Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

Adrian opened his eyes, taking in his surroundings. The first thing he did was check the time. It seems that not even a minute had passed since he had jumped into the hole. With a quick flick, he scanned for any notifications indicating if anyone had claimed the relic. To his relief, there were none.

He stood up, realizing he was no longer in the dark, cramped ruins. Instead, he found himself in what appeared to be the main hall of a fantasy temple. The hall was immaculate, with pristine marble floors, towering columns, and intricate stained-glass windows depicting scenes of ancient battles and legendary heroes.

The air here was fresh, with a faint scent of incense that added to the temple's serene atmosphere.

Adrian frowned. Despite the beauty and tranquility of the hall, an uneasy feeling gnawed at him. He couldn't shake the sense that something was off, that there was a hidden danger lurking just out of sight.

He took a cautious step forward, his eyes scanning the hall for any signs of the relic. The hall was vast, with numerous alcoves and side chambers branching off from the main area. Each corner seemed to hold secrets, and the air hummed with a faint magical energy. As he moved, his monster troops began to regain consciousness, one after another.

Brakkar, Gnarl, and all the others stirred, their eyes glowing faintly as they took in their new surroundings.

"Stay alert," Adrian commanded, his voice echoing through the hall. "We need to find the treasure but we can't lose our lives."

He wasn't worried about his life since this wasn't the real world and he had many ways to keep himself safe, but if they lost theirs, he would lose a considerable amount of subordinates.

The monsters nodded in unison, their senses heightened as they spread out to search the hall. Adrian himself moved with purpose, his eyes flicking from one potential hiding spot to another. He approached the altar at the center of the hall, its surface adorned with ancient runes and symbols. It seemed like a likely place to start his search.

As he examined the altar, he couldn't help but feel a sense of urgency. Time was ticking, and while no one had claimed the relic yet, he knew that could change at any moment. The other warlords were likely closing in on their own targets, and he couldn't afford to let his guard down.

He ran his fingers over the runes, trying to decipher their meaning. The symbols were unfamiliar, but there was something about them that resonated with him, a connection he couldn't quite place. He closed his eyes for a moment, focusing on the magical energy that permeated the hall. It was then that he felt a subtle shift, a faint pulse of power emanating from a hidden compartment beneath the altar.

Adrian's eyes snapped open, his heart pounding with anticipation. He carefully pushed aside a panel on the altar, revealing a small, ornate chest. The chest was covered in intricate carvings and seemed to glow with a faint, ethereal light. He reached for it and lifted the lid.

[You have acquired the Relic of Forbidden Light]

Adrian's breath caught as he gazed at the relic within. It was a beautifully crafted amulet, its surface inlaid with intricate patterns of light and shadow. The amulet seemed to pulsate with a hidden power, and he could feel its energy resonating with his own.

Just as he was feeling a rush of joy, another notification appeared:

[To wield the Relic of Forbidden Light, you must first pass the trial of this temple.]

A chilling sensation washed over Adrian, sending shivers down his spine. He looked around, expecting something to happen, but for a moment, the hall remained silent and still.

Then, without warning, the air around him grew colder. He felt a presence behind him, a powerful aura that made his heart race. He turned slowly, his eyes widening as he saw the figure standing before him.

She was a beautiful woman, her appearance ethereal and otherworldly. Clad in gleaming white armor, she exuded an aura of both grace and danger. Her eyes glowed with an intense, piercing light, and her expression was one of unwavering resolve.

"I am Seraphiel, guardian of the Relic of Forbidden Light," she said, her voice ringing with authority. "To claim this relic, you must prove yourself worthy. Are you prepared to face the trial?"

Adrian swallowed hard, his mind racing as he considered his options. He had come too far to back down now. Steeling himself, he met Seraphiel's gaze and nodded.

"I am... ready," he declared, his voice steady despite the tension in the air.

Seraphiel's eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of approval and curiosity in her gaze. "Very well," she said. "The trial begins now."

With a wave of her hand, the hall around them began to shift and change. The walls and floor seemed to dissolve into a swirling vortex of light and shadow, and Adrian felt himself being pulled into the heart of the trial.

Adrian found himself standing in a completely different place. The sensation of the floor beneath his feet was real, not the familiar weightlessness of the game. He looked down at his hands and realized with a start that he was in his real body, not in his avatar's form. His clothes of the Warlord avatar had been replaced with the clothes he was wearing before entering the game.

He glanced around, taking in his new surroundings. He was in a vast, open courtyard, surrounded by towering walls made of white stone that seemed to glow faintly in the dim light.

The sky above was a swirling mix of dark clouds and shimmering stars, casting an eerie light over the scene. In the center of the courtyard stood a tall, ornate pillar, its surface covered in the same runes and symbols he had seen on the altar.

Adrian's heart raced as he tried to make sense of what had happened. The game had never pulled him into such a realistic scenario before. The air was crisp and cool, carrying the scent of blooming flowers and fresh grass. It all felt too real to be part of a fake world.

Before he could gather his thoughts, a voice echoed through the courtyard, strong and resonant.

"Welcome to the trial, Alex."