Blue magic power patterns flowed across the surface of the armor.
In her left hand, she carried a large metal shield almost as tall as Gauss. The shield was heavy, with a golden magic crystal stone embedded in the center.
In her right hand, she held a wildly designed giant double-edged axe, its broad blade shaped like a crescent, with a thick handle wrapped in non-slip black leather.
Once she donned the armor and weapon, transforming from a blacksmith to a warrior, Albena’s presence became even more imposing.
Standing there, she truly resembled a mountain—a mountain that would launch an attack with an axe.
"Albena, you all chat first; find me when you’ve confirmed the departure." Jon, the guild leader, slipped away nervously.
He was really afraid that Albena might chop down with her axe.
Gauss hadn’t expected her to act so swiftly, but since Albena was ready, it was a good opportunity to observe her combat style.
"Is there an open area nearby?"
"Yes, Lord Gauss, follow me." Albena led the way.
Her blacksmith shop was located on the outskirts of Gold and Silver Town. After a few steps, they arrived at a small gate next to the city wall.
A few soldiers, holding their weapons, were leaning against the wall, chatting and laughing.
Suddenly, one of them reacted as if he had seen a dangerous creature, his hair standing on end.
"Thump!"
"Thump!"
Shadows loomed over them.
"Hello, can you help open the gate?"
Albena spoke up.
"Of course, right away, Miss Albena."
It seemed these soldiers were well aware of her identity and did not dare delay.
They turned around to open the gate for her.
She walked ahead.
Gauss and the others followed closely behind.
The soldiers cast curious glances at them.
To prompt the famous Daughter of the Giant, Albena, to pick up her weapon again, who were these people?
Exiting the city gate, the environment outside was much bleaker.
"Aren’t you tired?" Gauss couldn’t help but ask. "I have a storage pouch; I can help store your equipment for now."
With all that gear, it weighed at least several hundred kilograms, possibly up to a ton.
Albena shook her head.
As if to demonstrate her strength.
With a flick, she deftly swung the heavy axe in front of her, the air slicing through with a swoosh.
The phrase "light as a feather" was vividly illustrated at this moment.
"Not too heavy."
Gauss realized that her talent was exceptional.
They continued on for a stretch.
Albena led them to an abandoned courtyard.
"Thump!"
She casually pressed the shield into the soil, where it stood firmly.
"Lord Gauss, is your commission this time near the mines?"
Gauss hadn’t provided any specific details about their commission, but Albena had already guessed it.
"Yes. It’s under a place called Brenan Mine."
"I thought so. In a remote place like Gold and Silver Town, only those abandoned mines would breed decent monsters."
"But, Lord Gauss, you’re truly impressive," Albena said sincerely, her mind clear at the moment. "No offense, but most people at your level wouldn’t dare take on such a dangerous commission."
Her gaze briefly shifted to the badges on their chests.
Facing a force of at least a thousand monsters is not as simple as a commission for a hundred monsters ten times over.
To fight against such odds, one must also be prepared for highly powerful entities among the enemies.
A monster nest of over a thousand creatures is beyond what regular elite professionals can handle.
Even a team of all master professionals would have to carefully consider whether it was worth the risk.
This was precisely why she wanted to join this adventure.
She simply couldn’t stand by and watch such an aesthetically pleasing man die senselessly on a routine commission.
That would truly be a waste.
With her joining, she was confident that even if she couldn’t defeat those monsters, she could at least protect these youthful faces.
"We have quite a bit of experience in monster hunting," Gauss chuckled.
"Albena, may I ask your profession level?"
"About level 6, Lord Gauss," Albena blinked.
"Albena, actually, you can call me Gauss; you don’t need to be so formal." Confirming her level made Gauss sweat.
And from her demeanor and response, she seemed to be more than just an ordinary level 6.
Besides being a skilled blacksmith, someone like her would be warmly welcomed by any major force in any town.
As a level 4 professional, he couldn’t understand why she continuously addressed him so formally as "Lord."
"Alright, Lord Gauss."
Well, that was pointless.
It appeared she had some peculiar insistence in this area.
Gauss decided to let her be.
After all, it was just a form of address.
Just like how Serdur always habitually called him captain.
"Miss Albena, nice to meet you, I’m Aaliyah." Aaliyah stepped out from behind Gauss to greet.
She looked up at the towering Albena, completely enveloped in her shadow.
"Hello, little Aaliyah."
"Eh?"
Aaliyah blinked.
She thought Albena had some peculiar habit of addressing everyone formally, and wanted to enjoy the feeling of being called "Miss Aaliyah" by a mighty master professional.
After all, everyone has a little vanity.
She was no exception.
But unexpectedly, Albena naturally dropped the formality when addressing her.
So... only Gauss received this treatment?
She glanced back at Gauss.
Was this really real, Albena?
And why the "little" prefix?
Though she admitted that in terms of size, she looked like a child standing before her, but still...
Ying and Serdur had nothing to say.
Maybe thinking they’d have future opportunities to communicate.
"Lord Gauss, would you like to understand my abilities?"
"If it’s convenient, that would be ideal," Gauss nodded.
...
About ten minutes later.
With a rumbling collapse.
Albena looked innocently at the courtyard-turned-ruins.
She hadn’t expected the buildings to be so fragile, or perhaps she just hadn’t exercised in a while and got too excited, failing to control her strength?
In any case, after a series of shield bashes, the once-compact ground had fractured.
Along with the surrounding courtyard walls, all the buildings collapsed into ruins.
Gauss stood on a protruding rock slab.
He wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Albena was not all bluster; beneath her robust build lay even greater strength.
"Lord Gauss, the move I just showcased is called Mountain Shaking Ground." Sif Albena sheepishly put away her shield, looking at the chaotic ruins. "I accidentally didn’t control my strength."
"The specific effect is that when I use this Mountain Fortress shield to strike the ground forcefully, I can channel the force directionally, knocking down a wide range of enemies in front of me."
Gauss nodded.
"An impressive control ability."
Mountain Fortress was the name of Albena’s giant shield, while her giant axe was named the Earth Cracker.
Together with her set of [Azure Oath] magic armor, which helped its wearer recover some stamina during battles, her three main pieces of equipment were all of top-quality purple grade suitable for master professionals.
In terms of weaponry, her status as a blacksmith made her collection extravagant.
Gauss even felt he might not be able to defeat her.
At least in close combat, he couldn’t match such an Albena.
This was unprecedented.
Before joining the team, neither Serdur nor Ying, who were both higher level, could match his combat ability due to their profession specializations.
Adding such a formidable team member, even temporarily, placed immense pressure on Gauss.
"Lord Gauss..."
"Do you think I’m qualified?"
After Gauss’ brief evaluation, he fell silent, not speaking for a long time.
Albena asked quietly, her heart filled with apprehension.