The Legacy Chamber fell silent.
Only the crackling of dying flames remained.
Where the mighty Flame Tyrant had once stood, nothing remained except a pile of glowing embers.
Renzo slowly exhaled.
The battle had taken far more out of him than he expected.
His armor was cracked.
His muscles ached.
And his mana reserves were nearly empty.
But despite everything—
He had won.
Blue windows continued appearing before him.
Boss Monster Defeated
+10 Levels
Current Level: 28
Second Trial Cleared
Unique Skill Acquired
Forge Flame Manipulation (S)
Kensei-Ryu laughed.
"You've only been back for a few days and you're already collecting Divine Skills."
Renzo smirked slightly.
"I won't complain."
Ignis walked toward the ashes of the Flame Tyrant.
The giant guardian lowered himself onto one knee.
Then, to Renzo's surprise, Ignis reached into the pile of embers.
Golden flames erupted.
Moments later, he pulled out a small object.
A crystal.
No.
A flame.
A small golden flame floated above Ignis' massive palm.
The flame pulsed gently.
Almost like a living heart.
A system window appeared.
Item Obtained
Name: Tyrant Flame Seed
Rank: Unique
Description:
The core flame left behind by the Flame Tyrant.
Can be absorbed by the Divine Forge.
Vulcanos immediately spoke.
"Take it."
Renzo didn't hesitate.
The moment his hand touched the flame—
The fire disappeared into his body.
Heat spread through every vein.
Golden flames erupted around him.
Another system window appeared.
Forge Flame Manipulation (S)
has absorbed:
Tyrant Flame Seed
Current Flame:
Tyrant Flame
Effect:
• Increases forging speed by 20%.
• Increases fire resistance.
• Slightly enhances fire-based attacks.
Kensei-Ryu whistled.
"Your forge just evolved."
Before Renzo could answer—
The entire Forgotten Forge suddenly shook.
Hard.
Much harder than before.
CRACK.
CRACK.
CRACK.
Deep fractures spread across the floor.
The molten rivers throughout the cavern became violent.
The ancient furnaces erupted simultaneously.
Ignis immediately stood.
His burning eyes narrowed.
"MASTER."
"The Final Trial has begun."
The atmosphere changed.
An overwhelming pressure descended upon the entire forge.
It was ancient.
Ancient beyond comprehension.
Renzo immediately recognized it.
This pressure far surpassed both the Forged Wraiths and the Flame Tyrant.
Even Ignis seemed tense.
A gigantic system window appeared before Renzo.
Unlike previous windows, this one was entirely gold.
Final Forge Trial Initiated
Trial III:
The Heart of the Forge
Objective:
Restore the Final Anvil.
Defeat the Guardian of Ruin.
Reward:
Inheritance of the Star-Forge Sovereign
Failure:
Death.
Renzo's expression became serious.
Guardian of Ruin.
That didn't sound good.
Not at all.
Suddenly—
A deep voice echoed throughout the entire Forgotten Forge.
A voice filled with madness.
Hatred.
And sorrow.
"VULCANOS..."
The voice shook the cavern.
Molten metal exploded from the rivers.
Ancient machinery shattered.
Even the restored anvil behind Renzo trembled.
The voice spoke again.
Louder.
Filled with rage.
"YOU HAVE RETURNED."
Vulcanos remained silent.
For the first time since Renzo met him—
The forge god did not speak.
Kensei-Ryu's playful attitude vanished.
"...Vulcanos."
"What is that?"
Several seconds passed.
Then Vulcanos answered.
His voice was quiet.
Heavy.
"...An old friend."
The darkness at the deepest part of the forge began moving.
A massive figure slowly emerged.
Each step caused the entire dungeon to tremble.
Renzo's eyes widened.
The figure was enormous.
Nearly ten meters tall.
It resembled Ignis.
But where Ignis shone with golden flames—
This guardian was broken.
Corrupted.
Its once-golden armor had turned black.
Cracks covered its body.
Dark crimson flames leaked from every fracture.
One arm was completely missing.
The giant hammer it carried was shattered.
Yet despite its ruined appearance—
Its presence was terrifying.
A system window appeared.
Final Guardian Detected
Name: Astrax, Fallen Forge Guardian
Rank: ???
Title:
Guardian of Ruin
Status:
Corrupted
Question marks.
Again.
Renzo slowly tightened his grip on Ogre Fang Katana.
Kensei-Ryu spoke quietly.
"That's bad."
Ignis stepped forward.
Golden flames erupted around the ancient guardian.
The two giant constructs stared at one another.
For several long seconds—
Neither moved.
Then Astrax spoke.
Its voice trembled with hatred.
"BROTHER."
Ignis lowered his head.
"...Astrax."
Renzo froze.
Brother?
Astrax slowly raised its shattered hammer.
Dark flames exploded outward.
"THE SOVEREIGN ABANDONED US."
"THE FORGE MUST DIE."
The corrupted guardian charged.
The entire Forgotten Forge shook violently.
And the final battle—
Had begun.