"So, how far do we have to go before we find wyverns?"
Rest asked Ribery, their guide, as they resumed their climb after a break.
Ribery walked at the front, keeping watch on their surroundings, and answered without turning around.
"The wyverns' habitat is near the summit of Mount Alpha."
"Mount Alpha?"
"This mountain right here... The Southern Mountain Range consists of many connected peaks, and each one has its own name. Every mountain has its own monster territory, and Mount Alpha is where the wyverns nest. Oh, that section ahead is slippery, so watch your step."
From time to time, she paused to issue warnings as she explained.
"Wyverns are a type of monster called demidragons, and they're particularly gifted flyers among that group. There are quite a few of them, though individually they aren't terribly strong. That said, that's only when compared to other dragon-type monsters. An ordinary warrior or mage wouldn't stand a chance against them, so please don't take any unnecessary risks."
"Yeah, I know. If things get dangerous, I'll run, so don't worry."
He wasn't underestimating the wyverns... but he had, without a doubt, already defeated monsters far stronger than them.
He'd be fine... or at least, that was what he wanted to believe.
"So there are wyverns on this mountain, right? Does that mean there are different monsters on the other mountains?"
Yuri twirled a skewer stick in his hand as he asked with his usual carefree tone.
"Yes... that's right. For example, the neighboring Beta Mountain has a den of giant wolves. Gamma Mountain is home to monkey-type monsters, and Delta Mountain is dominated by giant frog-type monsters."
"Of those, the frogs sound the most delicious! Rest, want to go check it out sometime if we have the chance?"
"...Sure, but let's pass for today."
He really didn't want to fill his stomach with too many weird things.
Hunting the wyverns would already mean a lot more baggage to carry, so he firmly declined.
"Hey, Rest. There's another monster!"
"JAAAAAAARGH!"
The thing that emerged with an ear-piercing, high-pitched shriek was a bird-type monster.
It had garishly colorful plumage and came bounding toward them across the rocky ground without bothering to fly.
"Big bird, huh… Are its wings degraded and its legs overdeveloped, like a chicken or ostrich?"
"That looks delicious. Let's eat that one too!"
Rest and Yuri braced themselves.
The roughly two-meter-tall bird monster bounced across the rocky terrain with startling agility and launched a flying kick with its massive foot.
"[Earth Wall]"
A wall of earth erupted from the ground, intercepting the kick.
The bird monster was repelled and immediately spun around to attack again, but before it could, Yuri struck its torso with a kick.
"Hah!"
"GWAAN?!"
The bird monster let out a short cry of pain as it bounced and tumbled across the rocky surface.
That should have been a pretty solid direct hit, but it got right back up and glared at Rest and the others with pure malice.
"JAAAAAAAAARGH!"
"Huh… surprisingly tough."
Yuri's kicks had enough force to crush a human skull.
Despite landing a clean hit, the bird monster was moving around without any issue.
"It might be a bigger deal than it looks, despite the appearance… Don't let your guard down, Yuri!"
"I know that! Now then, tonight's dinner…"
Once again, the two of them prepared to hunt their prey, but right after that, a massive shadow fell over them.
At the same time, [Presence Detection] triggered. A monster's presence appeared directly above them.
"Get down!"
"Take cover!"
"Ngh...!"
Ribery, their guide, cried out, and Rest immediately grabbed Yuri's head and shoved him to the ground.
He conjured a wall of earth with magic, covering their bodies to hide them.
"GRAAAAAAAAH!?"
"Gyauh! Gyauh!"
Before them, a massive monster descended.
It spread both wings wide — a colossal monster… shaped like a lizard, but with both arms transformed into wings like a bat.
"A wyvern…!"
A monster roughly five meters in length. That was a wyvern.
The wyvern sank its savage fangs into the bird monster and then flew off into the sky.
The whole thing happened in the blink of an eye. Imagining what it would have felt like if he'd been the one attacked sent a small chill down his spine.
"I see… so even a rotting one still counts as dragon-kind. That's quite the pressure."
It had the same kind of overwhelming presence as a worm or a sea serpent.
He didn't think he'd lose in a fight, but… still, it didn't seem like an opponent he could afford to be careless around.
Rest dispelled his magic and climbed out of the earth.
"That was incredible, Rest!"
"Ah, no wonder the master of the mountain is so strong. That nest of theirs is... wait, huh?"
He turned to check on Ribery, but... she was nowhere to be seen.
He looked around, but she was still nowhere in sight.
"Don't tell me... she ran away?"
It seemed Ribery had fled.
They had exchanged a contract saying she could run if things got dangerous, but... her decision had been way too fast. They hadn't even started fighting yet.
"Rest, our guide is gone, you know?"
"...Yeah."
Left behind on the mountainside, Rest looked up at the sky as if utterly at a loss.