I’ll be straight with you: Bilewater is a nasty piece of work. I’d heard whispers about the Seeker’s Soul in Hollow Knight: Silksong, but I didn’t realize it would send me through one of the game’s most miserable optional areas. Still, as of 2026, if you’re chasing the secret Act 3, you need this creepy little item. So here’s how I got it, how I used it, and what I wish I’d known before I took the plunge.

Long story short, Seeker’s Soul is tucked inside a shell home in Bilewater. It’s close to the Key of Apostate spot, so if you’re already hunting that key, you can kill two birds with one stone. I did exactly that, and it felt like a small mercy in an otherwise brutal zone.

There are two ways to reach it. I tried both because I’m a glutton for punishment.

Route 1: The Southern Slog

• Start in Bilewater’s southern edge.

• Pass through Sinner’s Road.

• Push north until you hit the top section of Bilewater.

This route is the “classic” way, and by classic I mean it can kick your teeth in. You’ll face several waves of enemies, and then you’ll run into Groal, a boss who doesn’t believe in warm-ups. The worst part? There’s no nearby bench. If you fall in combat, you’re sent back to the last bench you visited. I learned that the hard way, and let me tell you, walking back felt like Groundhog Day.

Route 2: The Putrified Ducts Shortcut

• Enter Bilewater from the northern side.

• Use the Putrified Ducts route.

• Drop into the top section and grab the Seeker’s Soul.

This is the route I recommend. It’s safer, faster, and it skips Groal entirely. The catch? You need the Double Jump skill, which means you can’t pull this off early. It’s a midgame route, plain and simple. If you have Double Jump, take it. If you don’t, maybe go do something else first, because the southern route is a real gauntlet.

Once I grabbed Seeker’s Soul, I stared at my inventory like, “Okay, what now?” The answer is: not much, at least at first. Seeker’s Soul is required to unlock the secret Act 3 in Silksong. But it’s not a solo act. You need three other souls, and two of them only become obtainable after you promise the Silk and Soul Wish. So until you trigger the Silk and Soul quest—and that takes a fair bit of prerequisite work—Seeker’s Soul just sits in Hornet’s inventory like a weird paperweight.

That’s the thing that tripped me up. I thought I’d missed a prompt or a hidden door. Nope. The game just wants you to hold onto it. So if you’re in the same boat, don’t panic. It’s not bugged; it’s just waiting for the rest of the quest chain to catch up.

While you’re collecting pre-quest items, there’s another one worth grabbing: the Snare Setter. I picked it up from Weavenest Atla, and it’s a handy tool to have in your pocket. Here’s how I did it.

First, go to Bone Bottom and find the door that requires the Needolin song. Play the song, and you’ll be transported down into Weavenest Atla. Once you’re down there, look for a wall you can climb. Climb up until you spot a route at mid-height on the left side. Slip into that hidden route, then find another way up. Keep heading up, and you’ll eventually spot the Snare Setter sitting on top of a desk. Grab it, and you’re golden.

I’ll admit, I walked past that hidden route twice before I saw it. The game doesn’t exactly roll out a red carpet. But once you know where to look, it’s not too bad. Just keep an eye out for climbable walls and side paths.

So, what’s the bottom line? If you’re aiming for the secret Act 3 in 2026, you need Seeker’s Soul. Take the Putrified Ducts route if you have Double Jump. If you don’t, prepare for a rough ride through Sinner’s Road and Groal. And remember: Seeker’s Soul is only one piece of the puzzle. The Silk and Soul Wish quest has to be active before the other souls even show up. Until then, let it sit in your inventory and gather dust.

Would I do it again? Maybe. Bilewater still gives me the heebie-jeebies, but the payoff is worth it. If you’re going for 100% or just want to see what Act 3 has in store, don’t skip this one. Just bring patience, a fully upgraded Hornet, and maybe a snack. You’re going to need it.

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