It turns out that this griffin was the unlucky guy from the barbarian tribe who was chased away by Todd.

Todd, a little embarrassed, raised his hand to greet the griffin opposite him: "Ha, what a small world..."

Fueled by both new and old grudges, the male griffin let out a loud cry and swooped down, its sharp beak aimed at Todd's head.

The latter calmly reached out and struck, sending the male griffin flying with tremendous force, crashing heavily into the stone wall.

Ten minutes later, Todd settled Rachel in a sheltered spot and, by the light of the newly lit campfire, carefully examined the goat that the griffin had brought back.

Todd turned over the prey whose throat had already been pecked through, pointed to the brand next to the goat's tail, and said to Rachel, "Look here, this goat shouldn't be a creature from the Shadow Kingdom. It probably belongs to a village on the southern continent."

Rachel nodded in agreement: "That's right. The last time we met, it was also hunting among the barbarian tribes."

Todd turned his head and glanced at the griffin couple huddled in the corner of the cave: "In other words, this sheep should be safe to eat and has not been contaminated by the radioactive source."

After roasting the lamb and sprinkling it with the salt he had brought, Rachel first took a small bite and swallowed a piece. Only after confirming that everything was alright did he begin to eat heartily.

Seeing the invading humans occupying his home and eating his food, the male griffin was filled with sorrow, flapping his wings incessantly and emitting mournful cries.

Todd glanced back at the "couple," thought for a moment, and then tossed them half a roasted lamb, along with some dried fruit.

After the people and beasts had eaten and drunk their fill, the sound of wind and snow outside the cave gradually subsided, and the light gradually dimmed.

Todd added some more dry branches to the fire pit. Looking at Rachel, who was sleeping soundly in his arms, Todd was worried about what to do next.

If Rachel were to return to the environment at the foot of the mountain, it would be tantamount to slow suicide.

However, living in a cave on the mountaintop indefinitely is not a long-term solution.

The day's exertions, coupled with the fatigue after relaxing, allowed Todd to temporarily put the problem aside and slowly drift off to sleep.

The next morning, he was awakened from his dream by a strange low growl.

Opening his eyes, Todd saw the griffin couple staring at the cave entrance, looking as if they were facing a formidable enemy.

Turning his gaze to the cave entrance, he saw a huge visitor whose shadow stretched longer and longer on the wall. Todd roused the sleeping Rachel, gesturing for her to hide behind him.

Finally, a familiar face to Todd entered the cave—the manticore he had spared from execution.

Watching this monster, stepping on the bones on the ground, completely ignoring the griffin's presence, slowly walk up to him, kneel down, and stretch its head towards him.

Todd immediately understood the other party's intention.

The being that had once pulled him into another world of souls wanted to communicate with him in this way.