Golden light engulfed the entire Forgotten Forge.
Renzo stood before the Final Ancient Anvil, both hands pressed firmly against its surface.
His body trembled.
Every drop of mana within him had been exhausted.
Yet he refused to stop.
He couldn't stop.
Not now.
Not when he had come this far.
Above him, the battle between Vulcanos, Ignis, and Corvus continued.
The sky of the sanctuary had completely shattered.
Golden stars and endless darkness clashed across the heavens.
Each collision threatened to destroy the entire forge.
But Renzo ignored it all.
His focus remained on only one thing.
The anvil.
The final restoration.
A blue window floated before him.
Final Anvil Restoration
Progress: 73%
Kensei-Ryu spoke urgently.
"You're running out of mana."
Renzo gritted his teeth.
"I know."
His vision had already begun blurring.
His muscles screamed in protest.
Even his Adaptive Body was nearing its limit.
But then—
Warmth spread throughout his body.
Renzo blinked.
Golden flames gently surrounded him.
No.
Not flames.
Memories.
Astrax's memories.
The fallen guardian's Eternal Core resonated with the forge.
Countless scenes flashed through Renzo's mind.
Astrax training alongside Ignis.
Astrax forging weapons under Vulcanos' guidance.
Astrax laughing.
Protecting.
Living.
Then—
The final memory.
Astrax standing alone in the dark forge.
Waiting.
For thousands of years.
Waiting for a master who never came.
Renzo clenched his fists.
"I'll restore it."
Golden flames exploded from his body.
The Final Anvil answered.
Ancient runes ignited across its entire surface.
The restoration accelerated.
Final Anvil Restoration
Progress: 84%
Corvus immediately noticed.
The ancient entity roared.
"STOP!"
Darkness surged.
A colossal spear of black energy formed above the sanctuary.
The attack was enormous.
Far larger than anything Corvus had previously used.
Vulcanos' expression changed.
"Renzo!"
The spear descended.
Everything in its path disintegrated.
Ignis moved instantly.
The guardian placed himself directly between Renzo and the attack.
Golden flames erupted.
"MASTER!"
"COMPLETE THE RESTORATION!"
The spear struck.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
The entire Forgotten Forge shook violently.
Renzo was thrown to the ground.
Ancient pillars collapsed.
Molten rivers exploded.
For several seconds—
Nothing could be seen.
Only dust.
Only smoke.
Then—
The smoke cleared.
Ignis still stood.
Barely.
Half of his body had disappeared.
His left side was completely gone.
Cracks covered every inch of his remaining armor.
Golden flames flickered weakly.
Yet the guardian remained standing.
Still protecting Renzo.
Renzo slowly stood.
"Ignis..."
The guardian looked back.
For the first time—
Ignis smiled.
"I was created to protect the Forge."
"I have no regrets."
Renzo lowered his head.
Then placed both hands upon the Final Anvil once more.
Golden flames erupted.
The sanctuary responded.
Every furnace ignited simultaneously.
Every anvil hummed.
Every fragment of divine metal floating throughout the forge began shining.
The Forgotten Forge had recognized its new master.
A new system window appeared.
Final Anvil Restoration
Progress: 99%
Silence descended.
The entire sanctuary held its breath.
Then—
100%
For a brief moment—
Nothing happened.
Then the world exploded.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
An endless pillar of golden light erupted from the Final Anvil.
The light pierced the heavens.
Pierced reality.
Pierced existence itself.
The entire Forgotten Forge awakened.
Ancient machinery dormant for thousands of years began operating.
The molten rivers transformed into pure golden flame.
Countless divine runes appeared throughout the sanctuary.
A deep heartbeat echoed.
THUMP.
The entire forge shook.
THUMP.
The golden flames intensified.
THUMP.
Something was awakening.
A massive blue window appeared.
Congratulations!
The Final Ancient Anvil has been restored.
The Heart of the Forge has awakened.
You have completed the Final Forge Trial.
Inheritance Qualification Confirmed.
Before Renzo could react—
The Final Anvil dissolved.
Transforming into pure light.
The light rushed into Renzo's body.
Heat exploded throughout every cell.
His Divine Forge resonated.
Starbreaker resonated.
Even his hidden S-Rank passives trembled.
Then—
A voice echoed throughout his soul.
Ancient.
Majestic.
Powerful.
"Successor."
Renzo froze.
The voice wasn't Vulcanos'.
Nor Kensei-Ryu's.
It was something older.
Something even more ancient.
A giant figure slowly materialized behind Renzo.
A colossal humanoid formed entirely from stars and living flame.
Its body was larger than mountains.
Its eyes contained entire galaxies.
Corvus immediately froze.
For the first time—
Fear appeared on the Devourer's face.
"Impossible..."
The giant opened its eyes.
The entire sanctuary bowed.
Even Vulcanos lowered his head respectfully.
The being spoke.
"I am Hephaestion."
"The Heart of the Forge."
Renzo stared.
Another god?
No.
Something greater.
Hephaestion looked toward Renzo.
"You have proven yourself worthy."
A system window appeared.
Hidden Quest Completed
The Forgotten Forge
Rewards:
• Level +10
• Inheritance of the Star-Forge Sovereign
• Divine Class Advancement
• Authority of Creation (Locked)
Current Level: 38
Corvus suddenly roared.
Madness filled its countless eyes.
"NO!"
Darkness exploded throughout the sanctuary.
The Devourer charged.
Desperate.
Terrified.
Because it understood.
If Renzo inherited the complete legacy—
Everything would change.
Hephaestion slowly raised one hand.
Golden stars gathered.
The final battle was about to begin.