Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

As the game commenced, a screen appeared in front of Adrian, displaying his current status:

Contestant: Adrian Lighthaven

Warlord: Aelion the Shadowbinder

Ability: Shadow Summoner

Current Progress: -

Shadow Crystals: 10

Subordinates:

- Shadow Guardians (5 units)

- Nightstalkers (10 units)

- Shade Hounds (15 units)

Relics: 0/3 acquired

____ __

'It really is a status,' Adrian mumbled inwardly. 'How did they do that? This really looks like a game... Is there some kind of secret I don't know?'

Since Aurelius or other main cast characters didn't participate in this event in the novel, it wasn't written about.

'I'll look into it later,' He didn't have time to think about other things. 'Let's check what my ability is about first.'

Adrian focused on his ability, and another screen appeared giving a brief description of his avatar's ability. He had Shadow Summon ability and control ability over his units.

He focused again, opening another screen, detailing his Shadow Summon options:

Shadow Summon Options:

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Shadow Wraith (10 Shadow Crystals)

Description: A ghostly figure that can phase through obstacles and deliver chilling attacks.

Strengths: High mobility, can bypass physical barriers.

Weaknesses: Low physical defense, vulnerable to light magic.

____

Dark Archer (15 Shadow Crystals)

Description: A spectral archer with arrows that pierce through armor and shadows.

Strengths: Long-range attacks, high precision.

Weaknesses: Slow movement, limited melee capability.

____

Umbra Golem (30 Shadow Crystals)

Description: A towering construct made of condensed shadows, capable of absorbing damage and retaliating with powerful strikes.

Strengths: High durability, strong melee attacks.

Weaknesses: Slow movement, consumes a significant number of crystals to summon.

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There were other options like his current summons - Shadow Guardian costing 15 shadow crystals, Nightstalkers 10, and Shade Hounds 5 crystals. As for the other options, they were too expensive for the current him. The least expensive cost was two times of the Umbra Golem.

Since he didn't know the drop rates or how much he could collect Shadow Crystals, he decided to focus on the summons he could afford for now.

'Well now I know what I got, then let's start grinding,' he thought, formulating his plan.

Adrian turned to his Nightstalkers, selecting two of the stealthy units. "You two, scout the forest ahead. Look for any potential threats or resources we can use," he commanded. He then directed another pair of Nightstalkers towards the temple ruins. "And you two, investigate the temple ruins. Report back with anything useful."

With his scouts dispatched Adrian turned to the rest of his units. "The rest of you, we're heading into the forest. We need to gather resources and strengthen our position."

Adrian checked the map provided by the game, which showcased the key locations but not the paths to reach them. The forest, the temple ruins, and other potential resource points were marked, but it was up to him to navigate the terrain and uncover the best routes.

As they approached the forest, Adrian prepared his units for potential encounters. He knew that the forest was likely teeming with hostile creatures, and he needed to be ready for anything.

They hadn't gone far when they encountered their first group of monsters—a pack of forest wolves, their eyes glowing with a menacing light. "Shade Hounds, engage!" Adrian ordered.

The Shade Hounds leaped into action, clashing with the dire wolves in a flurry of fangs and shadows. Adrian watched the battle closely, ready to support his units if needed. After a tense struggle, the Shade Hounds emerged victorious, their opponents vanquished.

A notification appeared, showing that the dire wolves had dropped some loot. Adrian collected the shadow crystals, adding them to his resources.

[You have acquired 15 Shadow Crystals.]

'Good, this should help,' Adrian thought, continuing his advance. 'If it's gaming, then I can be confident I won't lose to this world's people...'

The group pressed on, only to be ambushed by a second group of monsters—a swarm of venomous spiders, their webs glistening in the dim light of the forest. "Shadow Guardians, protect the group! Nightstalkers, flank them!"

The battle was intense, but Adrian's units fought with precision and coordination. The spiders were eventually defeated, leaving behind more shadow crystals for Adrian to collect.

[You have acquired 20 Shadow Crystals.]

Finally, as they reached the entrance to the forest, the two Nightstalkers he had sent to scout returned. Through his mental link, Adrian received their report.

The Nightstalkers conveyed that there was a tribal war raging within the forest between two powerful monster tribes. One tribe consisted of fierce, territorial beastmen, while the other was a coalition of magical creatures, each fighting for dominance over the forest's resources.

Adrian processed this information quickly. 'A tribal war could mean chaos and opportunities. We could either exploit the situation or avoid the conflict zones entirely,' he thought. 'And the monsters we met on our way were either running away from the forest, or the spiders were chasing the wolves...'

He addressed his units, formulating a new plan. "We'll need to be strategic about this. The tribal war means there are dangers, but also potential allies or resources we can claim if we play our cards right."

"Take me near the area." He ordered the two nightstalkers.

Adrian swiftly activated his control ability over his units, commanding them to meld into his shadow and conceal themselves. Walking with such a large group would only attract unnecessary attention. As they vanished into the darkness, he followed the two Nightstalkers deeper into the forest.

The sounds of battle grew louder as they approached the conflict zone. Adrian soon found himself at the edge of a clearing where two massive monsters, likely the tribal chiefs, were locked in combat. One was a towering beastman with horns and thick fur, wielding a massive club. The other was a majestic, serpent-like creature with shimmering scales and glowing eyes.

Their roars echoed through the forest as they exchanged blows. To Adrian's surprise, the creatures were speaking, their voices filled with anger and determination.

"Your kind has always encroached upon our territory, Gnarl! This ends today!" the beastman chief bellowed, swinging his club with a ferocious intensity.

"And your savagery has driven us to this point, Brakkar!" the serpent-like chief hissed in response, dodging the blow and retaliating with a swipe of its tail. "We will not yield our home to your brute force!"

'WTH?!'