Soot pushed a lock of hair away from his face and explained, "After the old blacksmith... let's just say, had an unfortunate accident due to a disagreement with a champion, we were given an opportunity to leave our zone and set up here."

"Yeah," Spark jumped in enthusiastically, "these quest zones? They're not prisons for NPCs like us. Just temporary assignments."

My surprise was evident as I responded, "I had no clue NPCs had the freedom to just... shift zones."

With a shrug, Soot said, "Think of many NPCs as freelancers. We're always looking to find a better place, improve our lot."

Spark nodded eagerly, "Exactly! This tournament? It's a prime ticket." Soot nudged his brother, grinning, "Enough chatter. Let's show our friend here our latest creation." With a surge of… anticipation? I trailed the twins deeper into their workshop, ready to behold what they had crafted for my particular predicament.

My gaze swept across the dim confines of the workshop, taking in the multitude of tools, an array of weapons, and several projects in various stages of completion. Yet, it was the centerpiece on a table, illuminated by a stray beam of sunlight, that truly caught my eye—a resplendent shield.

The twins proudly presented it, but a wave of uncertainty washed over me. "It's... a shield?" I asked, unable to hide the tremor of disappointment in my voice.

Spark jumped in, noting my unease, "Oh, don't be deceived. This isn't just any shield, look you can attach it to your forearm."

Soot elaborated, pointing to the shield's intricate detailing, "sure you are mainly an overwhelming offense kind of fighter, but you can do a lot with a shield, plus we used a strong but very light metal, you should be able to get this shield humming. You won’t be able to throw it around like a light hammer but you should be able to stay pretty fast."

My eyes darted to the intricately designed bracer beside the shield, its grooves and notches clearly intended to secure the shield firmly. Overcoming my initial reservations, I stepped forward and gingerly lifted the shield, appreciating its balance and heft. The craftsmanship was exceptional, reflecting the sun's rays brilliantly.

Having been a silent observer until now, Korrok interjected, "Your initial reaction might've been doubt, Everett, but it's less about the weapon and more about the wielder."

Soot gave a supportive nod, "We have faith in you. This shield, combined with your prowess, will make you a unique foe that should be a challenge for the other champions."

"A forearm shield," I mused. I had to admit it was a good idea and much better than having nothing but a stump on my left hand. “I won’t have as much flexibility and offensive firepower as before, but I should be able to adopt a sword and board playstyle fairly naturally.

"That's the spirit, we don’t know what that means, but good for you anyways!" Spark beamed, pride evident in his eyes. "With this setup, you might not be at too much of a disadvantage. Play your cards right, and you might be even deadlier."

“That’s basically what I said” I insisted.

“Cool, we’re gonna go have lunch” Spark said and then the two started heading out of the shop. As they were crossing the threshold to the outside Soot yelled behind “Let’s see if we can find some meatloaf, and Everette, we’re going to go get drunk somewhere tonight to celebrate your new fighting style if you want to come!”

“I don’t recommend that.” Korrok said, “You have another match in a day.”

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Clasping the shield, a renewed sense of purpose pulsed through me. The challenges ahead might be daunting, but equipped with such innovative tools and steadfast allies, I was ready to confront whatever lay ahead.

The afternoon sun hung high, its rays casting elongated shadows across the training grounds. The ambient noise was a cacophony of metal strikes, exerted grunts, and the thump of combatants meeting the earth. In a quieter part of the field, Korrok and I readied ourselves for a sparring match.

Korrok, his massive frame ever so intimidating, inhaled deeply, offering a piece of advice, "Remember Everett, in the arena, the element of surprise is your strongest ally. Everyone will perceive your one hand as a weakness. What they won't foresee is the potential of that shield."

Adjusting the forearm bracer, I felt the shield click into place. I marveled at how it seamlessly moved with my every motion as I swung my arm side to side. The weight—or rather, the lack of it—was astonishing. "It's really light, I can barely feel it," I breathed out in amazement.

Korrok shot me a sly smirk, "Well, let's see if you can use it to keep up with me."

Suddenly, with no preamble, Korrok lunged at me, his sword shimmering in the sunlight. Caught off-guard, I instinctively lifted my shielded arm, parrying his blow. The resonance of metal clashing filled the air as we squared off.

Still acclimating to the new shield, I found myself primarily on the defensive. Korrok was a whirlwind, each blow calculated and forceful. But as we clashed, I felt the shield absorbing and redistributing the energy of each hit, its unique design aiding my movements.

During one of our exchanges, Korrok feigned a move to my left, hoping to catch me off balance. But anticipating the tactic, I quickly shifted and thrust my shield forward, catching him off-guard. The shield's rim connected solidly with his side, pushing him back.

Capitalizing on his momentary vulnerability, I pressed my advantage, melding my shield's defensive attributes with aggressive strikes, alternating between the shield's edge and its broad side. Our battle resembled a dance, as we wove around the sparring area, blade meeting shield in a rhythmic cadence.

The intensity of our bout grew with every passing second. To my surprise, even with my recent handicap, I was keeping pace with Korrok's relentless attacks. Every successful parry with my shield bolstered my self-belief.

However, as time wore on, a creeping realization settled in. I couldn't merely defend; I needed something more, an advantage, especially if I were to face other formidable opponents soon.

In a fleeting lull between Korrok's attacks, inspiration struck. I should try to use my shield as a weapon too, it certainly was light enough to hit with.

I wasted no time mulling it over. As Korrok's sword descended, I dodged, and with a powerful forward thrust, I slammed the shield his face. He reeled back, clearly dazed.

I leaped into action, sprinting forward to sweep his legs out from beneath him. As he tumbled, I summoned the shield back. It latched onto the bracer with a gratifying snap.

Standing over his mentor, shield at the ready, Everett felt a surge of pride and accomplishment.

Korrok, despite the surprise, grinned from his position on the ground, rubbing his jaw. "Well played," he laughed. "That... was unexpected. Use that move wisely. In the right moment, it might just give you the advantage you need."

The sun had begun its descent when I left the sparring grounds, every step heavy with the weight of anticipation. The barracks were a stone's throw away, the tall wooden walls providing a semblance of solitude in an otherwise bustling camp. Pushing through the door, the familiar sounds of snoring soldiers and crackling fires greeted me.

With the separators up each of us had a small alcove, enough gladiators had died that the survivors were able to spread out leaving our areas just big enough for a bed small floor area. I approached mine, finding solace in its familiarity. Sitting on the edge of the bed, I gently summoned the egg from my inventory. The smooth surface, speckled with hints of gold and azure, gleamed under the candlelight. This drake egg, my crazy boon from the Drake Prince, had become my confidante of late.

"I don't know if you can hear me," I began, tracing a finger along its curves. "But today... today was something. You should've seen me with Korrok." I could almost hear the silent encouragement from the egg, urging me to continue. "I used the shield, just like the twins said. And it worked. It really did, I thought it was over when I lost my hand but I feel almost more dangerous now." My mind wandered to the fights ahead, the impending dangers. And yet, talking to the egg, sharing my fears and hopes, a comforting calm enveloped me.

The night pressed on, and fatigue started to take over. As my eyelids grew heavy, I felt the faintest warmth from the egg, a soothing pulse, a heartbeat almost, that matched mine. It lulled me into a deep, peaceful slumber.