Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

Chapter 100: They Are The Main Cast, No Doubt About It...

The first thing I did after parting ways with the others was carefully map out the sections I planned to explore. My goals were clear: to train and master the Shadow Glide technique, and to gather valuable resources while eliminating threats along the way.

Moving silently through the tunnels, I soon encountered my first challenge: a swarm of Jadeaters. Their glowing eyes and clicking mandibles glinted in the dim light. I activated Shadow Glide, feeling my movements become swift and fluid. The technique allowed me to dart between them, striking quickly and efficiently.

Each step felt more natural than the last, and I dispatched the Jadeaters with minimal effort. Their numbers, which might have overwhelmed others, were manageable with the right tactics.

Venturing deeper into the mine, I stumbled upon traps set by the Red Kobolds. These creatures were more cunning and dangerous than the Jadeaters, with traps designed to ensnare and injure intruders. Though the Shadow Glide proved invaluable, I still struggled to navigate the traps and counter their ambushes. Injuries were inevitable, but I quickly took healing pills and pressed on.

Over an hour passed, and I had already destroyed three small Red Kobold clans, each consisting of about fifteen members. I felt on the verge of truly mastering Shadow Glide, but I needed something more—a dangerous situation or a moment of enlightenment.

Despite having a life-saving card up my sleeve, I was confident that no creature in these ruins could pose a serious threat to me. Even the Jade Golem was only 80% as strong as the Thunderclap Ruin's Guardian. I was determined to master the technique today.

As another hour slipped by, I still hadn't broken through. Yet, hope remained. And it stood before me now—the Jade Golem, flanked by more than twenty Red Kobolds.

"Huul! Huul!"

"Huul-! Hull-!"

I had no idea why or how they found me, but the Jade Golem had started chasing me. Fighting it here wasn't ideal, so I chose to move, hoping to find a better location. Now, I was surrounded by monsters on all sides.

But wasn't this exactly what I had hoped for?

Adrenaline surged through my veins as the monstrous Jade Golem roared, lumbering towards me. The chittering of the Red Kobolds behind me intensified. This was it—the crucible I craved.

Drawing a deep breath, I activated Shadow Glide. The world blurred as I weaved through the pack of Kobolds, my strikes precise and deadly. The technique felt smoother, more intuitive with each maneuver. A Kobold swung its rusty cleaver, missing me by a hair's breadth as I slipped behind him, burying my dagger in his exposed back.

Swoosh!

Pain flared in my arm as another Kobold managed to land a glancing blow. Gritting my teeth, I popped a healing pill while dodging a gout of emerald flame spat by the Golem. The Kobolds, emboldened by my injury, pressed their attack. One lunged, its mandibles snapping at my leg.

With a surge of focus, I triggered Shadow Glide, appearing a meter away, leaving the surprised creature flailing in the air. The fight became a whirlwind of movement and desperate strikes.

I was a blur of steel, my movements dictated not by conscious thought but by an instinctive understanding of Shadow Glide. Each dodge, each leap, felt more natural, more perfect.

Yet, the Kobolds were relentless, and the Golem loomed closer, its emerald eyes glowing with malevolent power.

Suddenly, the earth rumbled. The Jade Golem unleashed its ultimate attack, manipulating the very jade and minerals around it. Razor-sharp shards materialized in the air, converging on me from all sides. Panic surged within me, but a newfound clarity cut through it. My instincts took over.

With a desperate twist, I activated Shadow Glide, not aiming for a specific point, but simply moving. The world dissolved into a blur as I felt the wind whipping past. There was a searing pain in my side—the unmistakable sensation of a jade shard finding its mark. But I kept moving, propelled by a primal urge to survive.

"Huff... Huff..."

When the world solidified again, I clung precariously to a ledge, gasping for breath. My vision cleared, and a searing pain radiated from my side where a jade shard had pierced me.

Below, the Golem roared in frustration, its emerald shrapnel falling harmlessly to the ground. The remaining Kobolds, confused and leaderless, milled about aimlessly.

But victory wasn't assured yet. The near-death experience had granted me a deeper understanding of Shadow Glide, but true mastery wouldn't be celebrated on a precipice.

The fight wasn't over.

"Swoosh-!"

"Clang-!"

"?!"

"Thud-!"

Or...was it over?

I asked myself, staring dumbfounded at the collapsed Jade Golem.

____ ___ _

"The fight isn't over yet!" Adrian thought, preparing to ambush the Jade Golem.

"Swoosh-!"

But before he could take any action, he heard a swirling sound and saw a large fireball, numerous ice spikes, and rock spikes flying towards the Jade Golem.

"Clang-!"

"Bang-!"

All of the attacks landed perfectly on the Golem. Moments later, the Jade Golem, once a hulking monstrosity, lay in pieces. Its emerald eyes, once blazing with malevolent power, were now dull and lifeless. In its place, a swirling vortex of energy pulsed momentarily before dissipating.

Before Adrian could even contemplate the impossible sight, a whirlwind of activity erupted around him. A scorching fireball, launched with pinpoint precision, slammed into the remaining clump of Red Kobolds. A barrage of ice spikes followed, each one finding its mark with unerring accuracy.

Jagged rock projectiles completed the onslaught, turning the remaining Kobolds into a bloody mist in a heartbeat.

The entire scene had transpired in the blink of an eye. Adrian, still gasping for breath, watched as several figures materialized from the tunnels behind the fallen Golem.

'Haha, they are truly the main cast, no doubt about it,' Adrian chuckled inwardly, recognizing them even before they showed up.

_____

(A/N: We finally crossed the 100th chapter. Collections also passed 1K. ?

The upcoming arc will be crucial in the character development of many characters.

Spoiler as a gift: The mystery behind Aria will be revealed in this arc. Expect the unexpected.