In the snow.
The monster army that arrived at the forest has already begun their work.
The division of labor is clear.
The jackal-wolf people, holding elite short swords, are staying vigilant on the outskirts, while the most numerous goblins are responsible for the actual felling work, cutting down trees with sharp axes, trimming branches, and then the larger, stronger ogres haul the timber onto flat carts.
The strongest in the group are the three trolls.
They are mumbling commands, dressed in beastman armor, exhaling thick white mist from their large nostrils.
"Damn little brats, move faster!"
This group of massive creatures, generally standing 3 to 5 meters tall, does not engage in actual work; they are the temporary leaders of this logging team, with challenge levels usually at level 5 and above.
Just as the trolls were commanding the monster army.
Several black spikes suddenly shot up from the ground.
"Roar!!!"
In just an instant, they pierced through their bare feet and then through their calves, with blood gushing from the wounds.
The intense pain from the foreign objects piercing their bodies caused the trolls to roar in agony, but their strong life force allowed them to maintain enough mobility.
Controlling their bodies to break free from the black spikes, but in the next moment, a figure holding a blue-gold water sword appeared in front of them like a flash.
"Splash!"
The troll’s skin is extremely tough, especially in some areas that have been specially honed, ordinary weapons can’t even leave a mark, let alone pierce through.
But how could the weapon Gauss hold be an ordinary weapon?
A flash of blue light.
The water sword swept across its neck.
Combining with the black spikes, it completed the instant decapitation.
"First one."
Gauss glanced over the headless corpse, looking at the other two trolls behind.
"Elite level troll killed*1"
The Monster Atlas unlocked a new monster species.
After a few flickers, Gauss appeared before them.
For Gauss, who had already become a level 6[Magic Envoy], level 4[Sword Soul], killing a mere level 5 troll wasn’t much of a challenge.
Although the other two trolls were irascible and simple-minded, the sudden death of their companion made them immediately realize the enemy’s ambush.
The troll closest to Gauss grabbed the giant axe several meters high beside it, exerted all its strength, and swung it towards Gauss.
"Too slow."
Their reaction speed was actually very fast, but in Gauss’s eyes, it seemed like slow motion.
He burst forth with strength, the monster strength-transformed body combined with the acceleration effect enveloping his body, dashed out like a phantom.
"Did it hit?"
Hope flickered in the troll’s eyes.
But before it could rejoice, the afterimage it struck shattered.
"Slash!"
The sword’s edge swept across the neck, a huge head of disbelief fell to the snow.
The last troll took a few steps back, with the thought of fleeing already in its mind.
It wasn’t cowardly; rather, the enemy was simply too strong.
The bloody fact that both companions were slain in a single round made its blood-rushing brain calm down instantly.
It retreated a few steps, roaring fiercely to intimidate Gauss.
But how could Gauss be deceived by such empty threats?
He exerted force underfoot, and his body disappeared once more.
"Clang!"
The water sword struck the hastily raised large shield, leaving a deep mark.
The troll, known for its physical strength and regenerative ability, was forced back several steps by Gauss’s power enhanced by monster strength-transformation and acceleration.
Gauss leveraged the recoil from striking the large shield to leap high, landing behind the troll.
Swing the sword, retract the sword.
The troll’s massive waist was cut clean in two by his force.
"Phew!"
Gauss let out a long breath.
Rapidly killing three trolls in succession consumed some of his strength.
He actually had more means, but to minimize the noise and time of the battle, he used the power of the Lake Goddess Sword that he acquired not long ago.
This divine weapon was indeed incredibly sharp.
He nodded in satisfaction.
Then he switched to the White Magic Wand, entering the Tower Mage state.
Ying was already weaving through the monster crowd, eliminating other monster minions, but for large-scale monster clearing, Gauss was undoubtedly more adept.
He slightly concentrated, his body slowly rising in the air, maintaining stillness at a height of ten meters.
The magic staff lifted up.
Magic Missiles flew from around him, pouring down upon the distant monster army like a torrential storm!!