Hesitated for a moment.
After thorough consideration, Gauss reached a conclusion.
"Let’s explore towards the direction of the dark room first, and then scout a bit to decide whether to enter."
To be honest, compared to the possible rewards from the labyrinth’s dark room, safety is more important.
Moreover, for some reason, he had an uneasy feeling, as if a sixth sense was trying to warn him about something.
Aaliyah sensed his hesitation and nodded in agreement.
"Let’s proceed cautiously."
Serdur nodded as well when he heard this.
He only provided the information he had, and as for the subsequent actions of the team, that was naturally up to Gauss to decide.
Compared to the first level of the labyrinth, the number of adventurers in the second level had significantly decreased.
However, given the baseline number of adventurers, there were still noticeable tread marks at the entrance of the second level.
After a short rest, the trio set out in the direction indicated by Serdur.
"Serdur, when you explored alone before, didn’t you encounter any danger?" Gauss wielded his Fine Steel Longsword like a Mountain Knife, cutting down the overly lush bushes and branches ahead.
Serdur shook his head.
"It’s manageable as long as you avoid certain areas. I can usually detect the scents of most ordinary demons in advance and avoid them, minimizing combat."
Gauss nodded at this.
This is the modus operandi of a lone wolf.
Sometimes, it’s not about whether you can win, but about considering many other factors.
For example, you might encounter unforeseen incidents, and even if you defeat the enemy, what will the toll be?
Without teammates to rely on, acting alone means you must keep your physical and mental condition relatively optimal at all times.
It’s better to take fewer risks even if it means fewer rewards.
However, now that the three of them are teamed up, they can be relatively bolder.
For instance, the task of clearing the path ahead is alternated, with each person taking turns to rest in the middle of the team to recover strength when tired.
Even while continuously progressing, the entire team can maintain a good condition.
After they had traveled some distance, a few new figures emerged from the second level entrance, following closely behind.
The figures squatted and brushed aside the grass on the ground, glancing at the direction of the footprints.
Quickly, through the clear prints on the damp moss ground, they gathered intelligence that two groups split up.
"One group of three, the other of four."
"Pursue the side with fewer people."
Then they lowered their footfalls, merging into the environment like soundless hunters, entering stealth mode.
...
"Be careful of the ground ahead."
Gauss cautioned, while simultaneously tossing a pebble with his hand.
The next moment, the pebble landed, striking a lush patch.
Contrary to what one might expect of a pebble bouncing off the ground.
The pebble passed straight through the vines and moss, followed by a "thud," and green acid splashed upwards.
"Ssssss!"
Such dangers lurk everywhere in the labyrinth.
Some are intentionally crafted traps and hazards, while others, like this one, are natural threats.
If one carelessly fell into an acid pool and panicked without crawling out of the exit, getting lost within, the Gauss Force Field protection wouldn’t last long.
"Let’s find a place to rest for a bit."
Crossing beyond the hidden acid pool area, the team found an empty spot to sit and rest.
During the break, Gauss took the opportunity to eat while continuing to practice his Clay Magic.
His current top goal is to elevate his proficiency in Clay Magic to lv2.
Or rather, one of his main tasks recently is to develop his Clay Magic as much as possible.
He can sense that after starting to practice Clay Magic, the previously stable progress of his "Profession Tier" has started to show signs of loosening.
Perhaps, as he develops Clay Magic, he might once more see the chance for a level up.
Practiced for a while.
The proficiency in Clay Magic increased slightly.
Now it’s at 7/10.
In his palm, the clay formed into three wobbly little human figures under his control, vaguely resembling the three members of their team in posture and height.
With such a skill, even if he retires in the future, he should make a decent amount of money by model making.
Maybe open a figurine company in the Otherworld...
Gauss put away the clay.
After resting, the team continued forward.
This time, the direction they advanced in was entirely different from the last; as they delved deeper, the number and variety of insects increased greatly.
Of course, the vast majority were ordinary creatures, unworthy of being added to his Monster Atlas.
However, Gauss did unlock the 32nd ordinary monster in the atlas, the acid-spitting beetle.
The beetle, measuring about 40-60 centimeters in length, could spew small spurts of corrosive acid from its mouthparts, and also attack enemies by charging with the antenna on its head.
It appeared small but was, in fact, surprisingly strong.
"Is it around here?"
Gauss looked around the expansive passage, focusing on observing.
"Eh?" Serdur’s face displayed a rare surprise.
He became somewhat uncertain.
After searching the walls for a while, he finally found the scratch mark he left last time in the corner.
"Yes, this is the place."
"Last time, there was still a tree trunk here in the corner, covered with vines. Push aside the vines, and you’d see a deep, bottomless tree hole..." he said, a tinge of embarrassment appearing on his face.