24-Hour Friendly Market, Specializing in Dimensional Items - Chapter 187

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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24-Hour Friendly Market Specializing in Dimensional Items Episode 187

 

Episode 187. Troublemaker (4)

 

The woman with the habit of constantly pushing up her pure white glasses frames was named Mei-ri.

 

I didn’t figure it out myself—I learned it by reading the name engraved on the nameplate attached to her chest.

 

After the man yelled and shouted to his heart’s content before leaving, Mei-ri, who had been standing quietly, turned her head.

 

She didn’t seem particularly upset, but Mei-ri slowly blinked her eyes and muttered.

 

“…What a fucking bastard.”

 

Oh, I didn’t expect this kind of development.

 

The sight of her naturally spitting out profanity with a neat face like a model student was quite unbalanced.

 

Of course, she seemed to think no one was around when she cursed, but she didn’t appear to be the type who was overly conscious of people around her.

 

While I was momentarily dazed, Mei-ri began to move.

 

With a pace that was neither fast nor slow, Mei-ri walked as if gliding across the floor, crossing through the interior of the airport without hesitation.

 

The interior of the airport with its tremendous ceiling height had thick pillars supporting numerous cylindrical enclosures.

 

The heights of the enclosures varied, but the spiral staircases leading up to them were all identical.

 

It was a beautiful space where even ordinary white looked radiant under the bright sunlight pouring through the glass ceiling.

 

‘Though it’s still a bit eerie that there’s nothing but white.’

 

As if this scenery was familiar, Mei-ri strode toward the interior.

 

Seeing her walk through this building that was far too spacious without hesitation even once, it seemed to be a familiar place.

 

Judging by how she managed Siena’s riding monster, she might be Siena’s direct subordinate.

 

Mei-ri touched her glasses frames with her finger once every five steps.

 

“It’s nice to photosynthesize when you’re at the airport, so why all the yelling? It’s deafening.”

 

Quietly grumbling was a bonus.

 

Well, anyway, having a guide meant no worry about getting lost and it was an easy path.

 

The place where Mei-ri stopped after moving for over 20 minutes was at the end of the airport building.

 

‘Whoa, what’s this.’

 

What Mei-ri chose was a spiral staircase beneath an enclosure that seemed much higher than the other enclosures.

 

Among the numerous enclosures, the one at the most dizzying height was Mei-ri’s destination.

 

That’s probably where the Griffin is waiting.

 

I carefully climbed the stairs without making a sound, half excited and half expectant.

 

‘Ugh, I’m out of breath.’

 

I hadn’t thought it would be this high, so it was difficult trying to breathe quietly to avoid being detected.

 

Anyway, when I finished climbing the stairs, what I saw was a rooftop.

 

Mei-ri opened the small glass door at the entrance and walked toward the center.

 

Having unexpectedly come outdoors, I looked down at the complete panorama of Seiporamonium without any obstructing bars.

 

Sunlight that positioned itself to leave no room for escape was brightly coloring the entirely white city.

 

Just as I was instantly captivated by the enchanting white city, I heard Mei-ri’s voice.

 

“Now, shall we go.”

 

I had never properly seen the Griffin when it made its overwhelming entrance with Siena, or when it carried me around flying for 30 minutes.

 

My viewpoint was too low, I recognized it as a means of transportation, and Siena also blocked my view.

 

The reasons were quite varied, but anyway, this was the first time I properly witnessed the beauty the Griffin possessed.

 

The Griffin looking up at the sky from the highest point of the airport, shining pure white in the sunlight.

 

“…”

 

I almost unconsciously burst out in admiration at that sight.

 

Its gray feathers had a lustrous sheen and its beak glowed softly.

 

Even with its wings completely folded against its body, it was the size of four buses combined.

 

The large body where an eagle’s upper body and lion’s lower body naturally connected exuded an indescribable majesty.

 

Most of all, it was the languid attitude of lounging as if it were the ruler of this airport.

 

It wasn’t particularly interested in this direction, but its very existence filled this space completely.

 

‘It’s like a king.’

 

Perhaps Siena might be a chief-level among the Chief Managers.

 

Showing off such an attitude and such grace on top of a pure white building, there was definitely that possibility.

 

It would have been more perfect if not for the pure white bridle wrapped around its beak, the saddle placed on its back, and the leash tied in the center of the airport.

 

Mei-ri, being familiar with that sight, walked toward the Griffin without any admiration.

 

I thought she would immediately approach and grab the bridle, but unexpectedly, Mei-ri stopped walking 3 meters away.

 

And then.

 

‘Is she crazy…’

 

She straightened her back and bowed exactly 90 degrees twice.

 

It seemed excessive to say she lacked manners, and overdoing it to call it polite.

 

And bowing twice is something you only do to dead people…

 

But the Griffin, as if familiar with this, responded to the greeting by flapping its wings slightly.

 

Only then did Mei-ri straighten her back and approach the Griffin.

 

Her hand movements removing the bridle and saddle in turn were very skilled.

 

Without any fumbling, hooking rings to the right holes, undoing buckles, and organizing them in the correct positions took less than a minute.

 

After finishing the organization, Mei-ri took the leash from the pillar, held it, and gently pulled toward the center.

 

The Griffin that had been lounging in the sunlight shook its head as if annoyed but soon complied with Mei-ri’s touch.

 

‘But it seemed like there were enclosures attached, so why is there only an airport?’

 

That question was soon resolved.

 

Only after the Griffin slowly stood in front of the pillar did Mei-ri fiddle with the pillar.

 

After she operated something for a while, time passed briefly before the floor began to move with noise.

 

‘An elevator?’

 

So the entire floor that I had only thought was an airport was slowly descending.

 

Carrying Mei-ri and the Griffin, fitting perfectly to the edges.

 

‘It’s heading to the enclosure.’

 

At that moment, I couldn’t hesitate for even a second.

 

I immediately threw my body onto the platform.

 

Bending my knees to absorb the impact, I lowered my body as silently as possible and held my breath.

 

Fortunately, the landing sound was smaller than expected.

 

Mei-ri was standing with her back turned, and fortunately, she seemed not to have heard anything.

 

‘Thank goodness.’

 

It was at that moment when I was relieved and carefully raised my head.

 

‘Hup.’

 

I reflexively held my breath.

 

Round, deep gray eyes were looking directly at me.

 

Even though I was wearing a robe that completely concealed my presence, that Griffin was definitely looking straight at me through the robe.

 

I received that gaze and then very slowly lowered my eyes.

 

Pretending not to see.

 

Like an object that had been part of this platform from the beginning.

 

I couldn’t tell whether the Griffin had withdrawn its gaze or not.

 

I just considered myself lucky that the Griffin remained still without any particular reaction.

 

* * *

 

The huge enclosure surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows had sunlight pouring down just like the airport.

 

Except for the platform, I could see environments created near the thick glass walls on the sides.

 

Whether it was tailored to the Griffin’s breeding environment, the inside of the enclosure was full of densely grown trees.

 

The beautiful scenery looked as if a lush forest had been cut out and brought here intact, making even my heart feel enriched.

 

On top of that, there was even a huge nest made abundantly by gathering lots of tree branches.

 

Anyone could see it was an enclosure for perfectly raising a Griffin.

 

‘…It seems a bit small though.’

 

The enclosure is enormously large, but considering the Griffin’s size, it doesn’t seem that big either.

 

I’m getting slightly curious about what kind of island the Griffin originally lived on?

 

As soon as the platform came to a complete stop, dull noises began coming from above.

 

When I looked up, I saw a spotless clean glass panel closing off the rooftop we had just descended from.

 

It closed perfectly without a single seam, as if it had been designed that way from the beginning.

 

‘It’s a bit hot.’

 

With such good lighting and floor-to-ceiling windows plus a glass ceiling, it’s naturally warm like a greenhouse.

 

I can’t really complain about the heat though.

 

I swallowed my complaints and rolled up my sleeves inside the robe.

 

But Mei-ri didn’t seem hot at all, leading the Griffin without any change in expression.

 

Crossing the boundary from the pure white airport floor to the livestock pen, Mei-ri headed toward the Griffin’s nest.

 

The nest seemed to be made of small branched twigs woven together with moss, and looked quite soft.

 

The Griffin entered the nest and settled in by itself before Mei-ri’s hand could even touch it.

 

Even while folding its large, heavy body, there wasn’t a single wasted movement.

 

It neatly folded its wings against its body, crossed its front paws and placed them forward, then slowly lowered its large eyes.

 

Even while Mei-ri carefully approached and removed the leash, the Griffin remained with its eyes closed, showing no reaction.

 

Mei-ri didn’t say anything more and left through a door on one side of the wall, carrying the leash.

 

Only then was the enclosure left with just me and the Griffin, perfectly alone.

 

I quietly let out the breath I had been holding.

 

As the air I had been holding in my chest escaped, the tension seemed to ease.

 

‘At least 30 minutes until Siena returns.’

 

Tommy had wasted too much time bringing me to the isolation room, and I had used up an enormous amount of time finding the airport.

 

To think I wasted so much time wandering around!

 

So I need to strike while the iron is hot.

 

I quietly organized my thoughts while keeping my gaze fixed on the nest.

 

I had obtained fairly comprehensive basic information about Seiporamonium.

 

It’s divided into Orphium, the aerial breeding zone, and Delpium, the residential zone, with 10 Chief Managers.

 

All residents of Seiporamonium work in jobs related to breeding.

 

And the dragon in Enclosure 18 is on the verge of escaping.

 

This much information wouldn’t be bad to report back to the Babel Management Bureau as survey results.

 

‘Now I need to talk with the Griffin.’

 

Tommy said Siena could only share emotions with the Griffin, but Brother definitely had conversations with the Griffin.

 

Emotional sharing is just the standard for the breeders.

 

Let me try talking to it first.

 

Seeing how it showed no reaction even after seeing me secretly infiltrate on the platform, it doesn’t seem to be wary of me.

 

‘What would I need to make a good impression on a monster?’

 

Well, since it’s highly intelligent, it should be fine if I approach politely.

 

‘Going with the Owen method.’

 

Think of the Griffin as a raptor, Hae-won.

 

I confirmed that Mei-ri’s presence had completely disappeared and slowly took off my robe.

 

Even though I didn’t make any loud noise, the Griffin slowly opened its eyes.

 

Round, deep pupils stared directly at me.

 

I spread both arms wide, then carefully approached one step at a time.

 

To match eye level… the crouched Griffin is twice my height, so pass.

 

As I approached while appealing that I was just a harmless passerby with no intention of causing harm.

 

The Griffin just blinked slowly with an unreadable look in its eyes.

 

The faint sound of wind coming through the glass wall, and the Griffin’s regular breathing.

 

It seemed completely uninterested in me, but I already knew that wasn’t the case.

 

‘Because it looked at me when I was wearing the robe.’

 

Sure enough, when I took another step closer, the Griffin’s beak opened.

 

And very clearly and quietly, words aimed precisely at me flew out.

 

“Intruder?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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