Facing these cunning traps, Gauss and his companion wasted nothing, sweeping through like locusts and repurposing everything.
Mage Hand remotely triggered mechanisms, Entangling Roots' vines activated traps, while they collected every metal spearhead from ground spikes and every sharp arrow from hidden crossbows.
Little by little, these metal scraps could be exchanged for decent money.
Perhaps high-level adventurers or those from wealthy families wouldn't care about such small potatoes, but for these two who had risen from the bottom ranks, they couldn't bear to leave behind easily sellable metal items.
Moreover, Aria's Guidance spell proved particularly useful now. During dangerous tasks like rappelling down walls or dismantling spike traps, Guidance could increase the success rate of such operations.
Consider it spell practice.
The light gradually dimmed again - time passed quickly in the maze exploration.
"Whew... I'm getting a bit tired," Aria said, sitting on the ground and wiping sweat from her forehead.
"Thanks."
Accepting the waterskin Gauss handed over, she tilted her pale neck back and gulped loudly."How are you holding up?"
"Feeling it a bit too..." Gauss could sense that both his stamina and mana were depleting faster here than outside.
Physically, this translated to quicker exhaustion.
But thanks to his Energy Storage Gland ability allowing constant replenishment through eating, he was managing fine.
Moreover, in less than two days - technically just over one day from yesterday noon to today afternoon - they'd already killed 149 minor monsters, far more efficient than standard commissions.
Normal missions accounting for travel and preparation might take two or three days to eliminate a hundred monsters.
"Let's stop here today," Gauss suggested. "Tomorrow we'll find the entrance to the second underground level. If we find it, we'll explore; if not, we'll return to the surface to rest."
Their initial plan never involved prolonged first-time maze exploration.
Aria lowered the waterskin.
"Agreed. Though tiring, the maze earns money faster, and I feel myself growing stronger."
Remembering their constant money-finding these past two days and her spells improving through frequent use, she couldn't help smiling.
If this was just the first underground level, wouldn't the less crowded second level offer even more coins to find?
Money-finding was addictive.
Four members - two men, two women: a swordsman, shieldbearer, archer, and spearman, all in leather armor - stood back-to-back against the encircling creatures.
Normally they could retreat, as only the Goblins moved quickly among these monsters. But one teammate had his right foot impaled by a sharp wooden spike, blood soaking through his boot as he gritted teeth behind his shield, sweat pouring down his forehead.
"Need help?" Gauss called out.
Normally he might ignore struggling low-level adventurers managing on their own.
But seeing their clear disadvantage and their refusal to abandon an injured comrade - showing decent character - he decided to assist.
Plus, it would add to his kill count.
Spotting the black-robed mage on the mound, his staff faintly glowing, the desperate quartet erupted with hope.
"Yes, sir! We have wounded! Please help!"
"Very well."
With a nod, Gauss pushed off the mound and vanished.
Next moment, he strolled casually toward the battlefield's edge.
His wand flicked, sending blue energy orbs unerringly toward snarling monsters.
"Boom!"
Precise explosions mixed with creature shrieks.
Each step brought several monster deaths.
By the time he reached the group, even the fleeing Goblin-like creatures had been heart-pierced.
Twenty-some mixed monsters lay dead!
"So... fast."
The team gaped at how effortlessly the black-robed mage had mowed down creatures that had overwhelmed them moments ago.
Noticing his handsome features and bronze two-star adventurer badge, their eyes filled with awed realization.
A second-level mage.
But so powerful! Though they knew of professional adventurers, witnessing such direct combat prowess firsthand was staggering.
If only they had such strength... The thought arose simultaneously in their hearts.
"Treat your comrade first?" Gauss's words snapped them from their daze as he indicated the injured shieldbearer.
Aria approached, producing two softly glowing berries at his glance.
"These Mana Berries have minor healing properties. Feeding him these will alleviate injuries."
They didn't offer more not from stinginess, but because additional berries would provide diminishing returns.
"Thank you both!"
The team scrambled to administer aid.
When finished, Gauss and Aria prepared to leave without expecting repayment, when one member suddenly stopped them.
"Sir, we can't repay your help, but we have potentially useful information."
"Go ahead," Gauss said curiously.
"Last night we found the second underground level's entrance. But we lacked strength to descend. The location is..."
The young man gestured while describing the route.
Gauss memorized it, pleased at this reward for good deeds - the second level's location delivered effortlessly!
After directing the quartet toward the maze exit, the pair watched them leave.
"Depart now?"
"Yes. Destination: second underground level." Gauss nodded.
Lower level entrances periodically changed location - they must act quickly.
Rumors said each maze level differed environmentally. Beyond increasingly fantastical settings, deeper levels hosted stronger, rarer monsters.
What strange creatures might lurk in the second level's depths?