[Check Out My P4treon For +30 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!! And get chapters before publishing them here for free on my p4treon][https://p4treon.com/talkfictome]
===
High-level magical creatures possess racial talents that make low-level monsters like Goblins look like biological glitches. The Griffin is a master of the atmosphere; an adult can manipulate air currents with the precision of a high-end flight computer. Driven by the stress of the encounter, the Griffin's mana surged, manifesting as visible green tracers in the air.
With a single beat of its wings, the beast initiated a dive, generating a hurricane-force wind pressure that pinned the Adventurers to the dirt before the talons even arrived.
"SCATTER!"
One of the captains, a man with Giant blood coursing through his veins, roared the order. He planted a massive ironwood shield, hoping to buy his team enough time to reach the treeline. His logic was sound: in the forest, the Griffin's aerial advantage would be throttled by the canopy.
However, he overestimated his physical hardware. The Griffin hit his shield like an AV-94 hitting a brick wall. The two-meter-tall captain was launched like a ragdoll, his shield skidding across the snow as he slumped, his internal sensors likely screaming about multiple broken ribs.
Before he could process the failure, the Griffin banked for a finishing strike. Its cold-iron talons were inches from his skull when the ground trembled. A wave of scorching heat washed over the clearing.
CLANG.
Kael stood before the fallen captain, his longsword effortlessly parrying the pounce. He didn't budge a single millimeter.
"Get back," Kael said, his back to the survivors. He had timed his entry perfectly, utilizing the Flame Breathing: First Form to bridge the gap.
The Giant Captain scrambled up, his high-tier constitution already initiating repairs. "We're out of here!" he shouted, leading his team into the brush. They knew when they were outclassed; staying would only add more variables to Kael's combat equation.
The Griffin, furious at its lost prey, tried to bank for a pursuit, but its chassis jerked to a halt. It looked down to see Kael's hand locked around its rear leg with the strength of a hydraulic press. With a brutal tug, Kael dragged the ton-heavy beast out of the air, slamming it into the frozen turf.
He vaulted onto its back, his fingers weaving into the thick mane. "Nice plumage, little bird. How about a contract?"
"HISS! ROAR!!"
The Griffin's AI went into a frenzy. To a creature of its dignity, being ridden by a human was the ultimate system error. It twisted its head to snap at Kael, but he countered with a palm strike that left the beast's vision swimming in static.
How is this human this heavy? the Griffin wondered. It attempted to buck like an untamed stallion, but Kael remained glued to its back, his Riding skill—now a transcendent professional ability—acting like a magnetic lock. Finally, the beast ignited its thrusters, soaring straight into the stratosphere to shake the parasite.
Below, the survivors watched as the two became black specks against the blue.
"Should we help?" a teammate asked the Giant Captain.
"Don't cause trouble," the Witch interrupted, appearing from the shadows with the Young Lady at her side. "Kael is having fun. You'd just be a distraction."
The Young Lady nodded, her gaze wary. She didn't want these "low-chrome" hunters claiming any part of the Griffin once Kael finished breaking it. According to the unwritten code of the Guild, since the Giant Squad had retreated, they had forfeited the score.
Up in the clouds, the battle was moving from physical to a pure contest of wills. For a Knight, "Riding" wasn't just a movement skill; it was a psychic interface. Once Kael was on its back, his influence began to color the creature's mind.
By dusk, the Griffin's stamina was redlining. Its initial rage had transitioned into a hollow, exhausted anxiety. Its roars grew hoarse. In this contest of mental and physical endurance, the Griffin was a 4-cylinder engine trying to outrun a nuclear reactor.
The beast finally surrendered, tumbling through the clouds and sliding to a halt on a grassy slope. It didn't try to bite when Kael offered the reins; instead, it actively put its head through them—a total system override.
When the Witch and the Young Lady caught up, they found the Griffin nuzzling Kael's arm.
"Did he actually break it that fast?" the Young Lady asked, bold enough to reach out and touch the sun-colored feathers. The Griffin glanced at Kael, caught his scent on the girl, and sensibly allowed the contact.
"What a handsome kitty," the Witch added, her hand also finding a spot on the mane. The Griffin's eyes showed a flicker of confusion; as a monogamous creature, it was struggling to process Kael's complex social network.
The Giant Captain stepped forward, bowing his head in genuine respect. "Northland Knight, thank you. We owe you a life."
"It was on the route," Kael dismissed. He knew the Guild's rumors about him—that he was handsome, lethal, and incredibly petty. No one in the squad was stupid enough to mention the bounty on the Griffin now. They knew Kael would "scatter their ashes" before the sun went down if they crossed him.
The trio mounted the Griffin. Its back was broad enough for all three, and the ride was infinitely more "high-end" than a standard warhorse. They headed for the cliffside lair.
"Legend says Griffins hoard gems," the Young Lady whispered, her eyes sparkling.
Kael chuckled. "Griffins like shiny things, kid. You're just as likely to find a pile of glowing radioactive junk as you are a diamond."
At the nest, a female Griffin poked her head out, her eyes narrowing at the intruders. The male chirped a series of reassurances while Kael set up camp a safe distance away. He'd spotted a single, shimmering Griffin Egg in the center of the nest.
This was the jackpot. Contractual bonds were strongest when initiated at "Boot-up."
===
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 80 on my patreon, go check it out
exclusive 18+ character images, and early chapters, please visit my Patreon. Thanks for your support!
p4treon.com/talkfictome
if you want more updates == supports with power stones
Every 40 Power Stones == Bonus Chapter
every three 5-star reviews == Bonus Chapter