Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

Chapter 328: Speedrunning the Ruins

After The Elite Wraith and the ghoul died, the others returned to themselves, though they needed some time to adjust to the situation. Meanwhile, Adrian and Thalia recovered some of their aether and found the artifact.

It was a crown made of bones, its ability was to protect the user from mental attacks and other similar effects. However, the downside was you had to wear it to use its effects.

"Hmm... This will go for 15K between 25K if sold." Thalia muttered storing away the artifact in her storage ring. "Since its effects are useful, its price is a bit higher. Adrian, you and your classmates can take the big ghoul's core to yourselves, the guild will take the wraith's core."

"Alright. Let's hurry then, the exit portal will close soon." They had already taken out the cores from the monsters so they quickly left the Ruin of Ashenwatch through the portal.

______ ___ _

Outside.

Thalia told them they would take a rest for half an hour and head to the next ruin on their list. They still had 4 more ruins to clear today. And they already wasted more than 1 and a half hours on this one even though it was supposed to take 1 hour at most.

"Sigh... Why can't we completely destroy these ruins?" Kale muttered hearing Thalia's words. "Then, we wouldn't have to clear it again, again, and again..."

Thalia's expression grew serious as she heard Kale's complaint. The others, though tired, nodded in agreement. Clearing ruins was a grueling task, and the thought of having to do it repeatedly without any permanent solution was disheartening.

Thalia took a deep breath and addressed the group, her tone reflective. "Actually, this is one of the most important mysteries and problems we've faced for generations. No one has been able to find a way to completely destroy these ruins. The scholars, the awakeners—many have put forth theories, but none have proven true."

She paused, glancing at their weary faces. "Despite all our efforts, not a single Ruin has been wiped out of existence. We clear them, seal them, but they always return."

Nora, who had been quietly listening, nodded in agreement. "There have been countless attempts, using all sorts of methods. Some believe the ruins are connected to another realm or plane of existence, and destroying them would require severing that connection. But... no one's figured out how."

Adrian listened silently, his mind drifting to the author's original concept behind the Ruins. The Ruins weren't just ancient structures—they were deeply tied to the very fabric of the world, possibly linked to the flow of Aether itself. Destroying them might require something far beyond what they currently understood, something that could only be explored in the arc that would come later.

He pondered on the thought. 'If only they knew the truth… But that story is yet to unfold.'

'And...'

'Who exactly is the author? Is he from this world? Or... am I just in a dream?'

'Nah, that's impossible. No one can dream this long and sense feelings or pain in a dream.' Your next read is at ???

'Though... It feels like I am in some kind of play, a game...'

'And... When I think about it... I come to hate it...'

'But I will be reminded of Aria... Aurelia... and the others once again...'

'Sigh...'

'When can I find answers to my questions..?'

'Should I reach the part where the author stopped after all...'

'...'

"Anyway..." Thalia sighed, breaking Adrian's reverie. "We might not see a solution anytime soon. It's something that might take years, even centuries, to fully understand."

"You are right..." Adrian smiled slightly, a knowing look in his eyes. "But you should know, the future is always unpredictable, even when you think you can see it."

The others exchanged confused glances, clearly puzzled by his cryptic remark. Adrian chuckled, deciding it was best to change the topic before they pressed him further.

"So, Captain," Adrian began, turning to her with a playful grin. "What's our next target? Care to give us any info?"

Thalia shook her head, a smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. "Always eager, aren't you? But I like that."

"And, our next target is the Ruin of Dreadspire. It's notorious for its labyrinthine structure and the shadow creatures that inhabit it. The sooner we get there, the better our chances of clearing it before nightfall. Strangely, the ruin's atmosphere will follow to the outside world's."

"Labyrinthine structure, huh?" Adrian mused, nodding thoughtfully. "Sounds like a challenge. Just how I like it."

"Great," Kale muttered with a roll of his eyes, "more fun and games."

"Let's get some rest," Thalia advised, ignoring Kale's sarcasm. "We'll need all the energy we can muster for what's coming next."

The group settled down, taking the opportunity to recover their strength. After 15 minutes, Thalia urged them to finish and so they started their way to the next Ruin.

_______ ___ __

The evening sky was painted with hues of deep orange and purple as the silver portal materialized in the middle of a clearing. Its shimmering surface rippled, and one by one, seven figures emerged from the portal, their exhaustion evident in their every movement.

Kale was the first to collapse to the ground, his breath coming in ragged gasps. "F-Finally," he muttered, barely able to muster the energy to sit up. "That last ruin was a nightmare."

"Literally..."

Nora staggered out next, her legs trembling as she sank to her knees. She looked as though she wanted to say something, but the only sound she could manage was a weary sigh.

Adrian stepped out of the portal last, his usual confident demeanor tempered by exhaustion. The moment his feet touched the soft grass, he sank down, leaning back against a nearby tree.

He reached into his pouch and pulled out a small vial of healing potion, downing it in one gulp. The cool liquid soothed his aching body, but it did little to ease the fatigue that weighed on his mind.

'Finally... We can take a break now... Who knew speedrunning the Ruins could be this exhausting... Well, we aren't the main characters of solo leveling or similar stories after all... Haha...'