I Am Not Goblin Slayer Chapter 164: Mud Statue

"Boom!!"

Dust filled the air.

Gauss and Aria dodged swiftly.

The attack missed them completely.

In that fleeting mont of danger, Gauss had clearly seen the attacker's true form.

A Mud Statue - an elite monster.

A creature similar to slis and distant relative of Gray Oozes.

However, it was significantly stronger than ordinary slis and Gray Oozes. According to records, their challenge rating fluctuated between levels 1-3.

Composed of mud, clay, humus, and even animal remains, these monsters could continuously regenerate by absorbing material from the earth as long as their core remained intact, making them one of the most dreaded opponents for adventurers.

"It's a Mud Statue, an elite monster. Be careful," Gauss relayed the information to Aria.

Hearing it was an elite monster, Aria's expression changed instantly as she focused intently.

The danger posed by elite monsters was incomparable to low-level creatures - even experienced adventurers needed to exercise caution.

Outside the window, raven Eck let out piercing cries alongside the Mud Statue's muffled roars.

Clearly, the raven flying outside had drawn the monster's attention, buying ti for the two inside the building.

"Let's get out first," Gauss decided imdiately.

This ruined building's age and structural integrity were questionable. Rather than providing shelter, it might collapse under the Mud Statue's attacks, potentially burying them alive.

"Right."

Aria leaped onto gray wolf Ulfen's back.

The two quickly retreated through the building's rear.

"Fight or flee?" Aria asked.

Theoretically, encountering elite monsters in the Maze's first underground level was relatively rare.

Their quick reactions had saved them - ordinary low-level adventurers might have already died in the Mud Statue's initial assault.

"Let's try fighting?" Gauss didn't sense overwhelming threat from the creature.

Though judging by the attack's destructive power, it wasn't weak either - perhaps an evenly matched opponent.

His elite monster catalog currently only included Mantis Man and Half-Ogre, still three entries short of his Elite Path's second stage goal.

If possible, he didn't want to miss this Mud Statue.

Gauss gazed into the distance.

The deep brown mud-humanoid monster's surface visibly contained various unidentified materials.

Filthy sludge, weeds, branches, and occasionally bones of unknown creatures.

Its form was round and bloated, with stubby lower limbs, standing about four to five ters tall.

Facing such an opponent, Eck had flown far away, giving the Mud Statue no chance to attack.

Probably not a level 3 monster, Gauss pondered.

First, it didn't fit the Maze's monster distribution rules;

second, the threat level felt insufficient.

Either level 1 or 2, most likely the latter, though Gauss couldn't be certain.

In combat encounters, determining a monster's challenge level was often ambiguous.

Unlike those fictional power detectors from his previous world that could quantify combat strength nurically, even basic level distinctions were hard to pin down.

Monsters of the sa level varied in strength.

Factors like physical condition, injuries, equipnt, matchup advantages, and ability to conceal weaknesses all played significant roles.

Without actual combat, it was hard to predict outcos unless there was a substantial level gap.

"Stay safe," Gauss cautioned Aria.

"Understood."

Aria on wolfback dared not dismount - Mud Statues possessed ranged attacks.

Against such versatile opponents, extra caution was needed since attacks could reach even at moderate distances.

Her mobility couldn't match Gauss's agility, though Ulfen's burst speed and short-distance movent were excellent despite not being a long-distance mount.

Raven Eck returned to Aria's side.

Having lost its target, the Mud Statue refocused on the duo.

"Mmm!!!"

The Mud Statue roared, its massive foot stomping and shaking the ground.

Gauss keenly noticed surrounding mud flowing like living creatures up its ankles, rapidly repairing damage from its thrown attacks.

"So damaging its body is aningless," Gauss murmured, pupils contracting.

Or rather, it had no real body - just a core wrapped in thick material layers.

Unless the core was exposed or shattered, even "critical damage" would quickly regenerate.

What a troubleso ability...

As the Mud Statue raised its arm again, Gauss instantly activated [Enhanced Jump].

At rank 2, with physical attributes like Strength, Agility, and Constitution all exceeding 8, plus the hidden bonus from his [Reptilian] talent, dodging attacks from twenty ters away wasn't difficult.

"Bang!!"

The earthen projectile cratered the ground, scattering shrapnel-like debris.

"Thud!"

Unavoidable stone fragnts struck Gauss like stray bullets, imdiately activating rippling blue barrier waves across his skin.

Oof.

The Gauss Field completely blocked these deceptively dangerous projectiles.

Never underestimate such seemingly insignificant attacks - a headshot without protection could instantly kill fragile professionals like spellcasters.

This was why Gauss valued defensive skills so much. They might not speed up leveling, but they could mitigate unpredictable dangers.

Gauss retrieved the Bone Staff from his Storage Bag.

Before departing, he'd already prepared Magic Missile in his secondary core slot.

While Burning Hands excelled against groups, Magic Missile perford better against stronger single targets.

This Mud Statue likely feared no fire - its outer "body" was replaceable and non-flammable.

lee attacks would also prove ineffective - even thrusting a sword deep might not reach the core within its bloated form.

Mana surged within Gauss.

After advancing from level 1 to 2 Magician, his Mana Cup had strengthened, allowing faster mana circulation.

Especially for 1st circle spells - their casting speed had noticeably increased.

Three blue energy spheres rapidly ford before Gauss and shot forth!

"Boom!"

The mont the Mud Statue attacked, Gauss retaliated.

Magic Missiles tore through air with azure trails, striking the Mud Statue's body with heavy impact.