CHAPTER 42: CHAPTER 42 : THE GRIFFIN (1)

Chapter 42 : The Griffin (1)

"He must have a good talent even too."

The Dragon Claw guild members continued to discuss in low tones as they followed behind Axton deeper into the dungeon.

Finally, they had reached the end point of the dungeon.

*Swoosh*

The wind was strong in this place, blowing them from the left and right, trying to yank them from where they stood and throw them away. However, they were strong enough to hold their balance.

Those whose balance was threatened held on to others to maintain stability.

The sky was dark blue and the clouds were grey.

Suddenly, the cloud parted with great force and a flap of large wings was both heard and seen.

"Look!"

"What’s that?"

This beast let out a high-pitched scream as it soared downwards, making its way to the human players below it at an immense speed.

"It’s fast! Warriors!"

Hart had calculated that they wouldn’t be able to block its attack in time if they wasted a few more seconds.

...

[Storm Griffin]

Grade : 1

Level : 10

Attack : 55

Defense : 48

HP : 100/100

Skill : Feather Strike, Talon Slice

...

*Clank*

The sound of the beast claws bounced off the shields that were set up by the warrior class players.

The monster was unlike anything they had ever seen before. It was utterly strange, however, players who were fans of fantasy works could recognise what type of beast it was after a little time.

It was a griffin.

A unique creature with the head, wings and talons of an eagle, while its body, tail and back legs were those of a lion.

"Level 10?!"

"How the fuck are we suppose to beat that thing? It’s fast!"

They had concerns but that was not the worst of them.

Their biggest concern was the fact that the griffin could fly and attack them from the sky and they wouldn’t be able to retaliate.

They could not do anything to it as long as it was up there.

Nevertheless, they did not relent.

"Rangers!" Hart shouted. "Prepare to attack."

The Dragon Claw squad that entered this dungeon raid was composed of players that spanned across the six classes, even though there were not many individually.

The ranger class players prepared their weapons.

Some had bows and arrows, others had guns.

They loaded their weapons, hoping to land significant damage to the beast, so Axton could have the opportunity to land the kill blow.

At this stage, it was better for long range fighters to lead the charge since they had a better chance than other classes of landing a hit.

The gunner cocked their guns, and the archers pulled back their bowstrings.

All of them were ready to fire, hoping to drive the griffin into a corner as it would make attempts to dodge.

"Fire!"

*Bang*

*Swoosh*

Arrows shot through the air and bullets accompanied them.

Regrettably, all of them missed the target as the flying beast gracefully evaded every single one.

"Tch!" Hart gritted his teeth, his forehead reddening in anger.

All the while, Axton was watching.

He was not quick to attack.

’Something is not adding up,’ he thought. ’Is this griffin the dungeon boss? At grade 1?’

He was right.

Unlike the previous locations where they all had to fight because the monsters came in groups, this spot had just one griffin attacking them.

From the looks of its profile, the only frustrating ability it had was flight and Axton was not bothered by that too since he had something similar that would address it.

Regardless, he still felt strange about this.

He could kill the beast in one attack but deep down, he was worried that it wasn’t that easy a kill.

The rangers continued to fire under Hart’s command with the griffin effectively evading them and lowering its body to attack.

It seemed like a vicious cycle where the beast dodges and attacks them, successfully landing damages while the healers restore the lost health.

Axton narrowed his eyes. ’It lowers itself to attack and then goes up once it is done.’

The griffin let out a scream and started to lower itself.

At this moment, Axton was ready to attack in tandem with the resumption of its flight.

"Try as much as you can to block and leave the rest to me," Axton said to them.

*Clank*

The talons of the griffins reflected off the shields and it took off into the sky as usual.

However, this time around, a figure followed it.

******

Axton lowered his body and conjured the aura sword into his hand.

He shut his eyes to focus, imagining the distance he would have to cover and then he opened his eyes.

As soon as the griffin took to the sky, Axton followed after a few seconds, using [Flight] to take the monster unaware.

*Swoosh*

Even the players who watched were shocked to their bone marrow.

"He can...fly?!"

Of all the things, no one expected that Axton could fly.

"Just what can this guy not do."

"He’s definitely a god among men now."

Axton had taken off hundreds of metres into the sky to attack.

The griffin noticed him, although late, quickly activated its [Feather Strike] skill as its feathers shot out individual like bullets, aiming for Axton.

Axton only bothered to fend off the feathers that were targeted at his face, the rest were left for his shock plate to take care of them.

*Shing*

He brandished his sword and struck, slicing through a flying beast as his own body started to descend to the ground afterwards.

The body of the griffin not long after Axton had reached the ground.

Silence.

Loud silence following his return as none of them had anything more to say.

Axton was constantly surprising them and at this point, they could no longer gauge just how strong he is.

They merely stared at him, seeing nothing.

Their admiration was turning into something else.

Was it respect?

Was it fear?

How can one person be so strong?

Axton had it all inside this game.

He looked at them, staring into their shocked eyes as he walked towards them.

*Fweeep*

The wind whistled sharply.

Axton’s instincts acted and he sensed danger.

Axton turned around immediately but it was too late.

Sharp, long talons had penetrated into his chest with the force generated by the speed of the griffin carrying them through a distance of several metres.