Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

One hour later, Adrian and his team finally arrived at the edge of the Mountains of Myrandor. The rugged terrain loomed before them, a daunting reminder of the mission they had undertaken. They paid the carriage driver and asked him to wait until the evening. If they didn't return by then, he was free to leave.

The driver nodded, understanding the gravity of their request. "Good luck, and be careful out there," he said, his voice filled with concern.

They nodded and entered the mountain area. The air was cooler, and the path ahead was filled with uneven rocks and dense foliage. Adrian gathered his team together, their faces set with determination.

"Alright, everyone, we need to stick to the plan," Adrian said, his voice firm. He then turned to Ardel. "It's your time to shine, buddy."

Ardel nodded, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. He raised his hands, and the already alive nature around them seemed to come to life even more. Leaves rustled, and a gentle breeze swept through the area as Ardel's Wilderness Blessing ability activated.

Adrian watched as Ardel's connection to the natural world deepened. "Look for any live presences, but not beasts. We know the bandits probably have a few scouts out here. We need to take them out first before we find the hideout and raid it."

'Well, we might get to know where the hideout is from the scouts too. Aria and my rings can help us to identify if someone lying or not after all...'

Ardel nodded, focusing his energy. "Give me a moment," he said, his voice a whisper.

The team stood silently, watching as Ardel's power spread through the forest. He reached out with his senses, feeling the life force of the plants, the insects, and the animals. Then, he sensed it—multiple human presences scattered around, hiding among the trees and rocks.

"There are at least four presences positioned at the foot of the mountain," Ardel said, opening his eyes. "They're trying to blend in, but they're not doing a very good job."

"Perfect," Adrian replied. "We'll take them out one by one. Let's move quickly."

They started moving with quiet precision through the forest. The first scout, a lanky man with a sleepy expression, was perched in a tree. Adrian motioned to Ardel, who drew his daggers and disappeared from his spot.

Ardel swiftly and silently climbed the tree, moving with the precision of a predator. He appeared behind the scout without making a sound and put his daggers to the man's throat.

"If you move or speak, you're dead," Ardel whispered, his voice cold and deadly. 'Wow, Adrian's choice of words is really cool!'

"Hmm-? HUH-!?" The scout, a lanky man with a perpetually sleepy expression, widened his eyes in fear. Despite the warning, he instinctively tried to move, but Ardel was faster. He kicked the man off the tree, sending him tumbling to the ground.

"Argh! Mar-! Hick-!" The man hit the ground with a thud, disoriented, and just about to scream when Adrian appeared, his sword pointed directly at the man's throat.

"Not a sound," Adrian commanded, his voice a low growl. The scout's eyes widened further, and he clamped his mouth shut.

"Who are you?" Adrian demanded. "What's your name?"

The man hesitated, clearly terrified. "I-I'm just here to pick herbs. M-My name's B-Bart."

Adrian's eyes narrowed. "If you lie, you die. Do you understand?" He glanced at his silver ring, and his expression hardened. "I'll ask again, what is your name? And by the way, I already know you are a bandit."

"H-huh?" Bart's eyes widened in surprise as if a fish caught in the net.

"Haha, are you gonna say it or not," Adrian asked, his voice chilly.

"I-I'll say!" The man nodded frantically, sweat dripping down his forehead.

"M-My name is Jarek," the scout stammered, his voice trembling. "Please, don't kill me!"

Adrian kept his sword steady, his eyes never leaving Jarek's. "Good. Now tell us about the hideout. Where is it? How many of you are there?"

"There's... there's only a few of us here, really!" Jarek stammered, his voice trembling. "Our hideout is... it's deeper in the mountains, past the big rock shaped like a dragon's head."

Adrian's expression hardened. "I told you not to lie, didn't I? Now then..."

Without warning, Adrian swung his sword, cutting Jarek's hand.

"ARGH!" Jarek screamed, clutching his bleeding hand in pain.

"Lower your voice. And, I won't be nice next time," Adrian said coldly. "Tell the truth, or the next cut will be fatal."

Jarek's face twisted in agony and fear. "O-Okay, okay!" he gasped. "T-There's a lot of us, at least twenty! The hideout is in a large cave near the waterfall, not far from here. Please, I swear, that's the truth!"

Adrian's eyes flicked to Aria and Lila, who were watching from a short distance, ready to step in if needed. "Is your boss a Lunar Tier Awakener?"

"Y-yes," Jarek replied, his voice barely above a whisper. But he suddenly gained vigor. "Hah, that's right. Boss's very strong. You don't want to mess with him. If you let me go and leave now, I won't say anything to the boss.

Or else... ARGH-!"

"Hmph, what if your boss is Lunar Tier? I bet he is only a Lunar Apprentice like me." Adrian pressed the bleeding place of his hand. "We have a Lunar Sage with us, why should I care about your puny boss."

"L-Lunar S-Sage?!" Jarek's eyes widened in fear. "I-I'm s-sorry, please spare me!" He started to beg for his life again.

"I will spare you if you answer another two questions of mine," Adrian said, his voice calm but firm. "Now, how many more scouts are there around here?"

Jarek hesitated for a moment before speaking. "There are three more. They're positioned around the foot of the mountain, just like me."

"Then, are you holding a group of herbalists as hostages now?"

"!" Jarek's eyes widened again, realization dawning upon him. "Y-You are the rescue team!"

"Guess, we got our answer," Aria muttered looking at the terrified Jarek.

Adrian nodded, satisfied with the information. "Thank you for your cooperation." He signaled to Ardel, who knocked Jarek out with a swift strike to the head. The scout slumped to the ground, unconscious.

"Tie him up to the tree. Then we will take out the other three scouts." Adrian commanded taking out an enchanted rope from his storage ring. 'Hmm... I guess, I will leave the hidden scouts to those three...'

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