After Aria finished communicating with the wolf pack.

Gauss finally spoke up to ask: "How was it? Related to our target?"

He was somewhat concerned about Aria's expression;

she should have gathered some valuable intelligence.

"Possibly." Aria paused briefly, then relayed the intelligence collected from the wolf pack to her teammates.

As she spoke, she massaged her temples.

Those wolves were like emotional outlets finally finding release, constantly chattering at her with various negative emotions and fears. It took considerable effort to sort out valuable information from all that.

"That's the situation."

Wolves could be considered highly intelligent creatures.

Although there was quite a bit of garbage information, Aria used "Animal Communication" combined with her own associations to finally organize relatively detailed intelligence.

In short:

These five wild wolves originally lived peacefully in the forest with their pack, hunting daily, resting, maintaining a calm but fulfilling life.

But one morning, a group of goblins riding mounts ruthlessly shattered their peace, surrounding and attacking their pack.

Their strongest leader didn't last long against that big green skin.

Quickly taken down with just a few punches.

Then the other forest wolves were captured one by one.

The goblins didn't kill them, but instead used a black ointment emitting a pungent odor, smearing it on their noses and fur. After completely losing consciousness, they were imprisoned somewhere.

That place held many wild animals like them.

Not just wolves, but also lynxes, bears, and similar creatures, all imprisoned.

Male creatures were tamed as mounts, while female beasts became breeding machines for the goblins.

These five male wolves escaped by chance when their cage door malfunctioned. Relying on residual wild instincts and physical strength, they ran desperately and eventually reached near human villages.

By attacking livestock, they obtained food and barely survived.

But their condition was poor;

the black ointment's effects persisted, destroying their sense of smell and making them abnormally irritable.

Gauss looked at the emaciated wild wolves lying on the ground, feeling a trace of sympathy.

From the wolves' perspective, it was truly tragic.

Homes destroyed, families lost, clan members enslaved, female wolves turned into goblin breeding machines.

If not for sheer luck, they would probably already be completely brainwashed and tamed by the goblins, becoming part of the goblin mount corps.

"Seems like Black Tooth Tribe's style." Gauss murmured thoughtfully.

Although from the wolves' perspective, it was impossible to determine if those goblins were Gauss's current targets, wild goblin populations with such large-scale wildlife capture and taming capabilities should be rare.

"Do they know the location of that imprisonment and taming site?"

"Probably not very clear." Aria patted the heads of several wolves. "They escaped in a hurry, plus their smell and other senses were somewhat impaired, further blurring their perception of the location."

Because her first contracted animal companion Ulfen was also a wolf, she naturally felt quite fond of wolf creatures.

"But we can roughly infer the direction based on their incoming tracks." she added.

"Mm."

Serlandul quickly treated the several wild wolves, and after Aria told them to leave the village area, released them.

Although the exact location of the commission target remained unclear, they had at least obtained intelligence that they were capturing surrounding wild creatures.

The team fortunately possessed Druid Aria with animal communication abilities, and this clue provided a breakthrough.

Returning to the village and informing the Village Chief that the wild wolves had been completely driven away, the team searched around the village again.

Indeed found some wolf fur and claw marks, and directly inferred the direction the wolf pack came from based on these clues, then set out on the path to find the goblin tribe.

Time passed quickly over two days.

"Chirp chirp—"

In the forest, insect sounds filled the air endlessly, mixed with the rustling of wind through leaves.

In this season of gradually rising temperatures, the white noise of insect sounds made people strongly desire finding a shady corner to rest and nap.

"The weather's getting hotter." Aria wiped non-existent sweat from her forehead.

Actually, today's absolute temperature was okay, but it was too humid, making the perceived temperature rise significantly.

"Let's rest first."

Gauss looked toward an old tree not far away and said.

Although they had a direction, these past two days of searching proved more difficult than expected.

Only when situated in vast wilderness do you realize how challenging finding a target can be.

Fortunately, whether Gauss, Aria, Serlandul, or Shadow, all were prepared for a protracted effort.

Spreading out the camping tarpaulin.

Gauss took out food and water from his Storage Bag.

While simultaneously drawing the map information from his mind onto paper to show his teammates.

"Here is Lincrest Town, here is Charlie Village, this is where we found the wild wolves, and we're probably about here now."

On slightly yellowed parchment, Gauss quickly and accurately completed freehand drawing.

Entirely relying on the Adventurer's Manual's map function, he was like a human cartographer.

From this perspective, he might indeed be the perfect candidate for completing such commissions—at least he had clear awareness of previously traversed areas, unlikely to repeatedly circle lost in the woods.

Aria and Serlandul were already accustomed to this.

But Shadow looked at the information on the hand-drawn map, repeatedly looking up surprised at Gauss.

"How do you do this?"

The hand-drawn information on the map was unexpectedly rich.

Besides several important locations, their route and environment over these past two-three days were all marked.

She initially thought some details were randomly drawn by Gauss, but when combining map information with their experiences these past days, almost everything matched up.

"Talent... talent ha." Gauss laughed it off.

"Alright." Shadow nodded.

She didn't inquire further.

Just like the other three didn't probe when she merged into shadows about her abilities.

Not excessively prying into privacy others unwilling to elaborate was an unspoken understanding among members.

Today's main course was white bread bought from Lincrest Town's bakery, paired with pepper-marinated air-dried meat jerky—though not Gauss's past monster rations anymore, just some ordinary purchased jerky.

Whether the earliest frog jerky or subsequent frost snake jerky, all had long been consumed.

Besides bread and meat, there were also some nuts, oats, honey, and cheese.

Aria took out wild fruits and wild vegetables picked along the way.

Various foods spread on the mat, dazzlingly abundant, looking extremely plentiful.

Also bringing smiles back to everyone's faces after a morning of travel.

Even without cooking fires during commission journeys, nutritional dietary balance must be emphasized.

Good food both boosts morale and provides energy, alleviating physical fatigue.

Only when full do they have strength and energy, bodily vigor to swing swords, draw bows, mobilize mana to cast spells—only then can they continue daily adventures.

Broadly speaking, food as part of logistics greatly influences adventurer condition, thereby affecting commission completion rates, closely related to life safety.

After lunch, with bodies replenished with energy, the team set out again.

In the afternoon, the team turned toward a new direction.

After walking about over an hour.

Just as Gauss's squad passed through woodland draped with enormous vines, the surrounding air seemed to ripple slightly.

"Something seems off." Gauss signaled teammates to be alert.

Looking around, they realized they had unwittingly intruded into a woodland space where trees were noticeably more densely packed.

Tree canopies formed by trees obscured the sky.

The surroundings were permeated with a strange mixed floral scent.

Looking closely, many exquisitely crafted small houses were built between thick branches of those ancient trees.

These small houses utilized natural hollow tree cavities, entwined vines, and polished smooth wood, roofs covered with leaves or growing emerald moss, some even adorned with glowing small mushrooms or swaying wildflowers.

In clearings under trees, abnormally lush soft grass grew, the grassland like green velvet carpet covered with glowing strange flowers and cute-shaped wild mushrooms.

Some exquisitely carved small stone and wood statues scattered along clearing edges, seemingly some kind of totems or boundary markers.

"This is..." Aria's eyes widened, captivated by the serene and beautiful scene before her.

"Is this a pixie village?" Serlandul said softly.

Almost as Serlandul's words fell, from surrounding treehouses, behind flowers, even within mushroom clusters on the clearing, small heads suddenly emerged one after another.

These miniature creatures, only about human palm height, had transparent insect-like wings emitting fluorescent colors, with pointed ears. They wore "clothes" woven from petals, leaves, and tiny vines, holding micro spears or small bows seemingly crafted from thorns or hardwood.

Hundreds of eyes from all directions simultaneously focused on these four uninvited guests, expressions showing curiosity yet vigilance.

"We seem surrounded." Aria said softly.

A small fairy who seemed the village leader fluttered transparent wings, flying out from behind.

It wore a blue flower as a hat, wings shimmering with brilliant gold-green light, special energy flowing throughout its body.

As it opened its mouth, a series of rapid yet beautiful sounds flowed out like music.

"Unfamiliar humans, please leave our home."

As it issued the warning, countless small creatures around tightened grips on weapons, seemingly ready to charge at its command.

Only judging by the vast majority of trembling appearances, they were clearly terrified of these four enormous beings emitting dangerous auras.

Though his first encounter with pixie lifeforms, many books described them as benevolent creatures.

Only compared to puck, they possessed more combative martial virtue, disliking strangers intruding into their homes, would order outsiders to leave.

Gauss truly bore no malice toward these small creatures called "Forest Protectors."

Pixies were generally friendly toward humans.

Their worst behaviors involved using toxins to scare off or dizzy intruders.

Hearing this, the pixie leader's small face briefly fell into thought.

Moments later, it lowered its weapon.

"Small one, you indeed didn't lie, but..." The pixie leader fluttered wings, hovering mid-air, tiny eyebrows slightly furrowing, seemingly struggling to organize commonly unused common tongue vocabulary.

"The forest has been quite unsettled lately, please leave our village quickly."

Hearing this, Gauss stepped forward, saying gently: "We are currently tracking evil goblin tribes polluting the forest and enslaving beasts, here to eliminate unrest."

Hearing "goblin," companions behind the pixie leader noticeably stirred, faces showing disgust.

Goblins as extremely common forest monsters, even pixies practicing hidden "reclusive" lifestyles were forced to frequently interact with them.

As the saying goes, the enemy of my enemy is my friend.

Originally highly vigilant toward the four, upon hearing they came to exterminate evil goblins, the pixies immediately couldn't help feeling fondness toward them.

Excitedly chattering and discussing around.

"He's so handsome!"

"Originally kind humans killing green skin scum."

"I want to kill green skin scum too!"

"You truly came for those green skin scum?"

Gauss nodded.

The pixie leader heard his heart's voice, nodding with satisfaction.

"Please absolutely let our warriors join and help."

His reason for staying was merely gathering intelligence from these forest natives.

Unexpectedly, upon learning the team's purpose, they became so proactive, attitudes practically did a 180-degree turnaround.

One moment filled with vigilance toward these strangers, the next immediately wanting to join the team, providing support.

Was this "those with virtue gain much support"? Forest goblins made too many enemies, he even felt a glimpse of worldwide racial unity—just needed rallying cries, and victimized creatures would willingly extend assistance.

He looked at their palm-sized bodies, and those toothpick-sized "weapons."

Not that he looked down on them mentally, but objectively, could they truly provide any help?

Gauss's silence seemed to make the leader realize something.

This female pixie immediately raised eyebrows, becoming serious and earnest.

"Don't think we're useless just because we're small." It swung its sharp weapon like a steel needle, weapon tearing air emitting a mournful whistling sound. "Our tribe has many elite warriors like me."

After it turned serious, Gauss noticeably felt denser natural energy emanating from it.

Despite size disadvantages, surviving safely until now and expanding their race, they definitely had exceptional strengths.

Clearly, these elite individuals possessed powerful combat capabilities strongly contrasting their appearance.

"Please let several of my warriors join your team, they will guide you to find those green skin scum in the forest."

Several pixies similarly holding miniature yet sharp sturdy weapons floated out from surroundings, arriving before Gauss.

Unlike most frail pixies, these exceptional warriors, whether spirit, flight speed, or combat posture, were far more vigorous.

"Please!! Human adventurers!"

"Let's go kill green skin scum together!"

Those small warriors chirped pleadingly.

"Greatly appreciate everyone willing to provide support, how should we address you, and these brave warriors?"

Seeing Gauss agree, the pixie leader's face showed happy smiles, wings vibrating faster.

"I am Bluebell, guardian of this village."

After self-introduction, she pointed at four equally well-equipped, sharp-eyed pixies flying over: "This is Thistle, Dandelion, Dewlight, and Moss. They are our finest trackers and warriors."

The pixie warrior named Thistle, holding a miniature thorn spear, flew forward slightly, saying in a sharp yet clear voice: "We indeed know much about green skin scum movements, though unclear if your current targets, but rest assured, we'll follow until objectives achieved."

As gratitude for pixie village support.

Aria took out a small package of specially collected, moon-dried special flower seeds from her pack, gifting them to Bluebell.

Pixies curiously gathered around, upon seeing the gift, emitting surprised tiny cheers, faces showing happy smiles.

Clearly, they greatly liked this gift containing natural energy special flower seeds.

"May forest winds protect your journey." The pixie leader accepted the gift, tone becoming friendlier. "Great adventurers, please be careful seeking green skin scum. Allow me, representing pixie village, forest, and beasts, to convey gratitude for your righteous actions."

When passing through that vine barrier again, surrounding scenery returned to ordinary forest appearance.

Leaving the dreamlike pixie village, the team's "numbers" increased.

Gauss's four, gray wolf Ulfen, raven Eck, Scale Powder Butterfly, four pixies.

Members gradually diversifying goblin extermination squad set out again.

Gauss's group walked normally, while four pixie warriors flew ahead and around, their size and colors perfectly blending into forest environment, sometimes pausing before leaves observing, sometimes quickly weaving between branches, guiding the team's direction.