The blacksmith in the open-air shed was clanging away, the forge blazing fiercely.
Adventurers from various towns gathered in small groups, some just returned and were completing quests or reporting reconnaissance, while others gathered to check their equipment, preparing to head out.
Soldiers from the provincial knight brigade, dressed in uniform leather or chain armor, were patrolling with strict discipline, while others stood guard at designated spots.
The open area was piled with various supplies, timber, stone, bundles of arrows, sacks of grain... stacked into a small hill.
And the construction mages were using these materials to quickly level the ground, build houses, and construct fortifications.
The entire outpost was shrouded in a tense, bustling, and pressurized atmosphere.
Although there were many people, idle chatter and laughter were rare, and everyone had a hint of vigilance and caution on their faces.
Despite the land being flattened and everything proceeding in an orderly manner, this is, after all, inside the Jade Forest, where monster sieges and attacks could happen at any time.
In fact, if you observe the walls closely, you’ll find there are already quite a few bloodstains and damage marks on them.
Clearly, there have been numerous attacks recently.
"Well then, Captain Bard, we part ways here." Gauss bid farewell to Bard.
The two were not in a superior-subordinate relationship but belonged to different systems.
Upon arriving at the station, he naturally needed to find the superior of the Adventurer’s Guild here.
"Alright, we’ll have a drink together sometime." Bard waved his hand.
He had a high opinion of Gauss.
"Well then, young Gauss, we’ll take our leave now as well." Mo. Jarl spoke up.
"Alright, goodbye." Gauss waved his hand.
What surprised him a bit was that the once arrogant noble offspring also nodded to him.
Noticing this, he casually cast a sidelong glance around him, instinctively feeling that the nod wasn’t meant for him.
However, there were no other strangers nearby.
Could it be he really had a change of heart?
Watching the group’s silhouettes fade into the distance, Gauss scratched his head.
After parting ways with the crowd, Gauss joined with Aaliyah and Serdur, blending into the bustling flow of people at Outpost 11.
The first goal was to find the temporary office of the Adventurer’s Guild here to check in.
After all, the earlier you report, the sooner you can receive the subsidy.
Even though it was afternoon, there was still money to be earned for just half a day.
gold coin per day is no small amount.
Moreover, they still needed to learn about more specific task assignments, work, and intelligence.
The inside of the outpost appeared more cramped than the outside.
Various temporarily erected tents and buildings in stone and wood under construction were mixed together, with muddy and crowded roads.
"So many people." Aaliyah cautiously avoided several workers hurriedly carrying a log together.
"After all, this is the front line." Serdur observed around.
Following the charcoal-drawn signs’ directions, the three quickly reached a relatively central area of the outpost in front of a larger two-story stone and wood house.
This facility was clearly prioritized for construction by the building mages and workers.
Almost all those going in and out were adventurers.
Entering the house, the inside was more spacious than imagined.
Several guild staff members sat behind a makeshift long table, busily handling documents and talking to the adventurers in front of them.
Huge sheets of parchment were nailed to the wall, densely packed with various tasks, reconnaissance, cleanup, garrison, collection, escort... with rewards ranging from gold coins to merits.
The three followed the staff’s instructions and entered a room for registration.
They pushed the door open and entered.
In the room sat a man wearing a monocle.
He was tall and muscular like a rock, yet wore a refined suit, an indescribable contrast.
Gauss submitted the document.
"You are Gauss, Aaliyah, and Serdur from Gray Rock Town, right?"
"Yes." Gauss nodded.
Serdur was considered part of the support from Gray Rock Town in this context.
Due to the high mobility of adventurers, there was no real affiliation, saying so was merely for convenient record-keeping.
"We’ll log you as reporting on your first day here." The man cleared his throat lightly. "I am Rich Phoenix, President of the Forest Crown Town Adventurer Association branch, you may call me President Rich."
"During this period, I am fully responsible for the command and coordination of the adventurers here. If you face any difficulties, you can come find me."
Rich Phoenix said warmly.
Unlike other adventurers who came voluntarily, Gauss, belonging to the specially invited "Elite Squad," required additional subsidy payments.
Moreover, they had more authority than ordinary adventurers, able to directly liaise with him.
Even though... the level was a bit low, this "Elite Squad" mainly consists of level 4 to 5 professionals.
But he could sense that this squad was quite formidable, especially the young man in front of him, though only level 3, exuded a strong aura.
"Thank you, President Rich."
Rich took out a map.
He unfolded it in front of Gauss and the others.
This map, while modest in color, was rich in detail, with magical ripples like water waves on its surface, expanding continuously around the base location of Outpost 11, with each place name inscribed upon it.
"Outpost 1, due to its location on a unique node of Natural Magic, has a more complex surrounding environment, where the influence of the magic field has created several distinctly different danger zones."