Why Defeat The Devil? - Chapter 9

Chapter 9: Take Me Away From This Forest

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

The black shadow above the forest sky was flying leisurely.

It had the body and claws of a lion while its head and wings were those of an eagle. It was a creature which was a combination of both the lion and the eagle. It was a well-known creature, the griffin.

The griffin was notably powerful and majestic, possessing the bravery and strength of the lion with the speed and wings of the eagle. It put the creature on par with a dragon. Perhaps, it might even surpass the latter.

In Xi En’s previous life, the griffin was a famous mythical creature as well. Similarly, it was a creature which was not to be underrated in this alternate universe.

The griffin did not seem to be hunting for its prey. It was just passing by as its flight was leisurely, without any inkling of being spotted by Xi En.

Xi En kept his eyes on the flying griffin.

“If I can ride on it, I shall be able to fly my way out of this forest, right?”

This was Xi En’s whole idea. The more he considered it, the more eager he became.

It was the best solution he could think of, which is to leave this forest as soon as possible. It would be a pity if he missed this opportunity.

Other than the feral bird with a human face and a snake body which he encountered in the beginning, the griffin was the ideal flying monster for Xi En to hitch a ride on. It was not like he did not meet any flying creatures. These monsters were either too small or their weird forms and shapes made it difficult to even get on them, not to mention ride them.

This griffin, however, was perfectly fine for riding on its back.

“Okay!”

After some reflection, Xi En, who had always been decisive and adaptive, made up his mind.

“Evolve!”

Immediately, he triggered the skill “Extreme Evolve” and felt the mana stirring within him, growing in strength, transforming his body into the body of a superman. Xi En then squatted, concentrating all his strength on his legs. Grateful for the maximum level effects of the “God of Military”, Xi En then isolated his body parts.

In the next second…

“Bam!”

With a deafening explosion, Xi En blasted the earth he was standing on, rousing a gust of wind which blew up a thick shower of sand and dust as he shot up the sky like a rocket.

“Eek!”

The griffin that was flying idly at high altitude was surprised by the sudden noise. In the next instant, it saw an incoming silhouette like an arrow heading toward its target.

“Boom!”

Before long, a dull bang erupted in the sky above the forest.

The griffin shrieked as it felt a heavy collision, rolling away in midair and almost falling out of the sky due to the abrupt loss in its flying ability.

After it stabilized itself, it flapped its wings to securely take flight in the sky again. It instantly noticed an anomaly on its body.

A shadow had somehow landed on the back of the griffin.

“Success!”

Xi En gripped the Sacred Sword in one hand, while his other hand held the griffin’s fur, laughing as he rode on the creature’s back.

‘Skill acquired, “Riding”. Do you want to pick it up?’

When the message greeted Xi En and before he could even make his choice, the griffin under it reacted.

“Eek!”

Upon realizing what had happened, the griffin cried angrily. The mana in its body immediately undulated in waves. Soon after, a tornado appeared on it. Its mana had turned into a tornado with spinning blades, cutting Xi En incessantly as it went berserk.

Alarmed, Xi En grabbed onto the griffin’s skin with a tight grip.

The tornado on the griffin was incredibly powerful as it landed on Xi En.

If it had been any ordinary person, he or she would have been blown off the creature. Given how strong the tornado was, he or she would have turned to mush by the spinning force of the wind.

Xi En had “Physical Resistance” and “Magic Resistance” at maximum levels as well as the Sacred Sword’s protection. So, he was saved from being minced into pulp. However, it was inevitable that he was going to get blown away.

He picked up the acquired skill “Riding” as fast as he could and leveled it to its maximum instantly. Hence, he now had the highest level of Riding skill.

As a result, Xi En was not blown away by the tornado. Instead, he straddled the griffin and hung on tightly to the fur on its neck as he kept close to the griffin’s body to fight off the tornado with a vengeance.

“Split! Psst!”

Xi En’s already haggard clothes were continuously shredded by the tornado, but he remained securely on the griffin with barely a wound.

“Eek!”

Upon noticing its futility, the griffin cried out in fury and began to fly in a frenzy. It swirled in the air, leaped and dove, hoping to fling Xi En away.

Unfortunately, Xi En rode like the best rider there ever was. He attached himself securely on the back of the griffin, adjusting his position and changing his center of gravity, pressing down low or straightening his back, and perfectly contorting himself through the centrifugal force to keep his balance.

“Be good!”

Xi En continued his hold on the griffin and raised the Sacred Sword. He then flipped the weapon and knocked the sword’s grip harshly against the monster’s head.

“Bong!”

The griffin moaned in pain.

‘Skill acquired, “Taming”. Do you want to pick it up?’

Xi En was taken aback. In any case, he acquired the new skill and leveled it to the maximum.

His gaze turned hazy as he put a hand on the griffin’s back and began delivering his mana. The mana was channeled into the griffin at a specific frequency with a slow flow.

“Eek! Eek!”

The griffin was raging in pain. Suddenly, it let out a few soothing sounds and its struggle weakened as well.

Delighted, Xi En continued administering his mana. Soon after, the griffin’s cries softened and it lessened its defiance against him.

Sometime later, the griffin stopped struggling completely. It was no longer opposed to being ridden by Xi En. Instead, it kept calling out to him, as if it wanted him to continue channeling his mana into it.

“What is it? You want more?” Xi En chuckled and told the creature, “If you can take me away from this forest to the nearest town, I’ll fulfill your wish.”

The griffin cried out a few times as if it understood Xi En. It flapped its wings, zooming toward a specific direction.

Xi En could not conceal his delight. Both man and creature were cruising speedily toward the edge of the forest.