The Spirit Is Willing

Chuchuto

I'm taking part in today's lesson as well. Good luck to the both of us!

Hamon

Ah, there you are, [name]! I hope you've come prepared for a lesson. Today, I want you to go and fight the toxic toads that nest at the Unholy Heir.

Hamon

Make no mistake, lass/son─these toads are huge, which means they have huge guts. But that's beside the point. The point is, you'll need to use your head to overcome them.

Hamon

Thanks to their immense girth, these toads hit hard. Fortunately, they tend to hit wild as well, so bide your time and wait for an opening. And when that opening shows...thwack! Rip and tear through your foe with your fists!

As proof that you've defeated the toads, I want you to bring me five of their legs. Chuchuto and I will be waiting for you at Black Brush Station. Your lesson continues there.

Hamon

Defeat the toxic toads that nest at the Unholy Heir, and bring me five of their legs. Chuchuto and I will be waiting for you at Black Brush Station.

So, did you bring me the toad legs?

Aye, this is the stuff all right! Now, I just need some butter, a slice of sun lemon, and a pinch of─

Chuchuto

Show them the fruit of your training, [name]!

Have no fear! We're students of Hamon Holyfist!

The marmots are all yours, [name]!

Ware the marauders' sweeping swings!

The enemy pugilists hit hard! Stay light on your feet!

Rurukuta

Useless, the whole bloody lot of them... Best we flee for now.

Chuchuto

Um...Master?

Hamon

...Ahem. What I meant to say was, you've done well to defeat the toxic toads, [name]. For the next part of your lesson, you'll be putting your endurance to the test against─

NNanajapi

The talk was true! Hamon Holyfist is really here!

Hamon

Hah hah hah! I can take nary a step outside the guild without being flocked by fans. Such is the price of fame!

NNanajapi

Please, sir! I have grave need of your legendary skills! Somnus is being smuggled through Black Brush Station! I reported this to the Brass Blades and the Stone Torches─asked them to put an end to it─but they both turn a blind eye!

Chuchuto

Somnus... That's the mind-warping substance made from dream flowers. Those who overindulge are said to fall into an eternal slumber.

NNanajapi

A dear friend suffered that very fate─that's why I want to put an end to the smuggling. But I'm just an ordinary person, and there's precious little I can do...

Hamon

Hah hah hah! You've done enough to bring word to me, friend. For as surely as Hamon Holyfist is my name, I'll see the smuggler scum thrown in the dungeon before the bell is through!

NNanajapi

Twelve bless you, sir! You truly are a hero to us all!

Hamon

Hah hah hah! Slight change of plans, [name]. In place of the endurance test, we're going to find and apprehend the smugglers.

But first, we must gather information. You two, find out what you can from the people of Black Brush Station. Report back once you've learned something.

Find out what you can from the people of Black Brush Station. Report back once you've learned something.

Zuzumeda

Searching for somnus smugglers, you say? Word is they are associated with the Alacran, a coalition of cold-blooded criminals. But beware─they always act in alliance!

Osbert

There is an abandoned Qiqirn lair a short distance west of the Coffer & Coffin. Decent folk tend to give that place a wide berth. Ideal for a smuggling operation, wouldn't you say?

Chuchuto

It appears a silver-haired Lalafell was seen skulking about the station recently. He was headed west, bearing a suspicious burden...

A silver-haired Lalafell... It couldn't possibly be him...could it?

Hamon

The Alacran, a likely hideout, and a silver-haired Lalafell... I don't like the sound of this. Not one bit.

Like as not, the smugglers operate out of the abandoned Qiqirn lair west of the Coffer & Coffin. We'll lie in wait for them there.

Like as not, the smugglers operate out of the abandoned Qiqirn lair west of the Coffer & Coffin. We'll lie in wait for them there.

Chuchuto

The silver-haired Lalafell─I must see who he is with my own eyes. Let us go to the abandoned Qiqirn lair!

Hamon

Thal's balls! Th-That's...

Rurukuta

Silver-haired Lalafell: Save the talk. We have crates to move.

Chuchuto

Rurukuta! It is you, isn't it!?

Rurukuta

Chuchuto...and Master. It's been a while.

Chuchuto

You vanish from the guild with nary a word, and we find you here smuggling somnus with those villains!? What is the meaning of this!?

Hamon

Rurukuta, my boy. I didn't teach you how to fight so that you could become a pox on society. My student or no, you must be held accountable.

Chuchuto, [name], your lesson begins! Apprehend the smugglers!

Rurukuta

You lot, take care of these meddlers!

Hamon

If you know who I am, then you'll know what's good for you. Come quietly, or there will be trouble.

Rurukuta

Holyfist? Don't make me laugh! You're being fooled, all of you!

Chuchuto

Who's fooling who? What in the world are you talking about?

Rurukuta

It was a dark night several moons ago. I was out in the wilds, training alone.

From a distance, I caught sight of Master leaving the tavern and turning for the city. Thinking to accompany him back, I followed on his heels, and was about to call out when I...when I saw...this.

Hamon

Hm? You would challenge the Holyfist? You have fighting spirit, I'll grant you that, but you'd do well to know your limits.

So be it! Yaaarrrgh!

Chuchuto

M-Master?

Hamon

You read my every move... You're no ordinary marmot...

Chuchuto

Master!!!

Hamon

All I wanted...was to be surrounded by scantily clad maidens...when my time came... The gods are cruel...

Chuchuto

Master! What is the meaning of this!? Explain yourself!

Rurukuta

Now you've seen it with your own eyes! Master was beaten by a marmot─a common bleeding marmot! He would remind us how strong he was at every turn, but he was lying through his teeth!

Hamon

Forgive me, Chuchuto, [name]... I didn't mean to deceive anyone...least of all my students.

Hamon Holyfist conquered every foe that stood before him, but he couldn't conquer old age. My strength, my reflexes, my endurance─they've all left me. There's nothing here but a decrepit old man.

I would be alone for a while. I'll make my own way back to the guild. From now on, you're to do as Chuchuto bids, [name].

Chuchuto

I can't believe it... When─how did Master become so weak?

Hamon

I would be alone for a while. I'll make my own way back to the guild. From now on, you're to do as Chuchuto bids, [name].

Chuchuto

I've been doing some thinking, [name]. While 'tis true that Master had been deceiving us, he meant us no harm.

Besides, I owe him my life. Had he not taken me in all those years ago, I would have died in some ditch. I could never bring myself to hate him. Even if he were an ordinary old man, I would still respect him.

Alas, with the truth of his condition revealed, Master Hamon has lost his sense of purpose─his will to teach. I cannot bear to see him like this. I want him to regain his confidence, but for this he needs to regain his former strength.

Listen, [name]. Master ever said that you remind him of his younger self. Were you to continue showing rapid improvement, I dare to hope that it would rekindle his fighting spirit.

To this end, I will teach you a new technique, one which Master Hamon used to great effect during his prizefighting days.

Steel Peak, it's called, and it sees you channel your gathered chakra into a powerful attack performed with your entire body.

Make this technique your own, [name], and strive to grow stronger still. When next Master Hamon beholds you, he will surely be moved to action!