Around the camp of the Demon Frog Lord’s nest, apart from some battle members clad in armor standing guard, the rest had taken off their armor and weapons, changing into relatively lighter attire for activities around the area.
A young blonde man holding a small knife specialized for dissection positioned it carefully and plunged it into the relatively soft abdomen of the magic frog. Then, with another hand clad in thick leather gloves, he skillfully reached into the still-warm abdominal cavity, feeling around to find the specific spot. With a slight exertion of force, he tore out the magic gland. After observing it for a moment, he wrapped it in cloth and placed it in the basket on his back. This cycle repeated until the basket was filled with a heap of glands.
Despite the fact that most members of the Red Dragon Team were professionals with ranks, they were very adept at doing this ordinary collection work.
After all, that’s the nature of an Adventurer’s work. Upon first embarking on this path, becoming a bottom adventurer, there weren’t that many logistics personnel to help gather the spoils—members had to rely on personally collecting them after battles.
Now it’s just going back to the basics.
Compared to members of other adventure groups, they were fortunate.
Even though they couldn’t understand how the leader had such an unyielding, machine-like endurance, they had to admit it was precisely due to the calming presence of that leader that ordinary members’ lives had substantial security, giving them the courage to confront enemies that outnumbered them hundreds of times over.
The Red Dragon Team members who still had the strength to move had received help from the leader in the recently concluded battle.
He would always appear before a member on the verge of death before danger struck and use his powerful magic to kill the enemies.
"Shh, over there, brother, keep it down, don’t disturb the leader."
"Sorry, sorry."
Many members of the Red Dragon Team, upon noticing Gauss in a "resting" state to restore magic power, would lower their voices voluntarily, afraid their voices might affect the meditating figure.
Only a few core members knew that Gauss was currently making a breakthrough.
However, they didn’t say much to the other members; sometimes, saying too much could spoil things.
If other members knew Gauss was advancing in level, they would likely feel more pressured, as such a breakthrough event is difficult for most adventurers to experience even a few times in a lifetime.
Albena stood not far from Gauss, arms crossed, watching over Gauss like a guardian deity.
The other core members seemed to be doing their own thing, but upon closer inspection, they were positioned strategically around Gauss, their peripheral vision never straying from him.
It could be said that every move Gauss made attracted the entire team’s attention.
Luna and Alina sat on a rock, conversing in very low voices.
"Is it really okay?"
Even though Gauss had told her to relax and not worry about him before cultivating, she still couldn’t help but be concerned about Gauss’s breakthrough. Knowing the caster profession is the most intricate, especially during these special breakthrough stages, where any minor disturbance could have unpredictable effects on a caster.
That’s why most casters choose a quiet and undisturbed hidden chamber before a breakthrough to minimize outside influences, fully immersing themselves in their own transformations.
Yet Gauss just openly sat outdoors, commencing cultivation right next to the freshly dead body of the Demon Frog Lord.
Is this really okay?
As a fellow caster, Luna couldn’t help but wonder to herself.
However, considering they were currently in a maze where a better location wasn’t available, she didn’t voice any objections at the time.
"Don’t worry, Gauss has it figured out."
Unlike the worried Luna, Alina appeared more relaxed, even leisurely stroking the wolf head of Ulfen squatting beside her.
She knew Gauss wasn’t the careless type. Since he chose to do this, he must have confidence that external influences wouldn’t affect him.
While the two were talking in low voices, Level 7 rogue Ethan appeared before them.
"Captain Luna, members of other adventurer groups have shown up; they want to visit Leader Gauss."
Upon hearing Ethan’s words, Luna frowned slightly.
She wasn’t actually surprised that members of other adventure groups managed to find this place.
After all, although the fourth-level maze was vast, being the storm’s center here would inevitably attract other adventurers’ attention.
Sending someone over now was already later than she had anticipated.
"Tell them to come back tomorrow... On second thought, I better go myself," Luna said, realizing her initial thought might not be appropriate. She glanced at Gauss still in cultivation, pondered for a moment, and then stood up.
She had to know the intentions of those adventurer groups sending people over.
Especially given Gauss’s current cultivation breakthrough, any request for visitation by other adventurer groups must be handled with caution. Regardless, at least they couldn’t influence the leader’s side here.
"Should I go with you?"
Alina looked up and asked.
"No, Alina, you stay and guard the leader’s side," Luna shook her head.