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Rise of the Living Forge #5
Rise of the Living Forge 5: A LitRPG Adventure
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!
Kindle Edition
Published February 4, 2026
117 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
About the author
Actus
58 books212 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.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
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."
Displaying 1 of 1 review