If you’re not strong enough, earning some steady pocket money around the maze is also a good idea.
"Then I wish you all the best."
After parting ways with the others.
The three of them officially began their maze exploration.
...
"Caw—Gahbu, Goblin!"
Raven Aik flew back.
Constantly echoing a repetitive call from its mouth.
After Aaliyah advanced from level 1 to level 2, she contracted with Ulfen, and Aik also experienced a significant improvement.
Ulfen’s body became more robust and powerful, and Raven Aik also grew a bit smarter; it can now simply mimic human sounds and try to say some basic words.
Like its current repetition of "Gob" means it spotted goblins.
In this way, even without Aaliyah using animal communication skills, an ordinary person like Gauss could understand the information it conveyed.
Hearing that it was goblins, a trace of excitement immediately appeared on Gauss’s originally calm face.
"Aik, lead the way."
Aaliyah and Serdur exchanged looks.
They didn’t want to say it, but Gauss’s inexplicable enthusiasm for goblins was indeed puzzling.
They could observe and feel that Gauss seemingly didn’t hold any deep hatred against the goblin race.
More like... more like a hobby or interest.
Though saying it like that sounds a bit odd, that’s how it felt to them.
This shared discovery also brought a slight bit of recognition for each other among the formerly somewhat unfamiliar pair.
Before long, Aik led the three to a ruin.
A dozen or so goblins were sitting around a bonfire, leaning against a few shell-covered insects the size of washbasins.
These creatures somewhat resembled large beetles with many slender legs, but they weren’t very fast, considered one of the lowest-level beings in the maze world, often preyed upon by many monsters.
Gauss had slain them before, but it didn’t increase the number in the bestiary.
After Serdur cast a blessing spell on Gauss, he charged at the goblins.
Facing a dozen or so goblins didn’t require much preparation.
Symbolically giving a blessing spell was already considered giving ample respect to the squad.
"Whizz!"
Gauss’s figure closed in on the goblins.
Only then did the goblins notice him, hastily grabbing the weapons by their sides and standing up.
But Gauss had already grasped the White Magic Wand.
"Magic Missile!"
Five azure blue spheres formed a ring and neatly arranged themselves in front of him.
"Boom!!"
In an instant, the missiles locked onto the goblins.
Five missiles blasted out simultaneously.
"Thud!"
Magic Missiles penetrated the goblins’ fragile bodies; without even a chance to react, half the goblin horde was already wiped out.
From a distance, Aaliyah blinked repeatedly.
Although Gauss had briefly mentioned the history of the White Magic Wand to her, witnessing the transformation of the Magic Bullet was still somewhat surprising.
She originally thought that upon rejoining the group, her advancement to level 2 would be the most significant change.
Looking at it now, she had overestimated herself; Gauss’s rate of growth was faster than expected.
After two rounds, only the last two goblins remained.
Gauss took out a Fine Steel Longsword from the Storage Pouch and moved forward.
A bright flash of the blade swept past.
The two goblins running away clumsily with their backs to him suddenly had a line of blood burst forth. In the next moment, as blood splattered around them, they met their end without feeling any pain.
Gauss flicked the blood droplets off the Longsword.
"Total monsters slain: 1947"
One step closer.
Aaliyah and Serdur approached.
"Is this your White Magic Wand? So beautiful." Aaliyah looked at the wand in Gauss’s hand with curiosity. "Can I hold it and take a look?"
Everyone has a love for beauty, even Aaliyah.
"Sorry."
Hearing Gauss’s reply, Aaliyah was initially a bit surprised but then showed a hint of disappointment.
"Of course, it’s not me who disagrees; it’s this thing who does." Gauss gave a helpless smile.
Aaliyah looked at the wand, following his gaze.
"The wand disagrees?"
"Yes." Gauss nodded.
For some reason, the White Magic Wand couldn’t be touched by others. If anyone tried to grasp it, an invisible force would repel them.
It was impossible to touch it.
As he said this, he handed the White Magic Wand to an intrigued Aaliyah.
Aaliyah reached out with both hands to cradle it.
Sure enough, just as the White Magic Wand was about to touch Aaliyah’s palm, it suddenly sprang up.
Then it floated towards where Gauss was.
Aaliyah still tried to grab it, but just as she was about to manage, an invisible force pushed her hand away, rendering her unable to hold it.
It was true.
Even though she was "rejected" by a wand, Aaliyah strangely felt a bit delighted.
Gauss didn’t lie to her.
"Could this be the legendary spirit of the artifact?" Aaliyah looked at Gauss’s wand, rubbing her chin in thought.
The spirit of an artifact is a rare existence.
It’s said that only high-grade magic items might give birth to one.
Only those recognized by the artifact spirit can use these high-level magic items.
"I’m not sure about that." Gauss shook his head.
Currently, the White Magic Wand merely repels others but has had no communication or interaction with him, resembling just a relatively powerful ordinary weapon.
"You mustn’t let others know then," Aaliyah cautioned, and after speaking, her gaze drifted warily towards Serdur.