Retreating to the relative safety of the canopy, the golem Mud silently observed the area around the dead buck. Moments later, a trio of brownish-grey furred creatures came slinking through the underbrush, sniffing curiously at the air.

Examining the immediate surroundings, the wolves approached the red deer. After a few inquisitive sniffs, the lead wolf bit into the carcass. Moments later, the accompanying wolves followed their leader's example and began to feast.

Observing all of this from between two branches, Mud was conflicted. Killing these three predators would surely be a massive boon to its leveling efforts. Not only were they higher risk class and predators, but there was three of them! Triple the targets, and therefore triple the earnings. The only problem is that there is also triple the threat. Or, perhaps even more than triple the threat; Dictionary warned of something called 'group tactics'.

If only a single Grey Wolf had appeared, the golem would have enthusiastically attacked it. If there were two, it might still have risked an ambush. But with three strong enemies before it, Mud decided to display the better part of valor and discreetly withdrew.

Considering how to continue hunting, Mud decided to travel opposite the direction of the nearby human town it had spotted from the treetops. The only human the golem had so far fought had been fully capable of killing it, but that wasn't the primary reason for its concern. The true cause of anxiety had been Dictionary's assessment of humans.

Aside from humans and demons, the highest tier that Mud had discovered were body parts from tier 8 beasts in Cithlar's collection. The descriptions for the high tier monsters, such as Adult Fire Dragons and Nephilim, had been suitably terrifying. If humans were capable of surpassing even that formidable level of power, then Mud absolutely did not want to engage them unnecessarily. At least not until it learned how to tell the powerful ones apart.

Mud continued traveling silently through the treetops, deeper into the woods.

As the sun dipped towards the horizon and the sky became tinted red, Mud finally spotted a suitable target. Sitting alone beside a shallow brook, a jiggling mound of green slightly smaller than Mud itself slowly absorbed a tuft of grass. As usual, Mud fed the description to its trusty skill Dictionary and awaited its reply.

Mud was momentarily confused by this description. This Green Slime had a higher tier than the grey wolves, yet a lower risk class. Until now, Mud had assumed that a higher tier creature would automatically be more dangerous in combat, but it seems that was not the case. Considering, the golem tried to rationalize the contradiction. Since tier represented how naturally powerful a creature was, it was possible that the slime was simply incredibly inept at utilizing its own strength. Conversely, while the Grey Wolf wasn't a particularly dangerous foe on its own, the fact that it traveled in packs and effectively made the most of its strength made it a risk beyond its tier. Satisfied with that explanation, Mud positioned itself directly above the wriggling emerald ooze.

Learning from its past mistakes, Mud carefully released the branches supporting its weight so as not to make a sound, and descended on the hapless slime.

[Sneak Attack Skill increased to Level 2]

A disgusting squishing sound filled the clearing as the two viscous masses slammed together. The fall had done considerably less damage than Mud had hoped, the fluid body of the slime deforming to absorb the impact. Reacting instantly to the strike, thick bands of mucus spread across the surface of Mud, trying to envelope the golem. Mud in turn tried to spread itself to the outside and envelope the slime.

As a result of this back and forth, a bizarre kind of wrestling match occurred between the two amorphous beings. To a viewer on the outside, the fight might resemble a jar of peanut butter and a bowl of lime jello placed in a blender. Despite the ferocity of the combat, the victor in this scuffle was decided from the start. While the Green Slime was being slowly torn apart and ravaged by the wild melee, Mud remained completely undamaged. The acidic properties of the slime's mucus had no effect on the durable powdered Earth Elemental that made up Mud's body, and the slime's primary hunting tactic of suffocation had no meaning against a foe that didn't breathe. Only a few seconds after the chaotic battle had begun, the Green Slime finally died.

[Experience Gained: 34]

Success! Just as Mud had hoped, the slime gave significantly more Experience than the Red Deer, despite being the same threat class. The fact that it was both a predator and a magical beast seemed to make a big difference. Even better than the large reward, Mud found that it was perfectly suited to fighting this enemy. The slime's primary methods of attack were completely ineffective against a construct. Tearing and slashing attacks, which were the most dangerous to Mud, were completely impossible for the slime's anatomy.

Thinking back on the description, Mud surmised that this was likely an area with high levels of "Plant elemental mana", and there were likely more Green Slime in the surrounding area. Taking once again to the trees, Mud began hunting slimes in earnest.

Later that night, Mud finished off its third slime.

[Experience Gained: 37]

[Mud Golem Species increased to Level 2]

[Skill Points increase to 1]

Mud examined the new information with interest, then called up its Status.

Name: Mud Golem

Level 2 Mud Golem

Class: none

HP

5/6

SP

0/0

MP

100/120

Spells:

Skills(1): Climbing 2, Housework 7, Mathematics 1, Sneak Attack 3, Stealth 3, Unarmed Combat 3, Amorphous Form ®, Dictionary (U)

Status Effects: Incomplete (Articulation Runes)

Several of Mud's skills had increased during its hunting. While it was hard to tell for certain, combat related skills seemed to level faster when it fought these stronger enemies. Despite killing five rats it had gained no skill points, yet against only three slimes it had gained levels in Sneak Attack, Stealth, and Unarmed Combat. Mud was pleased to note that, along with its level, its hp and mp had increased a small amount. So far it hadn't needed to use mp, but hp was a valuable resource. Opening the skill point screen, Mud contemplated what to buy.

Skill Name

Requirement

Enhance Skill:

Dictionary (U)

Use Unique skill Dictionary 100,000 times

Substance Integration ®

Amorphous body composed primarily of a single homogeneous material

Psionics

10+ maximum mana and a disciplined mind

Earth Magic

10+ maximum mana and Earth affinity (granted from constitution)

Fire Magic

10+ maximum mana and Fire affinity (granted from constitution)

Water Magic

10+ maximum mana and Water affinity (granted from constitution)

...

...