Gauss waited patiently for the two to finish their communication before speaking.
"Stupid intel! Stupid intel! Stu—" Eck turned to Gauss, squawking repetitive nonsense.
The corner of Gauss's mouth twitched imperceptibly as he resisted the urge to facepalm.
This situation... wasn't the first time.
He consoled himself that if he wanted Eck to fully grasp simple human speech and achieve basic communication later, this idiotic mimicry phase was an unavoidable process.
"Well, Eck located that camp under the half-ogre's control. The position is..." Aria relayed the intelligence gathered from the raven.
The half-ogre—their first target—was, as the name suggested, a typical hybrid species.
Born from unions between ogres and humans, orcs, or other humanoid creatures.
These nearly 2.5-meter-tall monstrosities weighed 200-300 kilograms, with grotesque features and leathery skin that inherited partial ogre traits while being slightly smaller than pureblood ogres.
Though not highly intelligent, among this monster army led by that terrifying ogre mage, even the mixed lower-tier creatures willingly obeyed this half-breed's management.
"Also, Eck detected traces of another tribe..."
"That's... good news too." A glint flashed in Gauss's eyes as faint delight crossed his face.
It seemed their assigned area had no shortage of monsters.
"Funny haha! Funny haha!" Eck flapped its wings smugly.
Gauss ignored it, turning to Aria.
"Aria, seems we'll need to make this quick."
"Agreed." Aria nodded.
The safer approach would involve careful terrain reconnaissance, then whittling them down with ambushes like they'd done with the Rust Frogs before kiting the remainder.
But Gauss was a team player—he planned to finish his zone quickly and "assist" neighboring adventurers to relieve their pressure.
No time for standard procedures.
Different situations demanded different tactics.
Of course, basic reconnaissance remained essential pre-combat.
Guided by Eck, the duo and wolf stealthily advanced. Soon they reached the outskirts of a monster camp near water sources.
A motley crew of mixed races lounged lazily, awaiting the ogre mage's attack signal, oblivious to approaching hunters.
At the camp's center, the reported half-ogre leader snored loudly against haystacks.
Its appearance matched textbook descriptions—green leathery skin, bulging muscles, dense body hair, flattened broad nose flanked by protruding tusks. Though limb proportions resembled humans, its bone structure was far thicker.
In summary, certified as a muscular little cutie.
Gauss's gaze swept the camp, rapidly assessing.
After confirming grunt distribution and the leader's position, he hesitated no longer.
The Bone Staff materialized in his hand as his mind stilled, channeling mana.
The bone tip thrust forward.
Three piercing azure arcane projectiles materialized instantly, shrieking through air to bypass peripheral fodder and strike the massive sleeping figure.
The unprepared half-ogre took all three missiles squarely on its thick beast-hide armor!
This protection that would trouble average Level 1 professionals proved fragile against Gauss's full-powered Magic Missiles.
Full mana output, 9 Intelligence, semi-core skill slot enhancement, Lv4 proficiency, Spell Mastery talent...
Multiple factors combined to make this basic 1st-tier spell explode with transcendent power in Gauss's hands!
First hit—the struck armor shattered, fragments flying!
Second—tore through exposed tumor-studded keratinous hide!
Third—its explosive wave combined with prior impacts, violently shredding flesh to expose mangled meat and severed tendons!
Dark purple blood gushed like a fountain, sizzling upon landing as a gaping wound appeared.
For stealth, these missiles had traveled longer distances, forcing rough aiming. Fortunately, Lv4 proficiency ensured all three found their mark.
"ROOOAR—!!" The half-ogre's pain-wracked bellow twisted its already hideous face further.
"WHO! SNEAK ATTACK GORUK?!"
Indeed, challenge-rated monsters lived up to their classification.
Common low-tier creatures would've been vaporized by three Magic Missiles, yet this one retained strength to rise and roar furiously!
Vitality and defense truly distinguished elite monsters from common trash.
Thoughts flashed through Gauss's mind while his feet never stopped moving.
Truthfully, he'd already burst from cover like a loosed arrow the instant the missiles flew.
[Enhanced Jump] and excellent physical attributes granted movement speed unbefitting a spellcaster, with gray wolf Ulfen guarding his flank to bite away surrounding foes.
Thus he advanced unhindered.
Distance closed rapidly! The staff rose again!
At optimal range, the Bone Staff steadied, aimed at the just-risen, now-enraged half-ogre spotting him.
"Big monkey! Aria will kill him! Roast him for dinner!"
Gauss naturally allowed no breathing room—strike while the iron's hot.
This was precisely why he'd focused fire on this leader initially.
Three more missiles locked onto the half-ogre.
Now at closer range, they precisely targeted that gushing purple wound.
Goruk barely grabbed its giant axe to cleave this audacious spellcaster in half—
But the lethal missiles moved faster.
All three slammed into the unprotected injury.
Flesh devoid of armor or hide became far more vulnerable to concentrated arcane energy.
Magic Missile's full potential was unleashed.
The released magical shockwave ravaged the hulking body like a meat grinder.
Chunks of flesh and shattered keratin sprayed violently from the chest cavity.
The half-ogre's massive frame stiffened abruptly as its axe crashed to earth.
An icy chill penetrated its bones while the tidal fury in its brain receded—vision darkening rapidly.
Disbelievingly, it looked down at the massive hole clean through its torso.
Three Magic Missiles had hollowed its chest completely!
Even its heart had vanished under this force.
"Guh..." Its roar died into a choked gurgle.
Infinite darkness swallowed all consciousness.
Thus fell a ferocious half-ogre.
"Elite Monster Half-Ogre x1 Eliminated"
"Second Elite Monster Type Activated. Elite Path Unlocking."