it produced instantly turned night into day, even more dazzling than the sun.

The fully transparent wristband on her left arm frantically flashed warnings and news updates. Captain Liu’s external broadcast cut through the tent, audible and clear.

“The moon’s safety relates to the ocean tides. Tides will become completely unpredictable. The marine ecosystem may suffer a huge impact, and coastal fishermen will suspend fishing indefinitely… The inland relocation plan is nearing its end…”

It wasn’t until the next day, when the sun rose and all the team members got up to work, that the moon’s position remained shrouded in a massive, mushroom-cloud-like dust. The camera in Song Xiu’s hand, originally for recording fossils, fired off countless shots like a machine gun.

Captain Liu was amused and patted the tail end of her low ponytail: “Oh, you child, I can’t do anything with you. Remember to delete these when you upload to the cloud drive. Be careful not to make mistakes and extend your internship.”

“Don’t worry, Captain Liu, I definitely won’t forget.”

Even though the entire survey team hadn’t rested well last night, Captain Liu didn’t allow them any slack. After a simple breakfast, they braved the glare of “two suns” and continued to excavate the dinosaur fossils buried deep in the Gobi.

Perhaps it was due to the magnetic field influence, but Song Xiu, who had never been distracted during work, felt uneasy, as if something big was about to happen.

Just as she was about to go back to the tent to get some medicated balm to clear her head, Captain Liu suddenly emerged from a nearby tent, called her over, and pulled her aside to a giant rock, away from the rest of the team.

“Xiu Xiu, we got a message from above asking for people. You might not be able to get your full-time status,” Captain Liu said, unable to even meet her eyes.

Song Xiu was indeed very upset: “Wh-what does that mean? My internship ends in just one day, and you’re transferring me at this exact time.”

“Xiu Xiu, I know you’re distressed. Binhai is really short on staff. Almost all public servants who haven’t been officially hired yet have been transferred there. I heard the subsidy is generous, much better than roughing it here in the wind and dew.”

“Captain Liu, I trust you, but you have to tell me what I’ll be doing, right? So I can prepare myself.”

Captain Liu was extremely guilty, his voice dropping an octave: “A keeper.”

Song Xiu was even more confused: “Going to Binhai City to be a keeper? And I specialize in dinosaur fossils. Did a tidal surge wash up some prehistoric creature?”

“Something like that. A bunch of mermaids were washed ashore. To be precise, they are Merfolk (Jiaoren). The other side didn’t give many details, so you’ll have to go there and find out for yourself.”

“Is it classified or public knowledge?” Song Xiu was full of curiosity.

“Temporarily classified, but public announcement is only a matter of time.”

“Okay, I understand. Thank you, Captain Liu, and the rest of the team for taking care of me during this time.” Song Xiu unexpectedly smiled and spoke her heartfelt thanks.

Seeing that Song Xiu wasn’t complaining or making a scene, and was even a bit excited, Captain Liu finally let out a sigh of relief: “You’re welcome. Hurry and pack your bags. I’ll take you to Oil Town now to catch a plane. You should arrive before dinner.”

“Good!”

Song Xiu being so agreeable was a surprise to Captain Liu. Who knew if those Merfolk were green-faced, tusked beasts? It would be terrible if one swallowed her during feeding.

The thought made her shiver. The higher-ups were truly something. They finally had a subordinate she greatly admired, whom she had trained for so long, and then they suddenly called her away.

Inside the tent, Song Xiu was beaming with excitement. She had joined the scientific team because of her curiosity about prehistoric life. Now, not only was she going to encounter living creatures, but they were the Merfolk recorded in the Classic of Mountains and Seas. She could hardly contain her excitement.