?Brookhan’s eyes fluttered open, slowly adjusting to the dim light of the infirmary ceiling. He turned his head and saw Brendarg and Krizz sitting by his bedside.

  ?"Uhhgg..." he groaned, a sharp ache pulsing through his head.

  ?"Finally! You’re awake!" Brendarg exclaimed, her face lighting up with relief.

  "Don’t try to move too much yet, Brookhan," Krizz added, her voice soft with lingering worry.

  ?"You’ve been asleep for nine days," Brendarg explained. "We weren't sure when you'd come back to us."

  ?"Where are Sir Denki and the others?" Brookhan asked weakly.

  ?"Fodio has been running back and forth to ensure you have the best medicine. Denki and Grekknark are out taking every request and bounty they can find to pay for your expenses. Krizz and I have been taking turns watching over you," Brendarg replied.

  ?"I need to get up... I’m causing too much trouble for the Boss," Brookhan muttered. He tried to push himself up, but Krizz quickly held him down. That’s when he saw it.

  ?Where his left arm used to be, there was now a sleek, metallic, and complex mechanical limb.

  ?"WAHHHHH!!!" Brookhan screamed in shock. His sudden movement knocked a glass vase off the side table.

  ?CRACK!

  The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  ?"CALM DOWN, BROOKHAN!" Brendarg shouted.

  ?The commotion drew the attention of the medical staff and the research team. Noin stepped into the room, looking exhausted but wearing a triumphant smile. "Easy there, Brookhan. That arm has been attached for four days now. It’s stable, but your brain needs time to sync with the nerves."

  ?Brookhan stared at the mechanical limb, slowly twitching the metallic fingers.

  ?"Just move it gently for now," Noin instructed. "The battle-mode trigger is still deactivated, so don’t go trying to blast anything yet. And take care of that arm—one of your comrades went into a huge debt of gratitude just to make that possible for you." She gave him a knowing wink.

  ?Who? Brookhan wondered.

  ?Just then, Denki and Grekknark burst into the room. Without a word, Denki rushed to the bed and pulled Brookhan into a tight embrace. "I’m just glad you're back..." Denki whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

  ?"Sir... the arm... it kind of hurts when you squeeze it like that, he-he," Brookhan joked weakly.

  "Oh! Sorry!" Denki quickly let go, wiping a stray tear from his eye before flashing a bright smile.

  ?Suddenly—BANG! The door flew open again.

  ?"BROOKHAN!? WHERE IS HE? MOVE ASIDE!" Fodio hollered as he scrambled into the room.

  "Thank the heavens! You’re finally awake!"

  ?Fodio leaned in close, examining the new limb. "How does it feel? Come on, give me a punch! Let’s see what it can do!"

  ?"Are you serious?" Grekknark grumbled, stepping behind Fodio. "He just woke up and you want him to hit you? You want me to punch you instead?"

  Fodio immediately shrunk back, scratching the back of his head. "Ah... maybe later then."

  ?For the first time in days, the group felt whole again. But as they celebrated Brookhan’s recovery, the gears of a much darker plot were turning elsewhere.

  ?Switch Scene: An Unknown Location

  ?A cold, feminine voice echoed through a dimly lit chamber. "I thought he was strong and wise. It turns out I was mistaken. Since the Grimz are gone, see to it that a new army is raised."

  ?"Yes, Ma'am... ribbit."

  ?To be continued...