Chapter 37: The Sky Champion: Griffin
Beyond the tunnel, a vast space spread out. In the depths of the space that could accommodate two or three Tokyo domes, a lake could be seen. That must be the underground lake that serves as the nest of the worms.
In front of the lake stood a rugged fortress, constantly bustling with the coming and going of goblins and others. Around the fortress were warehouse-like buildings where provisions and weapons were being transported.
Numerous holes were dug into the walls, probably serving as makeshift sleeping quarters. Just within sight, there were hundreds, if not thousands, of goblins, giving the appearance of a goblin town.
(No matter how many we defeat, the goblins won't decrease...)
Low-ranking monsters like goblins may not pose much of a threat individually, but their numbers are undoubtedly a menace to humanity. Unless we cut off the root cause, their numbers will continue to increase.
Come to think of it, goblins and cockroaches are quite similar... Ugh, just thinking about it gives me the chills.
The small fries will be taken care of by Usaneko-san and the others, so my target is the Goblin King.
First, I must defeat the troublesome king with his commanding skills and remove the enhancements on the monsters.
"Flare Burst!"
Catarina-san's magic burned and turned a group of goblins into ashes, clearing a path for us. It's definitely overkill. Thank you very much.
"Magical Water Spear Barrage!"
Cecilia-san unleashed a multitude of spear attacks that assaulted like water dragons, erasing everything without a trace... Cecilia-san, you're going too far as well.
Thanks to Catarina-san and Cecilia-san, we've quickly acquired advanced magic.
Furthermore...
"I have acquired Spear Techniques."
"I have reached a certain number. Weapon skills will be integrated... I have acquired 'Weapon Master'."
"Weapon Master: A skill that allows mastery of all weapons."
My weapon skills have evolved all at once.
Furthermore...
"I have acquired 'Monster Enhancement'."
It seems that the Goblin King had useful skills, inadvertently allowing me to acquire them.
But I can't just be happy about it. With this skill, the combat capabilities of the goblins should have been significantly enhanced... Well, it doesn't seem to have mattered much to those people over there.
The monsters are scattered like leaves dancing in the wind. It's not a particularly beautiful sight, but I think how you phrase things is important. Mostly for the sake of my mental well-being.
While glancing at that scene, I continue to advance further.
Oh, finally, I found the King!? It's huge... It must be at least three meters tall. Oh no, a combination of command and enhancement... This is dangerous. It was lucky that the main force was goblins.
Now then, here are the results of my appraisal:
[Rank] A
[Race] Goblin King
[Age] 15
[Status] Anger
[Level] 53
[HP] 5985
[MP] 1482
[Attack Power] 5947
[Defense Power] 5965
[Agility] 5466
[Intelligence] 293
[Skills] Monster Enhancement, Intimidation, Command, Magic Resistance, Physical Resistance, Earth Magic [Advanced]
As planned, Chloe and Eva simultaneously launched their attacks, drawing the King's attention. Even the King seems unable to cope with the well-coordinated teamwork of the two.
"Damn, they keep moving around... Sink into the eternal Sand Hell!"
The area within a radius of ten meters centered around the King turns into an endless sand hell. Once you step into it, you gradually sink into the silky sand and become unable to move. However, Chloe and Eva had already moved out of the effective range.
"I have learned Advanced Earth Magic."
Standing before the King, who still tries to pursue Chloe and Eva, I stand in his way.
"Unfortunately, I am your opponent."
Using Concealment to silently approach, I seize the opportunity when the panicked King tries to cast a spell and slash his neck with Death Scythe. Even for an A-rank like him, he can't withstand a single blow enhanced with physical strength.
The headless body falls with a roar, spewing blood.
"My level has increased."
"My level has increased."
"Chloe, Eva, are you injured?"
"We're fine, Master. It was an amazing blow."
"Huh?! Darling, get down!"
In response to Eva's words, I reflexively crouch down as a gigantic wind blade passes above my head. That was close.
"I have learned Advanced Wind Magic."
"Gurururuaa!"
An ear-piercing roar resounds throughout the area.
"I have learned Griffin Language... So there is Griffin Language."
"I have reached a certain number. Integrating language skills to learn [Language Comprehension]."
[Language Comprehension]: A skill that enables understanding and speaking all languages, including humans, monsters, and animals.
Following the evolution of my weapon skill, my language skill has also evolved. This seems quite convenient.
"I'm sorry, Your Highness. I couldn't stop it because this one suddenly became stronger."
Silphy apologizes for being unable to stop the wind blades.
"Don't worry. We're fine. Silphy, thank you for buying us time."
"...Your Highness, didn't I do my best too?"
Sarah pouts in an easily understandable manner.
"Thank you too, Sarah. Thanks to you, we were able to defeat the King."
"Hehe, I wonder if it was that much of a help. But be careful, Your Highness. He's really strong."
Now, let's see the appraisal results...
[Rank] S
[Species] Griffin
[Age] 25
[Status] Enhanced
[Level] 63
[HP] 15,985
[MP] 11,482
[Attack] 15,947
[Defense] 15,965
[Agility] 15,466
[Intelligence] 12,930
[Skills] Flight, Wind Magic [Advanced], Intimidation, Acceleration, Poison Claw, Strong Arm, Magic Resistance, Physical Resistance
...Uh-oh, this is serious. And it's huge, about 5 meters tall? I can't win without the support of the Sylphs.
"I have learned Flight."
"Hey, Griffin! Don't you have any intention to surrender? I don't want to be rough with my mount."
"Surrender? How amusing, you insignificant human. Keep your nonsense to yourself while you sleep!"
I tried negotiating as a last resort, but it seems hopeless after all.
Around the Griffin, the violent force of wind is constantly swirling, making it difficult to even approach.
However, it was unfortunate for the opponent that it was Sylph, the wind spirit user!!
"In my presence, wind magic is nothing but child's play. Sylphid!"
When the wind spirit Sylphid manifests her extraordinarily beautiful figure, she pouts and complains to Sylphid.
...It's not child's play, Sylphid. It's more like nonexistence... you know?
As Sylphid gently calms the air, the Griffin's wind magic disperses.
"You spirit user! However, there's no need to use wind magic."
Just when I thought the Griffin had disappeared for a moment, I collided with a wall, and the burning pain and impact momentarily made me lose consciousness. It seems I was blown away by its claws and crashed into the wall.
"I have learned Acceleration."
"I have learned Strong Arm."
"I have learned Poison Claw."
"Please, everyone! Hold the Griffin back for just a moment!"
"Understood!"
Sara rushed over and kissed me. My body became intensely hot, and my wounds rapidly closed. Is this Sara's skill?
[Passionate Healing]: Sara's unique skill. It heals wounds and recovers from abnormal status. There's no need to kiss, though.
"Ugh... Thank you, Sara. That was a bit dangerous..."
Though not in perfect condition, I can move my body now. It's amazing that it also heals poison.
"You truly are amazing, my lord. How can you not die from that... What's going on?"
Sara laughs while crying.
I'm sorry for making you worry.
Now it's my turn. The fact that you're still alive after that attack means your defeat is certain.
Using my transformation skill, I get closer to the Griffin.
"You're still alive?... Those wings... Are you a vampire?!"
The Griffin disappears again, but this time I narrowly dodge it. However...
"You dodged it well. But with those wings, you won't fly anymore!"
I tried to exchange blows, but it was quite difficult.
As I fell, my wings torn apart, the griffin approached. In midair, there was no way to dodge anymore.
"Hahaha, die!"
"...Not so fast."
The griffin's deadly strike sliced through the air.
"W-What?!"
Using my flying and acceleration skills, I circled behind the griffin and swung a powerful strike with my strengthened Deathscythe, enhanced with Body Reinforcement, Herculean Strength, and Mighty Arms.
"Gwaaaah?!"
Half of its body was severed, clearly a fatal wound, but the murderous intent didn't fade from its eyes.
As expected of a griffin, it's still... alive?
"Flare Burst!"
I unleashed Katarina-san's specialty magic. It was a direct hit from an advanced magic spell targeting its elemental weakness. Surely it wouldn't survive.
"Your level has increased."
"Your level has increased."
"Your level has increased."
"Your level has increased."
"Your level has increased."
Oh! My levels increased like crazy.
When I landed on the ground, everyone rushed towards me with worried expressions.
"Master! Please don't be reckless..."
"W-What were you doing?! I thought my heart was going to stop... Seriously."
"I wasn't worried at all."
"...Who was the most panicked again?"
"Huh?! Well... I did worry a bit."
"Everyone... I'm sorry for making you worry. But I'm glad we won."
We celebrated our safety together.
"Kakeru! Are you okay? You got beaten up pretty badly, so I was worried sick."
"Kakeru-kun... You used my magic in the end. It was worth showing it to you."
Katarina-san said with a wink. I see... so that's why she went out of her way to use it against the goblins. Cecilia-san probably... No, in her case, it's just a way to relieve stress.
"Kakeru, look, this is a Rare Goblin."
Cecilia-san grabbed the Rare Goblin by the nape of its neck and presented it to me.
Shiny black skin and antennae-like horns growing on its head... Ugh, it's disgusting! It's more like a Cockagoblin than a Rare Goblin, right?!
"It's quite cute, isn't it, Master?"
K-Kloe-san?!
"Well, indeed, the way it wriggles is something else."
"Master, is it not allowed to keep this?"
...I don't understand the values of this other world. But...
"If you can show me your ability to control monsters, I will consider sparing your life."
"Really, Cockroach? I'll show you my power, you bug! Come forth, Worm!"
...You're definitely a cockroach...
"I have acquired the ability to control monsters."
"No, forget it. Die!"
"W-Why, Cockroach! You said you would help me!"
"Enough with your cockroach chatter! After considering it, I've decided to reject it."
...In the end, everyone begged and pleaded while crying, and I couldn't bring myself to kill it.
Well, since it seems to be a valuable monster, I'll have Alfreid-sama make good use of it. I won't impose it on anyone, though.