The cavern trembled.
Golden flames surged around the ancient anvil as Renzo continuously fed materials into the Divine Forge.
Sweat dripped down his forehead.
The restoration process was consuming an enormous amount of mana.
But Renzo didn't stop.
He couldn't.
Not now.
Not when he was this close.
Above him, the storm of weapons descended.
One hundred Forged Wraiths charged simultaneously.
The air screamed.
Blades, axes, spears, and hammers rushed toward him from every direction.
Kensei-Ryu's voice rang out.
"Incoming!"
Renzo reacted instantly.
SHING!
Chrono Fang flashed.
A spear split in half.
He stepped sideways.
A giant axe smashed into the ground where he had been standing moments earlier.
The impact shook the entire chamber.
Renzo spun.
His katana moved like flowing water.
SLASH!
CLANG!
SHING!
Three swords shattered.
Two more were deflected.
But for every weapon he destroyed—
Another took its place.
The storm was endless.
Renzo clicked his tongue.
"This isn't sustainable."
Vulcanos spoke calmly.
"You do not need to defeat them."
"Only endure."
Renzo gritted his teeth.
Easy for a god to say.
A hammer suddenly appeared above him.
Too close.
Too fast.
BOOM!
The weapon slammed into his raised greatsword, throwing him backward.
Renzo crashed across the stone floor.
Pain shot through his arms.
Even with his new armor, the impact hurt.
Kensei-Ryu laughed.
"Get up."
"You're embarrassing us."
Renzo stood immediately.
Golden flames still flowed into the anvil.
The restoration progress continued.
Twenty percent.
Thirty percent.
Forty percent.
The ancient runes engraved across the anvil began glowing.
The entire cavern responded.
Molten rivers brightened.
The broken weapons scattered throughout the chamber shook violently.
Then—
A deep voice echoed across the forge.
Ancient.
Powerful.
Filled with endless authority.
"WHO SEEKS TO REKINDLE THE SACRED FLAME?"
Renzo froze.
Every Forged Wraith immediately stopped moving.
The entire chamber became silent.
A gigantic magic circle appeared beneath the anvil.
Golden light exploded upward.
The pressure that descended was unlike anything Renzo had ever experienced.
Even in his previous life.
Even after twenty-three years as a porter.
He had never felt such overwhelming presence.
Kensei-Ryu suddenly became serious.
"...This pressure."
Vulcanos spoke softly.
"I know it."
The magic circle expanded.
Runes filled the air.
Ancient symbols Renzo couldn't understand floated around the chamber.
Then—
The anvil cracked.
Once.
Twice.
Then shattered completely.
Golden flames erupted skyward.
From within the fire—
A figure emerged.
Massive.
Towering.
Nearly six meters tall.
It resembled a knight.
But not human.
Its entire body was forged from black and gold metal.
Ancient runes covered its armor.
A giant hammer rested upon its shoulder.
Golden fire burned within the empty eye sockets of its helmet.
A system window appeared immediately.
Ancient Guardian Detected
Name: Ignis, Keeper of the First Forge
Rank: ???
Status: Dormant
Renzo's eyes widened.
Question marks.
He hadn't seen those in years.
Kensei-Ryu whistled.
"Well."
"That's concerning."
The giant slowly looked around the chamber.
Its burning eyes passed over the motionless Forged Wraiths.
Then finally settled on Renzo.
Silence.
The pressure intensified.
Renzo instinctively tightened his grip on Chrono Fang.
Every instinct screamed danger.
But strangely—
The guardian didn't attack.
Instead, it slowly lowered its giant hammer.
Then knelt.
The entire forge shook.
Ignis lowered his head.
"THE SACRED FLAME HAS RETURNED."
Renzo blinked.
"What?"
The guardian's burning eyes focused on him.
"CHAMPION OF THE STAR-FORGE SOVEREIGN."
"STATE YOUR NAME."
Renzo hesitated.
Then answered.
"Renzo Valerius."
The guardian remained silent.
Seconds passed.
Then—
"IDENTITY CONFIRMED."
A brilliant golden light erupted from Ignis.
The pressure disappeared instantly.
The giant stood once more.
Then planted its hammer into the ground.
BOOM!
The entire forge awakened.
All across the cavern—
Ancient furnaces ignited.
Molten rivers surged.
Thousands of broken weapons glowed.
The Forgotten Forge had come alive.
Blue windows flooded Renzo's vision.
Forge Trial I Completed
Ancient Star Anvil Restored.
Reward Granted.
+5 Levels
Current Level: 18
+500 Divine Experience
New Feature Unlocked:
Divine Workshop
Relationship Established:
Ignis, Keeper of the First Forge
Status: Bound Guardian
Kensei-Ryu burst into laughter.
"You entered a dungeon and came out with a giant servant."
Vulcanos' voice carried unmistakable satisfaction.
"Excellent."
Ignis looked at Renzo.
Then slowly spoke.
"MASTER."
Renzo stared at the giant.
"...Master?"
Ignis nodded.
"THE STAR-FORGE SOVEREIGN HAS CHOSEN YOU."
"THEREFORE, I SHALL SERVE."
Renzo opened his mouth.
Then closed it.
Then opened it again.
He had entered the dungeon expecting treasure.
Maybe a weapon.
Perhaps a hidden skill.
Instead—
He had somehow acquired a six-meter-tall ancient guardian.
Kensei-Ryu laughed so hard Renzo could practically hear him wheezing.
"This is amazing."
But before Renzo could respond—
The entire forge suddenly shook violently.
Harder than before.
Cracks spread across the cavern ceiling.
A red warning window appeared.
WARNING
Forge Trial II Initiating.
The Flame Tyrant has awakened.
Survive.
The temperature inside the forge instantly skyrocketed.
Even Ignis slowly turned toward the darkness deeper within the cavern.
For the first time—
The giant guardian tightened its grip on its hammer.
"MASTER."
"PREPARE FOR BATTLE."
Something enormous had just awakened.
And it was coming.