Beside the campfire.
Before long, a large white mosquito vividly took shape.
The invisible "mosquito spirit" around Gauss surged in simultaneously.
The mosquito’s wings trembled lightly, fluttering slowly in the darkness.
Gauss looked at the lifelike clay mosquito creation, feeling a bit surprised.
This time, the resemblance was striking. Could it be because of the spirit?
So, if one wanted to sculpt a person this lifelike, wouldn’t that mean they’d have to...
Stop! Stop!
He turned his gaze back to the flying clay mosquito.
"Stop!"
The command issued, the mosquito obediently hovered in place.
Quite obedient.
But soon, Gauss realized he should be able to give commands without speaking.
His connection with the clay creation must be conducted through the spirit.
[Gauss] — [Spirit] — [Clay Creation]
Fly forward.
He thought to himself.
Soon, the white mosquito glided lightly into the depths of the passage.
Unfortunately, he hadn’t yet mastered any spell similar to shared vision or similar functionality, otherwise, he could experience the mosquito’s perspective. Next time he exits the labyrinth, he’ll need to consult the Caster Association...
Gauss pondered for a moment.
The white mosquito continued flying forward according to his previous command.
When he regained his senses.
"Come back." Just as he was about to stop the white mosquito, he found there was no response.
Could it have flown out of range?
He stood up.
Glancing at the end of the passage, he followed in the mosquito’s direction.
In the distant shadows, several cloaked figures nearly melted into the darkness.
One of them took out a spyglass, ready to observe their target.
A companion beside him suddenly whispered.
"Boss, look, what a huge mosquito!"
The leading man looked up.
With the faint glow emitted by the plants overhead, he indeed saw a large white mosquito flying slowly towards them.
"Watch out!"
He immediately sensed danger, warning harshly.
The white mosquito suddenly hovered above their heads, ceasing its flight.
Have we been discovered?
He quickly used the spyglass to look into the distance.
Only to see the man who should have been keeping watch by the campfire already standing, walking slowly towards them.
At once, he realized this was an excellent opportunity.
The man’s other two companions were resting, and now he was alone.
Although it was unclear why the man discovered them and didn’t call for his companions, this opportunity was not to be missed.
After taking him down, their numerical advantage would become more apparent.
He signaled to his companions, quickly making a gesture with his hand.
The other companions immediately understood his gesture, dispersing! Ambushing! Assassinating!
Figures quickly vanished into the darkness.
"Finally connected."
Gauss recalled the white mosquito.
Suddenly sensing something amiss, his eyelids twitched, and he looked towards a certain spot in the darkness.
And in the darkness, the hidden individual noticed first couldn’t wait for the other companions to get into position.
The next moment, sprang into action.
A dagger with a ghostly green glow, lethal in its threat, aimed straight at Gauss’s throat.
Gauss quickly stepped back.
The sharp blade grazed his neck but was soon halted by the outer protective layer, the [Gauss Force Field].
"An ambushing rogue?"
Gauss inferred the opponent’s profession from the slender figure beneath the dark cloak and their attack method.
Moreover...
His peripheral glance swept around.
Not just one person.
There were three more rogues.
A squad of four rogues?
The others emerged from the shadows like ghosts.
Trained to surround him in a square formation.
Silent and swift in their actions, perfectly coordinated, they were clearly seasoned hunters in this craft.
The scene of those four naked corpses from earlier in the day flashed through his mind.
Gauss seemed to grasp something.
Could these individuals be the so-called "hyenas," or "looters," who survive in the labyrinth by preying on others?
They profit from seizing the lives of fellow travelers.
And nighttime, when most teams need to rest, was their optimal time to act.
Thinking of this, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief—luckily, due to some chance factor, he stumbled upon their operation.
If it had been later in the night, with Serdur or Aaliyah keeping watch, and these rogues already prepared with stealth, poisons, or other means, the situation would be far more troublesome.
He wasn’t sure whether they could remotely bypass an alarm spell, since that was a rather common functional spell set around camps.
"You’re the hyenas, right?" Gauss asked the leader.
Though his words were phrased as a question, his tone was quite certain.
The leader wasn’t surprised.
They had been trailing Gauss’s group from afar.
Thus, they knew well that Gauss and the others had discovered those corpses and naturally became vigilant.
However, perhaps thinking they had Gauss surrounded, victory seemed within grasp.
The leader nodded with a smile, admitting.
Of course, he wasted no more words, admitting his identity was to instill more pressure on Gauss.
"Go! Kill him! He’s a spellcaster!"
The leader’s eyes, shrouded in a strange purple glow.
Under his gaze, Gauss’s form emitted a strong aura.
Indicating that his profession was a caster reliant on magical power, though the amount of magic power made him somewhat uneasy.
But based on past experience, mages caught at such close range by them were as good as dead!
"Break his defenses!"
He threw several white spheres from his hand.