Chapter 52 - Howl (3) (1/2)

I cautiously climbed up the stairs and finally reached the top floor.

Although we rested on the way, we’ve been running for about five hours, so I should be completely exhausted, but I can continue probably because I’m a little excited.

I’ve never felt such heavy fatigue.

But it’s alright, I can still lift my legs.

“You arrived at a much faster pace than I expected. I’m worried about your physical strength, but you don’t have plans on resting, right?”

Well that’s…

After all, I haven’t seen Jaja and Nana for two days already.

I’m worried that I’m not attending the breastfeeding once a day, but what is it, I feel like crying…

“I think you understand even if I don’t say it, so it’s fine. As soon as you climb the stairs, go the other way. There should be no monsters other than Ruten on the top floor, but it’s better to be on guard. Since monsters aren’t restricted from coming up from downstairs.”

“I understand.”

As she said, we turned to go behind the stairs.

Light was shining from numerous small holes in the ceiling, the view was considerably brighter than the lower floors.

When we looked ahead, thankfully we could see the dim road even without the light hitting it.

“I don’t think it’s that far, but can you hear the sound of water? “

When I strained my ears, I could hear the sound of flowing water.

“Ah, I hear it. Do I just go straight?”

“I’m going to navigate. Go straight until the first fork, then take the right.”

“Roger that.”

When I looked at my father, he was paying attention to something behind me.

“What’s wrong?”

“No, it feels like there’s something there.”

“Eh?”

I also looked behind us.

At the end of the passage that is the correct route, there were two glowing red dots.

“Hm?”

I strained my eyes.

The red dots were floating high above the ground, and sometimes swayed up and down.

“K-kunpei-kun. Father-in-law. I have a bad feeling, so slowly retreat.”

“What a coincidence Mikuma, I also have that feeling.”

And such premonitions were prtty much correct.

“Kiiiiiiii!”

With a roar, it appeared.

“G-griffon…”

It’s huge!

Sharp claws, large wings and a head of an eagle that’s formed of rock.

A true Griffon was right there, with the lower body of a fluffy lion.

It was about 4 meters long?

It was too big to take in its entire body.

“It’s the dungeon boss! The rock griffon, ominous bird Ruten! Run away!”

“O-ooh”

“No, wait a second Kunpei.”

My dad stopped me from retreating.

As he stopped me with his right hand, his line of sight was only looking at Ruten.

“What is it, father… ah”

I realized immediately after following his line of sight.

“M-mikuma.”

“What!?”

I heard Mikuma’s panicked reply.

“A boss monster should be in a room with magic stones, right?”

“Yeah! Because their body is large, only the hall and its surroundings… ah, perhaps…”

It seems that Mikuma has somehow guessed what happened.

“Ah, it’s probably just as your imagining.”

My father’s lips were quivering.