Gauss left home with the determination to kill a monster.
But after wandering around the town for half a day, he realized it wasn't as simple as he thought.
Initially, as an ordinary person-level weakling, his ideal target was certainly a low-level monster that ordinary people could handle, and preferably one that was alone. It would be best if he could minimize the traveling distance.
But after a turn around, he found his initial plan was basically out of the question.
The vicinity of the town did not provide a habitat for low-level monsters.
The occasional sweeps by the town guard and the dense traffic of adventurers had turned the area around the town, several kilometers wide, inside out, making it quite safe.
So, to kill a monster, he had to leave the town's direct jurisdiction and head to the outskirts of the Jade Forest for a shot at luck.
Before departure, he prepared to purchase some "expensive" equipment he had never bought before.
Lacking proper armor to kill monsters, even if his target was a low-level monster that ordinary people could handle, was still too risky.
Life is precious, so he had to be extremely cautious.
In some of the busiest, most prosperous shops, he bought the equipment he needed for the time being.
50 copper coins, an oak small round shield, 30cm in diameter, with a rim wrapped in metal strips.
1 silver coin, a set of cloth armor, comprised of several layers of fabric and cotton lining, felt solid enough to withstand a few attacks.
20 copper coins, a homemade paralysis poison from the herbal shop owner, which could be applied and dried on weapons in advance. According to the shop apprentice, after applying the poison, any demon attacked would move relatively slowly for some time.
40 copper coins, externally applied herbs, which can temporarily stop bleeding and slow down wounds when applied to injuries.
30 copper coins, linen cloth for bandaging, wooden boards, wrapped bandages, and other simple medical tools.
Altogether, it came to 2 silver coins and 40 copper coins.
After the purchase, his savings dwindled to 1 silver coin and 25 copper coins.
Of course, he dared not spend all his money, for if his adventure failed, having some savings on hand would at least make him feel secure – not having to worry about being unable to pay for meals or rent and ending up homeless.
Moreover, the equipment and armor he managed to buy were relatively suitable for him at this stage.
The wooden shield and cloth armor were the cheapest protective gear and armor available.
Other armor and protective gear were ridiculously expensive, let alone metal armor; even a decent set of leather armor costs at least 10 silver coins.
As for weapons, he looked at the metal swords, maces, and other common weapons sold in the weapon shop and decisively gave up the idea, as the price was not something he could afford at the moment.
Even the second-hand ones cost at least double digits in silver coins.
Besides, the original body already had weapons: a dagger about twenty centimeters long, and a wooden spear made entirely of hard wood, with a sharp conical tip, 1.8 meters in length, surface carbonized through fire to enhance hardness.
In terms of proficiency, the original body was taught to use the dagger from a young age, helping the family process game, skin it, cut meat, and make traps, becoming very skilled with it.
His experience using the wooden spear was less than the dagger but still passable.
Using both weapons in tandem, the wooden spear for mid-range suppressive attacks, and the dagger for close combat, although wooden weapons weren't very durable and the dagger was old, under these conditions, they would have to suffice.
He could replace them with better weapons when he had the means in the future.
After a brief contemplation, considering his financial situation, he decided not to invest too much in weapons.
With the original body's muscle memory in using the dagger and spear, even he, who in his past life knew nothing about weapons, could wield them smoothly.
The sun quietly rose overhead.
Before departing, Gauss reluctantly enjoyed a good meal at the Nightingale Tavern at the town's exit, costing him 30 copper coins.
A lunch with both meat and vegetables, featuring a small plate of marinated fish, carefully prepared pickles, a few pieces of stew-cooked meat, and a bowl of noodles.
Though the portions of the meat weren't large, it was enough to replenish some precious fat reserves for a body that hadn't indulged in meats for a while.
After letting out a satisfied burp, feeling his body seemed stronger, Gauss, though heartbroken over the spent copper coins, found a sense of value.
Oh well, before the great battle – necessary replenishment! Just think of it as recharging the body first!
Stretching, he donned his cloth armor, secured the supply-laden pouch across his body, tucked the cloth-wrapped dagger at his waist, and wielding the wooden spear, he strode toward the town exit.
Outside the town, the scenery suddenly expanded!
Under a cerulean sky, beyond the sun-baked hard and dry dirt road beneath his feet, lay a vast expanse of wilderness.
For the sake of town security, all nearby forests had been cleared many years ago, replaced by cultivated fields and grasslands with perfect visibility adjacent to the town.
Firstly, open views assisted the town's guard in gathering intelligence and detecting movements from Jade Forest in advance. Secondly, dense woods were unsuitable for humans to fight in, but the monsters living in the forest for ages were unhindered, hence it was only natural to clear the woods away.
Gauss was not the only one heading towards Jade Forest; on the way, he encountered many people.
Some were lone hunters, some were small bottom adventurer squads, and he even glimpsed a few professionals.
Don't ask Gauss how he figured them out – the heavy plated armor exuding a money aura, the ability to bear the heavy armor and move freely, and the aura warning strangers away, which screamed "professional identity," would be evident to anyone not blind.
Gauss lowered his gaze to his own thin physique, clad in an assortment of cloth armor, the small wooden shield strapped to his chest, the cloth-wrapped little dagger at his waist, and the crude wooden spear in his hand. Instantly, he felt that the gear he spent nearly all his savings on was utterly shabby.
Compared to them, he resembled a primitive man.
"If I fought him, I reckon a single punch would almost scatter me to pieces," Gauss could vividly imagine the scene in his mind.
He lunged with the wooden spear, its tip striking the opponent's rock-solid plated armor, causing no damage, and then the opponent slapped him flying two or three meters away, unable to get up.
"I wish I were him; killing an ordinary goblin to unlock the atlas probably would be easier than kicking a stray dog to death, and facing a group of goblins would be entirely unfrightening."
As he thought about it, Gauss became envious, but soon he laughed at his own "emperor digging with a golden hoe" mindset of a frog in a well.
Those who've become professionals naturally wouldn't have goblins as their adventure targets.
But as long as I kill just one monster! I can activate the Monster Atlas, and then I won't be so weak!
The road to Jade Forest wasn't short; Gauss passed time observing other travelers while encouraging himself.
"Want to team up?"
"No need, I'm used to being alone."
Perhaps Gauss's equipment was already presentable among the "bottom adventurers," several stranger squads invited him to join along the way.
However, Gauss declined all of them.
Not because Gauss was too proud or looked down on them; actually, his combat ability might be comparable to theirs. Besides, moving together could allow for mutual care.
It's just that the original body had always been solitary and was used to going alone, without many acquaintances.
In the wild, rashly joining a squad with unfamiliar members was unsettling for him, worried about facing monsters on one side while guarding against strangers on the other.
He'd rather act alone.
He could completely rely on personal willpower to act and exercise caution.
If he spotted an enemy beyond his capability, he'd hold back and choose an appropriate target. Even during battles, he could simply turn around and flee.
Though he came with a target, he knew well that fighting was secondary, survival was key.
In times of weaker strength, one should not shy away from playing it safe.
But joining a squad, he wouldn't have such freedom.
"Clack clack!!"
Entering the outskirts of Jade Forest.
The environment suddenly grew dark, unfamiliar birds' irritating squawks echoed through the dense, impenetrable canopy overhead, making it hard to avoid feeling agitated.
Gauss clutched his wooden spear tighter, instinctively controlling his breathing.
This forest seemed to inject a sense of unease in every visitor, resembling a dark and eerie maw ready to swallow all incoming guests.