We walked through the mysterious corridors as we landed into a gigantic hall.
There were two enormous magma waterfalls rushing down from the ceiling into a large boiling lake of this molten stone surrounding the hall.
The hall resembled a huge island made up of a black, divine metal. There were many beautiful statues sculped out of these black metal ores.
In the middle of it, there was a gigantic forge, blazing with new divine flames that had flowed into it once we placed the crystal into the gates.
And in front of the forge, there were hundreds of items that would make an ideal smithy…
Three anvils of different shapes, colors and with different decorations.
Countless tools, such as hammers, tongs, vices, crucibles, and even quenching materials.
They were all of excellent quality, overflowing with ancient divine energy within them!
And at the end of the hall, there was what seemed to be another room, leading high into a second floor of sorts, there was a sealed gate there.
"Is this… a Divine Smithy?" I asked in surprise.
I quickly noticed even more things. There were huge red, orange, and yellow crystals imbued into the floor and giant crimson jewels floating in midair.
They exuded strong auras of divinity and mana of the fire element, seemingly there to enhance quality or something, perhaps.
"Indeed." Smiled the Divine Forge Spirit. "Welcome to my Master's legacy! This is but only one of the many Divine Smithies he has left behind… After so many eons since his death, I am so very happy to see that people has finally arrived at his legacy!"
"A-Amazing… All the quality of these equipment are top notch!" Ambil said. "The hammers, the anvils! Ohhh!"
"You sure look excited! I honestly have no freaking idea how to use this." Rita admitted. "I've barely done much and barely learned anything…"
"I can tell this place seems quite amazing, even though I've only learned how to do basic Blacksmithing thanks to the Skill, but I can't compare to Planta or Ambil." Mark admitted.
"I think everyone should be able to use this place, there's no way I'll be the only one using it!" I laughed. "You're all invited to help me out! And Ambil too, of course!"
"M-Me too?" Ambil asked while feeling embarrassed. "I-It would be an honor but, am I even worthy?!"
"You sure are!" I giggled, as I quickly equipped the gauntlets he gifted to me, while checking their status.
[Ambil's Forgemaster Fire-Proof Gloves]
{Item Type}: [Armor] [Gloves]
{Item Rank}: [Unique+++]
{Item Requirement}: [Blacksmith Class/Subclass] [Ambil's Disciple]
{Item Durability}: [25.000/25.000]
{Item Effects}: [DEF]: [+1.500] [HP]: [+1.500] [STR]: [+1.000] [VIT]: [+1.000] [DEX]: [+3.000]
{Bonus Effects}: [Blacksmithing Proficiency +30% (C)] [STR +4% (C)] [Satiation Recovery Speed +10% (D)] [Backlash Damage Risk While Blacksmithing -50% (B)]
[Fire-Proof Gloves]: Whenever the wearer is doing Blacksmith, Crafting, Cooking, or Alchemy, Fire Attribute Damage is decreased by -100% and all other Damage is decreased by -30%.
[Dexterous Crafting Hands]: While Creating something through Alchemy, Crafting, Blacksmithing, or Cooking, increases DEX by +30% and Mastery over these Arts by +50%.
A beautiful yet simple pair of gloves forged by Ambil, the last descendant of the Ember Family, who carefully crafted this pair of gloves for his beloved and enthusiastic disciple, which has changed his life forever since she appeared on his life, Planta.
They were made using all his knowledge on Runic Engraving, becoming one of his greatest creations so far, it reduces all fire attribute damage when worn, especially made for his disciple, who is weak to fire yet recklessly challenges this element to forge items to make her master proud.
Bonus Effects cannot be reset using Potential Cubes.
[You have equipped the [Ambil's Forgemaster Fire-Proof Gloves]! While Forging, Fire-Attribute Damage is reduced by -100% and all other damage is reduced by -30%.]
[Additionally, your DEX and Mastery over these Creation Arts will increase by +30% and 50% respectively while practicing them.]
"Awww, what an adorable description!" I felt utterly in love with these gloves. "Thank you so much for making these for me, Ambil! It means so much you care so much for me!"
I couldn't help but hug him again, he was already like an uncle to me.
"W-What are you talking about?!" Ambil only got grumpier as he tried to evade my hugs, but my branches got him, and he could not escape. "Urgh! Are you going to hug me every time you get happy?! Let go of me! I made those because you kept burning yourself, nothing else!"
"Hahaha, as grumpy as ever, aren't you?" Laughed Acorn. "He sure never changes!"
"He must care a lot for Lady Planta…" Nieve smiled, nodding.
Rita glanced at Mark with a teasing smile…
"Aren't you jealous?" Rita asked.
"J-Jealous? Why would I be jealous?" Mark looked elsewhere. "I'm sure Elayne doesn't see Ambil in any other way than an uncle!"
"Hahaha, you don't have to get ." I giggled, letting go of the angry old man.
"Urgh! Anyways, back to the main topic… Oi, Divine Forge Spirit. These kids want to go to the Ancient Valley, where's that?" Ambil asked the Divine Forge Spirit.
"I was going to get into that, but you kept acting so cute, you're like one big and adorable family, aren't you?" Laughed the Divine Spirit.
"I bet it's not going to be easy to get there, right?" I asked, as I looked into the distance, the gates above the second floor which we couldn't access right now.
"Oh, so you noticed…" The Divine Forge Spirit laughed. "Indeed, the Hidden Valley is sealed behind that door. However, for you to enter such a Sacred Place, you need to complete this Divine Smithy's {Hephaestus' Trial}."
"Hephaestus'… Trial?" Asked Brisingra while getting nervous.
"I knew there was a catch…" I sighed.
"Wait, we need to do even more?! Haven't we worked our asses off already?" Asked Rita angrily.
"I'm sorry but these are the rules my Master made."
The Divine Forge Spirit then pointed at the Forge at the end of the corridor.
"However, first things first. Planta, you must touch the flames of that Forge and unlock Hephaestus' First Blessing!"
It seemed there was much more than just the Smithy…