Cherreads

Chapter 18 - Chapter 17: The Dungeon Beneath Memory 

Eron paced, eyes on the glowing panel in his hand.

[System Coordination Recommendation: Dungeon #34-M | Category: Medium-Rare]

Location: Myrren Hollow, Deepwood SectorReward Potential: HighField Tags: Undead | Arcane Constructs | Unknown Relic SignatureRecommended Party Level: 30–40

Side Note: "Caution – Residual magic detected. Golemcraft & Necromancy relics suspected."

He exhaled, turning to the others.

"Next match is in 48 hours. We'll use that time to dive into this dungeon."

Neha blinked. "That's rare territory. No patrols. It's… old."

Seryn, half-shadowed by the window, murmured, "Old places remember. Let's hope they don't hate us."

Eron smirked. "They will."

The entrance was a wide arch covered in vines, but below, a spiral staircase led to something ancient. Mana here hummed, thick and heavy like the breath of something sleeping.

[Dungeon Modifier Detected: Soul Saturation Field]➤ Passive Bonus: +35% EXP from all actions➤ Hidden Effect: ???➤ Aura Pressure: Stable

Party Formation Locked – Field Balance Maintained

Eron read it twice.

"Soul saturation?" he muttered. "Why's it boosting EXP?"

The slime shivered on his shoulder, seemingly excited. The Blade Hound snarled low, as if sensing something far beneath.

Enemies Detected:▸ Boneguard Archers (x8)▸ Hollow Axemen (x5)

Dungeon Trait: Undead Reinforce in Pairs

Eron stepped forward, sword unsheathed. "Form: Circle Collapse. I'll hold the breach."

The plan activated instantly.

▸ Neha cast Ash Cloak, shielding Seryn and Slime▸ Blade Hound swept wide with a Crushing Howl▸ Seryn's blade spiraled with spirit-laced energy

Eron struck with Requiem Edge—

[Kill-Chain Passive Active]▸ +1.5% EXP per kill

[EXP Surge – Enhanced by Soul Saturation]

+620 EXP+580 EXP

[Eron ➤ Level 13 → 14 → 15]

Stat Choice Available

[Slime ➤ Lv. 11 → 12][Blade Hound ➤ Lv. 6 → 7][Neha ➤ Lv. 8 → 9]

Neha blinked. "That was way more than expected."

Eron frowned. "Something's multiplying my EXP faster than it should."

He opened his status log.

Passive Skill Activation: Pressure Converter (Dungeon Pressure Variant) → Synergizing with Soul Saturation Field➤ All ambient soul pressure = temporary EXP reserve➤ Rate: 1 Soul Pressure = +0.5% EXP bonus➤ Current Multiplier: +64%

Eron grinned.

"So that's why it's feeding us levels."

A stone chamber opened ahead. Inside, massive slabs and clay cores lay scattered across runes glowing faintly.

[Detected: Golem Constructs – Dormant]

[Skill Echo Located – Codex Fragment: "Soulbound Marionette"]

Description: Half-sealed skill fragment. Integrates necromantic threads with construct bodies. May allow summon-binding to artificial vessels.

Eron's eyes widened. "A necro-golem hybrid?"

Before he could step forward, several Golem Sentinels roared to life.

The first stomped toward them, arms plated in engraved obsidian.

Eron raised Requiem Edge.

"Let's earn that fragment."

Seryn opened with a Spirit Pulse Barrage, disrupting one golem's core runes. Neha tossed a Concussive Ember Spiral, disorienting another.

Eron triggered a rare combo—

Skill Chain: Phantom Pivot ➤ Blade Hound

▸ Result: Mid-swap aerial slash, followed by coordinated summon pounce▸ Damage Multiplier: +40% (Surprise + Sync)

The golem shattered under a combined assault.

[EXP Gained: +940][Slime ➤ Lv. 12 → 13][Eron ➤ Level 15 → 16]

[New Stat Choice Available]

[Dungeon Progress: 51%][Codex Fragment Retrieved: Soulbound Marionette (Partial)]

As the glow faded, the entire chamber dimmed.

Neha crouched beside a glowing sigil, fingers brushing ancient script.

"These markings… They mention 'Core Synthesis' and 'Servant Resurrection.'"

Seryn added, "The relic is deeper in. Whatever it is, it's calling to you."

Eron clenched his fists. The system pinged again.

[Warning: Field Soul Pressure Increasing – Danger Level Rising in Final Sector]

He turned toward the descending steps.

"Then we push forward."

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