Aetherios System [Slow Build OP MC, Isekai LitRPG/Cultivation] Chapter 173: Book 3: Chapter 27: Trial of Change

Read chapter 173 of Aetherios System [Slow Build OP MC, Isekai LitRPG/Cultivation] by TTReynolds on NovelPedia.

Book 3: Chapter 27: Trial of Change Chapter 27: Trial of Change [Time Remaining: 611 Days, 17 Hours, 32 Minutes] The last hours before entry to the dungeon felt more anxiety inducing than any battle Alex had been a part of. They huddled together near the buried stone doors, a mismatched collection of worldstriders and mercenaries, laying out gear, checking edges of weapons, tightening straps. Potions and talismans were counted twice, spell tablets tucked into belts, rations wrapped and stowed. No one wasted words, they all knew what was coming, and silence seemed the only way to push through the stress. Alex moved among them, he was still feeling the phantom burn of his close brush with the gold energy in his body. The golden storm lingered in his memory, an itch beneath his skin. Even after his cultivation session and looking over his status screen, Alex was not able to figure what, if any, changes the energy had made to his body or spirit. It was as if it had scrubbed any indication of the event from The System, or at the very least it was being hidden from his screen. Even Obby failed to find anything, at least that’s what the rock had told Alex. It was worrisome sure, but his body felt different now, he was ready. He gave a final glance at Tom-Tom. The kobold stood tall, well, as tall as he could. A grin was fixed proudly on his snout, his shield strapped firm, his scaled fingers and tail drumming a rhythm of impatience. Adept Tier energy shimmered in his aura, just barely early gaseous stage, but it was there nonetheless. Everyone else continued their last second adjustments, rearranging gear or squeezing in a final bit of cultivation. When everything was said and done, they gathered in front of the massive stone doors. The marble frame still glowed faintly in Alex’s [Aether Sight], and the energy flowing in perfect circles like a lock waiting for the right key. He stepped forward. The others watched, weapons loose in hand and breaths drawn in tight anticipation. Alex pressed his palm flat against the cold surface of the stone. The System chimed a response, a screen appearing in front of his vision; You Are Entering: Ruined Sanctuary – Trial of Change Recommended Party Size: 6-7 Status: Party Entry Engaged (Raid) Modifiers Applied: First-Party Diver (1.5x Dungeon Points Earned), First-Time Raider (1.5x Experience Earned, 1.5x Dungeon Points Earned), Raid Trial (x1.25 Experience Earned, x1.25 Dungeon Points Earned). [Would you like to bring your party inside?] [Warning: Current numbers exceed standard dungeon group size. Dungeon difficulty adjustments will be made. Classification: Raid Party.] [Confirm:] [Yes / No] He read over the information quickly, noting the differences from the last Dungeon entrance screen he remembered. Besides the name of the dungeon being different, which was a given, there were other things Alex noticed. Party entry this time, which means no “Lone Challenger” modifier. The “First-Time Raider” modifier is nice, bonus dungeon and experience points, and it looks to even stack with the standard raid modifier, too. That warning message doesn’t look good though. He looked back at everyone else, finding them also looking off into the distance, more than likely a screen having popped up for them as well. They won’t get the “Party Diver” modifier, since they did the Dark Den together. But it still lets me have the modifier, that’s interesting. “It has a warning message on my screen, something about our party being too big.” Alex called out over his shoulder. “Yeah, anything over the recommended party size activates the Raid feature for dungeons.” Selka said. “The more people, the more difficult the Dungeon will be. Its a balancing measure by the Heavenly System.” “So, should we split into smaller parties, or stay together for the raid?” Peter asked. “Stay together for the raid, of course.” Doran boomed over them all, proudly and confidently. “We said we be sticking with you worldstriders because how the S