The battle ended, and the green signal smoke symbolizing the completion of the cleanup curled up into the sky.

Only then were the two captured adventurers helped out from the temporary shelter.

They bore injuries of varying severity.

There were fresh wounds from the recent fight, as well as bruises and cuts sustained from being beaten by monsters after capture.

The war between humans and monsters had lasted for thousands of years, and there had never been any prisoner-of-war agreements between the two sides.

Falling into the hands of monsters often meant becoming a slave with no hope of escape.

Low-level monsters treating prisoners with beatings and torture was the norm. This stemmed not only from their cruel and violent nature but also from practical considerations.

First, they needed to ensure prisoners could not resist. Additionally, in the social hierarchy of low-level monsters, using violence to establish dominance was common. Physical torment was the most direct way they demonstrated their control and could break the prisoners' will to resist through pain.

Of course, for higher-level monsters, their methods of controlling prisoners were more sophisticated, such as imposing intimidation through aura, magical manipulation, mental erosion, and so on.

So it was a fortunate misfortune that the rescue arrived relatively promptly, and the monsters’ "domestication" was still in its early stages.

If they had come any later, who knew what would have happened.

Casey, the druid of the Iron Arms team, stepped forward to drape clean coats over the two.

Her multi-segment staff decorated with holly branches was raised slightly, and a rich life energy transformed into a gentle green halo that flowed from the tip, tenderly enveloping the injured.

“Healing spell!”

Under the soothing power of nature, the bruises on both visibly faded at a remarkable speed, and the bleeding wounds quickly closed and healed.

Their injuries were not crippling but more the result of physical and mental torment. The deliberately beaten areas had avoided vital points.

From this, it was evident that the elite monster in charge of this task was quite experienced in handling human prisoners;

this was likely not their first time dealing with such work.

While Casey treated them, the other two freed teammates also came over.

A man and a woman wore expressions of dazed relief mixed with guilt for failing to protect their companions.

Perhaps because others were present, or maybe the wounds were still fresh, no quarrels broke out among the small team. Instead, a heavy and awkward silence pervaded.

Quick, the captain of the Iron Arms team, seemed to sense the awkwardness and broke the silence.

“Let’s get acquainted again. I’m Quick, a level 3 swordsman. Our team is permanently based in Grayrock Town. Let’s keep in touch if the chance arises.”

Facing the solemn hand extended before him, Gauss’s gaze rested on the man.

This level 3 swordsman was about thirty years old. Like most melee humans, he was tall and upright with a broad, sturdy frame. His refined steel armor radiated a subdued, strange glow.

Beneath thick dark brown eyebrows, his gray-blue eyes were steady and sharp, exuding a reassuring toughness and reliability.

Gauss was slightly surprised.

Hadn’t they already introduced themselves during their first meeting not long ago?

Though thinking this, he still politely extended his hand and grasped the other’s rough yet strong hand.

“Gauss, level 1 mage.” He still identified himself using the standard mage profession classification within the guild.

Quick nodded kindly.

At first meeting, he had only seen Gauss as an ordinary rookie professional. Although cautious, Gauss’s youthful appearance led people to underestimate his strength at first contact.

But during the recent battle, not only was Gauss observing the Iron Arms team, studying the tactics of a higher-level team, but Quick was also secretly watching Gauss.

Partly out of vigilance, partly out of concern for any unexpected incidents on their side, but after observing for a while, Quick became increasingly puzzled about Gauss’s true strength.

He didn’t quite believe Gauss’s claim of being a mage.

Fluent and precise melee swordsmanship, rapid movement, superhuman strength and stamina, quick and accurate spellcasting, plus that mysterious protective force field...

He preferred to trust what he saw with his own eyes. Gauss was either a rare special profession or was already developing into a dual-class professional.

Who was there among level 1 mages that had such outstanding melee abilities? Moreover, his spellcasting power appeared far beyond what a normal level 1 spellcaster should possess.

Ten years of adventuring experience, from constantly partnering with teammates in the early days to eventually establishing his own adventuring team, had honed Quick’s keen insight.

He even suspected that apart from himself and Sana, the level 3 warlock, the other two level 2 professionals in the team would not be a match for Gauss. Even in a one-on-one situation with himself and Sana, taking down Gauss would not be easy.

In the short term, Quick could not find many weaknesses in Gauss. Such an opponent was extremely dangerous, especially in an encounter battle lacking intelligence, making it difficult to find effective ways to counter him.

The desire to recruit him grew stronger in Quick’s heart.

Even though the team already had a powerful warlock like Sana, having a young man with such immediate combat power and huge potential still made his heart race.

In his view, Gauss and Aria’s two-person team was likely just a temporary setup.

If needed, recruiting Aria as well, who was also young and seemingly full of potential, wouldn’t be a bad idea.

Quick had heard that some well-known adventuring teams in big cities had begun forming tiered squads: first team, second team, third team, even establishing famous adventuring corps with emblems, headquarters, tiered structures, outsourced logistics, and clerical offices.

Normally, each small team took on quests independently, but when a large dungeon or maze exploration, or some major commission came up, they would assemble as a large team for the operation.

As far as he knew, the nearby Forest Capital Barry had two famous adventuring teams: the Golden Corps and Thornheart.

There were many benefits to forming large teams. First, it helped build a reputation. Second, when gathering in the wild, they could use their numerical advantage to intimidate smaller teams. Third, stable large teams could rely on personnel deployment and excellent logistical support to venture deeper in large maze quests, gaining more rewards.

These were tangible benefits.

Although the Iron Arms team was currently only active as a small group in Grayrock Town, with just a few support personnel in town apart from the combatants, who didn’t want to grow their team bigger and stronger?

The name Iron Arms rang powerfully.

However, although eager to recruit, Quick understood the saying: “Haste makes waste.”

For now, establishing a good relationship was key.

He chatted with Gauss a bit more in place.

By the time the injured were healed, night had fallen.

After a long day of busyness, the weary group began heading back to the assembly point.

Gauss and Aria walked side by side, with Quick’s Iron Arms team nearby.

“I feel like... that captain is a bit too enthusiastic.” Gauss said calmly and discreetly to Aria via Message.

“Indeed.” Since Message was one-way, Aria didn’t say much, only nodded.

She could also sense Quick’s special enthusiasm toward Gauss and his friendliness toward her, unlike how strangers would normally be treated on their first cooperation.

Could he be trying to recruit us?

The thought flashed through her mind but was quickly dismissed.

They were just two level 1 professionals, while the other party was a mature Bronze 3-star team. Considering combat strength, they should prefer more experienced level 2 or 3 professionals.

Returning to the temporary camp, Gauss and Aria both breathed a sigh of relief.

Especially Gauss.

He had reached a milestone of 1,000 kills in the Adventurer’s Manual today and was in a great mood, feeling the satisfaction of completing a goal.

He also needed to return to a relatively safe environment to process the rewards obtained from the Adventurer’s Manual.

“Keep in touch.”

Quick’s team parted ways with Gauss, each heading toward their own tents.

Once they were out of earshot, Sana, the silent warlock, finally spoke.

“Quick, you want to invite that young mage to join the team?”

Her expression was unreadable.

Quick smiled awkwardly. “I have that thought.”

“Ah?” The ranger Dorien’s mouth dropped in surprise. “No way, captain, when did the Iron Arms team’s threshold get so low? You want to recruit a level 1 mage?”

He recalled that when he first joined, the team only had Quick and Sana as level 3 professionals. As a level 2 ranger, he had to work hard to gain their acceptance.

Even so, he felt that Quick and Sana tended to prefer recruiting other level 3 professionals. It was only because most level 3 professionals permanently active in Grayrock Town already had teams that they lowered the standard to accept him and Casey.

After all, there was a certain combat gap between level 2 and level 3 professionals.

Later, when other level 2 professionals wanted to join, Quick didn’t agree for the sake of team benefits.

Now suddenly, they were told to ignore those experienced level 2 professionals and invite a young level 1 professional?

Dorien felt a pang of bitterness recalling his own experience.

Casey said nothing but wore the same confused expression.

“I don’t mind. That guy really is pretty good.”

Before Quick could answer, Sana’s words surprised them even more.

They both looked at Sana.

In this team, although Quick was captain, many major decisions were based on Sana’s opinion. Previously, refusing to accept other level 2 members was mainly her idea.

“However, he might not be willing to join.” Sana added calmly.

“Yeah, I noticed that too. He’s a bit... cold toward me. But there’s plenty of time. We’re all adventurers operating near Grayrock Town. We’ll have many chances to interact in the future. I’m willing to be patient for a year or two.” Quick smiled.

“Huh?”

Dorien and Casey blinked.

So this was their level 3 team’s attitude toward inviting a level 1 mage, not the other way around?

When did level 1 professionals become so sought after? Usually, newcomers stuck together, and only after accumulating rich adventuring and combat experience at level 2 would relatively stable teams start accepting them.

Listening to their conversation, Dorien felt like the world had become strange and incomprehensible.

At the edge of the camp, Gauss held the magical “recipe book,” preparing to cook today’s spoils—a frost snake meat dish.

Raw frost snake meat was translucent icy blue. It was cold in nature and needed to be decomposed by high heat to neutralize the internal cold venom.

The specific method was to slice it, drizzle with moonlight grass dew to neutralize the slight cold toxin, then wait until the blue blood seeped out before rinsing. Next, lay it flat on the iron pan, sprinkle with salt, and roast at high heat for 20 seconds until the surface slightly charred.

By the time Aria returned with moonlight grass dew from the caravan carriage, Gauss had already prepared the ingredients.

Soon, smoke rose from the cast iron pan. The icy blue meat slices darkened on the surface, and a peculiar grilled meat aroma wafted up, drawing the attention of adventurers in nearby tents.

“Looks... not bad?” Even Aria, who usually had reservations about monster ingredients, had to admit the aroma was quite tempting.

But she still cautiously looked at Gauss, waiting for him to try it first.

Gauss had no such hesitation. The moment the aroma entered his nose, his Energy Storage Gland sent out a strong craving signal.

He speared a hot piece with his fork and began chewing.

The rich meat fragrance exploded in his mouth instantly, the frost snake’s unique icy property and the grilled char fused in a wonderful contrast. The first taste was even better than the usual frog meat he often ate.

“You try it, it’s really good.” Gauss urged.

“Well... I’ll try.”

Unable to resist, Aria also picked up a slice, carefully blowing on it before taking a bite.

“Mm!” A hint of surprise appeared in her eyes.

Unexpectedly delicious!

“Delicious!”

“See? Didn’t lie to you.”

Aria smiled bashfully at his words.

Soon, the two of them stopped talking and began to eat heartily.

“Enough!”

When the grilled meat on the iron pan was all eaten,

Gauss, full and satisfied, let out a contented burp.

Monster ingredients were energy-rich. Although there were side effects, they were acceptable for professionals.

As for Aria, she had eaten too much and kept mumbling “cold... cold...” as she shivered, retreating to her tent to rest.

She seemed a bit chilled from overeating, but thankfully it wasn’t serious.

This might also explain why monster ingredients hadn’t been widely promoted. Professionals’ excellent physical aptitude sometimes caused mild adverse reactions, and ordinary people couldn’t consume them at all.

Gauss sat cross-legged on the ground, gazing at the bright moon rising in the night sky.

He didn’t waste time and started practicing the newly acquired Alarm spell.

Tomorrow, the Winter Hunt would enter its second phase, shifting the mission to clearing small, scattered monster settlements.

Although the number might not be as many as the first two days, he was content for now.

His goal was to collect the last three common monster entries in the Monster Encyclopedia to unlock new talents.

Once the talents were obtained, he would sprint toward level 2 professional rank.

Upon promotion to level 2, with improved physical attributes, two professional talents, two racial talents, and an ever-growing arsenal of spells and abilities, his combat power should reach a whole new height.

At that time, even the offspring of those famous high-level races of the same rank might not match his strength.