"By the way... how much further until we reach the Wyverns?"
Rest asked their guide, Libery, as they resumed their climb after finishing their meal.
Libery led the way, eyes scanning the surroundings for danger. She answered without looking back.
"The Wyverns make their nests near the summit of Mount Alpha."
"Mount Alpha?"
"This peak right here. The Southern Mountain Range consists of several connected peaks, and each one has a specific name. The monsters have carved out territories accordingly. Mount Alpha belongs to the Wyverns... Ah, watch your step there; the rocks are slippery."
She continued her explanation while occasionally offering words of caution.
"Among the sub-dragons, Wyverns are exceptionally skilled fliers. There are quite a few of them, and while an individual isn't particularly strong compared to a true dragon, that’s only relative. They’re still far beyond the reach of average warriors or mages, so please, do not push your luck."
"Right, I understand. We’ll retreat if things get dangerous, so don't worry."
Rest wasn't underestimating them, but he had certainly slain far more powerful monsters in the past.
We should be fine... or so I'd like to believe.
"So, there are Wyverns on this mountain, right? Does that mean the other peaks have different monsters?"
Yuri asked with innocent curiosity, twirling her empty skewer between her fingers.
"Yes. For example, the neighboring Mount Beta is home to a pack of large wolves. On Mount Gamma, a species of monkey monster rules the heights, and on Mount Delta, a giant frog monster reigns as the master of the peak."
"Frogs! Those sound like they’d be delicious! Rest, want to head over there once we have a moment?"
"...No, let's pass on that for today."
Rest had no desire to fill his stomach with too many bizarre ingredients. Once they successfully hunted a Wyvern, they would have plenty of heavy materials to haul back, so he firmly shut down the idea.
"Oh, Rest. Another one’s coming."
"Jaaaaaaaah!"
A bird monster burst onto the scene, letting out a grating, high-pitched screech.
Its plumage was a riot of garish, multi-colored feathers. Rather than taking flight, it bounded toward them across the rocky terrain on powerful legs, its wings seemingly atrophied.
"That’s one big bird... Its wings must have withered while its legs overdeveloped, like a chicken or an ostrich."
"It looks tasty. Let's eat it!"
Rest and Yuri braced themselves.
The bird, standing about two meters tall, moved with startling agility. It hopped across the jagged rocks and unleashed a powerful flying kick with its massive, taloned feet.
"Earth Shield."
A wall of soil lunged out from the ground to intercept the blow.
The bird monster was repelled by the impact, but it immediately spun around to launch a follow-up—only for Yuri to beat it to the punch. She lunged forward and buried a kick of her own into its torso.
"Hah!"
"Jaan?!"
The bird let out a strangled shriek as it was sent tumbling and bouncing across the rocky slope.
It was a heavy blow that should have ended the fight, but the creature scrambled back to its feet, glaring at them with pure, unadulterated malice.
"Jaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"
"Heh... It's surprisingly tough."
Yuri’s kicks packed enough force to shatter a human skull. Despite taking a clean hit, the bird was still moving perfectly fine.
"It might be more of a handful than it looks. Yuri, stay sharp!"
"I know, I know! Now then, for tonight's dinner—"
As the two prepared to finish their prey, a massive shadow suddenly engulfed them.
Simultaneously, Rest’s Life Search flared with a warning. A powerful presence had appeared directly overhead.
"Get down!"
"Duck!"
"Hya...!"
Libery screamed just as Rest shoved Yuri’s head down, pinning her to the earth.
He instantly manifested an Earth Shield to arch over them, concealing their bodies.
"Jaaaaaaaaaaaah?!"
"Gyau! Gyau!"
A massive beast touched down right before their eyes.
It was a gargantuan creature with a five-meter wingspan. Its body was lizard-like, but its forelimbs had evolved into leathery, bat-like wings.
"A Wyvern...!"
That was their target.
The Wyvern sank its ferocious fangs into the bird monster and immediately took to the sky, flapping its powerful wings as it carried its struggling prey away.
It had all happened in the blink of an eye. The realization that they could have been the ones snatched up sent a faint chill down Rest's spine.
"I see... Even a sub-dragon is still a dragon. That was some intense pressure."
It possessed an intimidating aura not unlike the Worm or the Sea Serpent.
Rest didn't think he would lose a direct confrontation, but it clearly wasn't an opponent he could afford to take lightly.
He deactivated his magic and stepped out from beneath the cover of the earth.
"That was amazing, Rest!"
"Yeah. It certainly looks like it earns the title of Master of the Mountain. Its nest should be... eh?"
Rest turned to check with Libery, but the guide was gone.
He scanned the immediate area, but there was no sign of her.
"Wait... did she run?"
Evidently, Libery had made a break for it.
They had signed a contract stating she could flee if things turned dangerous, but her decisiveness was staggering. They hadn't even engaged in combat yet.
"Rest, the guide is gone."
"...Yeah."
Abandoned halfway up the mountainside, Rest looked up at the sky, his face a mask of weary disbelief.