Chapter 72: Body Tempering
*Clang* *Clang* *Clang*, the sound of a hammer against an anvil, resonated in the laboratory. Nioh hadn’t taken a step out in a few weeks. He was too weak too vulnerable. He was dreading the first punishment nail explosion. The heat from the burning furnace was illuminating his delicate face, now smeared by smoke and dirt.
He had established a solid retaliation plan against the hell energy that pervasively invaded his body. Early in the morning, he would practice his military boxing techniques. With weight tied to his torso, ankles, and wrists. This would effectively shred the accumulated cold during the night, while warming his body up for the rest of the day.
During the day, he would spend time near the furnace, producing dozens of identical needles. He had begun the process of building his ultimate weapon. He had to control his strength, body movement, and dexterity to produce identical needles that would serve as integral parts of the weapon.
The exterior shell he had acquired from killing the Diamond stinger, was the most difficult material he had to transform. And without his biocore energy, he was limited to the high temperatures of the furnace.
Despite being so close to the flames, his skin was becoming paler due to the effect of the hell energy.
His movements had turned, calm and mechanical. Almost like he had lost part of his soul. The control required to achieve such harmonious movement, could not be achieved in mere weeks. Had Grimmes been present he would have been very surprised.
After passing by the initial outburst of emotion, he began to analyze Grimmes motives. And he came to a single conclusion "Body tempering."
The subtle hints the madman had left during their conversation, comforted him with the idea that there was a purpose to his suffering. According to Grimmes, his body was severely lacking compared to his biocore, and the consequences on the latter were dire.
Right now he was tempering his body the same way he did his mind all those years.