Chapter 108 – New Forms.

“I can actually identify these now?”

Rusty scratched his metallic head while murmuring to himself. Before him stood three armor types: two ranked D-minus and one E-plus. The two on the sides were far more eye-catching than the one in the middle, which appeared to be a modest upgrade from his current iron body. Though the middle armor was crafted from a new Twilight Steel alloy that would likely improve his defenses, it seemed underwhelming compared to the others.

‘Twilight Steel Armor… that reminds me, didn’t I unlock a new skill at level fifteen?’

Rusty’s thoughts raced as he considered his recent evolution. Reaching the threshold had opened up new opportunities, but the potential threats in the area had kept him from checking his system screen until now. Finally, with time and safety on his side, he decided to take a closer look. Usually, the skills he gained during each evolution were tied to his elemental affinities, and this time seemed no different.

At first glance, the skill didn’t seem particularly powerful. Its description reminded him of the Fury skill, which boosted his physical stats. However, the mention of “twilight energies” and the vague phrasing hinted that it might do more than just enhance his physical abilities. He wouldn’t know for sure until he tested it.

‘Should I head to the training room to try it? Or perhaps…’

Rusty’s thoughts drifted back to the decision at hand. The new skill was intriguing, but the armor options also needed careful consideration. Since acquiring his Iron Body, he had resolved to improve himself using his own crafting skills. With access to new metals and alloys, he might be able to forge something superior – perhaps even using the materials from the black or silvery-white armor, rather than settling for the Twilight Steel in the middle piece.

Then there was the mysterious new chamber that had appeared after his evolution. That, too, demanded investigation. One problem he noted with the armor choices was the materials. Each piece was distinct: the middle armor retained both elemental affinities, while the ones on the sides seemed to favor one element at the cost of rejecting the other. Choosing either of the side options could force him to specialize, potentially losing the ability to wield both elements.

“…And that is why this glorious demonic shell is the best option!”

Aburdon declared as his shouts filled the soul forge main chamber.

“No human – or any of those puny other races – will be able to stand before the darkness!”

“Hah! And what good will that darkness be against undead monsters like the ones we encountered? Light has always been better against such creatures!”

Alexander retorted, bringing up issues with monsters. Their bickering snapped Rusty out of his thoughts. It was clear both guides had strong opinions and were determined to sway him toward the elemental armors tied to their respective elements. Still, Rusty hesitated. He liked the flexibility of using both light and dark elements – a capability he might lose if he followed their advice.

The middle armor suddenly seemed more appealing. It might lack the raw power or specialization of the other two, but it maintained his dual elemental affinities.

‘I can always reach D-rank later, and if I get better at crafting, couldn’t I just make one of these specialized bodies myself?’

Rusty was a living armor monster, a unique being who could craft his own shells. In a way, he wasn’t bound by the world’s strange system or its rigid classifications. He could be the architect of his own evolution, shaping his destiny rather than being forced into one of the predefined paths laid before him.

At first glance, it seemed like he had three choices here. But the more he thought about it, the clearer it became that the middle option was the right one. While it might lack the dramatic flair of the others, it offered the flexibility he valued. He could forge his own parts, and perhaps, in the future, even create specialized variants that enhanced specific elements.

A lot of this, of course, hinged on the materials at his disposal. If he could craft a body using an alloy that amplified dark energies, he could emulate the other armors’ unique strengths without sacrificing his dual elemental affinity.

‘Why didn’t I think of it sooner, why not use both if I can!’

Rusty decided to sneak away to the workshop area first, intending to explore it before venturing into the new chamber. Upon arrival, he quickly noticed that the space had changed to accommodate his recent evolution.

The iron bars he had used to craft his previous body were now replaced with Twilight Steel. The forge had been upgraded as well, and all the smithing tools had been enhanced, gleaming with the same steel. It was a promising setup, but as Rusty examined the materials more closely, he realized there were no elemental metals available. At least for now, he wouldn’t be able to recreate the two stunning, elementally attuned bodies he had seen earlier.

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‘Could it be because they’re D-rank, and I’m still just E-rank?’

He pondered over the thought while surveying the workshop. Everything here seemed designed to let him reconstruct his shell using the improved Twilight Steel. The furnace, forge, and smelter looked more robust and ready for days of crafting. Satisfied for now, Rusty left the workshop and made his way to the new chamber. Hovering before it were his two guides, already waiting for him and arguing again.

“So, you truly don’t know what’s in there?”

The black wisp asked, hovering impatiently in front of the summoning chamber.

“How many times do I have to tell you? This wasn’t in my soul forge”

The white wisp shot back, drifting closer as if to inspect the chamber more thoroughly. Alexander had been the original owner – or at least the previous user of the soul forge. During the bonding process with Rusty and Aburdon, his gift had somehow been transferred and altered, reshaping into this new soul forge. Its current form, resembling a towering castle, was as much a mystery to him as it was to the others. This chamber before them was entirely new, and none of them knew what awaited inside.

“Stop bickering, you two. Let’s just go in and find out”

Rusty said, cutting through their argument as he stepped forward. Without hesitation, he pushed the door aside, ready to uncover whatever secrets lay within. The Summoning Hall was vast, its design a stark contrast to the rest of the Soul Forge. Where the forge was practical, this chamber exuded an aura of ancient arcane power. High vaulted ceilings stretched into the dim glow of arcane light, with intricate carvings etched into every surface. These carvings depicted scenes of summoning rituals: mages surrounded by swirling glyphs, various creatures emerging from enchanted circles, and battles taking place in strange environments.

At the center of the room lay an enormous summoning circle, etched into the black stone floor with glowing inlays of silver and gold. The patterns pulsed faintly, as though alive, synchronized with some unseen heartbeat. Around the circle stood towering statues of robed figures holding staves, their faces obscured by hoods. Each staff radiated a faint light – some cold and blue, others warm and golden, mirroring the twilight that ran through Rusty’s essence.