Imagine giving sharp tools to a five-year-old child and asking him to carve a Roman statue.
Imagine the kind of disasters that would result.
That was exactly what was happening to me right now.
"What is this nonsense?"
I look at the random chunks of flesh scattered in front of me.
"I thought this would be easy."
I mean, how difficult could it be to make a puppet out of flesh? Especially when I have a guide for making it in my hands.
"This is impossible. I'll need months at the very least."
I feel despair take over my heart as I recall the previous two days.
At first, I was obsessed with the idea of finishing the puppet as quickly as possible so I could escape the farm, but after hours of nonstop work, I discovered that I wouldn't be finishing anytime soon in this state.
The flesh of the dead giant's corpse was tougher than I had imagined, and it also required extreme precision to carve a puppet exactly as described in the manuscript Wei Wang gave me.
So I began balancing cultivation with training in crafting flesh puppets.
The environment here was very suitable for cultivation, so despite not focusing entirely on training, I managed to form one and a half corpses.
"The real problem is those damned worms."
I interrupt my meditation to check whether any worms have come close to the place where I am sitting.
This became a habit I developed during the two days I spent here, as I would interrupt my training or meditation from time to time to make sure no worm was approaching my area.
"I feel like I'll go insane if this continues."
I sigh in exhaustion as I pick up the carving tools and return to trying to make the puppet once again.
According to the manuscript Wei Wang gave me, the process of making flesh puppets was described in precise detail, from the method of cutting to the best shapes they should be made into. Here, the manuscript divided the puppets into three types.
Beast puppets, which are puppets shaped like beasts or ferocious animals. This type is characterized by ease of control, high agility, and great strength—especially if their claws and fangs are made from the bones of the dead giant's corpse.
The second type is humanoid puppets, which possess a human or semi-human appearance. This type is characterized by ease of creation, since there is no need to carve fangs or claws, but it is difficult to control—especially if weapons are attached to it.
The third type is hybrid puppets, which possess a hybrid appearance between humans and beasts. This type is characterized by a high degree of customization, depending on the creator's own creativity.
As is obvious, I chose to create a humanoid puppet in the form of a massive human, which is one of the easiest shapes to carve. Unfortunately, it proved that being the easiest does not mean being easy to make—especially for a beginner like me.
"Damn it."
I glare angrily at the mutilated chunk of flesh in my hands.
"Again."
I throw the mutilated chunk of flesh together with its counterparts of failed products and return to work with renewed determination.
For me, making this puppet was a matter of life or death.
Days pass one after another while I am immersed in trying to create my puppet.
From time to time, Wei Wang appears to bring me food and check on the worms, which—fortunately—did not come near me during my entire stay here.
"Damn it, why won't this work?"
I look in frustration at the closest thing I made to a complete puppet.
The puppet I created resembled a model of a massive, well-built, muscular human, with no details present on its body. Even its face was nothing more than a chaotic, mutilated mess without features.
But the real problem was its hands—one of the hands had been cut off while I was trying to carve its details.
"Damn the details. Puppets don't need fingers. What matters is that it can strike."
I pull at my hair like a madman and throw the failed puppet onto the pile of failed puppets, which had almost formed a mountain of flesh.
This time, I ignored any complex steps such as carving fingers and a face in exchange for finishing quickly.
"Finally."
After unimaginable suffering, I finally look at my artistic masterpiece that I worked so hard to create.
"I'll name you Edward."
I pat the giant puppet's shoulder with a proud smile.
The puppet resembled its predecessor, except that its hands were shaped like hammers.
"Are you finished?"
Wei Wang appears on the horizon with a lazy expression.
"Yes, I've finally finished."
I stand proudly as I present Edward to Wei Wang.
"What is this thing?"
"It's my puppet."
"…"
Wei Wang stares at it in astonishment, then looks at the pile of failed puppets while rubbing his head.
"I was wrong to task you with making your puppet yourself, considering you're a beginner."
Wei Wang sighs in exhaustion as he wipes his forehead.
"…"
"Then why did you make me suffer through making these puppets?"
"It was Elder Shu's request. He asked me to check whether you possess talent in making flesh puppets or not."
"In any case, you can go back to the house to rest. You look miserable. I'll take care of making your puppet and cleaning up the mess you left before the sect notices and both of us get into trouble because of you."
I feel a sense of absurdity as I watch Wei Wang gather the worms around him and feed them the remains of the ruined puppets— even Edward was eaten.
"So what was I doing for the past seventeen days?"
"Farewell, Edward. I will never forget you."
I bid farewell to my artistic masterpiece with sorrowful eyes as I head toward the exit of the cave.
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Due to some circumstances beyond my control, the release schedule may be changed to one chapter per day instead of two chapters per day for a while. However, I promise this will not last, and I will return to the two-chapters-per-day schedule soon.