But looking at the personal panel in the Adventurer’s Handbook, I couldn’t see any change in attribute values.
Never mind that.
Even if it was an illusion, at least as pure culinary enjoyment, he thoroughly enjoyed it.
"After you finished, how does your body feel? Any side effects?"
Gauss looked at Aaliyah, who stood up beside him, and asked.
Aaliyah carefully sensed her body and then shook her head.
"Besides feeling full, it seems there aren’t any of the previous discomforts for now." Aaliyah also found it a bit unbelievable.
She had prepared for symptoms like numbness in the mouth and a chill all over, similar to before when eating frog and snake meat.
Unexpectedly, this higher-grade Elite Demon tasted normal instead.
"Then, Treasure Chest Monster is quite suitable to be promoted as normal food." Gauss mused while pinching his chin.
"Treasure Chest Monster is still too dangerous...it’s also troublesome to deal with." Aaliyah whispered beside him.
Although it seemed like Gauss didn’t exert much effort dealing with it, the challenge level of the Treasure Chest Monster was level 2.
Coupled with its unique disguise ability, ordinary adventurers are genuinely no match for such a monster.
Also, to be fair, Treasure Chest Monsters mostly appear in mazes and similar environments, and ordinary people rarely encounter them.
And during maze exploration, how many people, after successfully defeating a Treasure Chest Monster, would still think about this gastronomic desire?
Only adventurers like Gauss who are keen on consuming demon ingredients, right?
"Forget it, let’s keep exploring."
Gauss put the freshly cleaned and processed chest body and those two rows of sharp teeth into the Storage Pouch.
The chest itself could store other supplies, so it didn’t take up much extra space.
The hardness of the chest and the teeth is quite high, they are precious spoils of war, so he was not about to waste and discard them here.
After exploring the platform for a while and digging out a few ancient Silver Coins from the gaps in the floor tiles, the two of them contentedly climbed the vines on the opposite side of the road they came from and ascended the platform.
Ulfen, with a few charged leaps, reached both of them via the segmented platform.
After eating and drinking their fill, the two resumed their journey.
Gauss replenished the Gauss Force Field for himself, Aaliyah, Ulfen, and Aik.
Every few hours.
This had become a habit for him in the wilderness. Before the spell expired, he would disperse its effects and refresh a new protective one.
Although it was a bit of a waste of Magic Power, it reduced some risks from unexpected situations.
Because one could not foresee when a crisis might suddenly occur, perhaps just at the brief window when the protection failed.
The tongue meat of the Treasure Chest Monster consumed earlier still continuously generated nutrition and energy.
Their steps were noticeably lighter and more vigorous than before.
They advanced quickly in the lush second layer.
"Snap!"
Gauss stepped back, and on the wall covered with climbing ivy, a plant like an enlarged version of a flytrap suddenly snapped its two leaves shut, the jagged edges trembling slightly.
"I knew it, haha."
After walking the second layer of the maze for half a day, Gauss could roughly guess where a surprise attacker might suddenly spring out.
In this place.
Filled with various strange plants, aggressive plants that attack intruders, and all kinds of insects.
Beneath the beautiful and dreamlike dense forest appearance, countless dangers were hidden.
It was far more dangerous than the barren first layer.
Gauss could only marvel that meeting that besieged Adventurer Squad outside in the morning was indeed a prescient event.
Even if they found the entrance to the second layer, they had no intention of exploring it.
Otherwise, in his judgment, that Adventurer Squad without any Professionals would probably find it challenging to leave intact.
Even many bottom monsters in the second layer possess extremely strong stealth and aggression.
No wonder the maze guide recommended only exploring the first layer for bottom adventurers, while from the second layer onwards, it was recommended for formal Professionals.
"Magic Missile!"
He stepped back a few paces.
Gauss eyed the plant in front of him.
A blue missile blasted at the roots of the plant digging into the rock wall.
"Boom!"
The giant flytrap that was blocking the path was instantly shattered into pieces!
Green plant stems and viscous sap splattered like fragments.
"Carnivorous Grass defeated *1"
"Total monster defeats: 1501"
After defeating the target, Gauss unlocked the 25th type of ordinary monster in the Monster Atlas.
Earlier on the road, he defeated a [Giant Beetle] and unlocked the 24th type.
"Obtained the title [Carnivorous Grass Hunter], which upgrades as the number of defeats increases."
"Current effect: Star Destruction..."
Overall, in cases where they are detected in advance, most plant-type bottom monsters are not very difficult to handle.
Even without using ranged spells like Gauss.
With a slightly longer weapon, a few cuts to the plant’s stem could also end its life.
Of course, the premise is "detect in advance," and this point is crucial.
Gauss could increasingly feel the importance of perception attributes in the maze.
Looking at the [Elusive Bracelet] on his wrist, his initial inclination to sell it to pay his debt had begun to shift towards keeping it for himself.
At least during his maze exploration, it was highly useful.
Anyway, it could be sold at any time when he decided to do so.
Wearing it, not only could he preemptively avoid many dangers, but he could also find plenty of additional loot.
While passing the Carnivorous Grass, Gauss observed for a while and couldn’t find anything substantial enough to be considered spoils. After hesitating for a moment, he cut off a few unknown spherical objects, unsure if they were fruits or seeds, and put them into the Storage Pouch.
He then continued forward with Aaliyah, the rustling sound of disturbing leaves audible along the way.
"There’s another signpost now."
After reaching a space resembling a hall.
A signpost appeared.
It was still inscribed with ancient characters with unknown meanings, and next to it was a quaint stone bench.
Having walked some distance, Gauss and Aaliyah decided to sit on the long bench and rest.
From the recent experience, he realized that after consuming the Treasure Chest Monster, there was indeed a temporary boost in strength and stamina, although it only lasted about two hours.
Perhaps with prolonged consumption, the [Energy Storage Glands] might subtly enhance physical qualities?
He had a vague feeling of this.
"Gauss, look over there?" Aaliyah sat on the chair, looking around, and suddenly turned to spot a peculiar structure behind them.
Gauss turned and looked in the direction she pointed.
He saw a deep green gazebo made of greenery, or perhaps it looked like a large birdcage, surrounded by a layer of hazy green energy membrane, not clearly visible from afar.
What is that?