"Be careful."
Gauss calmed down quickly after arriving on the platform.
He glanced at the pool of green unknown liquid that was bubbling and steaming at his feet and then looked away.
The pool water alone gave off an ominous feeling.
The two cautiously walked towards the center of the platform, carefully inspecting for any traps on the ground.
Besides a couple of loose, sinking ordinary floor tiles, there seemed to be nothing unusual.
The acidic smell emitting from the pool in the air was getting stronger.
"Cough, cough." Aaliyah coughed lightly twice.
When they reached the range that the Mage’s Hand could touch, Gauss cast a trick.
A magical hand quickly formed in front of him.
Unfortunately, the Identification Technique required close proximity and contact with the target to be cast, making it impossible to identify the object from a distance. Otherwise, it would have been convenient to distinguish the target in advance.
The Mage’s Hand floated toward the treasure chest.
There was a strange green plant emitting white light above the chest, no wonder Gauss said he saw the chest shining from afar, it turned out to have its own lighting.
The Mage’s Hand reached the treasure chest.
The chest wasn’t locked and seemed ready to open at any moment.
Gauss was about to control the Mage’s Hand to pass through the chest’s exterior and infiltrate it.
But he found that the Mage’s Hand was consistently blocked from entry.
"Huh?"
A sense of caution rose in his heart.
He turned and gave Aaliyah a meaningful look.
He then retrieved the White Bone Staff from his storage pouch.
Originally, he didn’t plan to use any offensive spells to probe, as he wasn’t sure what was inside and didn’t want to damage any fragile treasures with a hasty attack.
But right now, safety was the priority.
A bright blue orb quickly formed in front of him.
"Boom!"
The Magic Missile streaked through the air at high speed.
It reached the chest almost in an instant, but it was then that—
The chest seemed to sense the attack and suddenly transformed rapidly.
The originally shining gem moved to the front, glowing red and showing signs of life.
Then the chest opened, revealing giant yellow-brown fangs, and a large green tongue wrapped in saliva and slime extended out.
A peculiar force suddenly activated, swiftly moving the chest aside.
It was a Treasure Chest Monster!
Gauss was prepared for this outcome, it was either a treasure chest or a trap, just a fifty-fifty chance.
The Treasure Chest Monster was a level 2 or higher demon.
It had the ability to mimic transformations; when it transformed, it could perfectly simulate the real textures and structures. If Gauss had opened the chest, he would have seen faux items indistinguishable from genuine gold and treasures, and if he had carelessly reached for them, he could have his hand bitten off by the monster.
Additionally, although its combat ability was weaker compared to most monsters of the same level, it at least possessed the combat strength and attack methods of an elite demon.
Its base was covered with countless tiny pseudopods like small tentacles, which granted it strong leaping and movement abilities.
Moreover, its biting force was incredibly strong, with sharp teeth imbued with some mysterious power capable of easily crushing even steel and jade, not just ordinary flesh and blood.
It also secreted corrosive slime, which assisted it in capturing prey or seizing weapons.
"Prepare for battle!"
As they activated the Treasure Chest Monster, dozens of slime creatures like green jelly surged from the depths of the green liquid around the platform, subtly surrounding them.
Meanwhile, the green plant vines originally hanging on the walls above dropped down.
Upon closer inspection, hidden within the vines was a cluster of insects measuring several centimeters across.
They were ordinary monsters: Acidic Slimes and Bramble Bugs.
So there were other monsters hiding as well.
Perhaps this is the so-called "birds of a feather flock together," as the appeared monsters all had some environmental camouflage ability.
"Howl!!"
Ulfen howled, and Aik flapped his wings and took to the sky.
Gauss focused blue energy clusters at the tip of his staff, quickly and precisely picking off an Acidic Slime and a Bramble Bug, unlocking the 22nd and 23rd types in the Monster Atlas.
The Acidic Slime was more dangerous than other slimes, exploding like a small bomb when killed, releasing a spray of green acid that emitted white smoke on the ground.
The Bramble Bug’s combat ability was relatively weak, crawling on the ground with dark green brambles growing on its back. Apart from its excellent camouflage, it had no other strengths.
Perhaps only if someone is utterly careless and passing by without any foot protection could they possibly be bitten by it?
After quickly picking off the two minor monsters, the Monster Atlas entries increased.
Gauss then shifted his focus to the Treasure Chest Monster in front of him.
"I’ll take care of it, be careful yourself."
"Ok, leave the rest to me."
Though most of her skills were supportive, the Entanglement Technique she mastered was enough to clear the surrounding small monsters and prevent them from disturbing Gauss’s battle.
Gauss, as usual, cast [Enhanced Jump] to improve his mobility.
He then looked at his charging opponent.
The Treasure Chest Monster’s shell was extremely hard, protected by a layer of demonic magical power.
This was why the Mage’s Hand couldn’t penetrate it earlier, as if encountering a solid wall.
The charging Treasure Chest Monster whipped its huge saliva-covered tongue at him with a strong fishy wind.
Gauss pushed off with his feet, retreating a few steps.
"Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle!"
A few drops of saliva splashed on him, instantly emitting smoke like fire.
Fortunately, the Gauss Force Field protected him from harm.
But he could feel the corrosive attacks significantly weakening the Gauss Force Field, although it was far from breaking, it showed that he couldn’t recklessly endure damage just because of the protection.
"Bang!"
The Magic Missile hit the Treasure Chest Monster’s surface, its body briefly emitting a glow as the missile was deflected by the hard shell.
This outer shell wasn’t inherently part of its biology, but a long-term secreted and continuously compressed armor, far exceeding ordinary flesh in hardness.
Moreover, its reactions were very fast; every time Gauss released a Magic Missile, it would quickly retract and close the chest to shield itself.
Only when it lunged at Gauss would it open its gaping maw.
Gauss didn’t want to engage in close combat with a Treasure Chest Monster at such close range; there was almost no opportunity for casting, and using melee tactics wouldn’t go smoothly either.
His sword almost got seized by it several times.
Its tongue was extremely swift and agile, and if he wasn’t careful, it could snatch his weapon.
Actually, as a level 2 demon, he didn’t feel that the Treasure Chest Monster posed a particularly strong threat, just that it was cunning and difficult to deal with.
Avoiding attacks while brewing a counterattack, Gauss’s gaze lingered on the surrounding terrain.
Suddenly, an idea flashed in his mind.