A woman with alluring red hair and seductive eyes was sipping tea, exuding a captivating atmosphere.

The request room was now empty after the little girl had left.

As a black shadow flickered, numerous assassins emerged from the darkness.

"Shall we follow her?"

"No need. We've already confirmed it."

The words on the communication orb read:

"If any harm comes to the benefactor, the Ether Duchy’s knight order will move."

A direct threat, warning us that they would send the Black Knight Order.

What could be the true identity of this little girl, whom Duke Adonis Ether protects so fiercely?

It's been a long time since someone so interesting appeared.

Just thinking about her brings a warm feeling to my chest—our little girl, who I feel the urge to protect.

"Hmm, I can't figure it out just yet. Well, there's no rush. I’ll take my time getting to know her."

A smile spread across her face as she sipped her tea.

"Sweet things really are the best."

After leaving through another entrance, I found myself at a general store located on the main street.

I can’t believe this was so out in the open.

But more importantly, what should I do about this?

[A quest has arrived.] Retrieve an egg from the gryphon’s nest in the Canyon of Death.

Reward: Experience, a large amount of magic stones.

The quest seemed simple—just bring back the egg.

The Canyon of Death was a half-day’s walk from the City of Stars.

The problem? The recommended level was 60.

How am I, at level 20, supposed to do this!?

Even though the reward was tempting, I accepted the quest anyway.

Wait, could the old man I met in the alley really be Duke Adonis Ether?

He’s the only old man I ran into in that alley.

Not long after, the alarm went off, so there’s only one suspect—it’s him.

When I used him as an excuse, the pretty lady from the information guild believed me.

He must be someone really important.

"Kyuung."

"You’re hungry?"

"Kyuung!"

"Alright, let’s go on a quest."

There’s no time to waste, especially with Yongyongi to feed.

As I walked out of the city, following the signposts toward the Canyon of Death, I noticed a large bear-like creature in the distance.

What the...? Why is it so big?

As the large creature approached, I started to feel nervous, but something about it seemed familiar.

"Kraaang!"

"Wait... you’re...!"

"Kraang!"

It was the bear that had given me a ride before!

How did it get so big!?

It was now more than twice the size it had been, but it approached me affectionately, showing a side that didn’t quite match its massive size.

It wanted to give me a ride again, just like last time.

"Do you know the way to the Canyon of Death?"

"Kraang!"

"You want me to trust you? Alright, I’ll leave it to you."

Although the canyon was a half-day’s walk away, we reached the area in no time thanks to the bear.

After thanking it and promising to give it another magic stone next time, the bear said, "Keep your promise," and left.

Why do all the monsters I meet talk so strangely?

When I glanced at Yongyongi, he tilted his head and let out a cute sound.

"Kyuung?"

"As expected, you’re the cutest in the whole world, Yongyongi!"

I almost lost myself in his cuteness, but I didn’t have time for that.

I needed to retrieve the egg and return to the village, so I could feed my precious Yongyongi.

As I approached the canyon, an eerie feeling and a cold wind swept over me.

It was as if the canyon was warning me to turn back.

But I had no choice—I had to go in.

I slowly entered the canyon.

Surprisingly, there was nothing inside.

There was supposed to be a gryphon’s nest here, but was it really?

Should I climb higher?

While contemplating how to climb the canyon, Yongyongi started making noises while staring at a corner.

When I turned to look, I saw a staircase—probably built by others.

I climbed the stairs for what felt like over an hour before finally finding the gryphon’s nest.

Inside the nest was a large egg, clearly a gryphon’s egg, but there was a problem.

A gryphon was flying overhead, keeping watch with tight security.

"How on earth am I supposed to get that egg?"

"Kyuung?"

"No, it’s okay. I’ll figure something out."

Even though Yongyongi didn’t have any real power, his trust in me was enough.

As I wracked my brain, I felt a gaze on me.

When I looked up, I saw a gryphon staring down at me from above.

It tilted its head and spoke.

"Human."

"Y-yes!?"

Flustered, I looked up at the gryphon as it slowly descended to the ground.

It observed me closely.

"Are you lost?"

"No, not really."

"Then, are you a thief?"

Its eyes turned cold as it fixed its gaze on me.

If I said "yes" right now, I’d probably be torn apart by those massive claws.

"Well... I need an egg."

"...."

I had answered too bluntly.

The gryphon stared at me with an incredulous look.

"I’ve never seen such a brazen thief."

"Haha, I’m not very good at lying."

Was this it for me? Am I going to die?

Just as I was about to ask for a quick and painless death, the gryphon said, "Wait here," and flew off into the sky.

How much time passed, I couldn’t tell.

The gryphon eventually returned, carrying several eggs with it.

"These are the ones who were born without life."

Upon closer inspection, they were all unfertilized eggs.

[Unfertilized Eggs] Eggs laid without fertilization.

The gryphon, with a sorrowful expression, said it would give them to me without asking for anything in return.

"Why are you giving them to me?"

"Even though these children were never born, if they can be of use to others, they would be content."

The soft whisper in its voice was filled with sadness.

I put the eggs into my inventory and promised to repay this kindness. The gryphon simply told me to be careful and left.

Even as I left the canyon and headed back to the village, I couldn’t shake the melancholic feeling.

Isn’t there something I could do in return?

As I pondered this, the bear from earlier appeared, offering me another ride back to the city.

As I rode the bear, I remembered something.

I gave it a magic stone yesterday, and now it’s more than twice its size... Could it be?

[Devour] The more magic stones your summoned creature consumes, the stronger it becomes. [Just watching them eat makes you feel full!]

"This is it!"

I showed my pass at the entrance and quickly entered the city. I headed back to the shop where I had been before, and the shopkeeper, recognizing me, led me inside.

Using the back door, I entered the request room where the pretty lady was waiting.

"Have you given up, little miss?"

In response, I pulled out several eggs from my inventory and placed them on the table. She was shocked.

"W-what is with all these eggs?"

"They’re gryphon eggs."

The beautiful lady couldn’t close her mouth, astonished by the sheer number of eggs.

[Quest complete!] Rewards will be distributed.

With a wave of her hand, the lady signaled to another employee, who handed me a large bundle. It was filled to the brim with magic stones.

It was more than enough to feed Yongyongi for several months.

He was already drooling, so I gave him one, and he happily ate it.

As I watched him eat, the lady made me an offer.

"Oh? That creature is something I’ve never seen before. How about it? I could give you a good price for him."

"No, thanks!"

"Such a shame."

She smiled as she handed me a business card.

The card had "Erica" written on it.

"Let me formally introduce myself. I’m Erica, the head of the Information Guild. You can call me Erica unnie, with love and affection."

"It’s nice to meet you. My name is Yuna, Erica noona."

"Noona...?"

She looked at me with a slightly surprised expression, but before I could leave, she grabbed my wrist.

"Do you have urgent business? If not, why don’t you come with unnie somewhere nice?"

"I’m busy, so I’ll have to pass."

"How cold of you. Come visit again."

She let go of my wrist and waved as I left.

It was time to repay the gryphon’s kindness.

The Canyon of Death had long been the territory ruled by gryphons.

At least, until their natural enemies appeared.

Recently, a group of wyverns had started appearing.

They were pests, constantly attacking and stealing the gryphons' eggs whenever they found an opening.

The attacks were becoming more frequent, and it seemed like a full-blown war was imminent.

As I kept watch from the sky, I spotted the human who had taken the eggs returning.

She waved at me.

When I approached, she pulled something from her bag.

"Why have you returned, human?"

"I came to repay your kindness!"

She handed me something, and upon closer inspection, it was a stone infused with magic.

As I swallowed it whole, I felt a surge of power inside me.

"Since I brought so many, could you call the other gryphons?"

"Very well, human."

With a loud call, all the gryphons in the canyon, except those guarding the nest, flew over.

There were hundreds of them.

The human seemed startled but then checked something and sighed with relief.

"Phew, looks like I have just enough. Sorry, Yongyongi... I’ll make more money next time and feed you well."

"Kyuung."

When I glanced at the human’s chest, I was shocked.

Why was such a terrifying creature acting cute toward a human?

Just looking at it sent chills down my spine.

Feeling relieved as it lost interest, I watched as the human began feeding magic stones to my kind.

"Alright, line up! I’ll give them to you one at a time!"