Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

The air around Alex felt heavier as he reached the center of the Queen's domain. The atmosphere shifted; it was as if the forest itself was holding its breath.

At the heart of the clearing, he saw it—a massive cocoon-like structure, pulsating faintly with life. Its surface was smooth and glistening, a strange blend of green and vibrant floral hues, giving the appearance of a dormant flower.

Alex adjusted his black robes, which draped loosely over his hunter-trainee outfit. His hand tightened around the hilt of his black shortsword as he approached. His gaze lingered on the cocoon for a moment before he let out a steady breath.

"No turning back now," he muttered his previous line again.

Without hesitation, he slashed at the cocoon's outer layer. The blade struck but barely left a mark, the surface rippling slightly in response.

His brows furrowed.

'No reaction, huh.'

He struck again, this time with more force, his blade slicing across the smooth surface. Still, nothing.

'Frustration' flickered in his expression as he shifted his stance and raised the shortsword for a stronger strike.

'If this doesn't do it—'

Before he could finish his thought, the cocoon trembled.

Alex instinctively stepped back as the structure began to shift and unfurl, its layers peeling apart like a flower in full bloom. A soft glow radiated from within as the cocoon revealed its occupant—a towering, stunning figure.

The woman stood three meters tall, her form draped in an intricate dress of flowers and verdant greens that seemed to grow from her very being.

Her presence was both regal and otherworldly, her radiant beauty enhanced by her luminous, flower-like irises. Each iris bore four distinct, colorful petals, representing the four elements of wind, water, earth, and fire.

Alex's expression froze, caught somewhere between genuine shock and a carefully curated act.

'Well, it's starting...'

The Queen of Nature's gaze was calm yet piercing as it settled on him. Her voice, gentle but commanding, broke the silence.

"Why are you trying to harm someone who has done you no wrong?"

Her words hit like a quiet reprimand.

Alex coughed, covering his mouth as he quickly composed himself. "What are you talking about? I'm just being cautious," he said, his tone feigning defensiveness. "What if you were a monster and decided to attack me?"

The Queen tilted her head, her expression curious. "Do I look like a monster to you?"

Alex hesitated.

'...Why don't you look in a mirror and ask yourself.' was what he wanted to say but saying it or even yes would undoubtedly invite trouble, but he wasn't about to let her gain the upper hand.

He smirked slightly and replied with a clever twist. "Well… I was tricked yesterday in a similar situation. A beautiful woman emerged from a vicious plant and tried to seduce me."

The Queen blinked, momentarily speechless.

"I'm serious," Alex continued, his expression solemn. "Thankfully, I wasn't an idiot and managed to escape." He paused for effect, his tone shifting to something more thoughtful. "Although, I did end up beating the monster, which turned out to be using illusions to disguise itself."

He didn't elaborate further—there was no need to mention that he'd obliterated the creature after seeing through its ruse.

That level of illusion couldn't trick him at all.

"That's why I did what I did," Alex concluded, gesturing vaguely toward the cocoon's damaged part which was already in its original way.

"I see…" The Queen's tone was neutral, though her expression grew more solemn.

Then, to Alex's surprise, a mischievous smile spread across her face. "But what if I was a monster? What if I attacked you right now?"

Her words were laced with playful menace, but Alex's reaction was instant. His demeanor turned icy, his grip tightening on his weapon as he took a step back, his stance ready for combat.

"You can try," he said coldly.

'This should work...'

The Queen blinked, taken aback by his boldness. Then, unexpectedly, a soft laugh escaped her lips.

'This one's different,' she thought, a flicker of amusement crossing her features.

Replacing her mischievous expression with a more reassuring one, she said gently, "Don't worry. I was only joking. I wouldn't harm an innocent and weak child like you."

Alex's lips twitched, barely suppressing his irritation. 'Innocent and weak?' The words struck like an invisible arrow, but he kept his cautious act intact.

The Queen raised an eyebrow, watching him closely. 'Still doesn't trust me? How peculiar… My aura should've already calmed him by now. Interesting…'

She leaned forward slightly, her slender fingers making a subtle gesture. Vines burst from the ground, entwining Alex in an instant.

His first instinct was to struggle, his blade caught up between the tendrils, but he paused as a strange sensation coursed through him. The vines weren't restraining him—they were healing him. His fatigue melted away, his sore muscles eased, and his mind felt sharper.

"This…" he muttered, his voice trailing off as his eyes reflected a flicker of surprise.

The distrust that had hardened his gaze earlier began to dissolve, replaced by something softer—cautious, but no longer hostile.

The Queen of Nature kept her gentle smile, but inwardly, she nodded in satisfaction. 'Good. He's beginning to trust me now,' she thought, her flower-like irises gleaming subtly. She maintained her serene and kind expression, watching him with the same composed demeanor as though nothing had changed.

"Are you alright now, child?" She then asked softly, her voice as soothing as the vines that had worked their magic.

Alex nodded absently, his act slipping for just a moment. "Y-Yes."

After a brief pause, he bowed his head slightly. "I'm sorry… and thank you."

The Queen waved a hand dismissively, her smile unwavering. "It's nothing."

But Alex's next words left her dumbfounded once more.

"But… can you remove these?" He glanced at the vines still wrapped around him. "I feel uncomfortable."

"Eh?" The Queen blinked, her composure slipping briefly before she quickly recovered. "Ah, yes, of course." With another wave of her hand, the vines receded, disappearing into the ground.

Alex brushed himself off, silently regaining his footing.

The Queen of Nature studied him closely, her flower-like irises gleaming. 'This child… He is more than he appears.'