Essence Link System: The Healer's Awakening-Chapter 26: Limb for Limb Game 2

At the Village Head’s Manor

Eldric sat on his wooden throne, his fingers tapping the carved lionhead armrest slowly. The room was quiet, heavy with the scent of incense and secrets. He glanced toward Alfred, standing dutifully beside him.

"Have you heard from Varek and Darnis?" Eldric asked.

Alfred shook his head. "No, my lord. They haven’t reported back. Could it be that they were taken care of?"

Eldric narrowed his eyes, lips curling in thought. "I don’t think so."

A flicker of memory crossed his mind—Reina and Veralia. The girls weren’t ordinary. Something about them radiated danger. And that boy—Caelen—was too calm, too composed. Alchemist or not, he was hiding something.

"Caelen is just a simple alchemist. He said that himself," Eldric muttered. "But those two girls... they’re the problem."

Alfred nodded. "Yeah. I don’t think Darnis and Varek could be taken out by an alchemist. They were probably overwhelmed by the girls."

Eldric rose from his throne, walking slowly to the window. He stared down at the courtyard, his reflection split across the windowpane.

"So what do we do now?" Alfred asked. "Should we send more men?"

Eldric’s voice was calm, cold. "No. If we send more, it’ll look as if we’re feeding a hungry predator non-stop. Let them be. They’ll die either way."

Alfred nodded reluctantly. "I guess so."

---

At the Motel – Caelen’s Room

Player 8’s blood pooled beneath him. He screamed, raw and hoarse, the wound where his ear once was burning like fire. He writhed, restrained, unable to escape the agony.

Player 2, still bound in place, turned with wide, panicked eyes. "Why would you do that?! I answered it for him! We’re not your enemies!"

Caelen only smiled, slow and deliberate, his teeth gleaming in the dim light. "That is the rule of Limb for Limb. But..." He stepped forward, crouching in front of Player 2, "Since you answered it correctly, that means you get a bonus gift."

He grinned wider. "Now, Player 2... choose. What part of your body should I restore next?"

Player 2 looked at Darnis—Player 8—bleeding, broken. He clenched his jaw.

If I get both legs back, I can move again. That’s my edge. I’ll grab Darnis when he’s distracted. We’ll escape. This game will be our last.

He exhaled. "I choose my left leg."

Caelen’s expression shifted to something unreadable... darker.

"Left leg, huh?" he said quietly. "Mobility isn’t a bad choice..."

A pause.

"...if you’re looking to escape."

Player 2’s eyes widened in horror. A cold sweat ran down his temple. Caelen’s glowing green eyes bored into his soul.

"Isn’t that right... Player 2?"

Silence.

Then Caelen chuckled low, deep in his throat. "Don’t worry. I admire ambition. Let’s just see how far you run before the floor crumbles."

His palm, now glowing with eerie green light, slammed onto Player 2’s thigh.

"Heal."

The light surged. His left leg twitched. Muscle reknit, bone aligned. Blood vessels pulsed.

Player 2 bit his lip, overwhelmed.

But even as the pain faded, something deeper took its place—dread.

He knew... he saw right through me.

Just what... Player 2 thought in panic, what are we dealing with?

Lord Eldric... what kind of monster have we welcomed into our village?

Caelen stood and turned to Player 8, whose screams had quieted to whimpers.

"You’re bleeding too much," Caelen said calmly. "It’d be a waste if you died mid-game."

He raised his hand.

"Heal."

The bleeding stopped instantly. The pain didn’t vanish, but it dulled enough to leave Darnis breathing again.

Caelen clapped once.

"That should do it." His voice had an eerie glee. "Now—onto the next round."

---

Round Three

Caelen lifted the red box once again, the aura around it darker than before.

Reina and Veralia stepped forward in sync, each drawing a card.

"Player 2," Caelen said, "Let’s see your question."

Veralia unfolded the card, her eyes glowing faintly with excitement.

"What do you know about the Blood Pact Edge?"

The room went cold. Even the flickering lantern dimmed.

Player 2 froze.

Blood Pact...?

His heart beat faster. If he finds out... it’s over.

He glanced at Darnis. The message was clear—don’t speak.

Caelen stepped forward, his tone sly. "Oh? What’s the matter, Player 2? Are we having second thoughts?"

He leaned in, his voice low. "You’re in a pot hole now. So tell me—will you choose yourself... or the village head?"

The silence was loud. Tension choked the air.

Then Caelen stepped back.

"I see... you’ve made your choice."

He smiled calmly. "Then I shall honor your resolve."

Player 2 blinked. He acknowledges... my resolve?

Caelen lifted the black box with one hand. "Reina. Veralia. Our Gate Dealers. It’s time."

Veralia stepped forward slowly, reverently, and drew a card.

Caelen smirked as he asked, "So, what does fate have in store for Player 2?"

Veralia looked at the card and whispered: "An eye."

Player 2 gasped.

"An... eye?!"

Darnis—Player 8—yelled in fury. "But you said only body parts!"

Caelen tilted his head mockingly. "Did I? Hmm... I don’t remember saying only body parts."

He walked forward slowly, each step echoing like a drum of doom.

"Welcome to the fine print, Player 8. The Box of Judgment doesn’t follow your rules."

He grinned darkly. "It follows mine."

Player 2 and 8 looked at each other.

He truly is a devil.

Caelen gestured. "Now... Veralia, if you would."

Veralia stepped forward gracefully, her face calm, but her eyes glowing with something... feral.

"I’m jealous," Reina said from behind. "I wanted to take someone’s eye."

Veralia smiled. "There’s nothing to be jealous about, Reina."

She kneeled beside Player 2. He began to panic, flinching back, legs trembling.

"Please," Player 2 begged. "You’re kind. I know you’re kind. He must be forcing you—help us escape and we’ll protect you!"

Tears welled up in Veralia’s eyes. She sniffled.

Player 2’s heart leapt.

I knew it. I can use her.

"Help me," he whispered. "And I’ll help you."

Veralia wiped her tears. Then whispered softly—

"Thank you."

She held his head gently, lovingly.

Then her eyes turned cold. Her fingers tightened.

"You fool," she said.

Player 2’s pupils shrank.

Caelen laughed loudly, madly. "You actually believed it?! What a moron!"

Even Reina giggled, hand over her mouth. "I thought I played with hearts. But you... Veralia, you’re cruel."

Only Ryan stayed silent in the corner. Watching.

Veralia leaned in. "Thanks for the eye."

Player 2 screamed. "WAIT—PLEASE I BEG YOU—"

Her fingers plunged in.

Blood exploded.

Player 2’s scream echoed into the heavens. A wet, horrible squelch filled the room as she yanked the eye clean out. It dropped to the ground with a soft roll.

Player 8 closed his eyes, trembling in silent empathy.

Player 2 writhed, teeth clenched, sobbing in agony.

Caelen exhaled in satisfaction. "Ahhh... That felt... therapeutic."

He turned to Player 8.

"Next question."

Reina unfolded the card. "What do you know about the recent killings in the village?"

Caelen’s grin returned. "Player 8... we await your response."

Player 8 was silent.

I can’t... I won’t...

Caelen stepped forward again, slowly.

"If Player 2’s eye was taken... what could be taken from you?"

He placed a hand on Darnis’ head.

"Your brain?"

His voice darkened.

"Your entire head?"

Gasps. Terror.

Player 8 flinched. "You... You wouldn’t!"

Caelen’s glowing eyes stared into his soul.

"Do you want to test it?"

Darnis gulped. His defiance cracked. But still—

"I won’t betray Lord Eldric. Do what you wish."

Caelen’s sadistic grin stretched wider. "Such devotion..."

His eyes burned red like fire in the dark.

"...It makes me hungrier to break you more."

He raised the black box again. Reina drew a card.

"Ear."

Caelen clapped. "An ear, huh? I guess Player 8 got lucky."

Reina stepped forward, drawing her sword. She didn’t hesitate. Slash.

Blood flew. The ear hit the floor like a falling coin.

Player 8’s jaw trembled. Tears leaked from his eyes.

"What a shame," Caelen said. "I guess you’ll play the rest of the game with one ear. Way to hang in tight, Player 8."

He turned, smiling.

"And now..."

He raised the red box again.

---

Round Four

Caelen’s fingers drummed against the red box as he held it in both hands, tilting it slightly with a sinister smile. A faint purple mist leaked from the cracks in the wood, as if the questions inside were alive... hungry.

"Round Four," he announced, eyes glowing faintly.

He shook the box slowly, each rattle echoing with tension.

Reina and Veralia stepped forward like queens of fate. Their movements were fluid, graceful—each step deliberate. Their dresses, shaped like playing cards, rustled softly, eerie in the silence.

Veralia drew first. She opened her card, her lips curling upward in wicked satisfaction.

She read aloud, "What do you know about... Tarin Elowen?"

Player 2 stiffened. His eyes widened. That name... why that name?

He thought quickly, heart racing. This is too easy... unless he’s testing me for hesitation. No tricks this time. Just give the answer.

Caelen tilted his head. "Will you answer... or shall we summon the Judgment Cards?"

Player 2 licked his lips nervously and replied, "I’ll answer."

"Go on," Caelen said, smiling. "I’m listening."

Player 2 inhaled deeply. "Tarin, as I know him... was a young herbalist’s apprentice. Kind. He often wandered near the forest collecting rare herbs. He... helped my mother once, when she was sick."

Caelen’s expression darkened slightly at the end.

"I see," he whispered.

A pause. Then he nodded. "Acceptable."

Veralia stepped back. Reina moved forward, drawing her own card. She glanced at it and looked directly at Player 8.

Reina spoke clearly, her voice like a bell laced with venom. "What do you know about... Bruke Fenric?"

Player 8 winced. His bleeding side still pulsed. He heard only half the name.

"Huh?"

Caelen chuckled. "It seems she can’t reach you with just one ear."

He stepped closer, voice rising like a hammer.

"What do you know about Bruke Fenric?!"

Player 8’s thoughts spiraled. Why is he asking about these people? Some are known, some are obscure. It’s like he’s weaving something... but what? Is he... testing our knowledge? No—he’s throwing us off, pulling threads. Trying to see who reacts.

"I... I’m sorry for the delay," Player 8 finally said, his voice rough.

"Bruke Fenric was... a former Hero Guard. Turned blacksmith’s helper. He was strong, quiet... but had a bad habit of drinking near the outskirts."

A thick silence followed.

Then—Caelen clapped slowly.

"Well done."

Both players let out shaky sighs, shoulders slumping.

Caelen’s smile sharpened like a blade.

"Now... for the final round."

---

Round Five

Caelen turned away from them, facing the others. His tone shifted, theatrical, almost celebratory.

"Before we begin..." he said, drawing out each word. "I’d like to announce something special."

Player 2 and Player 8 tensed again.

"This round... will be different."

Their eyes darted to one another, then back to Caelen. The way his eyes glittered—it wasn’t just another round. This was the apex.

Player 2 muttered, "What’s he going to do now...?" frёewebηovel.cѳm

Player 8 whispered, "He’s twisting the game again."

Caelen held out his arm dramatically. "This question... will go to both of you."

The room shifted. The air thickened.

"I have chosen to seclude Ryan for this vital role," Caelen said, voice rich with pride. "For the final round... he shall be your Fate Bearer."

Reina and Veralia clapped softly, their eerie smiles never fading.

Ryan stepped forward from the shadows. His cloak billowed behind him as if caught in a wind that didn’t exist. He stood tall beside Caelen, face unreadable.

Player 8 stared at him. "He’s the Fate Bearer?"

Player 2 clenched his fists. "What kind of game are you playing now...?"

Caelen turned to them and smiled wider. "But of course... there’s a twist."

He raised one hand—and from the folds of his coat, he pulled out a strange, obsidian-colored dice.

It shimmered with unnatural light, like it didn’t belong in this world.

"This," Caelen said, "is no ordinary dice."

He stepped closer, holding it up.

"Look at it."

The players looked—and their eyes widened in disbelief.

One side had two dots... the other side... eight.

And every other side?

Also twos... and eights.

"This dice..." Caelen continued, "has only two outcomes. Two. And Eight."

Player 2 and 8 were silent.

Caelen’s eyes glowed again. "It doesn’t determine the punishment... it decides who gets punished."

Player 2 gasped. "What...?"

Player 8 whispered, "That’s insane..."

Caelen smirked. "If you answer the question correctly—no problem."

He tossed the dice up once and caught it again.

"But if the answer is wrong... or if you refuse to answer..."

He leaned in closer.

"Then fate rolls the dice."

He turned slowly.

"If it lands on Two... then Player 2... you will face judgment."

Player 2 felt his stomach twist.

"And if it lands on Eight..."

Player 8 closed his eyes briefly. "Then I’m screwed..."

Caelen laughed.

"Now then—" he snapped his fingers. "Let’s begin the fifth and final round of Limb for Limb..."

He held up the black box.

Ryan stepped forward.

The Fate Bearer reached into the box... and drew a single card.

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