Chsoter 29

Finn, uncertain about choosing a weapon, purposely got to the back of the line.

As he made his way toward the front, it had been about six hours. Around four hours ago, he had stopped moving, his mind, heart, and soul elsewhere.

It started with him sighing inwardly as he looked at the weapons from the end of the line—swords, axes, hammers, spears, daggers, and many others. But something felt wrong. It would offend his affinity for the fist if he chose a weapon. Unknowingly, Finn was comprehending his intent: his fist was the weapon, and his weapon was his fist.

As he stood there, contemplating, Grolak watched from a distance, unseen. The orc had placed his domain around Finn, ensuring that if anyone dared get near him, they would be knocked back. No mortal could resist his domain. He wouldn't allow Finn's enlightens to be ruined.

Finn blinked, looking around. Everyone else had chosen a weapon, most having stopped bothering the weird human who was staring into space.

Finally, Finn approached the table. Grolak appeared beside him, observing him closely. "Hmm, you look like a sword or spear user. Try one," Grolak suggested, testing Finn.

Finn had already made his decision inwardly. He bowed deeply, channeling the respect he had read about in the Wuxia novel "Master Grolak, your wisdom and insight are boundless. The weapons before me are indeed powerful, but I have realized that my true path lies in honing my own body as the ultimate weapon. My fists are my destiny. With the utmost respect, I must decline these weapons and choose the path of the fist."

Grolak laughed heartily. "While a lot of the multiverse might like tjst , orcs prefer it when you just say it as you mean and be respectful." He clapped Finn on the shoulder. "We were hoping you'd say that."

Finn inwardly wondered who "We" was.

Grolak reached under the table and pulled out a pair of metal gauntlets that looked like they cover his hand coercing just below his elbows. "You're a fist cultivator. It's an uncommon path that is rarely walked to apex, but those who do..." Grolak trailed off, chuckling.

"Put a little of your intent into the gauntlets," Grolak instructed.

At first, the gauntlets felt like incredibly soft metal, but as Finn channeled his intent into them, they hardened, forming knuckles over his fists.

"You'll be able to defend with these gauntlets," Grolak explained, "but you'll eventually need a cultivation technique that stresses a constitution affinity to make your body more durable. That won't be until you get to your dungeon. For now, guard with your gauntlets. It'll be painful, and you might break your arm bones, but repeated medicinal baths will not only heal you but make your bones stronger and more dense over time."

Finn asked, "So my arms should be broken every time I use a medicinal bath?

Grolak grinned. "Not a bad idea." He disappeared, using a movement technique.

A minute later, Grolak reappeared, handing Finn a talisman. "Put your spiritual energy into this before using a medicinal bath, but make sure your bath is at least B grade. It only needs your spiritual energy to activate; it's powered internally while it's on your chest. It will primarily focus on the bones in your hands, arms, and shins fracturing them— the shins because you'll need strong legs too.

Grolak continued "But nothing is free; I had to make it extra painful, so every use will be a trial.

Finn wasn't sure about the talisman, but Grolak told him to give it back, and he'd have it sent to his room.

"You'll get an hour of personal instruction," Grolak added.

Finn nodded, trying to absorb all the information. The path ahead was daunting, but he was determined to follow it.