Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

The boy nodded quickly, scribbling the order down before hurrying off, his steps a little too quick, as if eager to escape the pressure of the interaction. Adrian watched him go, noting the nervous energy that clung to the boy. There was something about him that seemed out of place in a rough environment like this.

As he waited for his drink, Adrian let his ears pick up bits and pieces of conversations from the other tables. Mercenaries discussed their latest contracts, boasted about their victories, or exchanged tips on the best ways to handle certain beasts and opponents. It was clear that this was a place where battle-hardened warriors gathered to relax and prepare for the next fight.

He was still observing when a sudden, sharp sound cut through the noise of the tavern—a loud slap that echoed off the wooden walls. Adrian turned his head just in time to see the blue-haired boy sprawled on the floor, a red mark already forming on his cheek. Standing over him was a medium-built man, his frame muscular and intimidating, with a scowl etched deep into his face.

The boy's eyes were wide with shock and pain, tears brimming at the corners as he looked up at the man. The other patrons fell silent, some turning to watch while others simply ignored the scene, too accustomed to such displays to care.

"You worthless brat!" the man growled, his voice dripping with contempt. "How dare you spill drink on me?"

Adrian's gaze sharpened, his mind quickly assessing the situation.

'I see...'

This man was clearly a typical bully, taking advantage of someone weaker simply because he could. He was probably the short temper and big ego type. A cliche type of character you would see almost in every novel.

"Do you know how much these costs?! Even if you work for your whole life, you can't afford to pay it back."

Adrian leaned back slightly, keeping his expression neutral as he observed the scene unfold. The tavern's atmosphere had shifted, tension hanging in the air like a coiled spring. The bully loomed over the blue-haired boy, who was still on the floor, trembling with a mix of fear and shock.

Before Adrian could decide whether to intervene, a new figure stepped forward, joining the fray. A woman with long, flowing auburn hair and a voluptuous figure moved gracefully toward the man. She was dressed in a form-fitting, revealing dress that accentuated her curves, drawing the eyes of several patrons as she walked.

Her appearance was designed to attract attention, and she wielded it like a weapon.

The woman sidled up to the man, wrapping one arm around his waist and pressing herself against him. Her lips curled into a sultry smile as she tilted her head, looking up at him with a mixture of feigned innocence and calculated allure. Her eyes, however, betrayed the truth—she was a woman who knew exactly how to manipulate those around her.

"Oh, darling," she purred, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "Did that little brat spill something on you? How awful." She ran a hand down the man's chest, her fingers tracing the outline of his muscles. "He ruined my favorite dress too, the one I wore just for you. What a shame... Don't you think he deserves a little lesson for his carelessness?" Your next journey awaits at m v|l-e'm,p| y- r

The man's scowl deepened, his anger now fueled by the woman's words. He glared down at the boy, who was still on the floor, looking utterly defeated. The boy's wide eyes darted between the man and the woman, his fear intensifying as he realized he was caught in the middle of their twisted game.

Adrian watched the exchange with a discerning eye, his thoughts racing. He knew exactly what kind of woman this was—the type who thrived on stirring up trouble, using her beauty and charm to manipulate others to her advantage. She was an opportunist, feeding off the insecurities and egos of men like the one before him.

The situation was turning uglier by the second, but Adrian had no intention of getting involved in this particular mess—not yet, at least.

The man's temper flared even more, his face twisting in rage as the woman continued to stoke the flames. "You hear that, brat? You ruined her dress too!" he bellowed, grabbing the boy by the collar and hauling him up roughly. The boy winced in pain, his small frame trembling as the man shook him.

Adrian's gaze narrowed as he evaluated the situation. The boy was clearly outmatched, and the man, driven by both his own temper and the woman's manipulations, was on the verge of going too far. Adrian's instincts told him that this could easily escalate into something far worse.

The woman, still clinging to the man's side, leaned in closer, her voice a seductive whisper. "Teach him a lesson, darling. Show him what happens when you mess with people like us."

Adrian's eyes flicked to the boy, whose expression had shifted from fear to a kind of resigned acceptance. It was clear that the boy had no way to defend himself, no one to step in and help. The patrons who had noticed the commotion seemed disinterested in intervening, most of them returning to their drinks and conversations as if this were just another ordinary night.

'Typical adults...'

Adrian's fingers tapped rhythmically on the table, his mind weighing his options. He was here to find Dorian, not to get entangled in bar brawls or personal vendettas.

However, there was something about the situation that gnawed at him—a sense of unease that he couldn't ignore. He knew that this world was harsh, but watching someone be beaten for the entertainment of others went against his better judgment.

"..."

Adrian's eyes narrowed as the man, fueled by the woman's encouragement, hauled the boy up by his collar and threw him back onto the floor with a forceful shove. The boy landed hard, gasping in pain as he skidded across the wooden floor, his fragile frame crumpling upon impact.

The woman's eyes lit up with a perverse delight, a twisted smile curving her lips as she pressed herself even closer to the man, her ample chest pushing against his arm.

"That's it, darling," she cooed, her voice sickly sweet. "Show him what happens when he messes with us. Make sure he learns his lesson this time."

The man's scowl deepened, his rage now fully ignited. Spurred on by the woman's provocative touch and words, he drew his leg back, ready to deliver a savage kick that would undoubtedly break the boy's ribs — or worse.

____________

(A/N: Thanks, Dear Readers. We reached the 1M views milestone. I can't express how much your support means to me. Whether you've been here since the beginning or just joined our journey, each and every one of you has played a part in making this story what it is today. Your comments, feedback, and encouragement have fueled my passion to keep writing and improving with each chapter.

Once again, thank you for being an amazing community. Let's continue this adventure together, and who knows? Maybe we'll hit 2M views sooner than we think!

Happy reading, and stay tuned for more exciting twists and turns!)