Oliver wandered through the terrain for a while before finally coming to a halt in front of a peculiar expanse.
Massive stone structures rose from the ground in irregular formations, each curving into incomplete rings with their lower halves embedded beneath the earth.
They were scattered across the area, forming something akin to a natural labyrinth that stretched as far as his eyes could reach.
Here and there, skulls and fractured bones lay wedged between the stones or half-buried in the ground, remnants of those who had ventured through and failed.
The wind was far stronger here, sweeping through the gaps between the stone rings and drowning out most sounds, making even the slightest movement more difficult to control.
According to the novel, this place was called the Tomb of Stones, located not too far from the Red Sea. It was known as a gathering ground for Rank One Puppets, and it was not uncommon to encounter them in groups.
Facing one was manageable, but a group was not.
Everyone struggled against Puppets upon their first arrival, despite undergoing rigorous combat training from birth, largely due to the absence of Stitches to assist them in battle.
"So this is the Tomb of Stones…" Oliver muttered.
His gaze swept across the terrain with a weary expression.
"…Of course it had to be this place."
He remained still for a moment, carefully observing the gaps between the stone rings.
The wind howled past him once more, and his grip on the Imperial sword tightened slightly.
"I should use the natural effect of my Shadow Hue to avoid unnecessary danger."
Each Hue possessed its own inherent effect, and according to the story, Oliver's Shadow Hue granted him the ability to obscure his presence, merging it with surrounding shadows. Though it could not render him completely undetectable, it was sufficient for ambushes and for delaying detection.
As one's strength increased, so too did the potency of this natural effect.
Oliver focused his mind on the faint darkness around him, gradually melding into it until his figure became partially obscured from sight.
He silently drew his blade and began advancing through the Tomb of Stones, deliberately avoiding the more exposed areas.
The weakness of Shadow was light, as it would inevitably destabilize his concealment and force him out of hiding, so he made a conscious effort to avoid the scattered patches of illumination that touched parts of the Tomb.
As he moved, Oliver detected motion ahead. He halted and concealed himself behind a stone before leaning slightly to observe what was traversing the area nearby.
There, he saw a String Puppet, methodically patrolling the terrain like a mindless predator in search of sustenance.
The creature abruptly stopped upon noticing a human skull and lunged toward it at a speed nearly twice that of an ordinary human.
It grasped the skull with its two tendril-like appendages, examining it briefly before parting its grotesquely wide mouth. Half of its small head seemed to split open as it attempted to consume the remains.
However, the creature paused midway, then snapped its mouth shut and discarded the skull after recognizing the absence of life force, and more importantly, the lack of flesh.
The Puppet resumed its aimless patrol, movements tinged with restless hunger.
Oliver blinked twice, momentarily perplexed.
"Are these things truly this dull, just as described in the novel? Well, regardless, this is a perfect opportunity to obtain Fragments."
Killing a Rank One Puppet guaranteed at least ten Fragments.
The problem lay in the carapace of the String Puppets, it was several times harder than diamond, though that was not much of an issue for him.
Two precise strikes from the Imperial sword were enough to cleave through it, provided his execution remained sharp. Inevitably, Oliver knew he would have to refine the blade beyond its current state for the battles that lay ahead.
At present, it was merely exceptional without any notable enhancement. It would deal little to no meaningful damage against a Rank Two Puppet.
He decided to initiate a surprise attack and eliminate it before it could comprehend what had struck it. However, he remained cautious of his surroundings in case another Puppet lingered nearby, concealed from view, which would turn the encounter into a far more dangerous confrontation if he were forced to face two at once.
He lowered his stance slightly and advanced, stepping around the stone structures while keeping his focus fixed on the String Puppet.
Oliver did not rush, closing the distance gradually while using the scattered rings as cover until he was within striking range.
The Puppet paused briefly, then resumed its patrol.
Oliver stepped forward and struck.
The Imperial sword crashed into its head, a sharp resonance echoing as the blade met the carapace, fracturing it slightly and leaving a shallow gash. It was not enough.
Oliver scowled.
'Damn it, just as I expected…'
The String Puppet reacted instantly.
Its body contorted as it lunged toward the direction of the attack with alarming speed, forcing Oliver to withdraw immediately, narrowly evading the strike as he shifted to the side.
It did not relent, pressing forward with another assault that drove him back between the stone rings.
Oliver steadied his footing and adjusted his approach.
Instead of confronting it head-on, he began to circle, guiding its movements while searching for an opening.
The Puppet attacked again, faster this time, forcing him to retreat, but his footing faltered slightly under the force of the wind, and he was driven into an exposed area where faint light from above fell directly upon him.
The moment he was exposed, the Puppet locked onto him.
It rushed at him without hesitation.
Oliver did not bother retreating, instead stepping forward to meet it.
As it closed the distance, he shifted to the side and swung again, aiming for the fractured section of its neck. This time, the blade cleaved through cleanly.
Its head dropped instantly.
The body remained motionless for a brief moment before collapsing.
He grinned faintly and exhaled steadily through his nose.
"I got you."
[String Puppet (Rank 1) destroyed.]
[10 Fragments absorbed.]
Fragments: [10]
Oliver quickly withdrew from sight and reactivated the natural effect of his Shadow Hue before continuing his hunt through the Tomb of Stones.
Suddenly, another screen materialized before him just as he was about to advance further.
[Chimera Wolf has awakened.]
Current State: [Hatchling]
[Fragments required for first evolution: 50]
Bond Status: [The beast has begun to recognize you as its anchor.]
Oliver glanced down at his pocket, and then he felt a slight stirring.
Slowly, its small head emerged from within.