sonovelo Chapter 290: The Lakefest Competition
Chapter 290: The Lakefest Competition
After the fight ended,the rookie squad seemed to have lost every last ounce of energy, tossed down their weapons, and plopped onto the ground.
"Whew—"
Once their bodies fully relaxed, exhaustion flooded in all at once from the lack of adrenaline.
Their muscles trembled uncontrollably.
They felt that real adventuring was completely different from what they had imagined;even though they had considered themselves mentally prepared before leaving.
But when they faced those snarling monsters in person, and saw them trying to devour them alive with mouths, teeth, and claws—every organ ready to tear them apart—their bodies and minds still reacted with fear.
That was the biggest reason their strength couldn’t be fully unleashed.
Human reason and intellect give huge advantages in many things, but in these inexperienced life-or-death moments, they often become a burden.
Low-level fights, once they reach a white-hot point, often have nothing to do with reason or wisdom anymore;what’s needed is ruthless ferocity, the kind of brutality that crushes the enemy.
“You lot are way too careless.”
Gauss’s figure slowly descended from above.
The sudden voice made the four people present jump, cold sweat breaking out.
Only when they looked up and saw his handsome face and composed bearing did they breathe a sigh of relief.
He simply looked terrifyingly strong.
He couldn’t be an enemy, right?
But even if he were an enemy, a flying powerhouse like him—let alone with them exhausted now, even at peak they wouldn’t be able to defeat him.
So after the brief surprise, they didn’t make any other moves.
“Who are you?”
Gauss looked at the somewhat naive rookie adventurers and couldn’t help shaking his head.
Perhaps because he hadn’t long left the rookie stage in terms of timeline, unlike those seasoned veterans who had been adventurers for a decade or more, every time he saw such greenhorns he couldn’t help remembering his first time leaving the inn to adventure, and he instinctively wanted to help and give advice.
“I’m just a passing adventurer.”
At that moment, Pello, the young mage who had been lost in thought since Gauss appeared, seemed to remember something.
She scrutinized Gauss’s robes and suddenly spoke up in a loud voice.
“You’re the one who saved me just now, aren’t you!”
She recalled the battle moments earlier when, as she was about to be ambushed by that strong Water Ghost, a fire arrow descended from the heavens and precisely killed it.
If not for that arrow, she would probably be in dire straits now.
And once you die, your teammates, terrified of death, will inevitably lose their balance of mind, likely resulting in the whole team being wiped out.
Her thought wasn’t wrong;rookie squad collapses often began right after the first casualty.
The rookies’ main problems were lack of experience and psychological fortitude, and fear was contagious.
“It was nothing.” Gauss waved his hand.
He felt that most mentally healthy adventurers wouldn’t hesitate to lend a hand under such circumstances.
“Thank you so much!”
When they learned he was the mysterious person who had helped them in the battle, the four quickly helped each other up from the ground, bowing repeatedly.
“However, I think you’d better keep your weapons in hand until the fight is truly over.”
No sooner had he finished speaking than a red light flickered in his hand.
His casting was incredibly fast.
The four had no time to react.
A fire arrow had already formed.
“Why—?”
Their pupils contracted sharply, shock written across their faces.
They hadn’t expected this flawless-looking, instantly likable man to aim at them.
“Whoosh!!!”
The fire arrow tore through the air with a sharp roar.
Their feet felt nailed to the ground, the heat from the flames making them uncomfortably warm.
In their terrified daze, the arrow whistled past them.
“Pfft!”
The arrow flew beyond them and struck a lurking Water Ghost on the riverbed farther away.
It had been hiding in the reeds, keeping silent even after its companions were killed.
The four had thought they would die there today.
Only when the flames swept past did they realize Gauss was not attacking them.
They turned to look behind them.
They saw, not far off, a grotesque humanoid creature impaled on the wet riverbed amid burning reeds.
“Whew—”
Relief and the sensation of surviving a disaster rose in their chests again.
This roller-coaster experience had been far too intense.
“Remember, even if you think the fight is over outdoors, never relax easily, and above all don’t throw away your weapons.”
“Only after returning to town and submitting the commission is the mission truly concluded.”
Gauss continued his reminders.
His words carried weight, further confirmed by the charred, burning corpse not far away.
“Mm hm.”
“Thank you for your guidance, senior!”
Still shaken, the four bowed repeatedly.
Their first true adventure in life had certainly given them a lot to learn.
Before they had officially gone out on this commission alone, they’d even posted to the Adventurers Guild asking veterans to lead them, but today’s experience had taught them even more.
“You didn’t ask the senior’s name yet.”
Noticing the Adventurer badge symbol on Gauss’s chest that denoted a level-5 professional, their expressions grew more respectful.
“Gauss.” Gauss answered casually, then smiled and asked a question.
“Did you think I was attacking you just now?”
“Heh—no, no, Senior Gauss, you clearly seem like a good person, and someone of your stature would have no reason to waste effort on us.” Mira, the female archer, said.
Though they had been frightened, they certainly wouldn’t voice their true thoughts, instead smiling nervously.
“Actually, if I had wanted to, no one here would have known.” Gauss shook his head.
As he said—this place was so remote that if he had really wanted to act, it wouldn’t arouse suspicion;it would simply mean another rookie team had died on a commission.
The others broke into cold sweat and glanced at him cautiously.
“You’re joking with us, right?”
Gauss smiled but didn’t reply.
Not far off, Aria and the others were slowly approaching.
“Gauss, are you scaring newbies again?”
The rookies noticed Aria and the others coming only when they heard the voice.
Seeing the giant woman who looked like a small mountain, they swallowed nervously.
Her size gave a strong sense of pressure.
They had no doubt she could smash them to pulp with a single punch.
“Don’t worry, we’re all good people.” Aria reassured them as she noticed their tense staring at Albenia. “Even though Albenia looks like that, she’s actually very kind.”
She turned to Albenia.
“Right?”
“If it’s Lord Gauss’s order, I’ll act.” Albenia boomed a hearty laugh.
For a moment it was hard to tell whether she was serious or teasing.
Aria, considering how obedient Albenia usually was toward Gauss, felt a little unsure herself for a second.
Fortunately, Gauss quickly broke the awkwardness by speaking.
When he spoke, his charm calmed the greenhorns like a gentle breeze.
After such an experience, these rookies would likely never throw away their weapons again.
Danger lurks everywhere in the wild.
Whether it’s unseen monsters hidden in the environment or unfamiliar people encountered, adventurers must remain vigilant.
Even if you harbor ill intent toward a professional like Gauss, recognizing it early is useless—at least you can resist with some dignity.
Serlandul quietly gave everyone a quick healing.
After regaining some strength, they gathered their loot and the commission certificate.
From chatting with Gauss and the others, the group learned this was the rookies’ first time in the area.
Mira, the archer and team leader, enthusiastically invited them to her hometown.
Since Gauss’s destination was the same place, he agreed;having a local guide was convenient.
Along the way, Gauss casually pointed out faults in their teamplay during the fight.
The four listened attentively.
Guidance coming from a level-5 professional was a rare opportunity for them.
Aria watched Gauss’s teacherly manner and shook her head.
Although Gauss rarely showed over-enthusiastic warmth, at heart he was a decent person.
Relieved at that thought, she relaxed.
A talented adventurer who was also kind was a boon to the world and ordinary people—monsters aside.
As the road stretched on, a thriving little town nestled by the deep-blue lake gradually came into view.
In stark contrast to the dilapidated Gold-Silver Town, this town was not large but full of vitality.
Wood-and-stone houses were scattered along the gentle slope, many with flowered window sills and doorstep blooms.
The air carried the lake’s unique fresh scent, while lively voices drifted from the distant market.
Fishing and cargo boats were neatly docked at the pier, white sails bright in the sun, and fishermen were busily loading and unloading catches.
There were noticeably more adventurers and merchants here than in Gold-Silver Town, showing the place’s prosperity and relative safety.
Guards manned the watchtowers, making the bustling town orderly.
It was a picture of everything flourishing, full of life.
“We’re here! Welcome to Lakeside Town!” Mira pointed to the town ahead, sounding relaxed and proud as she returned home.
Gauss noticed colorful decorations strung across the streets.
“Is your town celebrating a festival?”
The streets clearly exuded a festive atmosphere.
“Yes, Senior Gauss.” Mira tapped her forehead and hurriedly explained.
“We’re holding the Five-Town Lakefest Competition. This is a rare event around Blue Lake!”
“Oh?”
Gauss’ interest was piqued.
People always liked festivals.
Hearing they had arrived just in time for a local celebration, a smile crept onto Gauss’s face.
It sounded lively, apparently a joint event organized by several towns around Blue Lake.
“Lakefest Competition?” Aria blinked curiously. “Sounds fun! Can we join?”
“Of course.” Mira nodded. “The Lakefest has a civilian division and a professional division, plus many entertainment events. Locals and visitors alike can participate.”
As Mira and the others chatted, Gauss quickly learned about this Five-Town Lakefest Competition.
Overall, it wasn’t a serious contest and didn’t require participants to fight to the death;it was more of a festival of entertainment.
There were races, fishing contests, and underwater treasure hunts.
Although recreational, each event offered corresponding rewards.
It was still late summer, the heat hadn’t fully broken, and such a lakeside festival was very attractive to many adventurers and travelers.
“However, professionals of level 6 and above are restricted from participating.”
Mira glanced at Albenia.
The rule existed partly because there were few Masters, and partly because Master-level adventurers already showed inhuman strength that could cause accidents if uncontrolled.
Elite-class adventurers, with the guild leaders present, could still be managed.
Aria pondered and suddenly looked at Gauss.
Is Gauss a bit overleveled? He’s exactly level 5 by the rules, but his strength is far beyond that.
She wasn’t the only one thinking that.
Serlandul and the disappointedly barred Albenia both turned to look at Gauss.
Gauss was basically a loophole in the rules.
“What are you staring at?” Gauss scratched his head. “Let’s find a place to stay first.”
Whether he’d compete was uncertain.
His main business was monster hunting.
But he did plan to stay in town for a while.
On one hand he was waiting for Shadow to arrive, and on the other, monsters around Gold-Silver Town had been cleared, while the Lakeside area around Blue Lake clearly held many monsters waiting for him.
After Gauss declined the invitation to stay at the rookies’ homes, Mira and the others volunteered to lead them to an inn.
However, before they reached their destination,
a group of kids playing with toy wooden swords blocked their path.
They seemed to know Mira and the others.
“Big sis! You’re back! Did the adventure go well?”
“Dummy George! Big sis is back—of course it went well!”
“Stop asking dumb questions!”
“Big sis is a beast out there!”
The kids chattered like a flock of sparrows.
Mira came back to the present from the festival excitement and shot a shy glance at Gauss.
If not for Gauss’s help, they likely would have been in deep trouble.
Especially hearing her little brothers brag in front of Gauss made her blush.
It was unbearably awkward.
Gauss showed little reaction at the scene but noticed Mira’s embarrassment, winked, and nodded.
Seeing the senior not expose her, Mira relaxed.
She pulled the kids aside by their ears, her expression stern.
“All right, go play somewhere else. I still have business to attend to.”
She couldn’t let those rascals linger here any longer,
or else all her usual boasting would be exposed, and she’d wish she could bury herself.