"Waaaaah!!!"

We had just taken off, and this guy behind me started screaming dramatically.

"Okay, okay... so scary! This speed is so scary!"

But the wind noise pretty much drowned out his voice, so I couldn't hear it clearly. The only problem was, why was he clinging onto me with one hand on the handle, and instead of grabbing onto the other handle with his other hand, he was hugging me?

"Why don't you grab the handle? It's uncomfortable when you hold me so tightly."

"I'm too scared to let go!"

Ah, this guy is really...

Fortunately, the mechanical gryphon's speed was also very fast, and soon we had dashed into the clouds. As we emerged from the clouds, the houses in the mountains were already right in front of us.

And then...

A whole row of magic arrays suddenly appeared around us, without any warning, and started firing at us.

"Magic barrier activated."

The mechanical gryphon accepted my voice command, and a layer of blue enchantment unfolded from its body.

All the defensive magic attacks hit the enchantment, creating a dazzling display of fireworks.

"I see, although it doesn't react to drones, it automatically attacks if it detects people."

After looking at the magic arrays around us, I nodded.

"It is indeed a very effective method."

Turning to look at the guy behind me, who was now cowering in place and not moving.

Well, he has a sense of justice, but his abilities are too weak, right?

I smiled wryly and continued.

"Magic absorption system activated, identify type, automatic defense magic, absorption initiated."

As soon as I finished speaking, the mechanical gryphon's mouth opened, and a wave-like attack spread directly from its mouth. Wherever the ripples reached, the defensive magic arrays were shattered, turning into a powdery substance and being absorbed into the gryphon's mouth.

In no time, the surrounding colorful defensive magic had been completely absorbed by the gryphon. I turned to Sylvantes.

"Alright, stop cowering. We're getting ready to land."

"R-really?"

He raised his head and looked around.

"So scary, that's why magic is so dangerous."

"Well, for warriors, it certainly is."

At that moment, my earpiece buzzed.

"Hey hey hey, Dale, is that mechanical gryphon yours?"

Mary's voice came through.

"Yeah, I just remembered I had this thing, so I came up with Pure White and... a kid I just met."

"A kid?"

"Well, he said he wants to save those who are imprisoned, so I brought him along."

"Haha... whatever, come over quickly. We've landed near one of his houses and are now looking for the people being kept captive. But I saw a figure fly up the mountain just now, and not long after, it flew away. No idea who it was."

"Doesn't matter, okay, I'll find a place to land first."

"Sure."

Looking around, apart from the area around us, the defensive magic elsewhere was still happily operating.

They should know our location, so it's strange that no one has come out yet.

"Pure White, did you hear that? Let's find a place to land."

"Understood."

With that, Pure White controlled the mechanical gryphon to dive down, amidst Sylvantes' panicked screams. We landed directly near a stone house built in the mountains.

Well, although I had previously surveyed the terrain nearby with a drone, it was limited to viewing from within the clouds, and the camera angles were also limited. Now that we were in this place, I couldn't accurately determine our location, except knowing that we were indeed on the same mountain.

"Alright, we'll have to search one by one."

I got off the gryphon and turned to Pure White.

"Do you want to stay here or come with us to search?"

"I think I'll familiarize myself with the surroundings here."

Pure White said so.

"Good, you can search for Mary's location too."

"Right, okay. Sylvantes, do you want to sit here alone?"

"N-no!"

This guy was also scared of flying and immediately jumped off.

"Let's go, let's go! What are we going to do?"

"Can you handle it?"

I looked at him in a panic.

"Weren't you supposed to save others? Now you can't even stand properly."

"It's alright! I just... have a fear of heights..."

Seeing him sweating profusely, I shook my head helplessly.

Luckily, I didn't let him climb up on his own, or halfway up he probably wouldn't dare to go up or down.

"Alright, since we're here, let's start from this place."

I turned to the house embedded in the rock wall.

Actually, our current location was just in front of a wooden walkway leading to the house. Looking down, there was a small path dug into the mountain, without a railing, leading straight down into the mist below. Looking up, the path continued along the mountain, reaching who knows where.

Well, although both directions were feasible, with him around, I thought it better to just go into the house directly.

"I'll scout around first, then come back here to find you."

Pure White's voice came from within the mechanical gryphon's body, sounding a bit strange.

"Fine, by the way, I'll grant you control of the weapons. Open all internal operations permissions, identity verification, Pure White."

Command executed.

After a beep from the mechanical gryphon, I nodded.

"There's a detailed manual in the small box on the left, including information on the gryphon's weapons."

"I've already read it."

Pure White said.

"Just now, as we flew up, I read through it."

"..."

Do you know the concept of safe driving?

"Alright, be careful."

"Got it."

With that, he somersaulted backwards and flew directly into the clouds, disappearing instantly.

People are really killing me, this guy got proficient so quickly, feels like he's better at driving than me...

"Well, let's go. By the way, how do you adventure alone with no combat power?"

I looked at Sylvantes.

"How is that possible? I'm very strong!"

He said so.

Level 30 and very strong?

Are you kidding me?

But what happened next did surprise me because...

This guy walked straight to the entrance of the stone house, then reached out... and ripped the door off.

Yes, just reached out and pulled, and the door came off.

My heart was in shambles, and I lifted my shirt to look. Not looking was fine, but when I did, I was shocked to see my waist, where he had held me, was covered in black bruises.

Maybe due to the teammate damage effect still in play? Otherwise, would I have... earlier?

"See, am I impressive?"

He said, and then tossed the stone door down the mountain.

"Alright, you're the tank, you lead the way."

I quietly took out my staff.

"Let's go, let's go save people."