They both look up to see a man approaching—short but broad, with a powerful, stocky build and a bushy beard that nearly reaches his chest. His hair is equally wild, curling over his forehead and spilling down his back like a mane. His features are rough and weathered, with eyes that spark with a kind of intense, no-nonsense focus. His accent rolls thickly off his tongue, a deep and unmistakable brogue that matches his Dvergr heritage.

  “Aye, you think you can just waltz in here and put your fingers all over me wares, do ya, lass?” he chides, his voice both fiery and gruff, though there’s a glint of amusement behind his stern exterior. His gaze shifts to Kain, assessing him with a sharp, appraising look. “And who’s this? Brought me a new greenhorn to outfit, have ya?”

  Haley, still recovering from her stumble, straightens up, a sheepish grin on her face. “Yes, yes, fine, my bad, Rune.” She waves a hand, brushing off his chiding with a friendly familiarity. “But you happen to be right. Rune, this is Kain, Kain this is Rune and, Kain is the first member of my squad and he’s no greenhorn. I need him outfitted with the best armor you’ve got and a weapon that’ll suit him. And don’t worry about the cost—it’s on the Itunal this time.”

  Rune’s eyes narrow, a look of thoughtful approval crossing his face as he sizes Kain up. “Hmph,” he grunts, scratching his beard. “Big talk for a lass just off probation. But if the Itunal’s footing the bill…” He turns back to Kain, the glimmer in his eye sharpening. “Alright, then, lad. Let’s see if we can’t find somethin’ that suits ya.”

  He gestures for Kain to follow, muttering to himself as he goes, all while sneaking glances back at Kain with an appraising eye. “Can’t just hand ye any ol’ piece. Needs to match the look of a man ready for serious work…”

  Rune crosses his arms, his sharp eyes glinting with interest. “Right then, lad. Let’s start by seein’ your Radar Chart. It’ll give me an idea of where you stand and what gear might suit you best.”

  Kain hesitates, glancing between Rune and Haley. “Uh… sure. Except… I have no idea how to actually do that.”

  Haley, stepping up with her usual mix of confidence and playfulness. “It’s simple, rookie. Just focus on wanting to show the chart to us. Think about sharing it—intent’s the key.”

  Kain nods, furrowing his brow in concentration. After a moment, the air around him shimmers faintly, and a translucent Radar Chart materializes in front of him, its glowing lines marking various stats.

  Rune leans in, stroking his beard as he examines it. “Strength: 50… Speed: 40… Reflexes: 60… Stamina: 50…” He pauses, his eyes widening slightly as he reads the final number. “Combat Rating: 80?!” He lets out a low whistle, stepping back to size Kain up again. “Lad, those are insane base stats for a human. I’ve seen dwarves, orcs, and even young giants who’d kill for those numbers.”

  Haley grins, looking at the chart with pride. “Told you he’s a catch.”

  As Kain looks at his Radar Chart, he tilts his head in confusion, scanning the glowing web of stats. “Wait a second… Strength, Speed, Reflexes, Combat Rating… but where are Intelligence and Wisdom? Aren’t those important?”

  Haley, standing off to the side, bursts into giggles, covering her mouth with her hand. “Kain, this isn’t a video game,” she says, teasingly. “Radar Charts don’t cover everything. Intelligence and Wisdom aren’t something you just stick on a stat sheet.” She gestures casually toward him. “That’s what the written test is for. Think of it like an IQ exam—it gives you a rough idea of how smart or rational you are.”

  Rune chuckles, shaking his head. “She’s right, lad. The chart’s good for gaugin’ raw physical and combat potential, but smarts? That’s a whole different beast.” His sharp eyes twinkle with curiosity. “Speakin’ of which, how’d you score on that test?”

  Kain can’t help but grin, his tone edging toward confident. “First place.”

  Rune’s eyebrows shoot up, impressed. “First place, eh? Not bad, not bad at all…” Then his grin takes on a teasing edge. “Though I wouldn’t get too full of yerself. Most folk takin’ that test are around 18. Congratulations on outscorin’ a bunch of kids.”

  Kain huffs, his smirk faltering slightly, but before he can respond, Haley steps in with her arms crossed, glaring at Rune. “Come on, Rune. That test isn’t just for kids, and you know it. It’s about rational thinking, problem-solving, judgment—skills that matter no matter how old you are. Kain got first place because he’s sharp, not just because of who he was competing against.”

  Rune lets out a hearty laugh, clearly enjoying the exchange. “Alright, alright, lass. No need to get so defensive. Young love always has a way of gettin’ heated.”

  Haley’s face instantly flushes bright red. “W-we barely know each other!” she stammers, her voice jumping a pitch as she flails her arms. But despite her embarrassment, a small grin sneaks onto the corners of her lips as she tries to push it down.

  Rune snorts, turning back to Kain with a grin. “She’s got a point, though, lad." Rune exhales, rubbing his beard. “Smart and strong. Not a bad combination. Although you look like a whimp without a glorious beard like a real man” His gaze shifts toward the weapon racks, his expression turning more serious. “Let’s get you outfitted.”

  Rune gestures for Kain and Haley to follow him toward the far end of the forge. They stop before a large marble rune etched into the floor, glowing faintly with ancient power. In the center stands a humanoid figure, made of a greenish-blue metallic alloy, its surface worn and polished from years of use. The figure is faceless, but its proportions and build are eerily human, its stance neutral yet imposing.

  “To get ya the best gear possible,” Rune says, tapping his finger on the edge of the marble rune, “I gotta see what kind of style you use best. No guesswork here, lad. This’ll tell me what feels natural to ya.”

  As he speaks, the walls around them begin to shift. With a low rumble, panels slide open, revealing racks and shelves that stretch far along the forge’s interior. Rows of weapons gleam under the forge’s light—an overwhelming variety that leaves Kain momentarily stunned.

  “Take your pick,” Rune says, gesturing toward the arsenal. “Try whatever catches yer eye. We’ve got everything from cold steel to modern magitech.”

  Kain’s eyes wander the walls, taking in the sheer range of craftsmanship. Swords of all kinds hang in gleaming rows, from simple, elegant longswords to greatswords etched with glowing runes that pulse faintly with latent magic. A slender katana catches his eye, its blade rippling with a water-like pattern and a faint blue aura. Nearby is a brutal-looking war hammer, its head embedded with crimson gems that spark like embers.

  Further along, the weapons shift to more modern designs. Rifles with sleek, metallic frames sit on racks alongside compact, high-tech crossbows. One rifle has glowing circuits etched along the barrel, and its magazine appears to be a small crystalline core that hums faintly with energy. Next to it, a pistol with an intricate design draws his attention—its surface adorned with engraved feathers, and its grip glows faintly gold.

  Belmont’s calm, thoughtful voice echoes in Kain’s mind. Hmm… That katana could be promising. Precision, adaptability—it seems to suit someone quick on their feet. But that rifle, the one with the crystal magazine, could be invaluable if you’re looking for versatility.

  Doc chimes in with his usual edge of sarcasm. Forget the katana. Look at that hammer! Nothing says ‘problem solved’ like smashing it to bits with a magic fire rock. Or hey, how about that crossbow? Looks like it could shoot a mosquito’s wings off if you’re into precision.

  Kain shakes his head slightly, smiling to himself as their commentary continues. His own thoughts race as he studies the weapons, trying to picture himself wielding each one. This is insane, he thinks, his eyes darting from one incredible weapon to the next. These aren’t just tools—they’re masterpieces.

  Another wall displays futuristic suits and gadgets—daggers with retractable energy blades, gauntlets that pulse with kinetic magic, and even what looks like a whip made of pure, glowing light. Kain feels a surge of excitement and tension as he realizes the scope of what’s available.

  Rune watches Kain closely, his sharp eyes taking silent measurements as the young man steps toward the armory. After a moment, he folds his arms, a smirk tugging at his lips.

  “Well, lad,” Rune muses, “No need to overthink just go with how you usually fight—what’s yer style?” He gestures vaguely as if expecting an answer. “You a Axe man? A duelist? Fancy yourself quick and precise, or do you just hit things ‘til they stop movin’?”

  Kain pauses, then shrugs, lifting his fists with a cocky smirk. “Haven’t really thought about it. Mostly just fought with these puppies.” He throws a playful jab at the air, his confidence bleeding into his stance.

  Rune snorts, unimpressed. “Aye, and what are ye plannin’ to do with those when someone’s got a spear? Or a sword? Or a rifle, for that matter?” He squints, rubbing his beard. “Or hells, what if they’re flingin’ fireballs at yer head? Gonna punch the magic outta the air, are ya?”

  Kain chuckles, lowering his fists. “Haven’t had a problem yet.” Then he pauses as he recalls the Tommy gun…

  Rune grumbles, shaking his head. “Lad, I like yer spirit, but raw guts’ll only take ye so far.” He gestures toward the racks of weapons. “Let’s find somethin’ that won’t leave ye swingin’ at nothin’ when the real fight starts.”

  Kain steps into the center of the armory, his gaze sweeping over the rows of gleaming weapons. He hesitates for a moment, then exhales, turning toward Rune and Haley. “Alright,” he says, eyes narrowing. “Before I start , there’s something you should probably know.”

  Rune raises an eyebrow, arms still crossed, while Haley tilts her head, curiosity sparking in her eyes.

  Kain lifts his hands, fingers flexing—then his arms begin to shift. A low, unnatural crackling fills the air as muscles and bones twist, skin rippling like liquid metal. His right arm elongates into a sleek, razor-sharp blade, glinting under the armory’s lights, while his left bulges outward, morphing into a massive hammer-like fist that looks powerful enough to shatter stone. With a flick of his wrist, the blade retracts, and the hammer dissolves, his limbs reshaping into long, whip-like tendrils that snap and coil with fluid precision.

  Haley stares, wide-eyed, before breaking into a grin. “Holy shit, rookie. That’s dope.”

  Rune’s expression remains unreadable, though his eyes glint with sharp interest as he strokes his beard.

  Kain flexes his fingers as his arms morph back to normal. “I call it bio-manipulation,” he explains. “I can reshape my body—turn my arms into blades, hammers, whips, claws… whatever I need at the moment. It also lets me enhance my strength, speed, and reflexes. I can push my output to about triple what it usually is, though I don’t make a habit of relying on it too much.”

  Rune exhales through his nose, finally speaking. “So, let me get this straight.” He gestures vaguely toward Kain’s arms. “Yer tellin’ me you are the weapon?”

  Kain smirks, lifting a fist. “Pretty much.”

  Rune snorts, shaking his head. “Aye, that explains why ye don’t have a fightin’ style—you’ve just been makin’ it up as ye go.” He glances toward the weapon racks, then back at Kain. “Still, lad, even with a trick like that, you’d best have somethin’ solid to fall back on. Power’s only as good as the man wieldin’ it.” His gaze sharpens. “So the real question is… how do ye want to fight?”

  Kain shrugs modestly, glancing back at the arsenal. “Never really thought about it. But I recently learned that maybe having some armor won’t be a bad idea but with my abilities, I’ve got to wonder if I can even properly wear it or if I really need a weapon. I mean, I can make them myself… but,” he adds with a grin, “I will admit they’re cool as fuck, and I won’t deny the appeal.”

  Rune strokes his beard, his sharp eyes narrowing as he steps closer to Kain. “Aye, lad, I can see why you’d think that. With abilities like that, you’re practically a walking armory. But don’t be foolish.” He leans forward, his tone firm but intrigued. “A weapon crafted by the right smith ain’t just a tool. It’s an extension of power—a focus, a means to push your abilities beyond what you think you’re capable of. Armor? Maybe most wouldn't be able to craft something worth much not for someone like you. But thanks to yer luck, you’ve met one of the greatest, handsome, and strongest of smiths who can craft somethin’ that’ll suit your unique abilities.”

  Kain raises an eyebrow. “You?”

  Rune grins, stepping back and gesturing at the arsenal. “Damn right, boy. So stop beatin’ around the bush and give the weapons a proper test. As for the armor I’ll have to get ya’r measurements before ya leave.”