```
At this moment, above the forest, a dark shadow glided leisurely through the air.
The true form of the shadow was a creature with the body and sharp claws of a lion, the head of an eagle, and a pair of wings resembling those of an eagle, a demon born from combining a lion and an eagle.
It was none other than a rather famous demon—a griffin.
The griffin was recognized as a formidable demon, possessing the lion's bravery and strength, alongside the eagle's speed and wings, making it rival even flying dragons and sometimes even surpass them.
Therefore, even in the past world, griffins were a well-known phantom beast, and in this otherworld, they too were a force not to be underestimated.
Such a griffin, it seemed, hadn't appeared here because it discovered prey but was merely passing by, flying quite leisurely, completely unaware that it had caught someone's eye.
Shane watched the griffin flying overhead from high above.
"If I could ride on that griffin, I should be able to fly out of this forest, right?"
Shane had this thought in mind.
The more he thought about it, the more tempted he became.
Wanting to leave this forest as soon as possible, this was the best method Shane could think of.
Missing this opportunity would be a great pity.
During these ten days, apart from the man-faced serpent bird he first encountered, this griffin was the flying demon Shane found most suitable for riding.
It wasn't that Shane hadn't encountered flying series demons during this time, but those were either too small to ride or too oddly shaped, impossible to mount.
Only this griffin had the perfect build to be ridden.
"Alright!"
Thinking it over, ever decisive and quick to adapt, Shane hesitated no longer.
"Evolve!"
Immediately, Shane activated the "Extreme Transformation" skill, letting magic power swiftly circulate within his body, transforming into strength, granting him a superhuman physique.
Next, Shane squatted deeply, gathering all his strength in his legs.
Thanks to the effects of his level 10 "Military God" skill, which allowed him perfect control over his body, Shane easily focused all his power in his legs.
The next second...
"Bang!!!"
With a loud explosive sound, Shane shattered the ground beneath his feet, sending a gust of wind and dust flying, shooting into the sky like a rocket.
"Screech!"
High above, the leisurely flying griffin was startled by the sudden loud noise, then saw a figure shooting toward it like an arrow.
The trajectory was aimed directly at itself.
"Boom!"
Before long, a muffled sound echoed in the sky above the forest.
The griffin felt itself being heavily struck, squawked in pain, and its entire body tumbled mid-air, nearly losing its flying ability.
Once the griffin stabilized itself, flapping its wings to fly steadily again, it immediately noticed the odd presence on its body.
On the griffin's back, at an unknown time, a figure had landed.
"Succeeded!"
With one hand gripping the Holy Sword and the other clutching the griffin's fur, Shane laughed, now fully riding on the griffin's back.
"Skill acquired—Riding—do you wish to learn?"
As this message flooded his mind, Shane hadn't yet made a choice when the griffin finally reacted.
"Screech!"
Realizing what had happened, the griffin cried out in anger as magic power surged from its body, transforming into a wave.
A tornado formed on the griffin's back.
The griffin's magic power turned into a tornado, carrying endless wind blades, wildly sweeping over its body.
"...!"
Shane's expression changed, instinctively gripping the fur on the griffin's neck tightly.
The tornado swept from the griffin's body with tremendous force, brushing against Shane's body.
If it were an ordinary person, they would certainly be blown off and shredded to pieces by the winds inside the tornado in an instant.
Shane, possessing level 10 skills of Physical Resistance and Magic Resistance, and under the protection of the Holy Sword, wasn't shredded but couldn't avoid being blown off the griffin's back.
However, Shane instantly learned the Riding skill he'd just acquired, raising it to the highest level without pause, granting him the most advanced riding techniques.
Thus, Shane wasn't blown away by the tornado. Instead, he immediately squeezed the griffin's body tightly with his legs, gripped its mane with all his strength, and lowered his body, resisting the tornado's power with all his might.
"Tear!" "Tear!" "Tear!"
Instantly, Shane's already tattered clothes were continuously torn and shredded by the tornado.
Yet, Shane continued to ride steadfastly on the griffin's back, unharmed.
"Screech!"
Noticing this, the griffin screeched in extreme frustration, flying wildly back and forth mid-air, trying to shake Shane off.
Unfortunately, Shane was like a highly skilled rider, firmly controlling himself on the griffin's back, adjusting his position, shifting his weight, lowering his body, and occasionally sitting upright, mastering centrifugal force and balance perfectly.
"Behave yourself!"
Eventually, still maintaining control over the griffin, Shane raised his hand holding the Holy Sword, flipped it, and struck the griffin's head with the hilt.
"Thud!"
Amidst the dull thud, the griffin let out a whimper.
Simultaneously...
"Skill acquired—Tame—do you wish to learn?"
Shane paused momentarily, then quickly learned the newly acquired skill, advancing it to the highest level.
At that moment, realization dawned in Shane's eyes as he pressed a hand against the griffin's back, beginning to channel his magic power into it.
This magic power was infused into the griffin's body at a specific frequency and flow path.
"Screech! Screech!"
The griffin, which had been enraged by the pain, suddenly let out sounds of comfort, its struggling weakening.
Witnessing this, Shane felt a surge of joy, promptly using the same method to continually infuse magic power into the griffin, causing its cries to grow more content, less resistant to Shane.
After some time, the griffin completely ceased its resistance, no longer opposing Shane's riding, instead crying to Shane as if requesting more magic power.
"What? You want more?" Shane chuckled, speaking to the griffin beneath him, "If you're willing to take me out of this forest to the nearest town, I'll oblige you."
Upon hearing this, the griffin squawked a few times, seemingly in agreement, flapped its wings, and set off flying in a certain direction.
Understanding dawned on Shane as joy spread across his face.
Together, the man and the beast swiftly soared toward the forest's edge.
```