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Rise of the Living Forge #5
Rise of the Living Forge 5
A world on the brink. A forbidden craft. The ultimate trial of the forge.
The Menagerie has finally stepped into the limelight. After taking down the assassin Twelve, Arwin and his guild have earned an invitation to the Proving Grounds—the most prestigious tournament in the kingdom. But they aren't just there to compete; they’re there to prove that a crafting guild can stand toe-to-toe with the realm’s elite adventuring parties.
As Arwin delves deeper into the mysteries of his class, he unlocks the dangerous potential of Forbidden Soulmancy. Once a dark magic used by liches to enslave souls, Arwin discovers a way to use it as a partnership, communicating with his materials to learn to create equipment that just might be more powerful than anything the kingdom has ever seen.
But the Proving Grounds have drawn the attention of old enemies, and the Menagerie is on a direct collision course with the Adventurer’s Guild themselves.
To survive the upcoming storm and protect his friends, Arwin must attempt his most impossible project yet—forging a suit of armor capable of housing the Soul of the Infernal Armory itself.
Book 5 in this epic LitRPG Saga from Actus, bestselling author of Return of the Runebound Professor. With nearly 7-million views on Royal Road, this definitive edition is perfect for fans of Seth Ring, Jonathan Brooks, Michael Chatfield and lovers of all things Progression Fantasy and Crafting.
About the Features a healthy mix of crafting and combat, a strong-to-stronger MC, power progression, a detailed magic system, item enchantment, smithing, unforgettable characters, and much more!
The Menagerie has finally stepped into the limelight. After taking down the assassin Twelve, Arwin and his guild have earned an invitation to the Proving Grounds—the most prestigious tournament in the kingdom. But they aren't just there to compete; they’re there to prove that a crafting guild can stand toe-to-toe with the realm’s elite adventuring parties.
As Arwin delves deeper into the mysteries of his class, he unlocks the dangerous potential of Forbidden Soulmancy. Once a dark magic used by liches to enslave souls, Arwin discovers a way to use it as a partnership, communicating with his materials to learn to create equipment that just might be more powerful than anything the kingdom has ever seen.
But the Proving Grounds have drawn the attention of old enemies, and the Menagerie is on a direct collision course with the Adventurer’s Guild themselves.
To survive the upcoming storm and protect his friends, Arwin must attempt his most impossible project yet—forging a suit of armor capable of housing the Soul of the Infernal Armory itself.
Book 5 in this epic LitRPG Saga from Actus, bestselling author of Return of the Runebound Professor. With nearly 7-million views on Royal Road, this definitive edition is perfect for fans of Seth Ring, Jonathan Brooks, Michael Chatfield and lovers of all things Progression Fantasy and Crafting.
About the Features a healthy mix of crafting and combat, a strong-to-stronger MC, power progression, a detailed magic system, item enchantment, smithing, unforgettable characters, and much more!
- GenresFantasy
688 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 4, 2026
226 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
About the author
Actus
52 books228 followersActus has been writing fantasy stories since the age of twelve, and he's been telling them since he could talk. He's currently working on three main series - Morcster Chef, Steamforged Sorcery, and My Best Friend is an Eldritch Horror. You can find his works on RoyalRoad & Patreon as well as on Amazon.
In addition to his passion for writing, Actus is capable of clearing a two story building with a single jump. That isn't true, but writing about himself in third person gives Actus delusions of grandeur.
In addition to his passion for writing, Actus is capable of clearing a two story building with a single jump. That isn't true, but writing about himself in third person gives Actus delusions of grandeur.
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 6, 2026
Actus is a gem! And the book is friggintastic!
Wow! FannnFriggenTastic! Discovering Actus was like finding a gem that's already cut and polished! I mean every book/series is like the best evarrr!!! So yeah go grab one of their books. You'll love it. Guaranteed!
And like I said this book Is AwesomeSauce! As Arwin takes some of his guild members to the Secret Eye Tournament. Inorder to showcase his weapons and armor. Arwin is directly sponsoring two teams. The first is Olive, Elias, and Maeve... the second is Art, Vix, and Kien. I've always appreciated the nod Actus made to deck-building litRPG's as Art shuffles through his cards in the hopes of finding anomalies... but he's never used them in an actual fight! Until now, and boy is his deck powerful!!! Each of the six players also have their own personal reasons for entering the tournament as well. Anyway tournaments just plain fun. After that they're more than ready to head back home to the Devil's Den, Lillia's place. Where Arwin heads directly to the Smithy... and ohhhh, the action never stops... to find out what happens next you're just gonna hafta get the book!
Here's a quote:
"Nobody wanted to just sit around and watch a good fight without something to put in their mouth. That would be like trying to forge a blade without ever quenching the metal."
Wow! FannnFriggenTastic! Discovering Actus was like finding a gem that's already cut and polished! I mean every book/series is like the best evarrr!!! So yeah go grab one of their books. You'll love it. Guaranteed!
And like I said this book Is AwesomeSauce! As Arwin takes some of his guild members to the Secret Eye Tournament. Inorder to showcase his weapons and armor. Arwin is directly sponsoring two teams. The first is Olive, Elias, and Maeve... the second is Art, Vix, and Kien. I've always appreciated the nod Actus made to deck-building litRPG's as Art shuffles through his cards in the hopes of finding anomalies... but he's never used them in an actual fight! Until now, and boy is his deck powerful!!! Each of the six players also have their own personal reasons for entering the tournament as well. Anyway tournaments just plain fun. After that they're more than ready to head back home to the Devil's Den, Lillia's place. Where Arwin heads directly to the Smithy... and ohhhh, the action never stops... to find out what happens next you're just gonna hafta get the book!
Here's a quote:
"Nobody wanted to just sit around and watch a good fight without something to put in their mouth. That would be like trying to forge a blade without ever quenching the metal."
February 8, 2026
Bring on Book Six!!!
Though this book dragged on in spots with uneven pacing, when it gets rolling the story is everything we've been waiting for and more! So many revelations (Esmeralda's class and who put the black gem in the armor from Book One for starters) and plot points got advanced and we got to meet two potential new members of The Menagerie on top of the Soul Guardian waking up and Lillia demonstrating to a street full of adventurers that you do NOT want to piss her off.
Bottom Line: I cannot wait for Book Six.
Though this book dragged on in spots with uneven pacing, when it gets rolling the story is everything we've been waiting for and more! So many revelations (Esmeralda's class and who put the black gem in the armor from Book One for starters) and plot points got advanced and we got to meet two potential new members of The Menagerie on top of the Soul Guardian waking up and Lillia demonstrating to a street full of adventurers that you do NOT want to piss her off.
Bottom Line: I cannot wait for Book Six.
February 10, 2026
The first half of this is abysmal. A pointless tournament to tie up lose ends from all the accumulated side characters with the main characters being either absent or sidelined. A dribble of story to finally give the series context does nothing to salvage the first half. The second half finally gets back to basics but it's drawn out and ends abruptly. A one star start with a three star finish, hence the rating.
February 11, 2026
Excellent 5 books in
So many promising series grow stale by this point. The story drags or gets bogged down with needless minutae, filler, or longwinded internal monologues. Not so here. Actus gets through an entire tournament in this book, before the halfway point! I was engaged from start to finish. This series is a cut above. Keep up the good work!
So many promising series grow stale by this point. The story drags or gets bogged down with needless minutae, filler, or longwinded internal monologues. Not so here. Actus gets through an entire tournament in this book, before the halfway point! I was engaged from start to finish. This series is a cut above. Keep up the good work!
February 7, 2026
Top Tier
This series has been excellently done. It breaks from the tropes enough to stimulate an appetite for more. The cast of characters are nicely developed and none of the minor characters lack dimension. Very enjoyable!
This series has been excellently done. It breaks from the tropes enough to stimulate an appetite for more. The cast of characters are nicely developed and none of the minor characters lack dimension. Very enjoyable!
February 11, 2026
I hate you! You turned me into an addict!
Another book down another long wait… Can’t wait for the next release! I can’t even fill my time with any more of his stories because I’ve already read all of them too. 😭💕
Another book down another long wait… Can’t wait for the next release! I can’t even fill my time with any more of his stories because I’ve already read all of them too. 😭💕
March 10, 2026
So much better than I thought
This book really didn’t have to be this good. It’s easily the best in the series, with awesome twists and cool new characters and amazing world building. Please keep it coming!
This book really didn’t have to be this good. It’s easily the best in the series, with awesome twists and cool new characters and amazing world building. Please keep it coming!
March 25, 2026
Ooh that's just mean
Really enjoyed this one like every other one you've wrote. Looking forward to starting the next. There just isn't enough hours in the day to read all your books and keep up with the other authors i read.
Really enjoyed this one like every other one you've wrote. Looking forward to starting the next. There just isn't enough hours in the day to read all your books and keep up with the other authors i read.
February 9, 2026
Good Book
Twas a good book. Give it a read. Why do I have to make this thing like 12 words long? I would rather continue reading.
Twas a good book. Give it a read. Why do I have to make this thing like 12 words long? I would rather continue reading.
February 14, 2026
cannot wait til August!
So enthralled with the story so far, can’t wait for the next adventure. Truly one of my favorite authors right now.
So enthralled with the story so far, can’t wait for the next adventure. Truly one of my favorite authors right now.
February 14, 2026
Good book, but man I hate me a tournament arc in my crafting book.
The rest of it balanced itself out.
The rest of it balanced itself out.
February 16, 2026
Fanfreakingtastic!
What an amazing book! I absolutely loved this book and such wonderful characters! I can not wait for the next book to come out!
What an amazing book! I absolutely loved this book and such wonderful characters! I can not wait for the next book to come out!
February 20, 2026
Love the characters in this series. Plot development for the series is going well and looking forward to the next book.
March 16, 2026
The ending was just good
The story flows with ups and downs. I love the misfits grouped together. More is told about individuals and some story arcs get closed. Just a nice read.
The story flows with ups and downs. I love the misfits grouped together. More is told about individuals and some story arcs get closed. Just a nice read.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews