Chapter 18: Fighting the Griffin
Charlie's routine was monotonous.
In the morning, he would make breakfast for himself and Hera, then hunt monsters from dawn till dusk.
He deliberately didn't update his status after the last update. He wanted to accumulate Excelia, which would give a significant boost to his basic abilities after the next update.
Thus, five days had unknowingly passed since he mysteriously arrived in the world of Danmachi.
At this moment, Charlie was flying using Spirit Art, searching for monsters on the surface.
"The number of monsters I encounter decreases every day. It's true, the best place to find monsters is the Dungeon."
In fact, he had already flown 10 kilometers from Menel City. However, he found that monsters were becoming increasingly rare, indicating that he had caused a decline in the monster population around Menel City
"Hunting monsters outside the Dungeon has reached its limit. If I want to grow quickly, I have to go to Orario."
Realizing this, Charlie planned to discuss it with Hera after he returned later.
In the end, the monsters outside the Dungeon were descendants of monsters that had escaped from the Dungeon in the past. They needed time to breed and grow, unlike the monsters in the Dungeon, which were always born there no matter how many were killed.
Because of this, the gods established Familia in Orario, and people from all over the world came to Orario to gain power, wealth, fame, and for other personal reasons.
It's like villagers wanting to change their fate by migrating to the city for a better life.
Orario was the center of the world!
"Gyahhh—... Someone help me!!!"
"Hm?"
Hearing the voice, Charlie turned around. From the distance, he enhanced his vision using Spirit Art.
He then saw a large monster with the front of an eagle and the back of a lion.
"That's a Griffin!"
At a glance, Charlie immediately recognized the name of the monster.
Even in his original world, the Griffin was a very famous creature often appearing in entertainment industries such as films, manga, and anime.
"There's someone in its claws."
Charlie noticed that the Griffin was carrying a woman in its claws.
"I have to save her!"
Although his personality had changed due to the tragedy he had experienced, Charlie wasn't cruel enough to ignore someone in need. Of course, he only helped others when it didn't affect his own interests and was within his abilities.
*WHOOSH*
Seeing the Griffin fly away, Charlie used Spirit Art to let the wind give him a boost.
"Saving that woman is the priority."
Unsheathing the Sword of Damocles, he took advantage of the fact that the Griffin hadn't noticed him, and sliced both of its legs.
*Pu-chi*
The First Tier weapon showed its power. The Sword of Damocles sliced through the Griffin's iron-like legs without resistance.
"Screeee!!!"
The Griffin shrieked in pain from the sudden attack, flapping its wings wildly and flying erratically.
"Hyaaaa…"
Losing its grip, the Griffin released the woman, and she fell, screaming in panic.
*WHOOSH*
Charlie dove sharply, catching the woman in his arms as he flew toward a nearby tree.
"Stay here, I'll be back soon."
Worried that she might be attacked by other monsters while he was dealing with the Griffin, Charlie placed her on a tree branch.
"Fine. Defeat that monster for me!"
After being saved, the woman didn't show any fear of almost becoming the Griffin's meal; instead, she seemed annoyed for some reason and cheered Charlie on.
"Just wait for me and don't wander off if you don't want to be captured by another monster."
With a single glance, Charlie identified that the woman in front of him was a goddess.
There was a fundamental difference in the essence of life between mortals and gods. Although the gods had sealed their Arcanum to enjoy life in the lower world, their divine aura was passive and they couldn't do anything to hide it.
"Don't make me wait too long, mortal." The woman said arrogantly.
"..."
No longer paying attention to the unknown goddess, Charlie flew toward the enraged Griffin.
"How dare that mortal ignore me! So annoying."
The lack of response from the other party made the goddess pout and stomp her feet.
Meanwhile, Charlie gripped the Sword of Damocles tightly.
"Let the first monster slain by the Sword of Damocles be one from Greek mythology."
"Screeee!!!"
As if sensing the provocation, the Griffin roared furiously, its figure darting forward with a single flap of its wings.
*WHOOSH*
Charlie's figure disappeared, his speed rivaling the Griffin's.
With its sharp claws lost, the Griffin could only rely on its hard, sharp beak as its main weapon.
"Screeee…"
The Griffin swooped down, intending to tear Charlie apart with its beak. But with extraordinary calmness, Charlie dodged at the last second, performing an unexpected aerial maneuver. The Sword of Damocles swung elegantly, slicing through the air around it.
*SWOOSH* *SWOOSH* *SWOOSH*
Each swing of the sword brought a dazzling light, causing the Griffin to hesitate.
But the Griffin was no ordinary creature. It countered with a powerful wingbeat, creating a mini storm that threw Charlie off balance. However, Charlie was prepared. He quickly regained his position in the air and attacked swiftly, thrusting the Sword of Damocles toward the Griffin.
The Griffin, however, was smart. It dodged and counterattacked with its sharp claws. This aerial battle was like a deadly dance, every movement lethal. They continued to spiral through the sky, as if the world had paused to watch these two formidable forces clash.
"So strong! This is the strongest monster I've fought so far, but... this is the kind of fight I enjoy, rather than a boring one-sided battle!"
Charlie's excitement rose, his fighting spirit igniting, and a faint smile appeared on his face.
"I wonder how much Excelia I'll gain after defeating the Griffin!"
Just as Charlie was almost cornered, a bolt of lightning erupted from the Sword of Damocles, enveloping his entire body. This lightning was generated using Spirit Art.
The sword absorbed the surrounding air's power, transforming it into a thunderstorm. With one powerful slash, the thunderstorm exploded from the sword, striking the Griffin squarely in the chest.
*Pu-chi*
"Screeee!!!"
With a piercing screech, the Griffin plummeted from the sky, its wings scorched by the lightning.
"Huft, huft, huft…"
Charlie hovered above, panting, but still gripping the Sword of Damocles tightly. He quickly pulled a Magic Potion from his pouch and drank it.
The battle had drained a significant amount of Ode/Essence. He worried that if his previous attack had failed, he would have to retreat to find a chance to drink the Magic Potion.
"Let's make sure that Griffin is really dead."
Not wanting to be reckless, Charlie flew toward the weakened Griffin lying on the ground. Without mercy, he thrust the Sword of Damocles into the Griffin's head.
"The Griffin's corpse could be sold for a high price, but carrying it to Menel City is too troublesome."
He estimated the Griffin was about ten meters in size.
"Forget it, the most important thing is I obtained high-quality Excelia. Let's go meet that unknown goddess."
Without dwelling too much on it, Charlie left the valuable Griffin corpse behind and flew back to the tree where he had left the goddess.