The Steel of Redemption

  Brookhan was bleeding out fast. Fortunately, Fodio’s experience as a mercenary had taught him a few battlefield remedies. He applied a strange, pungent liquid to the stump...a rare medicinal concoction designed to slow the blood flow.

  "We have to move, Boss! I don't know how long this medicine will hold!" Fodio urged, his voice trembling. As they ran, Fodio’s mind was a whirlwind of guilt. Damn it... this is my fault. I won't let it happen again! Tears blurred his vision as he looked at the unconscious Brookhan.

  Fodio and Grekknark carried Brookhan, sprinting toward the Yvonary Fortress, which was still miles away. Denki watched his newest recruit turn paler by the second, his heart sinking with every step. Beside him, Krizz was in a state of shock, her hands ghosting over her bow, unsure of how to help.

  They reached the fortress without stopping. Brookhan was fading. Medical staff immediately intercepted them, whisking him away into the surgery ward and leaving the group standing in the cold hallway...silent, defeated, and staring at nothing.

  Fodio collapsed to his knees, his sobs echoing against the stone walls as he punched the floor. "You have to live! I have to make this right!"

  Denki walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't blame yourself, Fodio." "I should have been the one to protect him," Denki whispered, his own voice cracking. "I'm the leader, yet he’s the one fighting for his life." The weight of leadership felt crushing; surviving the status Brookhan was in would be nothing short of a miracle.

  "Mecha parts... Bionic parts..." Fodio muttered, his eyes fixed on the floor. The group looked at him, confused by the terms. "There are blueprints... technology that can reattach or replace severed limbs," Fodio explained. The name Noin immediately flashed in Denki’s mind.

  Without a word, Denki bolted. "Denki! Where are you going?" Brendarg shouted, but he didn't answer. The group had no choice but to follow as Grekknark helped Fodio to his feet.

  BAM! Denki burst through the doors of the Research Department. "Where is Lady Noin?" he demanded. Noin appeared from behind a pile of scrap, her expression shifting from annoyance to deep concern the moment she saw Denki's face.

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  "What happened? What’s wrong?" Noin asked. "It's Brookhan... his arm was severed. Will he live?" Noin sighed. "I can't be sure. There’s a 65% chance he’ll survive the night, but even if he does, he won’t be able to fight again."

  "But his dream... he wanted to see the world," Denki whispered to himself. "Does this mean he can't come with us anymore?"

  Noin’s eyes widened. She suddenly turned and began frantically digging through her archives, tossing papers aside. "Where is it... I know I have it here somewhere..." "Found it!" she exclaimed, pulling out a dusty folder. "It seems I can finally complete this." She spread out a blueprint for Bionic Parts.

  "Incredible... I thought only the Belekturr or other advanced factions had this tech," Fodio remarked, eyeing the complex designs.

  "If Brookhan survives, we can give him a way to keep traveling. But I’ll need your help," Noin stated firmly. "Whatever you need, we’ll get it," Denki promised. "What are the materials?" "Rare alloys, specialized scrap, and components found only in high-tier machines," Noin explained. Denki immediately thought of the Wild Corrupts they had faced earlier.

  THUD! Fodio stepped forward and slammed a heavy object onto the table...the Hydraulic Lancer of the Grimz leader. "Ma'am, maybe this will help. This was the weapon of the man I used to follow...the one who fell before the Grimz turned into outlaws. This weapon wasn't what cut Brookhan, but it’s high-grade tech from my days in the Medallion Dog Mercenaries Corp. I want to use it to save my comrade."

  Fodio’s eyes were filled with the memory of his former battalion and the brotherhood he had lost.

  Noin examined the Lancer, her eyes sparkling. "Well... it looks like you won't need to go hunting for materials after all." She looked at the group with a determined smile. "Everything I need is right here. I’m starting the research immediately!"

  As she turned back to her desk, she called out over her shoulder, "Go find Uncle S. for me! I’ll need his engineering hands for this!"

  Before they left, Denki pulled Fodio aside. "Fodio... why did the Grimz leader say 'I was just a victim too' before he died?"

  Fodio paused, and the first memory that surfaced was...