9 New Home!

"Is that... the cry of a griffon?!"

Dick felt a shiver run down his spine as the piercing screech echoed through the forest. Realizing the presence of such a formidable creature, he knew he had to tread more carefully in future.

The forest of giant trees was clearly home to high-level monsters, a fact that made him rethink his decision to return to the tree hollow. The discovery of bird feathers there earlier now took on new significance. It seemed likely the tree hollow had some connection to the griffon, and while the creature might be too large to actually live inside the hollow, Dick wasn't keen on taking any chances.

With a sense of urgency, he stashed the unconscious girl and his other spoils in the grass, then set off in the opposite direction, long sword in hand, in search of a new place to call home.

Navigating through the dense forest, braving the scratching of branches and weeds, Dick eventually came upon a cave at the base of a steep cliff. The location seemed ideal — protected from aerial attacks by the overhanging cliff and concealed by thick vines, making it hard to spot unless one knew exactly where to look. The only real vulnerability was the entrance facing the woods, but it also posed a risk for escape, potentially trapping him inside if an enemy were to block the entrance.

Despite these concerns, Dick crept inside to survey the cave. To his surprise, he found an intricate network of tunnels and an underground river, creating an almost otherworldly atmosphere within. Some tunnels were deep, leading to the other side of the cliff, while others were shallow, close to the surface — perfect for quick escapes.

Convinced of its suitability, especially for a goblin who preferred the dark and needed a water source, Dick decided to make this cave his new residence.

However, as he ventured back into the forest to retrieve his belongings, Dick sensed he was being watched. A feeling of unease crept over him as he scanned his surroundings, unable to locate the source of this ominous gaze.

It wasn't until he looked up by chance that he spotted it — a young griffon perched on a branch not far away, its eagle eyes fixed intently on him. The realization that he was now considered prey by such a formidable creature added a new level of danger to his already precarious existence.

In this moment, Dick felt the full weight of his vulnerability as a goblin in a world teeming with powerful monsters. Survival here would require not only strength and cunning but also a considerable amount of luck.

Dick, reliant on his cunning and a drive to perpetuate his species, understood the importance of survival in this dangerous world. He realized the griffon he had encountered was merely a juvenile, standing about a meter tall and likely around F+ level. Its hesitance to attack suggested it was wary of him, a sign of its developing intelligence.

Dick quickly deduced that the griffon had been tracking him, probably using scent. Remembering his brief stay in the tree hollow, he realized it likely belonged to the young griffon. This realization brought a new sense of urgency; if he provoked the young griffon, it might attract the attention of its more formidable parents.

Recognizing his own limitations as a goblin, Dick decided it was best to avoid further entanglement with the griffon. He quickly smeared himself with soil to mask his scent and made his escape, crawling stealthily through the underbrush.

Meanwhile, the confused griffon, having lost Dick's trail, fluttered around in frustration, screeching and attacking the empty air in a futile attempt to draw him out.

Dick, having safely evaded the griffon, retrieved the unconscious magician girl and the looted weapons and equipment. He carefully made his way back to his new cave dwelling, covering the entrance with vines to conceal it.

Settling into the cave, Dick lit a fire and began roasting the black wolf meat. While raw meat was an option, cooking it would improve its taste and eliminate any harmful bacteria.

As he spent his first night in the dimly lit cave, the captured magician girl, Lily, began to stir. This development coincided with the system's prompt for Dick to commence his third simulation.

"Congratulations, you have triggered another simulation. Please choose your birth mother," the system announced, presenting him with options:

A. Desperate village girl

B. Mysterious and charming banshee

C. Adventurer female warrior

D. Forest elf driven to madness

E. Ratman woman capable of multiple births per pregnancy

Dick pondered the choices, each offering a unique path and challenges in this unpredictable and perilous world.