"Total Monsters Killed: 368"
"Number of Goblins Killed: 241"
Gauss looked at the scattered remains on the ground and let out a long breath.
I have to admit, clearing out an entire goblin village alone is quite exhausting.
Killing one or two doesn’t feel like much, but when the count breaks into the tens and reaches fifty or sixty, things start to feel different.
After the excitement wears off, you’re left with a dual sense of physical and mental numbness.
Fortunately, the [Energy Storage Glands] seemed to sense his condition and suddenly became very active.
As if all it needed was a single thought from him.
The stored energy inside could gush out.
Let’s give it a try.
Gauss wasn’t completely exhausted; he just thought it was a good time to test the upgraded talent’s effect.
A thought flashed by.
The Energy Storage Glands opened like floodgates, rapidly releasing the warm energy inside.
Gauss chose to split the conversion between magic power and stamina.
A brief warm current surged through his body.
His whole body felt as if it were soaked in a hot yet comfortable spring, a soothing feeling reaching his cerebral cortex.
In just a few breaths, the slightly labored breathing returned to complete calm.
Simultaneously, his magic power recovered from a small portion to just over a quarter.
After the brief enjoyment, Gauss contemplated the magic power.
So, under normal circumstances, if used entirely to recover magic power, it should replenish about half.
That means my magic power is effectively 1.5 times what it used to be.
Moreover, the Energy Storage Glands can continue to grow, increasing their capacity.
Gauss nodded.
After experiencing it firsthand, he became even more appreciative of this talent’s effect.
Returning to the goblin village.
Kevin and his two companions obeyed well, huddling inside the goblins’ warehouse without stepping outside.
Not until they heard Gauss calling from outside did they cautiously leave the rickety wooden building.
"You’re safe now."
Hearing Gauss’s announcement, feeling the sunlight pouring over them.
Kevin and the others finally breathed a sigh of relief, feeling as if a heavy burden lifted.
There was even a sense of rebirth.
Reflecting on the events of the past day, they still felt somewhat dazed.
Life is probably like this, with its ups and downs, and you never know what will happen next.
Not long ago, they had resigned themselves, just hoping not to die too painfully, and now they were safe and sound.
Thinking about this, their gaze towards Gauss held even more admiration mixed with awe.
The man before them was younger than they, but his overwhelming strength against the demons was something they could only aspire to.
They could scarcely breathe even standing next to him.
Having ended the battle, Gauss resumed his usual habit of looting the spoils.
This time, however, he had three extra helpers, picking up scattered arrowheads and swords, saving a lot of time.
Kevin and his companions volunteered to help, perhaps feeling they had no other way to repay Gauss for saving them, so they assisted in gathering the miscellaneous items.
With more people, tasks became quicker, and soon Gauss had searched the entire goblin village from top to bottom.
He then packed up the spoils into his pack.
Some crude wooden weapons, Gauss couldn’t carry and had to leave behind.
Seeing this, Kevin and the others selected a few extra wooden spears, bows, and arrows.
As new adventurers, starting with ranged weapons was a good choice.
It does require a bit of skill though.
Bows and arrows need a certain amount of practice to be effective and accurate.
Equipped with wooden bows and wearing simple vine armor woven by goblins.
Gauss saw them looking ragged like giant goblins, even more impoverished than he was when he first embarked on the adventure, and couldn’t help but offer them a chance to pick an iron weapon from the spoils.
However, Kevin and his companions declined, firmly stating that the wooden weapons were enough.
Wooden bows, spears, and makeshift vine armor may look ridiculous and aren’t worth much, but after some training, they could indeed possess some combat power.
"Then this is where we part ways."
Gauss led the trio out of the forest, back to the open plains.
Kevin and the others planned to return to their hometown to rest for a few days before heading to Gray Rock Town to formally begin their adventurer journey.
"Sir Gauss, take care on your journey."
"You too. See you in Gray Rock Town if fate allows."
Gauss watched the team clad in grass and wood gear wave as they walked away, then turned his gaze back.
Despite the potential dangers they might face on their way back home.
Neither he nor Kevin and the others suggested traveling together for protection.
After all, it wasn’t on the same path, and Gauss wasn’t their babysitter and couldn’t be responsible for them all the time.
If they wanted to become adventurers, they would only face more situations relying solely on themselves in the future.
Ultimately, life’s path can only be walked by oneself.
Shouldering his pack, Gauss set off on his return journey to Gray Rock Town.
He had completed three assessment missions.
Upon returning to Gray Rock Town and officially submitting the tasks, he would smoothly advance from a non-level bottom adventurer to a respectable bronze-level adventurer.
With this thought, his steps became a bit lighter.
It was as if the heavy pack he carried lost its weight.
Yet, his feelings weren’t reality, and after walking some distance, Gauss’s steps grew a bit heavier again.
The return journey was harder than the way there.
Gauss also noticed a downside to the upgraded talent.
That is, his appetite had grown.
Previously, it was enough just to fill his stomach; now, in addition, he needed to fill the energy deficit in the Energy Storage Glands.
Plus, after giving some of his food to Kevin and his friends, his food reserves depleted quickly.
Luckily, he hunted a few small animals with his crossbow arrows along the way, replenishing some meat so his food didn’t run out completely.
Nonetheless, it reminded Gauss that he needed to find higher-calorie travel food after returning this time.
...
Adventurer’s Guild quarters.
Gauss looked up at the banner above, symbolizing the adventurers’ sword, shield, and staff, fluttering in the wind, then walked spiritedly into the doorway.
The Adventurer’s Hall was still bustling as always.
No matter when you come, it never lacks a crowd, and there’s always a fresh face.
They might not be newbies; they could also be adventurers flowing in from other towns.
For adventurers, operating in several neighboring towns and taking commissions is common practice.
Sometimes, a town might enter a commission "off-season," where the task board fills with jobs others reluctantly take, involving troublesome processes and slim profits, prompting a change of locale in search of opportunities.
"Next, please."
Coming to Petra’s counter, after queuing for a while.
Finally, it was Gauss’s turn.
Petra smiled in surprise upon seeing who it was.
"Why is it you? Didn’t other receptionists tell you that you don’t have to queue anymore due to your current status?"
"They did, but I thought since it might be the last time queuing in this hall, I’d experience it one more time."
Hearing Gauss’s plain words, Petra instantly understood.
"Did you complete your task successfully?"
"Yes."
"Congratulations!"
"Thank you."
Her face beamed with a joyful smile, and her congratulation was sincere.
For the vast majority of adventurers, advancing from a bottom adventurer to a bronze-level adventurer is the most significant rank crossover.
This represents no longer being a replaceable weed, but someone who can gain ordinary people’s respect wherever they go.
It’s not excessive to say it’s a kind of invisible social ascension.
Calling over a colleague to cover her post.
Petra led Gauss to the office inside.
Arriving at the office door where they last met the female Warlock.
Petra knocked on the door.