Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

Chapter 171: Stakes Rises Suddenly

The second place was Ceil with 15 seconds difference from Adrian's time. The third was Emma Highwind with 25 seconds difference. The third was Rowan and the fourth was Luna.

What surprised the most spectators and announcers was more than half of the remaining contestants failed at this wave, their fortress being destroyed by the 15th wave monsters.

And now, at the start of the 16th wave, only 13 contestants were left. This proved this 3-star game was not as easy as many thought.

Not to mention, the time for the 16th wave to arrive was now 1,5 minutes.

The crowd buzzed with anticipation as the announcers' voices crackled to life, their excitement palpable through the arena.

"Dear viewers! The game now has come to its most thrilling stage yet!" the male announcer's voice boomed. "The 15th wave proved to be a formidable challenge, with more than half of the remaining contestants failing to defend their fortresses. Only 13 contestants remain, and the next wave promises to be even more challenging!"

The female announcer chimed in, her tone filled with suspense. "That's right! The 16th wave brings a new type of threat that will test our contestants' adaptability and ingenuity. New types of monsters will now join the fray, rendering many previous strategies and defenses potentially useless. Their current defenses might not be enough to hold the line!"

Most of the audience gasped, whispers of concern and excitement rippling through the stands. New types of monsters? This would be a game-changer.

Adrian stood on the walls of his fortress, his eyes scanning the horizon as the countdown for the 16th wave ticked away. Though he hadn't heard the announcers' words, he had a feeling that this wave would be different than before and require a different approach.

As the timer hit zero, a new notification appeared before Adrian.

[Wave 16: Incoming!]

"!" For a moment, Adrian's eyes became vacant as if he had fallen into a trance. However, he quickly recovered, shaking his head and recovering his focus. 'Haha... So, you couldn't stay still huh...'

Then Adrian turned his attention to the wave again, his eyes widening as he saw the new wave approaching.

From the distant skies, a swarm of winged beasts descended, their shadowy forms blotting out the sun. These flying creatures were large and menacing, their leathery wings flapping with ominous power. Below them, more traditional ground monsters advanced, a coordinated attack from both air and land.

However, Adrian didn't panic instead chuckled, a small smile playing on his lips. "So, it's finally time to use my backup plan," he muttered to himself. He had anticipated that the later waves would require more advanced tactics, and he was prepared.

"Everyone, listen up!" Adrian shouted to his team. "Close combat soldiers, retrieve the ballistae and catapults! We've got flying targets to deal with. All the archers, focus on the airborne threats. Fire, Water, Earth Mages, and golems, handle the ground monsters."

The soldiers moved quickly, retrieving the ballistae and catapults that Adrian's craftsmen had been working on. These powerful siege weapons were designed to take down larger targets and would be perfect for the flying monsters. The archers on the walls adjusted their aim, preparing to unleash a storm of arrows into the sky.

Adrian summoned two more golems, restoring their numbers to four. These massive constructs took their positions at the gates, ready to intercept the ground monsters. He assigned the six mages to work with the golems, their combined magic and brute strength forming a formidable defense.

As the flying monsters swooped in, the ballistae and catapults launched their projectiles, massive bolts, and stones tearing through the air. The archers released volley after volley of arrows, their enchanted tips piercing the wings and bodies of the flying beasts. The sky was filled with the sounds of battle, the roars of the monsters and the shouts of the defenders mingling in a chaotic symphony.

The ground monsters reached the gates, but the golems and mages were ready. The golems swung their massive fists, crushing anything that came close. The mages cast powerful spells, creating barriers of ice and fire to slow the advance and obliterate the enemies.

Despite the overwhelming assault, Adrian's fortress held strong. The coordinated efforts of his team and the strategic placement of the siege weapons turned the tide of battle. The flying monsters, though fierce, were no match for the concentrated firepower of the ballistae, catapults, and archers.

Your source for fiction: m-vlempyr.

Within moments, the wave was repelled, the sky clearing of the last remnants of the winged beasts. The ground monsters lay defeated at the gates, the combined efforts of the golems and mages ensuring no breach.

Adrian's name remained at the top of the ranking list, his strategic genius once again proving its worth.

___ __ _

[Congratulations you have cleared the 16th wave in 32 seconds...]

___ __ _

[Congratulations you have cleared the 17th wave in 35 seconds...]

___ __ _

[Congratulations you have cleared the 18th wave in 44 seconds...]

...

..

The messages kept appearing after each wave Adrian cleared. And by the time of the 20th wave - Destroyer's appearance, he added another three archer towers and four golems. He summoned a magical barrier for the 20th wave too.

Thankfully, this was a stimulation and his troops didn't tire. No, their stamina was restored after each wave though their injuries remained. Or else there would be no need for the healer mages.

He could have summoned more archer towers or golems but he needed to continuously supply his mages and archer towers with Aether Crystals so he had to be careful in spending.

He looked at the timer and saw there was half a minute left till the 20th wave's arrival.

'Guess it's time to use that.' He muttered.

[00:10]

The countdown showed the time left till the 20th wave's arrival.

At the same time, a voice echoed in Adrian's mind.

(Don't order your troops. Don't let them attack the Destroyer.)

Adrian froze for a second. Then he became silent, watching as the time ran out and the notification about the start of the 20th wave appeared. In fact, the notification wasn't needed at all. Since the Destroyer was visible even from a far distance.

A large flying monster - a black Wywern.