Chapter 129: Dead Forge End
As the last echo of the forge’s heartbeat faded behind him, the molten gates rumbled open, spilling a gust of cool air into the corridor. Rhys stepped out, cloak still trailing faint wisps of black-and-gold embers. His armor was cracked, half-melted—yet the glow in his eyes burned steady.
The waiting hall was mostly empty, save for one figure leaning casually against the registry pillar—a man in light ash-gray armor marked with blue streaks of lightning. His nameplate flickered faintly above him: [Rendir – Thunderforge Guild | LV. 112]
Rendir let out a low whistle as Rhys appeared. "You’re still in one piece. Didn’t think anyone walked out of the Dead Forge solo after it ramped into red-tier."
Rhys gave him a sidelong glance, voice even. "Just another run."
"Another run, huh?" Rendir chuckled, pushing off the pillar. "Right. The forge went quiet for the first time in months, the system threw a Clear Alert, and you’re telling me it was ’just another run.’ Sure."
He studied Rhys a little longer, eyes narrowing slightly. "Which guild are you with? I’ll need to log it for the clear board."
Rhys paused, the faint hum of his Coreflame still resonating through his veins. "...Not with any."
Rendir blinked. "Wait—you’re not registered?"
"Nope."
The man scratched his head, clearly trying to process that. "Hah, then how about joining our guild?" He laughed, shaking his head. "We’re the Thunderforge Guild—one of the top ten guilds globally."
Rhys raised an eyebrow. "Thunderforge... you’re the ones run by Thunder Drago, right? The seventeenth-ranked player globally?"
Rendir grinned proudly. "The one and only. So, what do you say? Want to join us?"
Rhys shrugged. "I’m more of an introvert. I prefer playing solo."
Rendir laughed again, louder this time. "Suit yourself—it’s your loss anyway."
"Good," Rhys said simply, walking past him toward the exit.
Rendir sighed and opened his menu, his tone low as he began typing the report.
[Forge Status: Perfect Clear Registered]
[Name: Rhys – Unaffiliated]
[Note: Possible Hidden Class Player]
When he hit Send, the message flared gold. Somewhere across the world, a notification blinked across the Thunderforge management console—marking Rhys’s name among the logs of the world’s top guilds.
Though unaware of it, Rhys simply continued on his journey, setting his sights on his next destination. This time, he was heading toward another dungeon—one rumored to offer exceptional rewards: The Seragon Caves, a sprawling labyrinth famous for its crystal formations and the rare materials forged from the scales of ancient dragons that once slept beneath its depths.
"We’re here," Rhys murmured as the great city gates loomed before him.
Before him stood Bluewave City—a sprawling metropolis gleaming beneath the afternoon sun. Canals of shimmering azure mana ran between marble streets, bridges arched like waves frozen mid-motion, and misty fountains cast soft glows through the air.
He looked up at the banners fluttering from the watchtowers, each marked with the crest of Atlantis, the Water Kingdom. Bluewave was its jewel—a city famed for trade, elemental research, and countless water-aligned dungeons.
Puddle peeked out from his shoulder, her tiny humanoid form shimmering faintly. "Master, this place feels... comfortable. The mana here—it’s so pure!"
Rhys nodded slightly. "Makes sense. Water kingdom’s mana flow is stabilized by the Leviathan Seal. That’s why this place thrives."
As he entered the city, adventurers of all levels crowded the main square—merchants shouting deals, mounts roaring, teleport runes glowing as parties formed for new expeditions. Notices on the dungeon board flickered with quests:
[Seragon Caves – Party Difficulty: A-tier]
[Recommended Level: 290+]
[Rare Drop: Abyssal Dragon Scale, Mana Core Fragments, Leviathan Tears]
Rhys’s eyes narrowed at the last item. Leviathan Tears. A rare reagent used in divine-grade crafting—something that could be vital for upgrading his newly awakened Deathflame Core.
"Looks like our next stop’s decided," he murmured, pulling his hood up as he moved toward the teleport gate.
Puddle smiled faintly, excitement glimmering in her watery eyes. "Another dungeon already? You never rest, do you, Master?"
Rhys smirked. "The world doesn’t wait—and neither do I."
The air shimmered as the teleport crystal activated. Light wrapped around him, pulling him toward the depths of the Seragon Caves, where cold waters and sleeping dragons waited beneath the earth.
The light of the teleport faded, and Rhys found himself standing in front of a massive structure of carved coral and crystal—the Seragon Dungeon Gate. Unlike the Dead Forge, which was isolated and filled with eerie silence, this one bustled with life. Dozens of adventurers stood in lines, guild banners fluttering over registration counters. The faint sound of rushing water echoed through the air as the oceanic mana pulsed beneath the marble floors.
This dungeon was controlled by one of the strongest guilds in the Atlantis region—Aqua Fangs. They had claimed rights to the Seragon Caves generations ago, managing access through strict schedules and permits. Rhys, after showing his adventurer’s sigil, completed the registration.
The clerk, a sharp-eyed elf with aqua-colored hair, glanced up as his name appeared on her crystal ledger. "Rhys, solo registration? Brave—or foolish. Either way, your entry pass is valid for one full run. Be aware: the Seragon’s second depth is closed off today for a guild operation."
Rhys nodded politely and accepted the glowing pass crystal. "Understood."
He stepped aside to wait for his turn at the entry platform, observing the adventurers around him. Teams were preparing their potions, enchanting weapons, and laughing boisterously. It was a different kind of energy from the dark tension of the Dead Forge—this was lively, competitive, and bright.
"Puddle," Rhys said quietly, glancing toward his shoulder. "You rest today. I’ll let Moonbounce stretch his legs for this one."
Puddle pouted slightly but nodded. "Alright, Master. I’ll watch from within." With a soft shimmer, her form dissolved into faint light, retreating into Rhys’s heart space.
A ripple of blue mana replaced her presence as another being began to emerge.
From a burst of silvery light, Moonbounce appeared—his majestic form unfurling into the open. The Divine Silver Moon Aegis Turtle, once no larger than a shield, now stood proud and radiant. His shell gleamed with liquid-like luster, swirling between silver and pale blue, reflecting the dungeon’s mana-rich air like a living mirror.
"Moonbounce," Rhys said with a smirk, resting a hand on his companion’s shell. "Let’s go. I’ll let you play a little today. You’re getting lazy from all the easy meals lately—you might get fat just sitting around."
The turtle turned his head, blinking slowly, and then gave a rumbling grrrrmph of protest that sounded suspiciously offended. His glowing eyes narrowed in what could only be described as stubborn determination.
Rhys chuckled. "That’s more like it. Let’s see if those dragons in the depths can handle your shield this time."
The waiting adventurers turned to look, some whispering as the divine beast’s aura spread—a shimmering silver pressure that rippled through the air. Even among the strongest summons, Moonbounce’s presence was rare, ancient, and unmistakably powerful.
As Rhys and his companion stepped onto the glowing platform, the gatekeeper raised a hand. "Next entry: Solo Adventurer Rhys, accompanied by one tamed beast—A Turtle Beast. Entry permission granted."
They don’t know his name so, called him turtke which did get them an glare from Moonbounce, but thye dismissed it as he placed his hand on his shell, calming him.
The teleport circle brightened, forming waves of luminescent water beneath their feet.
Rhys exhaled softly as he drew his sword. "Alright then... Seragon Caves, show me what you’ve got."
Light fractured around them, bending and folding like ripples on a vast ocean surface. When the glow finally faded, Rhys and Moonbounce stood at the threshold of the Seragon Caves—and for a moment, even he couldn’t help but pause.
The first layer stretched endlessly before them—a labyrinth of shimmering aquamarine crystal, its walls glistening with moisture that ran like veins of living mana. Streams of luminous water flowed along the paths, some floating in midair, defying gravity. Far above, translucent domes of stone refracted pale light through the cave ceiling, mimicking a false sky.
If the Dead Forge had been a tomb of flame and fury, this place was a cathedral of stillness and depth.
The scale was staggering—at least a hundred times larger than the Dead Forge. It was said that the Seragon Caves only had three floors, but each one was an entire world unto itself.
Rhys looked around slowly, adjusting his grip on his sword as the hum of his mana core steadied. "Big," he muttered, scanning the horizon where faint mist rolled like waves. "Almost too big for a first floor."
Moonbounce’s eyes gleamed, and he gave a low, vibrating growl that echoed faintly through the cavern. His senses were already tuned to the movement of mana—tracking subtle disturbances in the water streams, reading the flow of life beneath the surface.
"Good," Rhys said quietly, rolling his shoulders as his mana flared. "You take point this time, Moonbounce. Keep your barrier half up—and go wild if you want."
The divine turtle’s eyes gleamed like polished sapphires. He gave a low rumble of approval, the air trembling with the weight of his power. Silver lines ignited across his shell, forming intricate runes that pulsed like the heartbeat of a god.
Then—boom—a surge of light erupted beneath him. Twin cannons unfolded from his shell’s sides, gleaming with divine craftsmanship and glowing blue runes. The pressure of his aura alone rippled the water at their feet.