Chapter 901 - 445: Infiltrating the Enemy Camp

Gauss has entered the outskirts of Jade Forest many times.

The most memorable time was probably when he was still a Level 1 Professional, battling alongside Gray Rock Town’s Winter Hunting squad against a tribe led by a Level 8 ogre wizard.

The oppressive feeling of this forest left a deep impression on him back then, but as time passed, his power gradually increased, and the sense of constant danger outdoors began to fade.

No matter how much he mentally reminded himself not to be complacent, it was hard to completely return to the state of constant vigilance when he was weaker.

Yet now, although his current strength is extremely powerful for an ordinary adventurer, upon entering this familiar yet strange forest, Gauss instantly became highly alert.

The "atmosphere" of this forest had completely changed.

The air was shrouded with a scent of bloodlust.

It was as though an invisible and grandiose presence enveloped the vast forest.

Gauss took several deep breaths, quickly lowering his head.

That overwhelming presence was the strongest he had ever sensed.

A bold, majestic force, unrestrained, seemingly demanding submission from all the world’s creatures.

Gauss could naturally guess the origin of this presence; if there were no surprises, it should be the master of the forest.

Only the adult Green Dragon could so unreservedly release its biological aura.

Gauss swallowed his saliva, then resumed walking.

The presence was intimidating in perception, but rather than instilling actual fear, it was so thin that it mostly served as a warning and declaration.

Of course, if the entire presence were concentrated at a point, it would undoubtedly be terrifying, even immobilizing extraordinary creatures.

Next, Gauss followed the manual’s tips to avoid several large beast paths as much as possible.

These paths were often primary routes for demons, with scouts frequently checking conditions along the way.

Though Gauss was confident in his goblin disguise, there was no need to show off and increase the risk of exposure.

Meanwhile, his walking speed was not particularly fast.

There were too many demons in the forest.

Kobolds, Jackal-Wolf People, Lizard People, trolls – he didn’t even mention these common demons.

Gauss occasionally spotted several commander-level demons and special species he hadn’t seen before.

A few hundred demons grouped together were only a small division.

Encountering the main army was like seeing an endless sea of darkness.

He was itching to act.

If he were to unleash chaos here, he could easily slay tens of thousands of monsters.

Yet, unfortunately, he knew very well that he shouldn’t.

If discovered here, even if the Green Dragon Queen doesn’t personally act, the swarm of other Extraordinary Demons could easily kill him.

This place was the enemy’s base camp.

Gauss continued walking south.

Fortunately, due to the sheer number of monsters, besides the Green Dragon Army directly under the Green Dragon Queen, many "individuals" from the forest were also dragged in.

These monsters were temporarily conscripted by the Green Dragon Queen, and their organization was visibly less coherent.

So, a lone wolf "goblin" like Gauss walking through the forest wasn’t too conspicuous.

Gauss even picked up an abandoned wooden shield from the roadside, mimicking the goblin’s waddling gait, stepping on the moist earth.

In the distance, three Jackal-Wolf People stood atop a wooden tower, their sharp eyes scanning the surrounding forest.

"Hmm?"

"What’s wrong?"

One of the Jackal-Wolf People’s gaze paused momentarily on a goblin far off.

After its companion inquired, it shook its head.

"Nothing, just another lost fool."

The companion looked along its gaze, also seeing the green figure in the gaps of the tree shade, seemingly searching for its comrades.

"These rampant green critters are truly foolish. I say, His Majesty shouldn’t have brought in these little ones. They’re not even worthy of being cannon fodder."

The Jackal-Wolf People shook its head, a disdainful sneer visibly tugging at the corner of its furry mouth.

Within monster ranks, there existed their own hierarchy of contempt.

Lower races generally looked down upon each other.

Though Jackal-Wolf People weren’t exactly an elite species, compared to the plentiful goblins, the quality of Jackal-Wolf People was notably higher.

Among goblins, perhaps even a hundred might not produce one with the potential of an elite demon, while Jackal-Wolf People could spawn one from just a few dozen or even a dozen.

Therefore, Jackal-Wolf People naturally considered their "bloodline" more noble than the lowly goblins.

Yet such words could only be spoken atop a watchtower with only them as occupants.

Because the presence of goblins was indeed an indispensable force for the Green Dragon Army.

They were abundant, akin to weeds along the roadside, and the Green Dragon Queen only needed to circle overhead to recruit a batch of self-sustaining demon warriors.

Despite the goblins’ low ratio of strong individuals, their sheer numbers ensured the emergence of elite, commander-level, and even extraordinary-level entities.

Only daring to mock the lost low-level goblin not far off, if faced with a higher-ranked goblin officer stronger than them, they would refrain and offer a flattering smile.