Chapter Summaries

Gauss defeated the Thorned Giant Beast by exposing and killing the Parasitic Appendage hidden inside its tail, completing the Warrior Trial. As he recovered with Alya and Theron, the arena announced the trial’s success and three energy orbs descended to deliver their rewards.

• Gauss recovered his stamina while Alya, Theron, and their summoned creatures held off the Thorned Giant Beast.
• Gauss activated [Ghost Form], dodged the beast’s attacks, and cut through its vine tails to expose its hidden core.
• The Parasitic Appendage emerged from the unusual tail and fled, but Gauss pursued it with enhanced Magic Missiles until he killed it.
• Gauss collapsed after dispelling Ghost Form, and Alya and Theron helped him recover.
• The arena announced that the Warrior Trial had been completed, and three energy orbs descended toward Gauss, Alya, and Theron.

Gauss gained the Insect Nest Consciousness Prototype, which let him communicate with a Clay Spider and share its vision. Alya and Theron also received new rewards, leaving the team stronger and Gauss close to reaching Class Rank 3.

• Gauss absorbed the orb’s energy, recovered from using Ghost Form, and gained the Talent Insect Nest Consciousness Prototype.
• Gauss used the new Talent to hear insects and share the white Clay Spider’s vision, then tested how precisely he could direct it.
• Gauss realized the reward had also strengthened his body and mind and brought him close to Class Rank 3.
• Theron revealed that he had gained Swift Insect Wings, improving his speed, evasion, and ability to sprint.
• Alya revealed her Scale Powder Butterfly, whose abilities included camouflage, purification, enhanced healing, and accelerated plant growth.
• Gauss, Alya, and Theron discussed how their rewards would improve the team’s combat power.

After completing the challenge trial, Gauss, Alya, and Theron rested and ate in the ruined arena. When the maze began shaking, Gauss suspected its Rejection Period had started, so the team hurried out and reached the surface safely.

• Gauss, Alya, and Theron searched the arena after the trial ended but found nothing else.
• The team set up camp, maintained their gear, and shared a meal prepared by Alya.
• A strange sound from the maze triggered tremors, and Gauss identified them as a possible sign of the maze’s Rejection Period.
• Gauss led Alya and Theron toward the exit as other adventurers rushed out of the maze.
• The three adventurers emerged onto the surface beneath the moonlight.

After the maze entered its Rejection Period, Gauss and his party left Vortex Town and set out for Grayrock Town, with Gauss planning to visit his original body's family in Stone Creek Village. Alya and Theron joined him, and the chapter ended with Gauss training his Clay Magic as they traveled.

• Gauss, Alya, and Theron escaped the maze as tremors and other signs of its Rejection Period appeared, then rested at the Golden Beak Merchant Guild's office.
• Hailiel visited Gauss and discussed the maze's closure, and she offered to look for a house in Vortex Town for the party.
• Gauss confirmed the maze was closed and decided to return to Stone Creek Village to see how his original body's family was doing.
• Alya and Theron agreed to travel with Gauss, and the three of them left Vortex Town for Grayrock Town after turning in their loot and commissions.
• Gauss kept four Clay Spiders active along the road, using them to gather prey and spirituality while his Shaping Magic: Clay proficiency neared level three.

Gauss returned to Grayrock Town with Alya and Theron, then accepted a goblin-subjugation quest near his hometown, Stone Creek Village. He reunited with his family and left to deal with the goblins, while Theron privately suspected Gauss was a legendary Child of the Gods.

• Gauss returned to Grayrock Town, introduced Theron to Sophia, and used magic to clean his and Alya’s homes.
• Gauss’s squad accepted a low-paying quest to subjugate at least thirty goblins near Stone Creek Village and set out immediately.
• Gauss reached Stone Creek Village, learned from Carson, Brian, and Orom that his family was well, and warned the three former bullies to stop mistreating others.
• Gauss reunited with Rosa, Host, Hawk, Merlin, and Cicero, shared a meal with them, and refused Cicero’s request to join the goblin hunt.
• Gauss, Alya, and Theron left to hunt the goblins, while Theron reflected that Gauss might be a legendary Child of the Gods.

Gauss led Alya and Theron to a goblin settlement near Stone Creek Village and wiped out its inhabitants. After killing his thousandth goblin, he chose goblins as his main extermination target, received recognition from the Exalted, and gained three attribute points.

• Gauss met a young scout from Linjian Village, who led the party toward the goblin settlement.
• Gauss used invisibility to kill three goblin scouts, then drove poisonous gas into the cave while Alya and Theron blocked its entrance with fire.
• Gauss and his companions confirmed the settlement was clear, killing 44 goblins in total with help from summoned Clay Spiders.
• Gauss's title upgraded to [Goblin Butcher], and he designated goblins as his main quest extermination target.
• Gauss received recognition from the Exalted and gained one point each in Intelligence, Strength, and Constitution.

Gauss’s transformation strengthened his mind and body, and he returned to Stone Creek Village after clearing out the goblins. He stayed to visit his family, helped arrange treatment for Host’s ankle, and developed five specialized Clay Spider forms before his mana surged as he approached Level 3.

• Gauss discovered that his upgraded Goblin Butcher title increased Bane’s bonus damage and added Bloodthirst, which could restore stamina after goblin kills.
• Gauss confirmed that all 44 goblins in the cave had been killed, then returned to Stone Creek Village with Alya and Theron and told his family he would stay for two or three days.
• Theron examined Host’s injured ankle, diagnosed the old fracture, and began treating it before leaving to gather herbs for the remaining recovery.
• Gauss took Alya and Cicero to the stream, then used his Level 3 Clay Magic to create Venom Spider, Explosive Spider, Steelclad Scout, Decoy Spider, and Binding Spider forms.
• Gauss tested the new spider forms, gained 20 Clay Magic proficiency, and felt his Mana Cup reach its limit before a massive surge of mana erupted.

Gauss broke through to level 3 while visiting his family in Stone Creek Village, strengthening his team’s prospects and making plans for tougher hunts. After spending two days with his family and leaving them money and skill books, he returned toward Grayrock Town with Alya and the others to submit a quest and pursue their squad’s promotion.

• Gauss’s Mana Cup transformed, raising him to class level 3 and improving his attributes, spells, and mana capacity.
• Alya and Cicero congratulated Gauss, and he said his new strength would let the team explore farther and hunt Elite Monsters.
• Gauss caught fish with his companions, then returned home, where Theron treated Host’s ankle and recognized Gauss’s breakthrough.
• During their two days in Stone Creek Village, Gauss declined requests to train villagers, gave his family apprentice-level skill books, and offered to bring them to town, but they chose to stay.
• Gauss left his family three gold coins and smaller change, then departed for Grayrock Town with Alya and the others to submit their quest and work toward upgrading Gauss Squad.

During their return to Grayrock Town, Gauss and his companions defeated a monster group led by an Elite Gnoll and learned that abnormal monster migrations were increasing near the Emerald Forest. After returning, they accepted Shirley’s commission to help guard the planned Outpost No. 11, and Gauss began thinking about how to name their party before they traveled to Canopy Town.

• Alya, Gauss, and Theron rode through a downpour and encountered goblins led by an Elite Gnoll, which Gauss killed with Magic Missiles and a Venom Spider.
• The party defeated the remaining monsters, collected their spoils, and continued toward Grayrock Town after the rain cleared.
• Alya told Gauss that the monster group’s presence near town seemed suspicious, and Gauss connected the encounter to the growing unrest around the Emerald Forest.
• Gauss and his companions met Shirley, who explained the plans to establish Outpost No. 11 and asked them to help guard the area.
• The trio accepted the long-term commission and planned to travel with a supply caravan to Canopy Town the morning after next.
• Gauss suggested that the party choose a name before they became better known, but neither Alya nor Theron offered an idea.

Gauss and his party traveled with a supply convoy from Grayrock Town to Canopy Town, where they prepared to continue toward Outpost No. 11. After arriving, they encountered an arrogant young noble and his powerful escort, while Gauss’s party settled in to rest.

• Gauss and his party joined Captain Bard’s convoy, and Bard explained that he served in the Iron Guard Knights and was assigned to help establish Outpost No. 11.
• Gauss questioned Bard about Falim, the ruling family, and the Emerald Forest during their two-day journey.
• The convoy reached Canopy Town, where Gauss and his party parted ways with Bard and explored the forest-built settlement.
• A wealthy young warrior arrived with a white-robed man and several well-equipped adventurers, and the young warrior dismissed Gauss’s party.
• Alya quietly mocked the newcomers, and Gauss suggested that his party find an inn and rest.

Gauss and his companions reached Outpost No. 11, registered with the Adventurer's Guild, and accepted a scouting mission in the Black Forest after Gauss recalled hearing strange voices in Canopy Town. Meanwhile, Locke and Mo'Jarr prepared to investigate the Misty Path, believing its sleep-inducing magic matched Archmage Zalan's prophecy about a future legend.

• Gauss, Alya, and Theron gathered rumors in a Canopy Town tavern, where Theron recognized members of the Azure Scale Adventurer Group as enemies of his people and Gauss heard strange, fragmented voices warning humans away.
• Gauss's team joined Bard's caravan for the journey to Outpost No. 11, where Locke arrived late with Mo'Jarr and apologized for delaying the group.
• At Outpost No. 11, Gauss's team registered with President Richie Phoenix and accepted a seven-day mission to investigate the thorny savages in the Black Forest.
• Gauss told Alya and Theron about the voices, then led the team out of camp toward the Black Forest the next morning.
• Locke complained about the rough camp as Mo'Jarr explained Archmage Zalan's prophecy and said they would investigate the Misty Path, whose magical fog could cause hallucinations and deep sleep.

Gauss and his companions entered the Black Forest, where they fought the plant-controlling Converts and discovered their hidden insect-like bodies. After making two clay Converts as disguises, Gauss followed one of the monsters toward its leader, hoping to find the source of the threat.

• Gauss heard voices warning that humans had entered the Black Forest and led Alya and Theron deeper into the dark woods.
• The Converts attacked with animated vines and a bewitching whisper, but Gauss and his companions defeated four of the five monsters.
• Gauss collected the Converts’ green slime bodies and used Clay Magic to create two clay creatures disguised as Converts.
• An unfamiliar Convert mistook the clay creatures for kin and told them to follow it to their leader.
• Gauss ordered the disguised clay Converts to follow while he, Alya, and Theron trailed behind under the Scale Powder Butterfly’s invisibility dust.

Gauss and his companions reached a heavily guarded clearing in the Black Forest, where he discovered three immense Treants and a mysterious white egg. The egg pulsed in the center of an emerald pool, and Gauss’s heartbeat seemed to synchronize with it.

• Gauss, Alya, and Theron advanced through the Black Forest, adding Blade Ants and Gem Beetles to Gauss’s Monster Codex as he silently fought off minor monsters.
• Gauss saw through the Clay Construct’s eyes that the Converts had reached a clearing crowded with Dwarf Treants and three immense Treants, so he kept the constructs hidden and continued observing.
• Gauss heard a strange voice call his name and learned that the clearing’s monsters were guarding something, but Alya urged him to keep gathering information rather than retreat.
• Gauss guided the Clay Constructs toward the clearing’s center and spotted a pure-white egg floating in an emerald pool.
• Gauss felt his heartbeat pulse in time with the living egg as the world fell silent.

Gauss’s discovery of a mysterious Giant Egg ended when it flew into his body, triggering a rampage by the Black Forest’s monsters. The egg used its power to stop the pursuit, and Gauss escaped only to discover it was draining his magic power and seemed to think he was its mother.

• Gauss told Alya and Theron about the Giant Egg guarded by Treants, while Locke and Mo'Jarr encountered the Corrupted Wing Dragon Bat on the Misty Path.
• The Giant Egg left the grove and merged into Gauss, causing the forest’s monsters to pour after him.
• Gauss split from Alya and Theron so they could escape toward Outpost No. 11 while he drew the horde away.
• As monsters surrounded him, the Giant Egg released white energy that made them bow and gave Gauss time to escape.
• Gauss discovered the egg was consuming his magic power, then realized from its hungry thoughts that it might believe he was its mother.

Gauss returned to Outpost 11, reunited with Alya and Theron, and met Andeni while discussing the Bone Staff he had completed. As night fell, a large force of black figures approached the outpost through the wilderness.

• Gauss returned to Outpost 11 and reunited with Alya and Theron, then learned that President Richie had left and many cavalrymen had been dispatched toward the Misty Path.
• Gauss rested at the Lucky Rabbit's Foot inn while the Giant Egg inside him remained asleep and he resolved to keep it secret.
• Gauss and Alya heard adventurers speculate that the fog around the Misty Path had cleared and that cavalry had been sent there.
• Gauss recognized Andeni in the inn, introduced her to Alya, and told her that he had completed the Bone Staff's core.
• Andeni took Gauss upstairs to discuss the Bone Staff, while Theron returned with the pets and saw them leave together.
• After night fell, black figures surged through the wilderness toward Outpost 11.

Gauss and Andeni examined the transformed White Wand before an alarm summoned them to defend No. 11 Outpost from a monster raid. As the attackers breached the walls, Gauss fought back, gained enough Elite Points to advance his racial Talent, and awakened the Blue Quality [Tough Scale Bloodline].

• Andeni failed to touch or Identify the White Wand, which resisted everyone except Gauss, before urgent bells announced a monster attack on No. 11 Outpost.
• Gauss, Andeni, Alya, and Theron joined the defenders at the camp wall, where Gauss and his Clay Spiders fought climbing monsters while Andeni unleashed powerful fire magic.
• Explosions tore open sections of the wall, allowing elite monsters to pour into the camp, and Gauss killed a Bearman with Burning Hands and Magic Missile.
• After gaining 10 Elite Points from the Bearman's death, Gauss spent them to advance [Crawling Species] into the Blue Quality [Tough Scale Bloodline].
• Gauss felt draconic power strengthen his body and combine with [Gauss Field], which formed a magical claw around his fist.

Gauss awakened the Tough Scale Bloodline, used its strength to kill monsters and rally defenders during the Beast Tide, and helped his companions escape Outpost 11. The camp fell to the monsters, leaving Gauss resolved to grow stronger after a hard-won retreat.

• Gauss activated the Tough Scale Bloodline, repelled a Bearman ambush, and killed it by tearing out its heart.
• Gauss and the Clay Spider cleared monsters from the wall, then Gauss led soldiers and adventurers through the battlefield to rejoin Alya, Theron, Ulfhen, and Aike.
• Andeni spotted the overwhelming Beast Tide, and a messenger announced Knight Commander Feren's order to retreat from Outpost 11.
• Gauss and his companions fought through the burning camp and escaped through the western gate as monsters overran the defenses.
• Gauss reflected on the defeat and felt relieved that his companions had survived.

After retreating to Canopy Town from the destruction of Outpost No. 11, Gauss reviewed his newly evolved Tough Scale Bloodline and considered the unexplained attacks and missing commanders. The next morning, as Gauss and his companions headed to the Adventurer's Guild, he sensed a hostile presence following him, and a distorted figure formed in a nearby alley.

• Gauss and the retreating survivors reached Canopy Town, where scouts learned that Outpost No. 11 had been wiped out and the townspeople began to fear a monster tide.
• Gauss wondered whether spies or unusual monster abilities had caused the attacks, and he reviewed the strengths and risks of his Tough Scale Bloodline.
• Alya explained that Ike had returned with several orphaned crow chicks, and Gauss agreed they could keep them and raise more for gathering information.
• Soldiers summoned Andeni to a meeting about the Beast Tide, while Gauss, Alya, and Theron went to the Adventurer's Guild to ask about their commission.
• Gauss sensed a malicious watcher on the street, and after the group entered the guild, a gray mouse appeared before shadows gathered into a distorted human shape.

Gauss collected the Guild’s promise to pay the reward for investigating the Black Forest and met Thorin Mountain Bronze, who invited him to join his Elite party. After Gauss declined, Thorin offered him a different big job, leaving Gauss suspicious about what it involved.

• Gauss, Andeni, and Alya learned that the Canopy Town Adventurer’s Guild would honor their Black Forest investigation quest and send the reward in about five days.
• Thorin Mountain Bronze approached Gauss, praised his fighting at Outpost No. 11, and introduced him to his companions Nancy and Elton.
• Thorin invited Gauss to join his party, but Gauss declined because he was satisfied with his current party.
• Thorin offered Gauss a chance to work with him on a big job, and Gauss wondered whether the suspicious offer involved a robbery.

Gauss and his companions met Thorin’s party at the Silver Flower Tavern and agreed to join their expedition to explore an ancient dwarven forge in the Emerald Forest. After Gauss left, Thorin’s companions discussed the danger within him and their mission to cleanse a spreading corruption amid worsening monster unrest.

• Gauss learned that Thorin belonged to the respected Iron Heart Clan, and Andeni told him she would leave the next day while giving him, Alya, and Theron teleportation amulets.
• Gauss, Alya, and Theron visited Thorin at the Silver Flower Tavern, where Thorin and Nancy described an ancient dwarven forge ruin in the Emerald Forest and invited them to explore it.
• Thorin explained that he wanted Gauss’s versatile combat skills and trusted him because he had helped weaker fighters at the outpost; Gauss consulted his companions and requested a detailed plan.
• Gauss’s group and Thorin’s party agreed to wait for updated reports on monster activity, divide the expedition’s proceeds, and give Thorin’s party the forging techniques.
• After Gauss left, Elton questioned Thorin’s assessment of Gauss, and Thorin said his second brain sensed terrifying power within him; Nancy warned that large monster tribes were moving and spoke of their mission to cleanse the corruption.