Chapter Summaries

Gauss retraced his route through Emerald Forest and encountered Aria Jin, the Druid he had met on the way there. After hearing how her Mage teammate had abandoned her during an ogre attack, Gauss agreed to travel with her while remaining cautious.

• Gauss climbed down from his tree and spent the morning working his way back toward the forest entrance.
• Gauss fought off several Slimes before a huge wolf and its rider emerged from the bushes.
• Aria Jin introduced herself and explained that her white-haired Mage teammate had teleported away when ogres surrounded them.
• Gauss agreed to travel with Aria, and she let his pack ride on her wolf companion.
• Gauss and Aria fought off monsters together, and Gauss observed her Druid abilities while continuing to watch her warily.

Gauss returned to Grayrock Town with Alya after completing his first beginner commission, then collected his reward and sold most of his goblin spoils. He visited Andeni with fruit and found her surprised that he had advanced to a class.

• Gauss and Alya rode back to Grayrock Town together, and Alya said they should keep in touch.
• Gauss submitted his quest badge and Record Crystal to the Adventurer's Guild, which confirmed his success and paid him ninety silver coins.
• Gauss sold most of his goblin spoils for one gold and twenty-five silver, bringing his savings to five gold and twenty-six silver.
• Gauss bought fruit and visited Andeni at Thorn House, where she immediately noticed that he had advanced to a class.

Gauss visited Andeni, who identified two scrolls he had found and advised him about learning magic as a new professional. He learned that the Adventurer's Guild shop sold spells, gear, and storage items, leaving him eager to become a Bronze Adventurer and earn enough to buy one.

• Andeni praised Gauss's rapid advancement, and he thanked her for recommending the Spellcaster Apprentice Mutual Aid Association in Wormwood Town.
• Andeni identified Gauss's scrolls as a Level 3 Teleportation Scroll and a Level 3 Healing Scroll, advised him to keep them, and estimated their sale prices.
• Gauss told Andeni about his savings and gear, and she explained how professionals could obtain spell-learning scrolls and how learning magic strained the mind.
• Andeni recommended that Gauss prioritize useful 0th Ring cantrips, and she told him that the Adventurer's Guild shop also sold gear and storage magic items.
• Gauss became determined to buy a storage item after advancing to Bronze Adventurer, and he decided he would need to kill more goblins to earn the money.

Gauss treated Andeni to dinner at the high-end Firefly Kitchen, where they enjoyed an expensive meal and discussed monster ingredients. The meal gave Gauss ideas for ingredients to gather and sell, while the bill left him planning to return only after earning his Bronze Rank badge.

• Gauss took Andeni to Firefly Kitchen, where she recognized the proprietress as a retired professional by examining her physical features.
• Gauss and Andeni ordered dishes made with ingredients such as Slime Gel, Walking Fungus, and Moonlight Grass, then devoured the meal.
• Andeni told Gauss that Walking Fungus was uncommon near the Emerald Forest's outskirts and described how she used to prepare it.
• Gauss paid thirty-one silver for the meal and reconsidered his plan to invite Sophia until his finances improved.
• Andeni offered to treat Gauss next time.

Gauss cooked a grouse with foraged Berry Moss and continued his third Bronze Adventurer assessment mission, targeting a goblin village with many archers. He spotted captured humans during the goblins’ celebration and launched a surprise attack, killing the first goblin as he entered the village.

• Gauss gathered Berry Moss and cooked a grouse over a campfire, enjoying a meal that quickly restored his energy.
• Gauss reviewed his progress and mission details, then headed to a goblin village where he was tasked with facing around sixty adult goblins, including dangerous archers.
• Gauss spotted several captured men near a bonfire and saw that the goblin village’s defenses were thin while the goblins prepared for a celebration.
• Gauss studied the village layout, leaped over its palisade with Enhanced Leap, and killed a goblin carrying berries.

Gauss rescued Wick, Whitney, and Kevin from a goblin village, then killed the goblins who tried to stop him. After the battle, his Rapid Digestion talent upgraded to Energy Gland, which let him store energy and rapidly replenish stamina and mana.

• Gauss killed the goblins near the warehouse and rushed to free Wick, Whitney, and Kevin.
• Gauss cut the captives' ropes, gave them water, and told them to hide somewhere safe.
• Gauss killed the goblins who attacked with a rapier and Magic Missile as the village's defenders broke and fled.
• Gauss pursued the remaining goblins and killed them, including the goblin cubs.
• Gauss's Rapid Digestion talent upgraded to the Elite Grade racial talent Energy Gland.

Gauss discovered that his Rapid Digestion talent had advanced into an Energy Gland, giving him a larger reserve of stamina and magic. After rescuing Kevin, Whitney, and Wick, he waited for the returning goblins and slaughtered them, including their leader, whose death briefly stirred a mysterious power.

• Gauss read that his Rapid Digestion talent had advanced to Elite Grade and become an Energy Gland that stored extra energy.
• Gauss gave Kevin, Whitney, and Wick food, told them to hide until he could escort them out, and overheard them decide to become adventurers.
• Gauss waited about an hour for the goblins who had left the village to return.
• Gauss attacked the returning goblins with Magic Missiles and killed their leader as a dark energy briefly awakened within it.
• Gauss pursued the fleeing goblins into a clearing and killed them all.

Gauss recovered some of his strength after wiping out a goblin village, then returned to Grayrock Town with the spoils and prepared to submit his three evaluation missions. Petra congratulated him and led him to the female Sorcerer’s office to begin the process of advancing to Bronze Adventurer.

• Gauss used his upgraded Energy Gland to restore stamina and magic power after killing 368 monsters, including 241 goblins.
• Gauss reunited with Kevin and the other two survivors, and they helped him gather the village’s weapons and supplies.
• Kevin and the others chose wooden weapons and vine armor, then parted ways with Gauss to return to their hometown.
• Gauss traveled back to Grayrock Town, managing his dwindling food supplies and planning to buy more calorie-rich rations.
• Gauss told Petra that his missions had gone well, and she led him to the female Sorcerer’s office to submit them.

Gauss passed his assessment and became a Bronze Adventurer, receiving his identity badge, commission payment, and newcomer benefits from Shirley. He then climbed to the Guild’s second floor, where he saw its bright, spacious halls and elite adventurers.

• Shirley confirmed Gauss had completed three assessment commissions and promoted him to Bronze Adventurer.
• Gauss registered his information, received his identity badge, and learned that replacing it would cost one gold coin.
• Shirley gave Gauss a Meditation Method, a Monster Introduction Manual, an Adventurer’s Guide, and five gold coins as his newcomer package.
• Petra collected Gauss’s commission payment of one gold coin and thirty silver coins for him.
• Gauss showed his badge to the guards and climbed the stairs to the Guild’s second floor.
• Gauss surveyed the sunlit second floor, with its shops, mission hall, resting areas, and well-equipped adventurers.

Gauss read the Adventurer's Guide and learned how profession levels, adventurer ranks, class advancement, and experience worked. He then headed to the skill shop to browse spell-learning scrolls.

• Gauss counted his money and valuables, deciding he could spend about 17 gold while hoping to keep both scrolls and find a Storage Magic Item.
• Gauss read the Adventurer's Guide and learned the profession-level and adventurer-rank systems, the challenges of changing Class Rank, and how professionals gained experience to level up.
• Gauss closed the book, put it in his travel bag, and went to the skill shop.
• Gauss entered the skill shop and saw that its merchandise was divided into sections by class.

Gauss chose four 0th Ring cantrips and the Rogue skill [Insightful Trick], spending 4 gold coins and 65 copper coins. He then visited the Magic Item shop to examine storage bags and was stunned by the 25-gold price of a Small Storage Bag.

• Gauss reviewed the available spells and chose Prestidigitation, Mending, Message, and Fire Bolt.
• Gauss bought the four cantrips and the Rogue skill [Insightful Trick] for 4 gold coins and 65 copper coins.
• Gauss entered the Magic Item shop and asked where items with storage space were kept.
• The guide showed Gauss the Small Storage Bag, which held about 1.5 cubic meters but cost 25 gold coins.
• Gauss struggled with the bag's steep price as the guide asked whether he wanted to buy one.

Gauss used an interest-free guild loan to buy a Storage Bag after becoming a Bronze Rank Adventurer. He celebrated his promotion with Sophia and Andeni at Firefly Kitchen, where the evening ended with the three of them sharing a meal and drinks.

• Gauss applied for a twenty-gold interest-free career development loan, combined it with his own money, and bought a Storage Bag.
• Gauss tested the Storage Bag, stored his belongings inside it, and left the guild to envious looks from other adventurers.
• Gauss told Sophia he had been promoted to Bronze Rank Adventurer, and she happily agreed to celebrate with him.
• Gauss brought Sophia to Firefly Kitchen and introduced her to Andeni, who congratulated him on his promotion.
• Gauss, Sophia, and Andeni shared food and wine, and Sophia and Andeni gradually grew more comfortable with each other.

Gauss celebrated his Bronze Rank advancement with Andeni and Sophia, then spent the next few days learning new spells and skills. After mastering several abilities, he prepared to begin working as a Bronze Rank adventurer, still burdened by his loan.

• Andeni secretly used magic to sober up and pay the restaurant bill, while Gauss escorted the drunk Sophia back to the inn.
• The next morning, Gauss displayed his Bronze Rank badge and learned Prestidigitation from a scroll in an hour.
• Gauss noticed that self-taught spells burdened his mind slightly, unlike spells gained through the Adventurer's Handbook, and practiced Prestidigitation until his proficiency rose.
• Gauss learned Message and used it to communicate with Sophia, who was startled by the spell at first.
• Over the next two days, Gauss mastered Prestidigitation, Message, Mending, Fire Bolt, and Insightful Trick, then looked forward to earning money as a Bronze Rank adventurer despite owing twenty gold coins.

Gauss teamed up with Alya to clear ratfolk from an abandoned cellar, preparing protective gear and supplies before traveling with a merchant caravan. During the journey, Alya explained her views on Druids and monster culling, reassuring Gauss that their goals aligned well enough to work together.

• Gauss met Alya at the Adventurer's Guild, agreed to join her ratfolk-clearing commission, and had his details added to the task.
• Gauss and Alya bought protective clothing, gas masks, medicines, and other supplies before making their separate preparations.
• Gauss and Alya traveled toward the infested estate with a merchant caravan, receiving free transport as Bronze Rank adventurers.
• Gauss asked Alya whether Druids opposed killing, and she explained that many Druids kill monsters to preserve nature's balance.
• Gauss realized that his desire to hunt monsters and Alya's principles could allow them to work together.

Gauss and Alya investigated the ratmen infestation near Wheat Valley Manor and found a vast swarm gathered around an abandoned church. They launched a fiery attack that set the swarm ablaze, while armored ratmen emerged from the church cellar to confront them.

• Gauss and Alya met Butler Howen at Wheat Valley Manor, where he explained that ratmen beneath an abandoned church were likely causing the manor's rat problem.
• Gauss and Alya traveled to the church and found signs that the rats had devastated the surrounding land.
• Alya failed to communicate with a giant rat, and Gauss killed it with his Hand Crossbow.
• Gauss and Alya discovered hundreds of rats and several Giant Rats gathered outside the church, and they realized the swarm had spotted them.
• Gauss attacked the swarm with Fire Bolt while Alya threw Molotov cocktails, setting the area around the church ablaze.
• More than ten armored ratmen mounted Giant Rats at the cellar entrance and prepared to join the fight.

Gauss and Alya defeated the Giant Rats outside the church, then faced a cavalry charge by the Ratmen’s elite forces. Gauss recovered while the Ratmen burned away Alya’s vines, but their attack faltered once he and Alya fought back, and a terrified scout fled toward the cellar.

• Gauss used his Rat Hunter title and Magic Missiles while Alya trapped the Giant Rats with Entangling Spell, and they killed fourteen of them.
• Gauss ate and recovered as the church doors opened and fifteen Ratman cavalrymen emerged on powerful Giant Rat mounts.
• The Ratmen surrounded Gauss and Alya and burned away Alya’s vines while Gauss used the pause to regain strength.
• When the cavalry charged, Gauss killed two Ratmen with Magic Missiles, while Alya and her wolf fought the attackers at close range.
• Gauss drew his longsword and cut through the Ratmen and their mounts as Alya cast Entangling Spell again.
• A Ratman scout witnessed the slaughter and fled toward the cellar in terror.

Gauss and Alya cleared the ratmen from the abandoned church and discovered a hidden shrine beneath it. The ratfolk elder vanished into a pool of foul pus, leaving behind a fading scale and a warning that Lady Vesperitilia would be watching them.

• Gauss and Alya entered the church and broke through the locked cellar door after finding no Rogue to pick the lock.
• Ratman Spellcasters ambushed Gauss and Alya with acid, but Gauss brought down their perch and killed them.
• Gauss set fire to a room full of ratfolk, killing 21, then searched the cellar for the rest of the missing ratmen.
• Gauss and Alya found an ancient ratfolk elder at a shrine surrounded by corpses and a pool of dark green pus.
• The elder named Lady Vesperitilia, sank into the pool, and vanished along with its contents, leaving a fading scale behind.

Gauss and Alya completed their ratman-clearing job, discovered a strange scale that might be connected to an Evil God, and returned to Grayrock Town. There, they learned that the legendary Sword Saint Roland had died, leaving the town tense and uneasy.

• Gauss collected a strange scale from the shrine room, and he and Alya cleared the ratmen’s lair and gathered its salvage.
• Gauss cleaned himself and Alya with Prestidigitation, then chatted with her about Druid magic and met her wolf companion, Ulfhen.
• Gauss and Alya returned to Wheat Valley Manor, reported the excess ratman corpses to Howen, and received written confirmation after the manor inspected the site.
• The pair rode back toward Grayrock Town with a merchant caravan and noticed unusually strict inspections at the town gates.
• Gauss and Alya learned that Sword Saint Roland had died in the imperial palace, and Grayrock Town was gripped by unease.

Gauss and Alya submitted their quest and reported a mysterious scale tied to an unknown Evil God to Shirley at the Adventurer's Guild. Shirley classified it as a Level One Unknown Evil God Direct Artifact and offered ten gold coins, leaving Gauss surprised by the reward and hopeful about future payment.

• Gauss reflected on Sword Saint Roland's death before heading to the Adventurer's Guild with Alya to submit their quest.
• Doyle told the Night Owl Squad about the emperor's decree inviting adventurers to draw the Holy Sword, and the group then saw Gauss arrive as a Bronze Adventurer.
• The Night Owl Squad debated congratulating Gauss but decided not to approach him, while Meva resolved to leave him a gift at his inn.
• Gauss and Alya completed their quest and received seventy silver coins, then asked to report special information to the Guild.
• Gauss described the ratman elder's final words and presented a mysterious scale to Shirley, who sensed Evil God's Divine Power and classified it as a Level One Unknown Evil God Direct Artifact.
• Shirley offered ten gold coins as the Guild's initial payment, and Gauss realized the information could earn further rewards.

Gauss and Alya collected a reward, read about the Holy Sword trial, and made plans to meet again. The next morning, Gauss woke from a disturbing nightmare and wondered if it was connected to the Evil God item.

• Shirley left Gauss and Alya, who collected ten gold coins for their information and split the reward.
• Gauss and Alya read the special edition announcing the Holy Sword trial; Gauss joked that he might try drawing the sword if he ever visited the imperial capital.
• Alya showed Gauss where she lived, and they agreed to meet at his nearby inn the next morning to handle the ratmen spoils.
• Gauss woke after dreaming that a dark-green figure repeatedly cut off his regenerating limbs and wondered whether the Evil God item had caused it.
• Sophia advised Gauss to rest after he admitted he had slept poorly, while Winnie watched him and concluded that he was exceptionally handsome.