Catgirls And Dungeons (Yuri)
Chapter 217 - 217: Stepping inside

"There was only enough to craft two, though. They're extremely rare and difficult to make—but incredibly potent."

"Awesome!" Ereskia grinned, taking one of the pills and popping it into her mouth. She bit down and chewed.

Nom nom nom.

"Ughhh!" She shuddered, sticking out her tongue slightly. "Tastes like ash… but definitely effective!"

Lucian chuckled, then turned to Larpard. "This will shield your mana core from environmental interference, reduce the effects of the dungeon's aura, and protect you against all kinds of mental attacks."

"Oh, that sounds amazing!" Larpard said eagerly.

He took the second pill and mimicked his sister, biting down and chewing.

Nom nom— "Uggghhh!" he groaned, shivering just like Ereskia. But after a moment, his eyes lit up.

"Whoa… I can feel it already! My body feels lighter! My head's clearer! Thank you, Guildmaster!"

"Don't mention it," Lucian replied with a small smile. "Now then. Are we all ready?"

Larpard nodded firmly. "Nn."

Ereskia nodded as well, her gaze sharp with resolve.

Their eyes now gleamed with purpose and power. With the Dragon Heart Pills reinforcing their bodies and minds, the oppressive mana radiating from within the dungeon had been somewhat mitigated.

But the real trials still lay ahead.

Lucian took the lead, walking steadily toward the swirling gate. Ereskia and Larpard followed close behind, their steps synchronized, hearts beating in unison.

A magical lantern floated from Lucian's hand, glowing softly as it hovered beside them, casting a circle of warm light in the deepening gloom.

The closer they got, the darker the world became—unnaturally so.

And by the time they stood before the gate, without even stepping through it yet, the darkness had thickened to the point that even with their cat-like eyes and the hovering lantern, they could see no more than five meters ahead.

The gate pulsed before them, swirling ink-black and crackling with shadowy lightning.

And beyond it… lay the unknown.

"Stay close to me," Lucian said, his voice low but steady. "And be ready for battle at any moment."

Ereskia and Larpard both swallowed hard, their throats dry.

"Yes, Guildmaster," they said in unison.

No more words were needed.

Together, the three stepped forward, past the veil of swirling darkness, past the edge of the known world, and into the yawning mouth of the dungeon.

Into the Gates of the Night.

-----------------------------------

As soon as they stepped in.

Thud.

Their boots struck the cold, uneven stone beneath them.

The world around them was stark and desolate. Jagged gray rock stretched in every direction. There was no trees. There was no wind, nothing but just a harsh landscape of towering stone cones and distant mountains, all bathed in a ghostly, broken light.

Above, the sky was pitch-black, there was not even a single star, except for a shattered moon hanging overhead, fractured into a hundred glowing pieces. Its pale, bluish light flickered across the barren ground like dying embers.

And then—

Ereskia felt it.

An invisible weight crashed down on her chest like a falling boulder.

"F-Fuck…" she gasped, clutching at her sternum.

The air was too thick, the mana was too dense and oppressive, and together, it's too freaking suffocating. Her lungs struggled against the density. Her blood surged like a storm in her veins.

Hahh… Haaa…!

Her breath came ragged and sharp, like knives slicing through her throat.

Ereskia was a warrior, she was no stranger to stress or adrenaline. Her heart had pounded in many battles before. But this was different.

This was unnatural.

Badump. Badump. Badump!

Her heart was a drum, thundering out of control.

200 beats per minute.

250.

300.

And still rising!

Ereskia dropped into a crouch, arms bracing her knees, fighting to breathe. The world tilted slightly. Everything felt heavier.

Beside her, Larpard had already collapsed to his hands and knees, gasping like a fish out of water. His ears twitched violently, flattened tight against his skull, his eyes wide and glassy. One trembling hand clutched his throat.

Lucian stood still, but even he wasn't untouched. A bead of sweat rolled down his temple, jaw tight, brow furrowed with concentration.

Then, slowly… thankfully, the Dragon Heart Pills began to work their magic.

Ereskia felt a flicker of warmth in her chest. The weight pressing down on her heart loosened slightly, enough to allow one deep breath, then another. Her vision steadied. The world stopped spinning.

But while Ereskia was still catching her breath and Larpard lay on the ground, gasping for air—

They attacked.

Whoosh!

A streak of darkness tore through the air.

Then—

Clang!

Steel rang out.

Something had just slammed into Lucian's greatsword with crushing force.

Ereskia whipped her head toward the sound, and froze.

A massive shadow wolf loomed in front of the Guildmaster.

It was enormous. At least five meters tall at the shoulder, its body stretching nearly ten meters in length. Towering, broad, and hulking. Its form was made entirely of pitch-black shadow, thick and shifting like smoke, yet solid enough to strike. Its eyes were glowing with a purple light, blazing like a fury fire.

Lucian stood his ground, his sword braced with both hands, the massive blade now the only thing keeping the wolf's snapping fangs from reaching him. His arms strained, muscles bulging beneath his coat as he fought to hold the beast at bay.

"ERES! TO YOUR RIGHT!" he suddenly shouted, voice sharp with urgency even though he still fighting the enemy.

And thanks to him, even though Ereskia's body was still sluggish, her pulse still chaotic from the pressure, she still reacted.

She summoned her magic.

A dark shield flared to life just in time.

Clang!

Another shadow wolf, just as massive, slammed into it.

The impact nearly drove her to one knee, but she held her ground.

"Haah!!" she shouted, pushing back with all her strength.

The beast stumbled, growling, and backed off.

Across from her, the first wolf disengaged as well, pulling away from Lucian with a low, rumbling snarl.

Together, the two creatures began to circle.

Large, silent, and calculating.

Their dark forms glided smoothly across the broken earth, eyes locked on their prey.

Ereskia steadied her breathing, already beginning to summon another spell, another weapon.

Lucian didn't speak, but his stance shifted.

Meanwhile, Larpard finally rose to his feet, drawing twin daggers from their sheathes.

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