The Flame Tyrant roared.
The sound alone shook the entire Legacy Chamber.
Ancient books fell from shelves.
Cracks spread across the floor.
Molten flames poured from the beast's mane, turning the stone beneath its feet into liquid.
Renzo narrowed his eyes.
The pressure radiating from the monster was overwhelming.
Much stronger than the Ogre Brute.
Much stronger than anything he had fought since regressing.
A system window floated before him.
Boss Monster Detected
Name: Flame Tyrant
Rank: D+
Title: Guardian of the Second Trial
Kensei-Ryu whistled.
"That's definitely not something a Level 18 hunter should be fighting."
Renzo slowly drew Ogre Fang Katana.
"I've never fought according to the rules."
The Flame Tyrant suddenly moved.
BOOM!
The giant beast lunged forward, crossing dozens of meters in an instant.
Fast.
Far too fast for its size.
But before it could reach Renzo—
CRASH!
Ignis stepped forward.
The ancient guardian swung his colossal hammer.
The two giants collided.
An explosion of fire erupted throughout the chamber.
The shockwave threw Renzo backward.
He quickly stabilized himself.
The battle had begun.
Ignis roared.
Golden flames erupted from his body.
The ancient guardian raised his hammer high before bringing it down.
BOOOOM!
The ground shattered.
The Flame Tyrant leaped backward, narrowly avoiding the devastating strike.
Kensei-Ryu laughed.
"Now that's a hammer."
But the beast immediately retaliated.
Its jaws opened.
A massive stream of molten fire shot toward Ignis.
The guardian crossed his arms.
Golden barriers materialized before him.
BOOM!
Fire and gold collided.
The chamber trembled violently.
Renzo watched carefully.
Ignis was powerful.
Very powerful.
But the Flame Tyrant wasn't losing.
If anything—
The monster seemed to be getting stronger.
Vulcanos finally spoke.
"The Flame Tyrant feeds upon fire."
Renzo's eyes widened.
"What?"
"The forge flames strengthen it."
Renzo immediately understood.
This battle couldn't be won by Ignis alone.
The longer the fight lasted—
The stronger the boss would become.
Ignis suddenly staggered backward.
The Tyrant had appeared before him.
Its massive claw slashed across the guardian's chest.
SLASH!
Deep cracks spread across Ignis' metallic body.
The ancient guardian took three heavy steps backward.
Golden flames flickered.
Kensei-Ryu spoke sharply.
"Renzo!"
"I know."
Renzo moved.
His body exploded forward.
Flow Form.
The technique wasn't fully developed yet.
But it was enough.
Renzo blurred across the battlefield.
The Flame Tyrant noticed him immediately.
The beast roared and swung its tail.
Renzo ducked.
The burning tail passed inches above his head.
He retaliated instantly.
SHING!
Ogre Fang Katana flashed.
The blade struck the beast's foreleg.
Sparks exploded.
But unlike previous monsters—
The attack barely penetrated.
Renzo clicked his tongue.
"Tough."
The Tyrant turned toward him.
Its burning eyes narrowed.
Then—
It swiped.
Renzo barely blocked.
BOOM!
The impact launched him across the chamber.
He crashed through a stone pillar.
Pain exploded throughout his body.
Several cracks spread across his armor.
Kensei-Ryu laughed.
"You still alive?"
Renzo slowly stood.
"...Barely."
The beast charged again.
But this time—
Ignis intercepted.
The guardian slammed his hammer into the Tyrant's side.
CRASH!
The boss stumbled.
"MASTER!"
Ignis' deep voice echoed.
"I SHALL CREATE AN OPENING!"
Renzo understood instantly.
Teamwork.
For the first time since regressing—
Renzo wasn't fighting alone.
Ignis raised both hands.
Ancient runes lit up across his body.
The entire forge responded.
Chains of molten gold erupted from the ground.
The Flame Tyrant roared as the chains wrapped around its limbs.
It struggled violently.
But for several precious seconds—
It was restrained.
Kensei-Ryu shouted.
"Now!"
Renzo inhaled deeply.
Every instinct.
Every memory.
Every lesson from twenty-three years as a porter.
Every battle he had witnessed.
All of it converged.
He dashed forward.
Faster.
Faster.
The world slowed.
The Tyrant struggled.
The chains cracked.
But Renzo was already there.
He jumped.
Golden flames erupted from Starbreaker inside his inventory.
The Divine Artifact resonated.
For the briefest moment—
Ogre Fang Katana glowed gold.
Kensei-Ryu's voice echoed within his mind.
"Cut."
Renzo swung.
SHIIIIING!
A single slash.
Perfect.
Absolute.
Time itself seemed to freeze.
The Tyrant's eyes widened.
Then—
SLASH!
A deep wound opened across its chest.
Golden flames erupted from inside the monster.
The chains shattered.
The beast roared in agony.
It staggered backward.
For the first time—
The Flame Tyrant was injured.
Badly.
Ignis slowly raised his giant hammer.
Golden fire gathered around its head.
The guardian looked toward Renzo.
Renzo nodded.
Together.
Ignis brought the hammer down.
Renzo charged.
One giant hammer.
One divine blade.
Both attacks landed simultaneously.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
A pillar of golden fire erupted into the sky.
The Legacy Chamber shook violently.
When the light faded—
The Flame Tyrant was gone.
Only ashes remained.
Silence.
Then—
Blue windows flooded Renzo's vision.
Boss Monster Defeated
+10 Levels
Current Level: 28
Second Trial Cleared
Unique Skill Acquired
Forge Flame Manipulation (S)
Kensei-Ryu laughed loudly.
"You just killed a boss twenty levels above you."
Renzo slowly sheathed his sword.
He looked toward Ignis.
The giant guardian nodded.
For the first time—
Renzo felt it.
He wasn't simply becoming stronger.
He was building something.
A legacy.
And this was only the beginning.