Chapter 21: Unmasking the Serpent and the Cycle of Bullying
The air in the interrogation room was thick with unspoken accusations and the faint scent of fear. The timid Mauseherz teenager, suspected of murder, was a bundle of nerves, his eyes darting, his hands trembling. Nick and Hank, despite their growing understanding of the Wesen world, were still struggling to reconcile the evidence with the boy's terrified demeanor.
Adam, observing from a discreet distance, leaned against a wall, a cynical smirk playing on his lips. "Ah, the classic 'blame the weak guy' trope. Seriously, it's like the Wesen world has its own version of high school bullies, but with more fangs and less locker stuffing. And our snake-boy, the Lausenschlange, is clearly the head of the mean girls' club."
Wanda, standing beside him, her brow furrowed, felt the Mauseherz's raw fear, and the cold, calculating influence emanating from the Lausenschlange. "He is… manipulating. He twists the truth."
"That's their superpower, kiddo," Adam confirmed, mentally pulling up files from the Library. "System, give me everything on Lausenschlange weaknesses. Anything that can expose a liar, or, you know, make a snake-man spontaneously combust. Preferably the former, less paperwork."
The Library, ever efficient, provided a wealth of information: specific frequencies that caused psychic discomfort for Lausenschlange, ancient rituals that forced truth, and even obscure lore on their tendency to shed skin when under extreme stress, a subtle tell. Adam found a particular, almost imperceptible sonic frequency that could cause a momentary psychic disruption, making it difficult for a Lausenschlange to maintain their manipulative facade. He activated a miniature device, disguised as a pen, subtly aiming it at the Lausenschlange, who was currently charming a detective.
Wanda, meanwhile, focused her powers. As the Lausenschlange spun another web of lies, she sent a subtle psychic wave, a gentle but insistent pressure, towards the Mauseherz. For a split second, the boy's eyes cleared, his fear momentarily replaced by a flicker of defiance.
"He… he made me do it!" the Mauseherz blurted out, his voice trembling but clear. "He threatened my family! He said he'd… he'd send the rats after them!"
The Lausenschlange, caught off guard by the Mauseherz's unexpected outburst and the subtle psychic static from Adam's device, stumbled over his words, his smooth facade cracking. His eyes darted nervously, and a faint, almost imperceptible shimmer ran across his skin – a tiny, almost invisible shed of scales.
Nick, seizing on the sudden shift, pressed harder. Monroe, who had been observing with a growing sense of unease, stepped forward, his own Wesen instincts confirming the Lausenschlange's deception. He explained the predator-prey dynamic, the history of exploitation.
The Lausenschlange, his lies unraveling, was finally apprehended. The Mauseherz, terrified but relieved, was exonerated. Justice, messy and complicated, had been served.
[MISSION COMPLETE: Lausenschlange apprehended. Mauseherz exonerated. Reward: 180 System Points.]
[WESEN ETHICS: Bullying and exploitation are pervasive issues. Host's intervention promotes justice and highlights social dynamics.]
Adam grinned, a triumphant, chaotic-good grin. "One hundred and eighty System Points. And we saved a mouse from a snake. Literally. Who says fairy tales aren't real? They're just… darker. And with more police involvement."
Later, back in the quiet sanctuary of the Library, Adam and Wanda debriefed.
"He was truly evil," Wanda said, a rare note of anger in her voice. "To use fear like that."
"Yeah, well, some people are just born rotten, Wanda. Doesn't matter if they're human or Wesen. They'll always find a way to exploit the vulnerable," Adam replied, though his tone was serious. "But we stopped him. And Nick learned a valuable lesson: not all monsters look like monsters. Some wear suits and have really good hair. And some are just… snakes."
He looked at the System Shop, mentally browsing for new items. "I'm thinking an artifact that exposes lies. Or maybe a rare book on Wesen social justice. Because if this is any indication, we're going to be doing a lot more 'Wesen social work' in this job. And I'm pretty sure my sarcasm alone won't cut it. Though I'll still try." He stretched, a satisfied sigh escaping him.
Want to read more? I've written over 20 webnovels (and counting), and it takes a lot of energy, ideas, and time to keep them coming!If you enjoy my stories and want to support me, even the minimum $5 tier on Patreon unlocks a LOT more chapters and helps me keep going.
👉 Click here to dive deeper: patreon.com/TheFinex5
More stories, more chapters — and yes, your support really makes a difference.