Chapter 4:
The morning light filtered weakly through the canopy as Leo and his clay golem stepped beyond the cave's moss-framed entrance. Dew clung to the leaves like glass beads. Mist wove between roots and undergrowth—but here, beneath the hush of ancient trees, something stirred.
They didn't make it far.
A shimmer caught Leo's eye.
Half-hidden among the tall grass and blooming Veilstems was a slime—but not like any he'd seen before.
It pulsed with a faint golden glow, and atop its gelatinous body grew a delicate, seven-colored flower. Almost like a crown.
Leo froze in his tracks.
"...What the—?"
The slime quivered once, then stilled. It didn't attack. It simply shimmered—like a mirage waiting to vanish.
A subtle warmth pulsed from the Whispering Ring on his finger. A scan?
> [Scan Initialized...] [Species: Grass Slime – Unique Variant Type] [Designation: Radiant Bloom Slime] [Level: ???] [Behavior: Passive, Territorial – Fades if approached too closely.]
Leo blinked. "Unique…?"
But the moment he did, the slime rippled—and vanished like mist torn by wind.
Gone.
He stepped forward cautiously. Nothing. Just swaying grass.
"Was that real?"
Tarra tilted her head at him, puzzled.
Leo exhaled. "Weird. But we're not chasing it. Not yet."
They moved on, weaving between thick roots and rising ferns. The deeper they went, the more the forest seemed to hold its breath. Every sound—every birdcall or twig snap—felt sharper than before.
Then came the growl.
A hunched figure stepped from the underbrush, clothed in scraps and a tattered hood, its yellow eyes gleaming from beneath the cowl. In one clawed hand, it held a jagged iron shiv.
Its snout twitched. A snarl followed.
> [Enemy Identified – Ratman Scout – Lv. 2]
Leo's muscles tensed.
"Get ready."
The Ratman hissed—and lunged.
"Tarra, intercept!"
The golem moved like a sentinel brought to life. She slammed her fists together with a low grind of stone and stepped between Leo and the attacker.
The Ratman struck first, slashing at Tarra's torso—but the rusted blade only scraped against her hardened clay arm. Sparks danced briefly from her quartz-lined joints.
She retaliated—fist driving into the creature's chest with crushing force.
It staggered back, choking on blood.
Leo's heart pounded as he clenched his hand. "Tarra—finish it!"
Her next blow cracked across the Ratman's skull with a thud like breaking stone.
The creature crumpled, limbs twitching once before falling still.
> [Enemy Defeated – Ratman Scout Lv. 2] [Experience Gained: 60 XP] [Level Up! You are now Level 2] [Stat Points +3]
Leo let out a breath. "Nice work..."
He stepped forward, eyes cautious. No traps. No twitching limbs.
He knelt beside the body.
This time, there was no need to dismantle.
The System pulsed.
> [Loot System Unlocked!] As your understanding of this world deepens, so too does your ability to salvage from foes.
[Items Acquired:] – Ratman Hood (Worn) – Jagged Shiv (Crude, etched with faded glyphs) – Broken Fang
> [Inventory Updated – New Items Added] – Ratman Hood (Worn) – Jagged Shiv (Crude, etched with faded glyphs) – Broken Fang
Leo inspected the shiv. Strange marks ran along its edge—worn, but deliberate.
"…Wonder what tribe you belonged to."
He crouched beside Tarra, placing the loot into his satchel. "Alright… time to allocate these points."
> [Allocating Stat Points…] +2 Intelligence +1 Vitality
With a gesture, he summoned his updated status window.
---
> [Status: Leo Makjin] Race: Human Class: — Title: Golem Maker Level: 2 HP: 110 / 110 MP: 75 / 75 Strength: 10 Agility: 10 Intelligence: 12 Vitality: 11 Luck: ? Unallocated Stat Points: 0
---
He looked up.
Tarra stood tall beside him, proud and still—like a guardian statue.
---
> [Golem Status: Tarra] Type: Clay Golem Level: 1 HP: 150 / 150 Core Integrity: Stable Core Type: Basic Quartz Core Affinity: Earth Role: Frontline Melee Speed: Low ATK: 22 DEF: 28 Skills: • Quartz-Infused Strike • Enhanced Combat Matrix
---
Leo lifted the Ratman's hood and slipped it over his head. It reeked of sweat and rot—but it would keep bugs out. Maybe even confuse other scouts.
He gave Tarra a nod.
"Let's move."
The forest was waiting—and somewhere beyond, so was the next piece of his legacy.