Am I exposed?
Gauss felt his heart skip a beat at first.
But after hearing the subsequent commotion in the distance, he felt it wasn’t the case.
Moreover, the strange screech in the sky just now didn’t emanate from above their heads.
Nevertheless... run!
Aaliyah flipped onto the back of Gray Wolf Ulfen.
Gauss also activated the skill [Enhanced Jump], and with a surge of power in his legs, their figures flickered swiftly through the forest, away from the monster outpost.
While running, he vaguely heard some shouts in the wind.
Sure enough, it was not about them; it was another group that got exposed.
Black lines appeared on Gauss’s forehead.
However, their position was already some distance from the monster outpost, so it wasn’t particularly dangerous now.
Stopping to help the few people behind them wasn’t in Gauss and Aaliyah’s current plans.
They could only wish them good luck.
At most, after running some distance away, they could help by sending up a distress flare.
"Boom!!!"
A deafening roar sounded from somewhere far behind.
Gauss knew that the ogre had moved.
The two dared not stop.
After running several kilometers in one breath, they finally paused.
"Huff—"
Gauss braced against his knee.
Breathing heavily.
"That was really close," Gauss wiped sweat from his forehead.
The encounter just now made him even more cautious.
Reality isn’t a game; he must be more careful.
And this highlights the importance of reconnaissance. The earlier you detect the enemy, the easier it is to retreat.
Creatures like ogres are relatively manageable; though strong, their heavy weight makes them less agile, and their huge bodies often restrict their movements in varied terrains.
If it were some high-agility demons stronger than himself, it would be more troublesome.
Even if fleeing wholeheartedly, one might have to sacrifice companions as a price.
"Let’s send up a rescue flare for them."
Gauss lit the red smoke representing Level 3.
He judged that the previous monster outpost would not be easily handled even by a Level 2 Professional.
The pureblood ogre leading them had a challenge rating of at least above Level 2, giving an indescribable sense of oppression just from afar.
Flanked by three Level 1 demons, one unknown strength flying demon, and 200-300 visibly elite "soldiers" compared to ordinary low-level monsters, it indeed wasn’t an easy target to deal with.
The duo distanced themselves from the smoke but didn’t move too far away, keeping within a range where they could see any arrivals at any time.
Upon seeing the smoke, adventurers confident in their strength would come forward.
After all, danger also means rewards.
For some, it’s a crisis, but for others, it may not be much.
After a while.
Several figures walked out from under the shade of trees.
Aaliyah and Gauss lay on a high spot, observing the direction of the red smoke. Seeing who came, they suddenly wore expressions of joy.
"Do you know them?"
"Yes, they’re a resident team from Gray Rock Town, led by Quik, a very strong Level 3 Swordsman. I know the Level 2 Druid, Casey, in their team."
Actually, Gauss relaxed a bit as soon as she mentioned the resident team.
In such situations, "locals" are generally more reliable than outsiders.
Because outsiders’ backgrounds are unknown, and one isn’t sure what they might do. If things go wrong, they can just cut and run.
But locals need to mind their reputation; they’ve developed in this area long-term, with properties, intelligence networks, prestige, and relationships with local Chapters. After long-term efforts, they’ve formed a relatively stable position and won’t do anything to damage their reputation unless absolutely necessary.
Reputation is also a significant intangible asset and requires long-term accumulation.
Gauss’s "Goblin Slayer" and "Goblin Slayer Squad" are reputations in themselves, containing some teasing meaning among some professionals, but for the common folk, it’s a name that brings comfort, especially in the face of goblin threats.
Ordinary Level 1 Professionals may not even have that kind of reputation.
Level 3 Swordsman, Level 2 Druid... seems they’ve got decent strength.
While Gauss was still deep in thought.
"Come out, friends," someone shouted in the direction where Gauss and Aaliyah were.
The newcomers remained cautious, having scouted the area ahead of reaching the flare, so they had roughly identified the location of Gauss and Aaliyah. Naturally so, they wouldn’t have revealed themselves so readily otherwise.
Gauss and Aaliyah exchanged glances. Once they received a response, they headed towards the flare.
"We’re coming out now."
Before stepping out of the bushes, Gauss deliberately reminded them.
Once they emerged.
A green long-haired woman in the opposing team focused her gaze on Aaliyah, then leaned closer to the swordsman beside her and whispered a few words.
After that, the entire team unconsciously relaxed a bit.
No matter where you go, it’s always a society of acquaintances.
Whether it’s good or bad, it’s always easier to get along with people who know each other than complete strangers.
"Aaliyah, was it your team that launched the signal flare?"
"Yes, Cathy." Aaliyah nodded with a relaxed expression. "The specifics, let our captain Gauss explain."
However, she didn’t try to steal the spotlight too much.
The captain of this team is Gauss.
Although Gauss probably wouldn’t mind this behavior, she still tried to avoid overstepping.
"Hello everyone, I’m Gauss, the captain of Team 23."
"I’m Quik, the captain."
"I’m Cathy, Level 2 Druid."
"Sana, Level 3 Sorcerer."
"Dorian, Level 2 Ranger."
After the introductions, Gauss quickly described the recent events.
"One ogre, two half-ogres, one elite Jackal-Wolf, with a possibly unknown-strength flying creature overhead, and nearly 300 subordinate creatures..."
After weighing the situation, Quik and others softly discussed a few words, then nodded and said.
"If there are no special surprises, we should be able to intervene, but if we encounter enemies beyond our capability, we’ll withdraw at any time. You should also be prepared to withdraw at any time."
"By the way, does your team want to act temporarily with us?"
"Sure, we’d welcome it."
While waiting earlier, the two had already planned to collaborate and act with the incoming team.
For such a large stronghold, even if other teams intend to take over, they wouldn’t refuse more help.
Not to mention, just dealing with 300 lower-tier monsters isn’t a small task.
After briefly clarifying the goals and benefits, the two teams united and began heading towards the ogre stronghold.
Generally speaking, as long as no one intentionally steals kills, whoever defeats a monster will receive the rewards, since following up, the Adventurer’s Guild will help tally the results.
Halfway through their journey.
They encountered a man and a woman adventurer preparing to light a signal flare.
"Did you two just encounter the demonic creatures at the forward outpost?"
The two disheveled Level 1 adventurers’ gazes wandered over the six-person team, especially pausing the longest on the three six-pointed star bronze badges worn by Quik in the lead.
3, 3, 2, 2, 1, 1.
The confusion in their eyes suddenly dissipated a lot.
"Yes, please, help us, my two companions have been captured!"
Recalling the previous scene, cold sweat broke out on their foreheads again.
Two half-ogres, one agile Jackal-Wolf, and one terrifying bird circling overhead.
If their two companions hadn’t been captured and were being held as hostages, their escape wouldn’t have been so smooth.
With the presence of this team, especially the two Level 3 Professionals, they were certain their teammates could be rescued.
"No problem." Quik flashed a bright smile. "Can you show us the way?"
"Please let us follow along, we don’t need any rewards."
Faced with this willingly offered free assistance, Quik did not refuse, nodding agreement to the two joining the team.
However, Ranger Dorian reiterated the importance of following orders to them.
Compared to Gauss and others’ ease, this group encountered danger and had companions captured, already indicating a lack in mission competence.
It would be better to have no teammates than those who hold the team back.
"Rest assured! We’ll definitely follow orders!" The two displayed embarrassed faces, evidently aware of the low opinion of their skills held by the speaker.
Fortunately, the team leader seemed not to express much rejection, always wearing an easy-going smile, mitigating some embarrassment.
But no matter what, saving the captured teammates is a must.
The captured are two female companions; in a short time, they should not be in immediate physical danger.
The two moved to the front and began directing the rest.
As the group approached the monster’s stronghold, the eight-member team paused.
Gazing through the gaps in the treetops towards the monster camp’s clearing.
"Just as was said, the ogre, half-ogres, and the elite Jackal-Wolf are ours, the rest are up to you." Dorian said.
Gauss nodded too.
Actually, the elite demons’ rewards are substantial.
But without this swordsmen team, these Level 1 Professionals wouldn’t dare to recklessly attack the monster stronghold, so it’s good to take down the smaller monsters too.
Besides, he needed to take down small monsters at the moment to accumulate numbers.
"922/100"
Only 78 more to go.
Although many unfamiliar adventurers would vie for kills, he trusted that his efficiency would ensure not missing out on 78 kills out of 200-300 small monsters, especially when the swordsmen team was focused on the elite demons.
Dorian’s figure disappeared into the shade, conducting a final reconnaissance around the area.
After a while, he returned, nodding to Captain Quik and others.
The group prepared to launch the assault on the ogre’s stronghold.