The leader Ptero nodded its head left and right. As if pondering.

Soon, a resounding reply came back.

―Kyaaak!

‘Alright!’

“Thank you!”

It was clear that they too wanted to experience what it would feel like to carry a human.

As this was their first collaboration with humans, the Pteros seemed to have their own expectations for the outcome of this venture.

I heard that since the appearance of monsters from other worlds in Pandora Forest, the original animals and monsters living here had their territory reduced.

This world didn’t have strong monsters like dragons, so they would 100% lose if they fought against monsters from other worlds.

That’s why they had no choice but to hide, and because of that, they’ve been struggling with food problems recently.

The influence of otherworldly monsters was also a reason why the Ptero group readily agreed to my proposal.

At that moment, the leader Ptero knelt down to allow me to climb on.

It was quite high, making it slightly difficult to mount.

Still, it was fortunate that I wasn’t wearing a dress like typical romance fantasy possession characters. (Espers and guides in the Center usually wore pants.)

Due to the lack of a saddle, I wrapped my arms around the Ptero’s neck.

Its neck was thin and long, perfect for embracing with both arms.

“Ptero. Fly about 3 kilometers west from here. And since there are otherworldly monsters where I’m going, if you see monsters, drop me off nearby.”

―Kyaaak!

“I don’t want you to die or get hurt.”

―Kyak! Kyak!

The Ptero says it doesn’t want to die either.

Ah, safety first.

Soon, the Ptero carrying me walked majestically out of the cave.

It spread its large wings wide and flapped them in the air a few times.

The pale crimson wings reflected in the sunlight.

It was an incredibly beautiful sight.

Riding on the back of a large bird and soaring through the sky wasn’t scary.

I was someone who was crazy about amusement park rides. I pride myself on being better at riding them than anyone else.

A confident smile spread across my face.

―Kaak! Kyak kyak!

‘Hold on tight! We’re taking off!’

“Okay!”

Finally, the Ptero took flight.

Despite its size, it shot forward at an impressively swift speed.

It flew so fast that I could barely keep my eyes open.

But the ride quality was superb beyond compare.

Even without a saddle, there was little sense of danger of falling off.

It was a completely different experience from when I was dangling while being carried by Benjamin.

‘If we just put on a proper saddle, this would be worth riding.’

The wind brushing against my cheeks felt good. It was a pleasure that made me forget about the impending battle.

After flying like that for about 5 minutes.

I saw several dragon-shaped monsters.

There was Radon, which I had dealt with recently, and S-class Leviathan, Zumyu, and even Apophis.

A total of four dragon-type monsters…

I bit my lower lip.

The ominous thought that this might be the battle where Yerena died wouldn’t leave my mind.

At that moment, the Ptero began a vertical descent.

It dropped me off in a safe place away from monster attacks, as I had cautioned.

“Thank you. I got here early thanks to you.”

―Kyak, kyak.

I stroked the Ptero’s wing as I replied.

“Yes. I will.”

It quickly flew back to where its nest was. I mulled over the last words it left me with.

‘You survive too.’

“Ha. I want to live too.”

As I rushed towards the battlefield with the monsters, I continued the thought I had earlier.

‘Which monster was it that killed Yerena again?’

Yerena was a supporting character in the original work. Therefore, not much was explained about her in detail.

Nevertheless, the scene of her death was described quite vividly.

That’s because Yerena’s death maximized the impact of the female lead’s first appearance.

You could say Yerena’s death was merely a device to give the spotlight to the female lead.

As I thought that far, I remembered which monster had killed Yerena.

‘…Yerena was torn to pieces by a spider monster with eight legs.’

“Phew.”

That’s a relief.

Although there are four terrifying dragon-type monsters right in front of me, I’m really glad it’s not the battle where Yerena dies.

If I return to the Center today, I should write my resignation letter immediately. Then I need to pester the Guildmaster about why the advance payment hasn’t been deposited yet.

The Guildmaster said it would take about a week to prepare the money I requested because it was a large amount.

Resignation was just around the corner.

Before that…

“Aaagh!”

I should avoid the fireballs raining down beside me first.

“Whoa. If I hadn’t dodged properly, I would’ve been burned.”

I let out a sigh of relief.

Nearby, flames that seemed to have been spewed by some dragon were flickering.

The battlefield was right in front of me too.

***

The situation was very bad.

Despite the relentless attacks from Espers with various abilities, two S-class monsters were still intact. Leviathan and Zumyu.

As the battle dragged on, the number of injured was also increasing.

I looked at Lambert and Baron, who were standing out among the many Espers.

Lambert, wielding two swords enhanced with his ability, was moving swiftly and leaving wounds on the bodies of the two adult dragons.

When Leviathan opened its mouth wide to spew fireballs, Baron, who was in charge of the rear, stepped up.

Baron used his telekinesis to pull in a large boulder and block the fireballs from all directions.

“Damn! This is heavy.”

…The harsh language was a bonus.

Baron, who specialized in telekinesis and movement, tended to support from the rear rather than fight on the front lines.

“Yerena! What are you doing? Don’t space out and stick close behind me! You might die if you walk on all fours again today!”

He probably meant for me to come behind him and avoid the fireballs.

“Yes, sir!”

I stuck close behind Baron.

His armor made of orichalcum had become half rags.

―Kraaak!

Leviathan’s scream filled the forest.

Unfortunately, Leviathan’s roar wasn’t translated.

‘Can I only understand the words of lower-grade monsters?’

Looking up, I saw Lambert stabbing his sword into Leviathan’s eye.

Leviathan started to fall, writhing in pain. At the same time, Baron used his telekinesis to gather soil around the people.

It seemed to be to avoid the dust that would be kicked up when Leviathan crashed to the ground.

Just as our vision was temporarily blocked,

“Ugh!”

With a single cry, a large figure broke through the soil wall.

Thud! The large man was thrown to the ground.

“Urgh. Huff…”

The man’s identity was Lambert, who had been gaining the upper hand until just now.

He seemed to have been hit by Zumyu, and was breathing intermittently.

Blood flowed from his lips that had explored mine days ago. There was quite a large hole in his abdomen.

“Lambert! Are you alright?”

Lambert, with his eyelids half-lowered, couldn’t even answer properly.

I approached Lambert closely. Then I lowered my body and placed my hand on his wound.

I couldn’t heal him, but I intended to at least stabilize his disturbed wavelength.

“We, we need healing here!”

As soon as I shouted, an Esper with healing abilities approached.

I left Lambert to that Esper.

Meanwhile, Baron was still blocking Zumyu’s attacks with his telekinesis.

“Yerena, damn! Come here quickly!”

I approached Baron, who was constantly spewing profanities.

“We’re screwed, damn it. Why isn’t that bastard Benjamin coming?”

“What should we do?”

Baron said while throwing large trees broken by the dragons’ attacks at Zumyu’s body.

“Kiss me. Short and intense.”

He said something ridiculous.

“What?”

“If your kiss stabilizes my wavelength, I’ll draw out my maximum telekinesis to move Leviathan’s corpse. I’ll use its sharp claws to cut off Zumyu’s neck.”

After hearing the explanation, it made quite a bit of sense.

With all the Espers with attack abilities wiped out, it was the best choice Baron could make.

“Th-Then I’ll do it!”

I embraced Baron’s nape. I was about to give a kiss solely for survival.

Just as our lips were about to touch…

“…!”

Someone wrapped their arm around my waist and pulled me back.

Thanks to that, our lips didn’t meet.

I saw Baron’s gaze fixed behind me, that is, on the figure who had wrapped their arm around my waist.

As soon as he looked at that figure, Baron’s face twisted unpleasantly.

The figure’s soft voice reached my ear.

“This is a good environment to use the Mass Murderer ability.”

Mass Murderer. That violent ability drastically increases attack power the more allies are harmed by monsters.

It belonged to Benjamin.