Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

The name "Black Chameleon" sent a chill through the crowd, a name well-known in the underworld of Eldoria. The Black Chameleon was a notorious criminal, infamous for his ability to change his appearance and identity as easily as a chameleon changes its colors.
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He was a master of disguise, able to mimic voices and appearances so perfectly that even the most trained eyes found it difficult to discern his true identity. This elusive nature had made him a prime target on the Eldoria City Security's wanted list, as well as a high-priority suspect for TWAO agents and other law enforcement agencies across the region.

For years, the Black Chameleon had orchestrated a series of crimes, from grand theft and smuggling to more sinister acts like kidnapping and assassination. His ability to disappear into the crowd and reemerge as someone entirely different had made him a ghost, haunting the streets of Eldoria with his audacious crimes.

The mere mention of his name caused tension to ripple through the room, as those who knew of him understood the gravity of their situation. If the Black Chameleon was involved, this was no ordinary sabotage.

Adrian, sensing the rising tension and the need to refocus the group, cleared his throat and stepped forward. "Now that we've discovered who orchestrated this whole thing, it's time to stop this chaos and return the sanctuary to its rightful state."

His voice was calm but firm, a clear signal that he was taking charge of the situation. "We need to get the beasts back into their places and ensure the safety of everyone here."

The TWAO, Mr. Klein, nodded in agreement, his expression troubled but resolute.

Mr. Hawke, however, seemed less convinced. His brow furrowed, and his eyes darted around as if searching for something to latch onto.

"Wait a minute," Mr. Hawke interjected, his voice filled with skepticism. "What about the last time we visited then? Even before the fake calming scent was used, the beasts still attacked us. What do you say about that?"

Adrian smiled slightly, his demeanor unflinching. "You saw the record just now. We can conclude that it takes a little time for the beasts to react to the calming scent. That's why they suddenly got wild after a few moments—it wasn't immediate."

Mr. Hawke's frown deepened, clearly not satisfied with this explanation. "And how do you know how that thing works?" he countered, his voice sharp with suspicion. "It's almost as if you were the one who did it."

Adrian's smile widened at the accusation, but his eyes remained steely and unwavering. "How do you know it doesn't work that way?" he retorted. "You sure sound confident, Mr. Hawke. Could it be that you were the one who did it? And you say you support this place yet you are still trying your best to shut it down."

The crowd murmured at Adrian's words, the tension in the room growing palpable. Mr. Hawke's face reddened, and he seemed momentarily at a loss for words, his composure slipping under the weight of the accusation. Adrian's direct challenge put him in a precarious position—he needed to tread carefully or risk exposing and embarrassing himself further.

Mr. Klein stepped in, sensing the mounting tension. "Let's not jump to conclusions without evidence," he said, trying to keep the situation from escalating. "Right now, our priority should be to calm the beasts and restore order."

Adrian nodded, still watching Mr. Hawke closely. "Agreed. Let's focus on getting everything back under control first. We can continue this investigation once everyone is safe. I am sure Mr.

Klein and the inspector will report back to their superiors about the whole situation."

His intervention seemed to calm the room slightly, but Adrian could see the wheels turning in Mr. Hawke's mind. He was plotting his next move, trying to find a way out of this trap. Adrian knew he had to be vigilant—one wrong move could turn the tables against him, and he had no intention of letting that happen.

"Inspector, please guide everyone in returning the beasts," Adrian instructed, his tone authoritative. "Mr. Hawke, if you have any other objections, now would be the time to voice them."

Mr. Hawke remained silent, his expression tense and conflicted. The inspector nodded hesitantly and began organizing the crowd, directing them towards the sanctuary's enclosures. As people started moving, Adrian kept a close eye on Mr. Hawke, ready to counter any further attempts to derail their efforts.

But it seemed like Mr. Hawke had given up, for now at least.

He hesitated for a moment, his expression softening slightly as he addressed Mrs. Rena. "Mrs. Rena, I'm sorry you had to see this side of me. My intention was never to cause harm but to ensure the sanctuary's well-being. I've always supported this place, but recent events have been...

troubling, to say the least. I hope you understand."

Mrs. Rena nodded, her eyes filled with a mix of concern and hidden disappointment. "Mr. Hawke, I've known you for years. I just wish things could have been different."

Mr. Hawke sighed, taking a step back. "I should take my leave now. I'll be in touch later to discuss how we can move forward from this," he said, turning towards the exit.

Mr. Klein watched Mr. Hawke leave, then approached Adrian. "We should follow up on this matter with our superiors," he said, his tone businesslike. "But I trust you'll handle things here."

Adrian gave a curt nod. "I will. Thank you, Mr. Klein."

With a nod, Mr. Klein also took his leave, his demeanor tense but professional. As he exited, the atmosphere in the sanctuary began to shift. With the two men gone, the focus turned back to the task at hand: returning the beasts to their enclosures.

Under the inspector's guidance, it took about ten minutes for the sanctuary staff and volunteers to calm the beasts and guide them back into their respective enclosures. The cacophony of roars and shrieks gradually faded, replaced by the quiet hum of whispers among the workers.

As the situation stabilized, attention shifted to Miss Jenny, who stood off to the side, her face pale and her eyes wide with fear. The tension in the room grew once more as whispers and murmurs spread through the crowd.

"Miss Jenny should be expelled," one worker muttered.

"She betrayed the sanctuary. We can't trust her," another agreed.

"But she's been with us for years. Maybe we should forgive her," a softer voice suggested, uncertain.

Adrian listened to the murmurs, his expression unreadable. He watched Miss Jenny closely, noting her trembling hands and the darting glance she gave towards a few of the other staff members. He could see the fear in her eyes, but also something else—guilt.

'Sigh... I have to be the bad guy again, huh.'