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Chapter 215 : Encountering an Acquaintance in a Foreign Land
Chapter 215: Encountering an Acquaintance in a Foreign Land
Fortunately, the egg did not continue devouring magical energy for too long.
After transmitting a satisfied intent, it fell silent again, as if asleep.
Gauss let out a breath of relief and also stopped eating.
He felt the active state of the magical energy within his body.
E ň uma . ǐ d̄
Rubbing his chin, he fell into thought.
Actually, sometimes consuming a moderate amount of magical energy was not a bad thing. This process was beneficial to accumulating Class Rank experience.
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Magical energy, if it wanted to be effectively consumed, most of the time could only be done through casting spells. But using spells required concentration, and even with sufficient magical energy, one could not release spells without limit.
Did this mean he had gained another simple method of training?
“Next……”
Gauss looked at the unfamiliar forest around him.
Ên̆u m̆.а
Arya and Serandur should have come out too.
But for the time being, he had no idea where they were in the forest.
To avoid worrying them, and to prevent them from taking other rescue measures, he decided it would be best to return to Outpost Eleven as soon as possible and regroup with them, while also submitting the mission.
This mission could already be considered complete, since he had thoroughly investigated the monster groups and their habitats in the forest. After returning, he only needed to submit the report.
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Glancing at the map, locking onto the direction of Outpost Eleven, Gauss did not rest further. He rose and continued on his way.
Since he was on foot, and the location was some distance away from the outpost, by the time Gauss returned to Outpost Eleven, it was already past noon.
W̌ e b nо v̇ ẽ l̇. Е̌ ṅ ù m̌а
“Da-da—”
His hurried footsteps moved toward the camp, as Gauss saw along the road teams of armed cavalry constantly riding out.
A trace of confusion flashed in his eyes.
“Did something happen?”
It couldn’t possibly be because of the commotion he had caused in the Black Forest, right?
Gauss shook his head with a wry smile.
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He quickly stepped into the camp.
Inside and outside the camp, laborers were fervently constructing the outpost.
Arriving before the temporary location of the Adventurer’s Guild, sure enough, he saw Arya and Serandur standing in front of the building.
“Arya! Serandur!” Gauss called out.
“Gauss! You came back safe! That’s wonderful!” Arya, who had been pacing back and forth with her head down, lifted her head at the sound of his voice. The heavy gloom on her face lifted and turned into delight.
“You didn’t get hurt, did you?” Gauss walked over.
Е̊n̆ùm̄а .і̌d
Ulfen came to his side and licked his palm with its tongue.
“No, those monsters all went after you and ignored us.” Arya shook her head. “Are you alright? Gauss, did you manage to shake off that group of monsters?”
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She carefully scanned Gauss up and down. Confirming that aside from looking a little travel-worn from the journey he had no visible injuries, she finally let out a full breath of relief. Yet at the same time, confusion appeared in her eyes.
Gauss gave a vague account of what had happened.
“Good thing.” Arya patted her chest. “That thing, is it still on you now?”
“Yes.” Gauss nodded. The egg was inside his body, having fallen asleep after eating its fill.
Е_ñ umа
Now standing at the Adventurer’s Guild’s temporary outpost gate, he did not want to go into too much detail.
The two of them shared tacit understanding.
Although they could communicate using the Message cantrip, in the end it was only a cantrip. Who knew if there was some special method to “crack” its effects? Important matters still required caution.
“Let’s go in and submit the mission first?”
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“Alright.” Arya nodded.
She and Serandur had also only returned not long ago.
Е̃ nŭmа̂
They had been waiting here for Gauss. The original plan was to wait a little longer, and if he still hadn’t come back, they would go in to report the situation and request aid.
Now this step was fortunately unnecessary.
They stepped into the hall.
In the center of the hall were some tables and chairs for resting, as well as benches against the walls.
Some adventurers were reading through commissions while resting and chatting, exchanging information. It looked as though they had made this place a temporary lounge, which the staff did not mind in the least.
There were even people selling drinks.
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Gauss glanced over and then withdrew his gaze.
For teams like theirs, an “elite squad,” submitting and accepting missions was not done in the hall but in President Rich’s office, where they communicated directly with him.
“Knock, knock.”
Arriving at the door of Rich’s office, Gauss knocked twice. After a long while, no sound came from within.
A staff member noticed and came over, respectfully addressing them after a glance.
“Honored adventurers, are you here to see President Rich to submit your mission?”
Wе́ b̌nо v ӗl Е̂_ṅ ũ m а̀
“Yes.” Gauss nodded.
“I am sorry, but President Rich left unexpectedly at noon today. Perhaps you could return at another time?”
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Left at noon? Gauss was stunned.
President Rich had previously told them that unless there were exceptional circumstances, he would remain stationed in this office.
Not that it was truly necessary for him to sit here, but because at Outpost Eleven his presence itself was one of the key defensive strengths. He could not leave lightly, lest the outpost lack a high-level guard force should monsters attack.
Thinking of the cavalry squads he had seen riding out earlier, Gauss formed a suspicion.
W е̊bñ о v̀ е̂l̊ Еn um̌ ä
Could there be an urgent situation requiring elite-level, or even higher, combat power?
The wyverns from the Wyvern Nest on the cliffs?
Gauss could only make such guesses. After all, the strongest monsters nearby were indeed those wyverns.
Though doubtful, looking at the staff before him, he knew he would not get an answer, so he said no more.
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Leaving the temporary building, Gauss noticed the cavalry numbers at Outpost Eleven had indeed diminished considerably. His brows furrowed slightly.
What kind of situation required drawing away so many soldiers?
Е̌ ńümа̃
And if one examined it closely—
The Adventurer’s Guild and the cavalry corps were two different systems. Even President Rich had no authority to command them. The cavalry had their own commander.
The two were roughly on equal level, but in fact the Knight Commander of the cavalry held even higher status than Rich, since Rich was only the manager of a civilian organization, while the Knight Commander belonged to the provincial military establishment.
“Let’s find a place to rest first.” Arya suggested with concern.
“Alright.” Gauss was indeed tired.
The long trek, cautious scouting, desperate escape, and the nearly unbroken march back—
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Even an iron man would inevitably feel weary after all that.
“Does this town have anywhere to stay?”
“Yes, yes.” Arya nodded. “On my way here, I think I saw a few inns and taverns set up by trading houses already open for business.”
Among the bustling crowds, each was moved by profit.
Where there were people, there were naturally needs.
Especially in a newly established place like Outpost Eleven, full of both opportunities and dangers, the sharp-nosed merchants were always the first to arrive.
W еb n òv̈ ĕ l Ӗn̆ umа̌
Providing adventurers, soldiers, and laborers with indispensable services and goods.
Whether it was weapon supplies, a warm bed, a tasty meal, a mug of ale, or a moment of tender relief from stress.
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The three of them followed the somewhat muddy main road, stepping aside for a pack-beast team hauling lumber.
Soon, in a relatively level open space, they saw several buildings with rough signboards. Most were made of wood and stone, with workers still rushing to finish the exteriors.
But judging by the bustling crowds passing through their doors, they were clearly already open.
Most of the customers were adventurers, though there were also some resting laborers among them.
Е̊n̆ um̂ а . і̆ḋ
“Handsome, want to come in and relax? It’s real fun.”
At the roadside, a scantily dressed woman leaned against a porch, throwing Gauss a sultry wink. Her gaze was like silk.
After speaking, she even stuck out her tongue to lick her flame-red painted lips, tugging deliberately at her neckline—
Her gaze lingered on Gauss—his fine equipment, his face weary yet unable to conceal his heroic bearing—clearly a quality customer with spending ability.
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Though among adventurers there were men and women with looks superior to the common folk, the majority were still burly rough men. Someone with Gauss’s overall charm was not often seen.
Gauss did not stop walking. He merely cast her a faint, warning glance, shook his head with pity in his eyes, and continued forward.
W̆ е ḃn̄о́v̊ е́ l̃ Еńům̃а̄
Having too sharp a perception was not always a good thing.
He could smell the cheap powder mixed with sweat on her, even a faint trace of sickness hidden beneath. He could also sense the hollow, drifting vitality inside her body.
All of this made it impossible for him to feel any romantic thought.
Arya, however, slightly furrowed her brows and gave the woman a few more glances.
Then she quickened her steps, coming up beside Gauss to block the woman’s line of sight.
Serandur remained indifferent to it all.
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Seeing that Gauss had no interest, the woman looked a little regretful, then turned her gaze toward other passersby.
No matter how handsome he was, looks could not fill her stomach. She had to seek her next customer.
The three of them searched along the street, finally choosing an inn that appeared relatively proper, its sign marked with a wooden cup and a bed. Its name was simple: “Lucky Rabbit’s Foot.”
Pushing open the door, they found the interior small, filled with the mixed scents of ale, tobacco, and stewed meat.
A dozen or so wooden tables were placed casually, with some adventurers eating while conversing in low voices.
Behind the counter, a slightly plump middle-aged man in an apron was polishing a cup. Seeing the three enter, his eyes lit up and he greeted warmly, “Welcome, honored adventurers! Dining or lodging?”
Е́ n ŭ m̊ ā
“Both. Prepare three adjoining rooms, food, and hot water for bathing. Quickly.” Gauss glanced at the price list above and placed a small pouch of coins on the counter, speaking briefly and to the point.
Though he was not particularly hungry, his two companions still had empty stomachs.
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“Certainly.” The innkeeper’s smile grew wider as he took out keys. “Rooms are upstairs, at the end of the left corridor, three in a row. I’ll have your meal brought up at once. Today we have freshly stewed venison soup and bread, plenty to fill you.”
Gauss nodded and took the keys.
After they ate and bathed, Gauss felt the fatigue weighing heavier on him.
“I’ll rest first. If anything unusual happens, come wake me.” He told Arya and Serandur.
Е n̄u m̌ ӑ
“Don’t worry. Rest well.”
Gauss entered his room and closed the door.
The room was simple—a hard bed, a wooden cabinet, a table and chairs—but kept fairly clean.
After confirming nothing was amiss, he relaxed and threw himself onto the bed.
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Closing his eyes, he sensed the silent giant egg within his chest.
It quietly rested near his thoracic cavity, radiating an extremely faint warmth.
W̌ е b̊ n о̆ v̄ e̊l Еn u ḿа
It was no longer actively absorbing magical energy, now asleep, as though its earlier “feast” was enough for it to digest for some time.
“What exactly are you?” Gauss silently asked in his heart.
Especially that abnormal sensation of his heartbeat quickening—it was something he had only ever felt once before, when he first encountered the Bone Wand.
Did it have some special connection or tie to him?
Unfortunately, he had no way of communicating with it.
Recalling the brief exchange of simple intent during his escape, Gauss guessed that even if it “awoke,” it likely could not convey complex messages to provide him the answers he wanted.
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Still, one thing was certain: whatever this oval-shaped egg-like object was, its value was beyond doubt.
To instantly exert such strong control over so many monsters—even if those monsters were in some way closely related to it—was no simple feat.
Monsters, especially wild ones, were notoriously difficult to tame. Yet before this egg, they had displayed almost instinctual reverence and obedience.
This kind of overwhelming suppression on the level of power far exceeded ordinary magical items or monsters.
For now, no one else could know of its existence.
Gauss felt this instinctively.
Е̂ n u m а̌
His thoughts swirled without conclusion.
Mental exhaustion surged over him like a tide, and soon he sank into deep sleep.
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Night descended.
Torchlight along the roadside lit the way.
A short woman, only about waist-high to an adult, stood by the road, folding up a map in her hands.
“Hey, kid, get out of the way! This isn’t a place for you!”
W̌ е_b̆ nо ṽ е̇l̃ Е́ǹu ṁ а̀
A drunken man staggered out of the inn, nearly bumping into the small figure, shouting loudly.
As he spoke, he also reached out, trying to push her aside.
0
But the short woman shifted slightly, deftly avoiding him. Her sharp eyes swept over the man.
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Then, a wooden staff taller than herself appeared in her hand.
With a light motion, its tip touched the drunkard’s abdomen.
Ẅ е.ḃ n̂ov̇ёl̃ Е̂ñ ŭ m̊ а̌
The next moment, as the air rippled faintly—
The man flew several meters away, landing by the roadside and biting into dirt.
“Who are you calling a kid?” The short woman did not even turn her head. Pulling down the brim of her wide hat, she walked past the drunkard expressionlessly.
Those who witnessed the scene looked astonished. Especially the man, now fully sober, who did not even dare breathe heavily.
After all, he was a Tier 1 Warrior. To be sent flying without resistance—even drunk—proved the other party’s power far surpassed his own.
Only when she entered the inn did he scurry to his feet.
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“What are you staring at? Get lost!” The man shouted angrily, red with shame.
The surrounding onlookers burst into laughter.
But with the earlier lesson fresh, he did not dare cause more trouble. With a cold snort, he quickly left the inn.
Upstairs at the Lucky Rabbit’s Foot.
Gauss stretched and sat up from the bed.
He had slept soundly.
Ŵ ė b̂n о̄ v̌ ѐl̃ Е n̄ úm̀а̄
Looking out the window at the pitch-black night, it was already evening.
He vaguely heard the lively voices of conversation from below.
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He walked to the next room and knocked.
“It’s me, Gauss.”
Arya opened the door.
She had woken earlier and a book was spread open on the table.
Еn̈ u̇m а́
“Awake?”
“Mm.”
“Arya, where’s Serandur?” Gauss had just checked the room next door, but he was not there.
“He took Ulfen and Ike out to stroll around and gather information.” Arya replied. “This afternoon, it seems more people arrived at the camp.”
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“Then let’s go downstairs and eat something.”
The two of them went down.
Ë n u ṁâ
At this time, the first floor was nearly full of diners.
Adventurers exchanged stories of the day’s gains.
They too had noticed changes at the outpost, especially the mass departure of cavalry. Gauss’s group was not the only one who had taken note.
Most qualified adventurers understood the importance of intelligence, particularly at such a perilous frontline where battle could erupt at any moment. No movement escaped their eyes.
“They don’t seem to be heading toward the Wyvern Nest……”
“Yes, judging by the direction, it should be the Mist Path.”
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“Wasn’t that place sealed off by the cavalry days ago? Why are they sending people there again today……”
“Who knows? Maybe some rare treasure has appeared.”
“Damn it……”
“I heard someone say the fog around there has dispersed.”
Gauss quickly captured fragments of information from the crowd’s conversations, gaining some understanding, while his gaze wandered around the hall, searching for an empty seat.
Suddenly, his eyes froze at a corner, and delight appeared in his expression.
W е̂b̌ n_o v́е l̃ Е ň ü m̂ а̇
At one of the tables stood a small figure.
Her hair was smooth and black. Though her height was that of a child, she bore the beautiful face of an adult woman.
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Her bodily proportions were harmonious, looking completely different from the rugged dwarves.
He had not expected to meet her here!
Striding quickly over, the corners of Gauss’s mouth curved upward, giving him a sense of encountering an acquaintance in a foreign land.
“Andini, I did not expect to meet you here.”
W е b̂n̈ о̆ v̀ ė l Ê ń ŭṁ_а̇
Before him stood none other than the mistress of Thorn Cottage, the halfling mage Andini.
“It’s you, Gauss.” Andini waved her hand. “Sit down and eat with me. I happened to order some extra food.”
Compared with Gauss, her expression was rather calm.
Gauss glanced at the dishes before her. Most of them had barely been touched.
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Clearly, she had sensed his presence in advance and ordered more.
“By my count, it’s been several months since we last met.” Gauss guided the somewhat awkward Arya to sit at the empty seats. “Where have you been all this time, Andini?”
W̄ e_b̊ ṅо̊v_е́l̆ Е n ù_m̀а̇
Since last autumn, he had hardly seen her at Thorn Cottage in Graystone Town.
Every time he went, she was absent.
So he had guessed she must have traveled far.
“Me? It’s a long story.” Andini speared a piece of roast meat with her fork and glanced at the quiet Arya beside Gauss. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your teammate?”
Gauss realized then that she had never met Arya before.
“She is Arya. We’ve been in the same team since last autumn.”
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“This is Andini, a powerful mage.”
Arya, following Gauss’s lead, also called her “senior.”
Though Andini had suppressed her aura, Arya, noticing the title Gauss used, had already realized that this halfling with a childlike frame was anything but ordinary.
“I also have a half-serpent teammate. I’ll introduce you another time.”
“Alright.”
Andini nodded.
W̄ е́ b̌ńо̀vе l̈ Enu m̄а
Her gaze lingered for a moment on the three six-pointed stars of the Adventurer Badge on Gauss’s chest, and her expression became somewhat dazed, sincerely praising,
“Unbelievable… Gauss, you’ve already advanced to Tier 3.”
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Her tone carried genuine emotion.
Her thoughts drifted back to when she first met Gauss. At that time, he had been nothing more than a fledgling low-level adventurer, barely familiar with the path of a Professional.
Though he had already shown extraordinary magical talent, in her eyes he had still been far too raw.
After all, talent alone did not guarantee success.
Е̊n ŭ m̄ а .іd
The reason she remembered him so well was because his unique magical energy happened to resonate with the Bone Wand she had collected for many years. From there, they had continued to cross paths.
She had not expected that in such a short time, the once green rookie had grown into a Tier 3 Professional.
It almost gave her the illusion that many years had already passed.
“Not bad, I’d say. This speed of advancement is fairly average.” Gauss laughed.
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“…Average?” Andini, recalling her own experience of advancement, could not help but roll her eyes at him.
“I left Graystone Town to visit some old friends I hadn’t seen in years, stretching my legs a little and traveling at the same time.” Andini briefly explained her absence, since it was no secret. “That’s my habit—every now and then I wander around. Otherwise my magical energy would start to decline.”
Е n ù m̀ а̀. іd
Though she had retired, she was not old.
If not for her team disbanding due to an accident, at fifty years old she would still have been in her prime.
Halflings lived longer than humans. Normally, halflings could live to 150 years. As Professionals who maintained their bodies, they could live even longer.
“By the way, Andini. Let me tell you some good news.”
Gauss suddenly recalled something and looked up.
“Mm?” Andini chewed her food, her gentle brown eyes turning toward him.
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“The Bone Wand you gave me last year—I’ve restored its core.”
“Cough, cough!” Andini had not been paying much attention, but when she heard his words, she coughed several times in shock.
Her face was filled with disbelief.
“What did you say?”
Gauss repeated himself.
After confirming she had not misheard, Andini froze in place.
Wеb̀nоv ѐ l Ѐ_ň ǔ m̃а́
How could the wand, which had shown no response after decades in her possession, suddenly change so quickly in Gauss’s hands?
She sighed inwardly, more certain than ever that she was fated to have no bond with the item.
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Of course she knew it had a remarkable origin.
But unfortunately, that wand had never resonated with her.
“Take it out… Forget it, later. Let’s eat first.” Andini almost asked to see it but, realizing they were in a crowded hall full of all sorts, swallowed her words.
Still, she was deeply curious about the Bone Wand’s changes.
Ё nǔ m̄ȧ.
The wand had become whole in Gauss’s hands. Though it was not hers, in some sense it fulfilled a long-standing wish.
The meal was soon finished.
Afterward, Andini tugged Gauss by the arm, dragging him upstairs toward the rooms.
At the hall’s entrance, Serandur returned from walking the pets. Watching Gauss being pulled upstairs, he scratched his head in puzzlement.
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Inside the outpost, lights shone brightly.
And out in the wilderness—
E n u mа
Under the ink-dark night, scattered sparks flickered in the distance.
Dark figures moved swiftly, surging toward the outpost like a tide.
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