Gene spits out a particularly foul curse in Mandarin and lunges after it, but the beetle's too speedy for a human. It zigzags down the hall, Gene rushing after it, before he decides to bring out the big guns.

He summons his armor.

There's a flash of bright light and he's taller, clad in frightening black-and-gold armor, and the beetle appears in his hand in a flash of light. "Gotcha." When he speaks, his voice is modulated to be much deeper, adding to his sinister appearance.

Not letting this thing go was well worth potentially frightening his fellow adventurers. Besides, it's not like it's exactly a secret anymore. Not in Keeliai, anyway, and hiding it in Aifaran would only make him feel too much like he felt back on Earth - hunted. He is what he is, and what he is is the Mandarin. For better or worse.