Chapter 2 - Level Up

The health bar crowned around its head was considerably lower compared to when I first appraised it. I didn’t even have to hit it, and it was already close to dying. I just hoped that was enough to scare it off for good.

Another thunk against my shoulder. It dropped from the air, writhing on the ground with broken wings. Its beady eyes glared at me with hatred.

Why’re you looking at me like that? I didn’t tell you to attack me, I just stood here.

The helplessness of its broken body was oddly familiar, and I couldn’t stop myself from turning away.

It feels wrong to leave it like this… I closed my eyes and brought my massive arms down on it, with all my might.

What followed was a grotesque splat!

That was nasty…I shouldn’t use that much force again! Never again!

{First Kill Bonus}
{50 EXP gained}
{Level Up}

It was good to know I could grow stronger, but fighting monsters seemed a little scary. I suppose I didn’t have to worry too much with a body like mine, though.

{Appraisal ability has increased}
{Would you like to view Status?}

Oh, you really respond to my thoughts. I guess no thoughts are safe from the system then, yes please!

{Unamed Golem Lv2}
Attack: 30
Agility: 5
Vitality: 80
Defence: 100
MP: 25

Staring at my status, I couldn’t help but focus on the glaringly obvious imbalances. I knew I felt sluggish, but I chalked that up to being my first time walking around in years. Was this really how slow I was doomed to be?!

No, I can fix this. There’s a levelling system, so my stats should be able to increase. I just need to fight enough monsters, and I can grow stronger. I looked back at the stats and formed a mental smile at the other high numbers. Damn, my defence and attack are both so high– at least I think that’s high for this level– no wonder that bat from before died against me. I’m totally Overpowered!

What stood out the most for me was the title. I finally got some confirmation on what I was, not that I didn’t already have a feeling. I mean, there are only so many creatures that are completely stone.

Well, if I’m a golem, then shouldn’t I have some kind of master or summoner to serve? Me being able to walk around freely probably means I don’t, right?

I couldn’t be completely sure, but that didn’t matter much right now. My main focus, really, was to escape this cave. I wanted to see the outside world; I was sure there was one, thanks to that hole in the cave room earlier. I just needed to find it.

The stones further in the cave tunnel flickered, and I went into high alert. Something was coming.

I know I can’t be hurt by bats but does that go for everything? What happens when a stronger monster finds me, I could end up getting crushed?! Just in case, I think I’ll hide this one out…

It was too late, by the time I turned away, they were already on me. Large beasts with snarling mouths and drooling fangs blocked my path. Dark brown fur and canine bodies with short spines along their backs, they truly fit the title of monster up close. There were two of them in total and the information above their heads only made things worse.

{Dungeon Jackal Lv5}
{Dungeon Jackal Lv3}

This time it’s a level 5 monster?! I took a step back but couldn’t help shaking a little as their hungry gazes zoomed over me. You wouldn’t eat a little golem like me, would you? I have no meat or flesh, I swear!

I followed their gaze to the path behind me, deadlocked onto the dead bat I had killed before. It was probably from the blood still on me, I’m sure they were probably attracted to it.

A large paw swiped through the air and this time, I felt it. Dagger-shaped claws dug into me but I still hadn’t flinched.

{-5 HP}

What the heck, it totally cut through stone just now! These things are trouble, I need to escape–

Another step back and they were both on the pursuit, before I could manage a second step, they had both closed the distance. The level five swiped at my chest again, while the other blocked off my other escape route. It sucked fighting two beasts at once.

{-5HP}

Stop doing that! I know it doesn’t hurt much, but the thought of my health points getting closer to zero is scary as hell… My speed isn’t helping here– I’m practically standing still!!!

One step lasted nearly two seconds, by the time I turned around or tried to block, the other jackal had already landed another hit.

What’s my health, now?

{65/80 HP}

Slash after slash against my body, my panic had evolved into full-on fear. I swung out my arms wildly, doing anything and everything I could to escape, but they were too fast. The level 5 jackal dodged it, while the level 3 clung to my back like an overgrown backpack.

I’m not gonna die, am I…am I…? This can’t be it, this isn’t happening– I refuse!

I took three large steps backwards, my arms at my side and with all my strength, I leapt a few inches off the ground. My back hit the ground with a heavy shake that even I could tell was loud. I couldn’t see any struggle from the Jackal and a moment later, I got up and noticed the notification.

{50 EXP gained}

The level 5 still remained, its bloodthirsty eyes locked onto me. We both froze and for a minute, I contemplated running but quickly threw that notion aside.

I’m not sure what’s waiting for me outside this cave but as long as I’m here, it’s kill or be killed. I will survive, even if I have to be a monster.

The jackal struck desperately, clearly seeing its partner crushed had made an impression.

Don’t rush, keep your head on straight and pick a side. Left–no right!

I anticipated its movements and threw up my arm for a counter. Without speed, I had to play it smart. I needed timing. A heavy hit connected with its jaw and blood splattered along my arm and painted my vision with deep red.

{50 Exp gained}
{Level UP}

Oh, I got another level…yay… I sank back, my adrenaline pounding through whatever was in my chest and fell onto my stone back. I think I’ll just rest here a bit.

***

Surprisingly, closing my eyes actually resulted in making me feel better. I checked my status again and my health had filled right up. I guess resting was able to regenerate some health, but it began building up naturally over time, just much slower.

After that, I made some good progress through the cave. The further I went, the more I realised how much of a labyrinth it was. It felt like it went on forever!

I ran into a few more of those Dungeon Jackals, but they avoided me; turns out they really don’t get too aggressive without any meat around. The bats were another story, they basically attacked me every time they saw me. Talk about aggressive little beasts!

All in all, with all that running around, I didn’t get tired once. I really didn’t have a stamina limit, I could swing and punch all day without losing steam. From all my efforts–mostly bat killing– I managed to level up again.

{Unamed Golem Lv4}
Attack: 45
Agility: 7
Vitality: 90
Defence: 145
MP: 25

I had a feeling my agility wouldn’t increase, but for it to only go up by two points felt like a low blow. Whoever designed this world was playing a seriously cruel trick on me…

On the plus side, my attack and defensive abilities continued to skyrocket! At this point, even the Dungeon Jackals were having a tough time hurting me. The one that threw me for a loop was my MP stat, which I assumed was mana points, probably relating to magic, based on my knowledge from my previous life.

I didn’t increase my MP this time either… weird. Is my growth already determined? I’ll wait and see for now, but I seriously hope I can increase my agility somehow.

In Starlight, magic was something I only had to use a menu for. This world felt different, although the system looked the same, I kept finding more and more differences. I had already reached a point where comparing the two was no longer an option.

Hmmmmmm… magic, how would I use magic? Well, this world's definition of magic might still be the same, so based on, that it’d be a type of power source, right? If I have MP, I should be able to cast it.

After a few rounds of trying to blast out some kind of wind or fire spell, nothing happened, but I felt seriously embarrassed. Thankfully, there was nobody around to see that.

Maybe I need to know the words to a spell? I guess I’ll try at a later stage then.