Was I exposed?

Gauss's heart skipped a beat at first.

But after clearly hearing the commotion in the distance, he realized that wasn't the case.

Moreover, that strange cry from the sky earlier hadn't come from right above them.

Still... better run!

Aria flipped onto her gray wolf Ulfen's back.

Gauss activated his [Enhanced Jump] skill, feeling a surge of power flood his legs as their figures rapidly flickered through the forest, putting distance between them and the monster outpost.

While running, he faintly heard several terrified human shouts carried by the wind.

As expected, this had nothing to do with them - another group had been discovered.

Gauss's forehead broke out in cold sweat.

Fortunately, they'd already been some distance from the monster outpost, so they weren't in immediate danger.

As for stopping to help those people behind them? Neither Gauss nor Aria entertained the thought.

Those people would have to fend for themselves.

At most, they could light a distress signal from a safe distance.

"ROAR!!!"

The deafening bellow from far behind told Gauss the ogre was on the move.

This made them run even faster.

Only after putting several kilometers between them did they stop in a relatively hidden forest clearing.

"Whew—"

Gauss braced his hands on his knees,

gasping for breath.

"That was close," Gauss wiped sweat from his brow.

The experience had been like a bucket of ice water, making him more cautious.

This wasn't a game - he needed to be more careful.

It highlighted the importance of reconnaissance. The sooner you spotted enemies, the easier it was to retreat.

Creatures like ogres weren't too bad - strong but slow due to their massive weight, and their huge size made them vulnerable to terrain limitations.

But against higher-level agile monsters, even just one could be extremely troublesome.

Escaping might still come at a heavy price.

"Let's send up the signal for them."

Gauss lit the red smoke representing a Level 3 threat.

The crimson column rose slowly, standing out starkly against the gray sky.

That monster outpost they'd seen? Gauss judged even Level 2 professionals would struggle.

The pureblood ogre leader had to be at least Challenge Rating 2+ - just seeing it from afar gave him an inexplicable sense of pressure.

With three Level 1 monsters guarding it, one flying monster of unknown strength, plus 200-300 clearly more elite than average "minions," it wasn't an easy target.

They kept some distance from the smoke but stayed close enough to see anyone approaching.

After the smoke rose, any adventurer teams spotting it would assess their capabilities and potential gains before deciding whether to come.

After all, danger meant rewards.

What was a crisis for some might be nothing to others.

Before long, several figures emerged from the trees.

Gauss and Aria watched from higher ground. Recognizing them, Aria's face lit up.

"Friends of yours?"

"Yes, it's Grayrock Town's resident elite team 'Iron Arms.' Their leader Quick is a powerful Level 3 swordsman. I know their Level 2 druid Casey." Aria spoke rapidly.

Just hearing they were locals made Gauss feel somewhat relieved.

In these situations, "locals" were generally more reliable than outsiders.

Outsiders were unpredictable - they could cut and run anytime.

But locals valued their reputation and had standards to maintain. After years operating here, with property, intelligence networks, prestige and guild connections, they'd built stable relationships and wouldn't easily tarnish their reputation unless absolutely necessary.

Reputation was valuable intangible property requiring long-term maintenance.

Take Gauss's "Goblin Slayer" and "Goblin Slayer Squad" nicknames - while somewhat teasing among some professionals, to commoners they represented reassuring credentials, especially when facing goblin threats.

An average Level 1 professional couldn't necessarily earn such recognition.

Level 3 swordsman, Level 2 druid... seemed capable enough.

As Gauss pondered this,

a shout came from afar.

"Come on out, friends."

The arriving team had actually been cautiously scouting, including checking the signal flare area beforehand. Their experience let them roughly locate Gauss and Aria's position - otherwise they wouldn't have revealed themselves so directly.

Gauss and Aria exchanged glances, confirming with each other before heading toward the signal.

"We're coming out."

Before emerging, Gauss deliberately called out.

As they stepped forward,

the green curly-haired male druid Casey's gaze fell on Aria's mount, showing surprise before whispering something to the swordsman beside him.

The entire Iron Arms team visibly relaxed.

The convenience of knowing people.

Those you knew were always easier to deal with than complete strangers.

"Aria, was that your signal?" Casey spoke first.

"Yes, Casey." Aria nodded casually, then looked at Gauss. "Our leader Gauss can explain the details."

Even with acquaintances present, she didn't overstep - Gauss was this team's leader.

Though Gauss probably wouldn't mind, she avoided stealing his thunder.

"Greetings everyone, I'm Gauss, leader of Team 23."

"Iron Arms team, leader Quick." The burly swordsman's voice was steady, gray eyes appraising Gauss.

"Casey, Level 2 druid."

"Dorien, Level 2 ranger."

"Sana, Level 3 warlock." The beautiful purple-robed woman with sharp eyes and a magic staff nodded slightly.

Level-wise, she seemed the team's second-strongest, possibly even the strongest.

Being a fellow spellcaster, Gauss paid her extra attention.

After introductions, Gauss quickly recounted what happened.

"One ogre, two half-ogres, one elite gnoll, likely one flying creature of unknown strength overhead, nearly 300 minions..."

Quick's team conferred briefly in low voices.

"If nothing unexpected happens, we'll take this job!" Quick grinned. "But if things go south, we're pulling out immediately. You should be ready to retreat too."

"What say you two? Care to lend a hand temporarily?"

"We'd be delighted." Gauss and Aria spoke simultaneously after exchanging glances.

This was exactly why they'd waited for reinforcements.

Such a large outpost - even if another team took charge, they wouldn't refuse extra help.

Just those 300 minions were no small matter.

The teams quickly agreed on cooperation terms: elite monsters for Iron Arms, others fair game - kills counted toward individual tallies, with the Adventurers Guild handling final calculations.

With objectives and profit distribution clear, the six headed toward the ogre outpost.

Halfway there,

two bedraggled adventurers stumbled from the roadside, about to light another signal flare.

"Did you just escape that monster outpost ahead?" Quick interrupted them.

The two Level 1 adventurers, panting heavily, scanned the six, lingering longest on Quick's three shining bronze hexagram badges.

3, 3, 2, 2, 1, 1

Seeing this "luxurious" team composition, their despair turned to hope.

"Yes! Please! Help our companions! Two were captured!"

Recalling the scene made sweat bead on their foreheads again.

Two half-ogres, one agile gnoll, one fear crow circling overhead...

Only by leaving captured comrades behind had they escaped.

With this team - especially those two Level 3 professionals - surely they could rescue their friends?

"No problem." Quick smiled broadly. "Show us the way?"

"Let us come too! We want no reward - just to save them!" they pleaded.

Facing such willing free labor, Quick agreed with a nod.

But ranger Dorien reminded them to follow orders strictly.

Unlike Gauss and Aria's controlled situation, these people had gotten into danger and lost companions - proof their team lacked proper discipline.

Deadweight teammates were worse than none.

"Understood! We'll follow instructions!" Their faces burned with shame, clearly recognizing the implied criticism.

Fortunately, the leader seemed accepting, his easygoing smile easing their embarrassment.

Regardless, their friends must be rescued.

At least their female companion shouldn't be in immediate physical danger.

Leading the way, they guided the group.

Approaching the outpost, the eight halted.

Through gaps in the trees, they observed the monster camp.

"As agreed, ogres, half-ogres, gnolls and other elites are ours. The rest are yours." Dorien stated.

Gauss nodded.

Elite monsters brought the real profits.

But without Iron Arms taking point, Level 1 professionals like them couldn't touch this outpost. Getting some minions wasn't bad.

Especially since he needed minion kills to reach his quota.

"Total monsters slain: 922/1000"

Just 78 left.

Even with unfamiliar adventers potentially stealing kills, against 200-300 minions with Iron Arms focusing on elites, surely he could get his 78.

Dorien vanished into the shadows for final reconnaissance.

Returning later, he nodded to Quick and the others.