"Why did you stop?" Gauss turned back to see Aria standing still, her face alternating between pale and purple, and asked in confusion.
"Let me make this clear first - I absolutely won't eat dirt."
"Neither would I." Gauss shook his head with a chuckle. "What are you thinking about all day?"
The two approached the dirt mound. Follow current novels on Nov3lFɪre.ɴet
Upon closer inspection, the small earthen hill emitted no foul odor, only the slightly acidic scent of fresh soil. The dark brown, nearly black earth appeared exceptionally fertile.
"This soil seems perfect for growing vegetables? Too bad we're not farmers."
As he spoke, Gauss retrieved two small shovels from his Storage Bag's tool set.
Though nothing valuable was visible on the surface, this was still an Elite monster's remains - they had to dig to check for anything special.
The pair began searching through the small dirt mountain.
The transparent crystal faintly glowed with a pale blue light, resembling a gem or quartz.
"This should fetch a good price..."
Gauss cast [Identify Spell] on it.
[Crushed Mud Statue Core]
Grade: Common Magical Item (White Tier)
Description: This core once served as the Mud Statue's power source. Though damaged, it retains some magical research value.
It contains faint earth-element mana, usable as supplementary material for minor magical rituals or alchemy, especially for spells and applications involving earth, defense, or shaping.
Skilled craftsmen could polish it into ordinary magical jewelry.
Its value would be higher if intact.
The identification succeeded.
But Gauss didn't dwell on regret.
Low-level Elite monsters typically only yield White Tier materials worth 1-10 gold coins, and not every kill produces loot. Getting anything was already a pleasant surprise.
In his estimation, this Mud Statue should have been Challenge Level 2, theoretically requiring a team of level 2 professionals to defeat.
Their relatively easy victory was thanks to Aria's [Entangling Roots] perfectly countering the creature.
Otherwise, given the Mud Statue's massive health pool, even Gauss would have struggled.
"Gauss, can you identify this too?" Just as Gauss was cleaning the core crystal, Aria's voice came from the other side of the mound.
Since learning Gauss knew [Identify Spell], she'd become extra vigilant, frequently asking him to examine suspicious objects to avoid missing valuable materials.
Approaching, Gauss saw a lump of pure white clay resting in dark brown soil.
Under Aria's expectant gaze, he cast [Identify Spell] on it.
Soon the clay began glowing white in his vision.
Grade: Common Magical Item (White Tier)
Description: A clump of magical clay separated from the Mud Statue's remains, containing a trace of pure earth-element energy. Transformed by long-term core exposure, it retains energy essence even after the statue's destruction.
Can serve as supplementary material for alchemy or enchantment.
Usable as casting material for earth-element spells.
When mixed into soil, gradually improves quality for cultivating low-tier magical plants or herbs with special soil requirements.
Can be shaped into containers or experimental vessels, potentially with special effects.
"It is indeed a magical item."
Gauss shared the identification results with Aria.
As he spoke, he felt some surprise.
Rarely did a single monster yield two magical items.
Like the half-ogres Gauss hunted most during Winter Hunts - they never dropped magical items, at best yielding organs, weapons or armor as ordinary materials.
Perhaps this was the Maze's special feature?
Combined with the silver brick found earlier, today's earnings should easily surpass double-digit gold coins.
He was beginning to understand the Maze's appeal.
The pair dug through the mound for quite a while longer, continuously identifying unearthed objects, but after the Magical Soil, no more special magical items appeared.
They only uncovered branches, stones, bones, or heavily rusted metal tools.
Gauss collected some ordinary soil for potted plant substrate.
The two magical items could either be sold or commissioned into useful tools after leaving.
Surveying their surroundings, Gauss noted the fading light - it was getting late.
From morning travel to midday Maze entry, through exploration and defeating an aggressive Mud Statue, both felt exhausted.
They found a relatively sturdy ruined building, thoroughly checked the area for monsters, set up [Alarm], then lit a campfire and pitched their tent.
That evening by the fire.
As flames flickered, Gauss intently studied the mental map in his mind.
The illuminated areas formed a winding line.
From the entrance stairs to the grand hall, then eastward deeper into the hall.
Having followed minor monster trails without clear objectives, their current position wasn't far from the hall - about an hour's walk back.
But they didn't seem close to reaching the Maze's first layer edge. This labyrinth was larger than Gauss anticipated, and according to guidebook descriptions, it would keep growing.
What an incredible underground world.
Early next morning, the pair rose promptly.
The campfire had completely died out.
Packing their gear, they resumed exploration.
Using his mental map, Gauss avoided already explored areas to increase monster encounter chances.
"The buildings seem denser here?" Aria observed the continuous ruined structures ahead.
"Maybe some village ruins?" Gauss speculated uncertainly.
The Maze contained special energy that slowed time's erosion, preserving structures from lost civilizations.
Though now dilapidated, their mere survival demonstrated the Maze's incredible power.
"Looks like many adventurers have visited here." Gauss noticed several extinguished campfires near buildings, evidence that multiple parties had reached this area.
"Ah, that's unfortunate." Aria sighed.
Seeing these ruins, she'd hoped to find more silver bricks or treasures like yesterday.
But with others arriving first, the chances of valuable finds decreased significantly.
"Let's look around anyway."
Though likely thoroughly searched, there might still be overlooked treasures.
The two followed a stone path into the ruined village.
As they walked, buildings covered in vines, branches and roots exuded strong natural energy.
"Careful - someone was recently active nearby."
Gauss activated [Message], his voice directly reaching Aria's ears while pointing at freshly crushed leaves on the ground.