Aetherios System [Slow Build OP MC, Isekai LitRPG/Cultivation] Chapter 170: Book 3: Chapter 24: Dungeon Gate (pt.2)

Read chapter 170 of Aetherios System [Slow Build OP MC, Isekai LitRPG/Cultivation] by TTReynolds on NovelPedia.

Book 3: Chapter 24: Dungeon Gate (pt.2) The next two days blurred into a steady grind of preparation, many boundaries and secrets between the two groups melting away over the few hours. Ghrukk and team sparred with the worldstrider squad until their armor dripped with sweat, each clash rattling the clearing where they’d made camp. Selka drilled with Kate until sparks leapt from steel, both women striking and countering like dueling serpents. Rynel worked his bow in silence, every arrow sinking into the mark with clean precision until the target was nothing but shredded bark. Even Devon got swept up in it, clumsily running through talisman activation under Sarson’s supervision, his face pale but determined. Doran, Garret and Eric all worked around the dwarf’s small portable forge, exchanging pointers and lessons on weapon and armor-crafting. Allie, Myrae, Cole and Henry talked shop on potions, herbs and growing arrays. Henry’s special garden bag was a rather popular topic of discussion for awhile. Peter, Zach, and Lance worked together to spar with Ghrukk, the Ork’s massive physical stats wasn’t enough to overcome the numbers difference, but it still kept the men on their toes and helped hammer in teamwork. Alex stayed busy with his own work. His crafting mat was laid out on a flat slab of stone near the edge of the camp, along with a small fortress of scattered tools and glowing materials. He worked through the last refinements on the new siphon plate—forged by Doran and the others from the therizite ingot—etching thin channels in its surface with practiced strokes, inscribing glyph after glyph in tight, clean sequence. It gleamed faintly whenever he passed energy through it, a perfect bridge for when he attempted the next artificial bodygate. The hours bled together as he worked. He didn’t notice when the sun began to sink, didn’t hear the clash of sparring steel or the huff of labored breathing around camp. His focus was too tight, too absolute, until a shadow fell across his work. “All right,” a voice cut in, a mix of dry amusement and unease. Alex looked up. Allie and Henry stood over him, both wearing small, uneasy smiles like they weren’t sure if they should be excited or worried. “What?” Alex asked, brows furrowing. Allie folded her arms. “We have everything ready. For your—” she wiggled her fingers in a mock-dramatic flourish, “—Wyrm-heart thingy. If you really wanna do it.” Henry nodded, “The reagents are mixed. The array’s almost set. Once we start, you don’t get to back out.” Alex’s tools clattered as he shoved them aside and surged to his feet. His pulse quickened, heat building low in his gut. “Yes. Absolutely. Let’s find a place to set it all out, okay?” The grin that split his face was boyish despite the edge of danger humming in his spirit. He’d been waiting for this, ever since he felt that strange draconic undertone gnawing at the edges of his Soulspace when he first got his unique constitution. A resonance was buried beneath his human essence, leaving him wondering how he could push the beating heart floating about his shattered mage core further, farther, deeper down the path toward power and strength. This was it. The moment he’d finally peel that mystery box open. He was going to upgrade his constitution. He was going to poke at the sleeping dragon hidden inside him. And he was going to find out just how much wyrm lived in that pulsating, muscly heart. The arcane array took shape quietly, save for the occasional grunt from Henry as he set another root, herb or flower into its place. His hands were smooth and extra careful to Aelx's viewpoint, almost reverent. The large man’s bulk belied a surprising gentleness, every herb was laid like a sacred offering, every placement angled with precision so the natural flows of energy melded together properly. It all had a designated place for the ritual to work. Ashbloom Lotus at the north, its crimson petals trembling faintly in the mountain breeze. Ironroot Vine sp