Quik had heard before that some well-known adventure teams in the big cities had already started forming first, second, and third teams, even forming renowned adventure groups, with group emblems, headquarters, echelon construction, auxiliary logistics, and clerical offices all in place.
Usually, the small teams each carry out their own commissions. Once they need to explore a large dungeon or labyrinth, or undertake a large commission, they gather together and operate as a big team.
As far as he knew, the nearby Forest City of Barry had two relatively famous adventure teams, the Gold Group and Heart of Thorns.
There are many benefits to forming a large team. First, they can make a name for themselves. Secondly, when gathering in the wild, they can use their numerical advantage to intimidate and suppress scattered small teams. Moreover, a stable large team can rely on personnel allocation and excellent logistical support to venture deeper in the exploration of large labyrinths and gain more profits.
These are tangible benefits.
Although his "Iron Arm" is currently just active as a small team in Gray Rock Town, with only a few field workers in town besides the combat members, who doesn’t have the ambition to grow and strengthen their team?
[Iron Arm Group], what a resounding name.
However, even though the thought of recruitment was eager, Quik understood well the saying "haste makes waste."
Right now, establishing good relationships is the key.
He chatted a few more words with Gauss at the spot.
By the time the wounded were treated, it was already late.
After a busy day, the somewhat fatigued people started heading back to the rendezvous point.
Gauss and Aaliyah walked side by side, with Quik’s Iron Arm team close by.
"I always feel... that captain was a bit overly enthusiastic." Gauss, with a calm expression, used the Communication Technique to say to Aaliyah.
"Indeed." Since the Communication Technique was one-sided, Aaliyah didn’t say much but nodded.
She could also sense that Quik had a special enthusiasm for Gauss, which extended to her, treating them not like strangers meeting for the first time.
Could it be he wanted to recruit us?
A thought flashed through her mind but was quickly dismissed with a shake of her head.
They were just two Level 1 Professionals; the other party, however, was a mature bronze three-star team and should logically prefer experienced Level 2 or 3 Professionals considering combat power.
...
Returning to the temporary camp.
Both Gauss and Aaliyah breathed a sigh of relief.
Especially Gauss.
Today, accomplishing the 1,000-kill milestone in the Adventurer’s Handbook put him in a great mood, with a sense of satisfaction after achieving a goal.
He needed to return to a relatively safe environment to digest the rewards obtained from the Adventurer’s Handbook.
"Keep in touch."
The Quik team and Gauss parted ways, each heading to their own tent.
Once they were far away.
The female Warlock, Sana, who hadn’t spoken, finally spoke up.
"Quik, do you want to invite that young Mage to join the team?"
There was no expression on her face.
Quik awkwardly laughed: "I do have that idea."
"Huh?" Ranger Dorian opened his mouth wide in surprise. "No way, Captain, when did our Iron Arm team lower its standards so much? A Level 1 Mage can join the team?"
Recalling when he first joined the team, there were only Quik and Sana as Level 3 Professionals, and he, a Level 2 Ranger, had to put in some effort to gain their recognition.
But even then, he could feel that Quik and Sana were more inclined to recruit other Level 3 Professionals. It’s just that most of the fixed active Level 3 Professionals in Gray Rock Town already had teams, so they lowered the standard and recruited him and Cathy.
After all, there is a certain combat strength gap between Level 2 and Level 3 Professionals.
Later, when other Level 2 Professionals wanted to join, considering team benefit, Quik didn’t agree.
Yet now, he was suddenly told to bypass those experienced Level 2 Professionals and invite a young Level 1 Professional?
Cathy, though silent, had the same puzzled expression on her face.
"I don’t mind; that person is really not bad."
But before Quik could explain, Sana’s words made the two even more incredulous.
Both looked at Sana.
You have to know, in this team, although Quik is the captain, many times, significant decisions are based on Sana’s opinion; previously rejecting subsequent other Level 2 members joining was mainly her idea.
"However, he might not want to join." Sana added lightly.
"Yeah, I felt that too... But time is on our side. We are adventurers operating near Gray Rock Town, and there will be plenty of opportunities to interact in the future. I have one or two years of patience." Quik smiled.
"Huh?"
When did Level 1 Professionals become so sought after? Normally, aren’t newbies supposed to stick together for warmth, and only after accumulating rich adventure experience and combat experience in their professional phase, upon reaching Level 2, do relatively stable adventure teams start accepting them?
Listening to their conversation, Dorian felt the world was a strange place he couldn’t understand.
On the edge of the distant camp, Gauss was holding that magical "cookbook," preparing to cook today’s spoils—Frost Snake Meat dish.
The raw Frost Snake Meat was a semi-transparent icy blue, cold in nature, requiring high temperatures to decompose its internal ice poison.
The specific method is, slice it, drizzle Moon Grass Dew to neutralize the slight cold poison, wait until the blue blood seeps out and wash it, spread it flat on the iron pan, sprinkle salt, and grill on high heat for 20 seconds until the surface is slightly charred.
When Aaliyah, tasked with running an errand, returned from the caravan with the Moon Grass Dew, Gauss had already prepared the ingredients.
Soon, smoke curled up from the cast iron pan, and a peculiar roasted meat fragrance rose, drawing the eyes of adventurers in nearby tents.
"It looks... pretty good?" Even Aaliyah, who held reservations about monster ingredients, had to admit, the aroma was quite tempting.
But she still cautiously glanced at Gauss, waiting for him to take the first bite.
Gauss had no such concerns. The moment the aroma hit his nose, his inner Energy Storage Glands conveyed a strong desire.
He speared a hot slice of meat and stuffed it into his mouth, chewing with a "nom nom."
The rich meat fragrance instantly exploded in his mouth. The unique icy nature of Frost Snake Meat, combined with the charred aroma of roasting, formed a wondrous contrast and blend. Tasting it for the first time, he found it even better than the frog meat he usually ate.
"You should try it; it’s really delicious." Gauss urged.
"Then I’ll... try it?" In the end, Aaliyah couldn’t resist the temptation, picked up a slice, and blew it cool before putting it in her mouth.
"Mmm!" There was a hint of surprise in her eyes.
Unexpectedly delicious!
Soon, too busy to talk, the two buried their heads in enjoying their meal.
"Burp!"
An satiated Gauss let out a burp of contentment.
Demon ingredients are energy-rich, with side effects, albeit bearable for Professionals.
Meanwhile, Aaliyah had eaten her fill and returned to the tent to rest, she seemed to have eaten a bit too much, her body slightly cold, but fortunately, the problem wasn’t serious.
Perhaps that is also why demon ingredients cannot be widely promoted. The outstanding physical talents of Professionals sometimes cause slight discomfort, let alone ordinary people who can’t consume them.
Gauss sat on the ground, gazing at the rising moon in the night sky.
He didn’t waste time either, taking advantage of the moment to start practicing the newly acquired Alarm Spell.
Tomorrow, the winter hunt will enter the second phase, shifting tasks to clear small monster settlements distributed sporadically.
Although the numbers may not be as many as the first two days, for now, he is satisfied.
His current goal is to gather the last three types of ordinary monster illustrations and unlock new talents.
Once the talent is in hand, he would push with all his might for Level 2 Professional rank.
Upon advancing to Level 2, with better physical attributes, two Professional Talents, two Racial Talents, and an increasingly rich pool of spells and abilities, his combat prowess should reach a new height.
By then, even those famous high-racial peers’ younglings might not match his strength.
"Iron Arm Team, Captain Quik." The burly Swordsman, with a steady voice, gray eyes scrutinized Gauss.
"I am Cathy, a Level 2 Druid."
"Dorian, a Level 2 Ranger."
"Sana, a Level 3 Warlock." The purple-robed, sharp-eyed beautiful woman, holding a magic wand, slightly nodded.