Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

"And that's when we make our move, right? At the heart of the forest?"

Adrian nodded subtly, his eyes fixed on the elder. "That's where the 'way back home' will be opened. Until then, we stick to the plan—blend in, gather marks, collect resources, and stay unnoticed."

The elder raised his hands, and the crowd of young elves erupted into cheers. The energy was infectious, and even Aria felt a flicker of excitement beneath her calm exterior.

As the elders began to call out names, grouping the young elves into smaller clusters for their initial instructions, Adrian and Aria moved with the flow of the crowd, their identities concealed among the sea of eager participants.

This was it—the first step of the mission.

And the rebellion.

Adrian caught a glimpse of 7 hooded figures on the lead and a smile appeared on his face.

'I hope our MC and Dragon Boy won't mess this up.'

'Or else I will need to step in again...'

'Which always happens...'

_____ __ _

The elder's speech concluded with a final proclamation, his voice carrying over the gathered elves like a steady wind:

"Step forward one by one, and let the forest guide you. The portals will lead you to your trials. May the Mother Nature watch over you all."

A low hum filled the air as the elders began weaving their magic, ancient symbols glowing faintly on the bark of a massive tree at the far end of the square. Its trunk shimmered with an ethereal green light, and an oval-shaped portal slowly emerged in its center, pulsating softly like the heartbeat of the forest itself.

One by one, the young elves approached the portal. Some hesitated, taking deep breaths before stepping through. Others moved with quiet determination. Each figure disappeared the moment they touched the glowing surface, vanishing into the unknown.

Adrian and Aria stood near the back of the group, blending in seamlessly. Adrian's hood was pulled low over his face, his sharp gaze observing the scene with calculated precision.

"Remember everything I said yesterday," Adrian murmured under his breath, his voice low enough that only Aria could hear.

Aria nodded, her expression serious. "Stick to the plan, keep a low profile, and avoid unnecessary risks. I got it."

"Good." Adrian's eyes flicked back to the portal as another young elf disappeared into its glow. "Once we're inside, we'll likely be separated. Trust your instincts, but stay sharp."

Aria smirked faintly. "You almost sound worried."

Adrian glanced at her, his expression unreadable. "...I'm always worried."

Before Aria could respond, the line shifted forward, and it was her turn to step into the portal. She gave Adrian a quick nod before pressing her hand to the glowing surface, disappearing in an instant.

Adrian lingered for a moment, his gaze narrowing slightly as he surveyed the elders and the remaining participants. Satisfied that everything was proceeding as expected, he stepped forward and entered the portal.

The world around him blurred, colors and sounds swirling together in a disorienting vortex. When the sensation stopped, Adrian found himself standing knee-deep in murky water.

The air was humid and carried the pungent smell of wet earth and decay.

He glanced around, his sharp eyes taking in the strange wilderness.

The swamp was alive with unnatural beauty—towering trees with twisted roots, glowing fungi clinging to their bark, and luminous plants swaying as if to a rhythm only they could hear. The faint hum of insects and distant calls of unknown creatures added to the eerie ambiance.

Adrian sighed, glancing down at his waterlogged boots. His luck truly was terrible—being teleported to the middle of a swamp wasn't ideal. His foot sank slightly deeper into the mud with every step, the cold water creeping up his legs.

Still, this discomfort was nothing compared to what he had endured over the past half-year. He pushed aside the memory of harsher trials and began assessing his situation like the seasoned veteran he was.

The first step was to move. Staying still in a swamp was asking for trouble—leeches, predators, or worse. Adrian reached down and tightened the straps of his boots, ensuring they wouldn't be sucked off by the mud, then began walking toward higher ground.

He noted the faint glow of mushrooms in the distance, marking a possible path out of the waterlogged terrain. A distant ripple in the swamp caught his attention, but he ignored it for now.

Unless it came closer, he had more pressing matters to address—like finding shelter and assessing the situation.

Adrian's movements were calculated, his senses alert. He kept his weight balanced as he navigated through the thick mud and water, avoiding areas where the ground seemed unstable.

"Focus on the basics," he murmured to himself, his voice low but steady. "Find shelter, secure resources, and mark a safe path."

A faint rustling behind him made him pause. He turned sharply, his hand instinctively brushing the hilt of his weapon. The swamp was quiet again, the only sound the soft ripple of water and the hum of insects.

"Whatever's out there, I hope it doesn't get in my way," he muttered, continuing forward.

Adrian soon spotted a patch of slightly elevated ground ahead, where several thick tree roots intertwined to form a natural platform above the water. He made his way toward it, his mind already working on the next step.

The Blessing Trials or the Hunt had officially begun, and Adrian was determined to finish the event without unnecessary sacrifices and trouble.

For now, though, his immediate focus was survival. And Adrian was nothing if not a survivor.

He climbed onto the elevated patch of ground, his boots squelching as he stepped out of the murky water. The roots of the massive trees formed a stable platform, though they were slick with moss and dampness.

He crouched for a moment, catching his breath and assessing his surroundings. The air here was slightly clearer, the oppressive humidity less suffocating.

Reaching into his storage ring, Adrian retrieved a pair of longer, sturdier boots. These were specially designed for harsh environments—waterproof, reinforced with enchanted leather, and resistant to mud suction. He swapped them out quickly, muttering to himself, "Old man Doome's lessons pay off yet again."

'I want to thank him at times like this.'

He chuckled inwardly remembering his adventures at the Survival Training Course.

"Done."

Satisfied, he stood and scanned the towering trees around him. Their low, wide branches looked sturdy enough to hold his weight. With practiced ease, he jumped, grabbing onto a branch and pulling himself up. From this vantage point, he could move more freely without the swamp slowing him down.

Climbing higher, Adrian perched on a branch wide enough to sit on comfortably. He reached into his storage ring again, this time pulling out a binocular-like artifact. Its metallic frame glowed faintly as he activated it, and the lenses adjusted to magnify the swamp ahead.

He swept his gaze across the swamp, scanning the area with precision. About five kilometers ahead, he spotted black figures moving frantically. They were engaged in a fierce battle against a monstrous plant-like creature.

Its thick vines lashed out like whips, glistening with a toxic sheen, while its massive bulb-like center glowed ominously. The figures darted around it, their weapons flashing as they tried to cut through its defenses.

Adrian's lips curled into a smile. "Found one."

The faint glimmer of relief in his eyes was short-lived as he leaned back against the tree trunk, letting out a resigned sigh.

"If only there were artifacts like Spidey's webs in this world," he mused, recalling a certain comic book hero from his past. "Climbing down and traversing would be way more fun than annoying."

Still, this wasn't the time for wishful thinking. He deactivated the artifact and tucked it back into his storage ring. The elevated view confirmed his path—he needed to move quickly toward the battle. Whether those figures were allies or obstacles, they were clearly tied to his mission.

Adrian began his descent with careful precision, moving down from the trees and back onto the swamp floor. The mud squelched beneath his boots as he moved, but this time, his new footwear held firm.

As he approached the area, he stayed low, keeping his movements silent and calculated. The sounds of the battle grew louder—shouts, the crack of weapons against vines, and the deep, guttural roars of the swamp monster.

Adrian slowed his pace as he reached the edge of the battle. From behind the cover of a wide tree, he observed the scene more closely. The black-clad figures moved with coordination, but their attacks were barely making a dent in the creature's defenses.

One figure, wielding a spear, leaped forward with remarkable agility, driving their weapon into the monster's bulbous center. The creature roared, thrashing its vines violently hitting some of the figures just before its core was shattered into pieces.

Adrian watched for a moment longer, then chuckled amused. "So, the extra and the villain meet once again, huh."