Essence Link System: The Healer's Awakening-Chapter 25: Limb for Limb Game 1

At the Market

Caelen and Ryan continued walking when they spotted Reina and Veralia ahead. The girls rushed over.

"Welcome back," Caelen greeted.

"Yeah," Veralia and Reina replied in unison.

"Did you find anything useful?" he asked.

Reina shook her head. "No, nothing. Everyone either doesn’t know or pretends not to."

"It’s fine," Caelen replied. "At least we got a lead."

"A lead?" Reina raised a brow.

Ryan nodded. "We just confirmed that it was a green-eyed shadow."

"A green-eyed shadow, huh?" Veralia repeated thoughtfully.

Caelen gave a small nod. "Yeah."

Reina opened her mouth. "Alright, we—"

But Ryan leaned in and whispered something urgently, cutting her off.

He whispers low, and Caelen’s eyes slide toward the corner of his eye. His lips pull into a smirk.

He mutters, "Slowly... it seems we have ourselves a guest."

"Shall we?"

Reina and Veralia respond quietly but firmly, "Yes."

And they begin to walk away as if nothing had happened.

From behind, the two cloaked men who had been tailing them kept their pace steady, unaware they had already been found out. The group turned down a quieter alley, and when the two men followed, they found only Caelen waiting—arms crossed, back leaned against a wall, a twisted smile on his face.

"Welcome," Caelen says, and the two men freeze.

They spin, ready to bolt—but BAM! A gust of freezing air slammed into them as Ryan appears behind, his eyes glowing faintly blue.

Both men collapsed instantly, unconscious.

---

At the Motel

The room was dimly lit, only a lantern flickering on the far table. The two men slowly stirred, groaning as they rubbed their aching necks. Then—Caelen’s voice echoed across the room, sharp and clear:

"Good morning, sleepy heads."

They both jerked up, startled, but panic hit instantly—their legs wouldn’t move.

"What the hell—!?"

"What’s happening?!"

Their eyes widen in terror.

"Sorry about that," Caelen said smoothly, sitting in a chair before them, legs crossed, eyes glowing faintly gold. "I paralyzed your legs so you wouldn’t run away... while we play a game."

"A g-game?" one of them stammered.

"Oh yes." Caelen’s smile stretched unnervingly. "Now tell me... how would you like to play a game with the devil?"

They started begging, panic flooding their faces.

"Please—we’re sorry—we didn’t mean—!"

Caelen sighed. "No fun in begging. You’ve already been enrolled. Look at your shirts."

They looked down. Bold numbers—2 and 8—were written across the fronts of their shirts in deep red ink.

"From now till the game ends, you’ll be known as Player 2... and Player 8."

He leaned forward. "Now... shall we begin?"

Player 2 stammered, "W-What are the rules?"

Caelen grinned. "Good, I like that determination. You might just win if you keep that up."

Player 8 glanced sideways at him. "Don’t encourage him, idiot."

Caelen’s eyes glowed for a moment, eerily.

"Could it be... Player 8 is afraid to play the game?" Caelen teased.

He tilted his head. "I bet you’re the leader. You always take charge in every decision, don’t you?"

Player 2 blinked. "H-How do you know that?"

"Just a little observation," Caelen smirked. "This is your chance, Player 2. Show him why you’re superior."

Player 2 straightened slightly, nodding.

Caelen chuckled darkly to himself. I might just enjoy this more than I thought.

Then he raised a red box in the air.

"Inside this box," he said, "are cards. Each one holds a question. The cards will be shuffled, and a card will be chosen for each of you."

Player 8 narrowed his eyes. "And what do we get if we answer correctly?"

Caelen’s smile grew wider. "Ah, you’re catching on."

He stood, raising his glowing purple hand.

"Heal."

A ripple of purple light exploded from his hand—both men jerked and collapsed again, groaning.

"What—what is this!?"

"Why... can’t I move!?"

Caelen crouched next to them. "That’s the rule. Your body is paralyzed. The only thing you can move... is your mouth."

And then the pain started.

Player 2 groaned. "Aaaagh...! What is this!?"

"It’s begun," Caelen whispered.

Player 8 gritted his teeth. "How the hell do we pick a card if we can’t move?!"

Caelen chuckled softly.

"You don’t choose."

"What?!" Player 8 snapped. "Are you crazy?!"

Caelen clapped once.

The door swung open.

Reina and Veralia entered.

They were dressed in cards—Reina in eight of hearts, Veralia in two of spades. Their outfits shimmered like living cloth, eyes glowing faintly behind masks.

Player 2 and 8 stared, horrified.

"As you can see," Caelen said, "they reflect your numbers."

He raised his hand.

"Two of Spades goes to Player 2.

Eight of Hearts goes to Player 8."

Player 2 shook. "W-What are they... what are they doing here...?"

Caelen grinned wickedly. "They are your Fate Dealers. They’ll choose your cards. Your lives... your fates... are in their hands now."

He stood dramatically. "Players, meet your Red and Black Queens."

The two men gasped.

Caelen’s voice darkened.

"For each answer you get right, I will restore one of your body parts."

Their faces brightened slightly.

"If you answer two questions correctly, you’ll earn a bonus."

"Bonus?" Player 2 asked.

Caelen nodded. "You’ll get to choose which part is restored."

Player 8 asked quietly, "And if we... fail?"

Caelen’s eyes narrowed.

"You won’t want to find out."

The men looked pale.

"Let’s begin..."

Caelen lifted the red box. "It’s time for the Limb for Limb Game."

He shook the box.

"Player 2."

Veralia stepped forward, face cold, and picked a card.

"Player 8."

Reina stepped forward, silent, and picked one as well.

The room was quiet as Caelen nodded. "Player 2. Let’s see what you’ve got."

Veralia stepped forward, eyes glowing dim violet.

She read:

"Which building did you and your friend hide behind before tailing the girls?"

Player 2 blinked. That’s easier than I thought.

"The spice stall with the red roof," he answered.

Caelen glanced at Ryan. "Is that correct?"

Ryan nodded. "Yeah. We passed that place."

"Then... Correct."

Caelen clapped.

He walked to Player 2 and raised his hand. "Heal."

A soft green light spread from his palm, wrapping around the man’s right leg. The limb twitched, then shifted—movement returned.

Player 2 grinned. "I... I can move it!"

"Right leg is yours again," Caelen said.

He turned to Reina. "Player 8. Let’s hear your question."

Reina’s voice was smooth, cruelly elegant.

"How many people were standing with Caelen when you saw them at the motel?"

Player 8 smirked. "Easy. Four."

"Correct."

Caelen raised his hand. "Heal."

Green light flashed and his left arm twitched. He clenched his fist.

Caelen nodded slowly. "Impressive. One limb back each."

He tilted his head, voice calm but chilling.

"One more correct answer... and you’ll earn what I call a bonus gift. A little freedom of choice."

He turned to Player 2.

"Tell me... which part of your body do you miss the most?"

Player 2 looked down, breathing hard. "Let’s just continue with the game."

Caelen frowned, clicking his tongue.

"Huh... you’re so boring."

He turned toward the box again.

"And now..." he says, as the red box begins to glow faintly in his hands, "...onto the next. Another round—"

---

Round 2

Caelen’s smile widened as he slowly lifted the red box again, shaking it gently like a taunting lullaby. The cards inside shuffled with a soft whirr, echoing in the cold silence of the room.

"Let’s not waste time," he said, voice low but gleaming with anticipation. "Reina. Veralia."

The two stepped forward, their expressions blank, their presence cold and dominant. The light shimmered off their card suits—eight of hearts and two of spades—as they each picked a card from the shuffled box without a word.

Caelen held his breath for a moment and then turned, green eyes glowing eerily. "Let’s hear Player 2’s question."

Veralia stepped forward, her lips curling into a dark smile as she read aloud, "For how long have you been tailing us?"

Player 2’s eyes widened. His heart began pounding.

These aren’t just questions.

He swallowed. He’s interrogating us... but using this twisted game as a cover. I can’t... I can’t possibly answer that...

Caelen leaned in closer, his voice silky and dark.

"Player 2. We await your answer."

Sweat rolled down Player 2’s face. "I... I can’t answer that."

Caelen’s expression didn’t change.

"Then... the countdown begins."

The temperature dropped.

1...

A burning wave of pain rushed through Player 2’s back, twisting through his spine like vines of molten fire.

2...

He screamed, his voice bouncing off the walls as his jaw clenched hard.

3...

The pain deepened, stabbing at every nerve like invisible thorns.

4...

Player 2’s eyes rolled back, his vision spinning.

5...

"I GIVE UP! I’LL SPEAK!" he cried out, voice broken.

Caelen’s hand paused in the air, and a cruel grin spread across his face.

"Nice choice."

Player 2 coughed out breathlessly, "Since... since you returned from the village head’s place."

Caelen slowly raised his hand and touched Player 2’s shoulder.

"Heal."

Green light flashed gently. His left arm twitched, then fully regained movement. The pain stopped, and Player 2 let out a choked laugh—his right leg and left arm were now fully restored.

He flexed his fingers slowly.

Player 8 snarled. "Fool! Why did you speak?!"

Player 2 didn’t respond.

Caelen chuckled. "Not everyone is as strong as you, Player 8."

He turned.

"Now for Player 8’s question."

Reina stepped forward, smile like glass. "Who sent you?"

Silence.

Player 8’s eyes hardened.

"I know what you’re doing," he said coldly. "This game... is just a way for you to get information. But you won’t get anything from me."

Caelen shrugged. "Oh? Then does that mean you won’t answer?"

"That’s exactly what I mean."

Caelen sighed dramatically. "That’s too bad."

Player 8 growled. "What does that mean?"

Caelen clapped his hands once, echoing loudly in the tense room.

"That means..." he smirked, "you’ll have to draw... from the black box."

A strange black box appeared in Caelen’s hand, covered in strange carvings that pulsed with red light.

Reina stepped forward again, silent, solemn.

She reached in slowly... and pulled out a single black-edged card.

Caelen took it gently.

"This box," he said softly, "holds the Cards of Judgment."

He read the card... then laughed.

"Oh dear," Caelen muttered, eyes darkening.

Reina leaned in, eyes glowing.

"Left arm."

Player 8 froze. "What... does that mean...?"

Caelen tilted his head, mockingly sad.

"Poor thing. You just got it back."

Player 8’s voice rose. "ANSWER ME!"

Caelen’s voice sharpened, emotionless.

"Don’t you get it? It’s obvious. Like I said, the rules are simple."

He raised a finger.

"If you answer correctly, you get a limb back."

He lowered it slowly.

"But if you fail to answer... you lose one."

Player 8’s voice cracked. "No. Please—no!"

Player 2 suddenly burst out. "It was the village head!"

Caelen turned slowly toward him. "Hmm?"

Player 2 swallowed. "The village head sent us. He... he wanted to observe your progress in the investigation."

Player 8 screamed, "You FOOL!!"

Player 2 looked down, tears brimming. "I... I have answered. Please... let him go. I beg you."

Silence.

Caelen closed his eyes... then smiled.

"I suppose... I could..."

Player 8’s eyes widened.

And then—Caelen’s eyes glowed, green and sharp.

"...But I’m kidding."

Player 2’s heart dropped. "No..."

Player 8’s voice trembled. "Wait—"

"Reina."

Without hesitation, Reina unsheathed a blade from her back—a thin, sleek katana with a shimmering violet edge.

She stepped forward, her face still expressionless.

"Do it," Caelen whispered.

SHIIING—SWOOSH—SPLAT!

One clean slice.

Player 8’s left arm flew through the air, spinning before crashing to the ground with a wet splatter.

"AAARRRRGHHHHHHHH!!!"

Player 8’s scream shook the entire room, his body writhing violently as blood gushed from his shoulder.

His eyes bulged, veins popping in his neck as he howled, voice cracked and broken.

Reina stood silently, blade dripping with crimson. Her eyes glinted darkly.

Veralia stood beside her, smiling faintly, arms crossed.

Caelen watched with a pleased look—dark, twisted satisfaction spreading across his face.

Player 2 shut his eyes tightly, unable to watch. His body trembled. Tears streamed down his cheeks.

He whispered, "I answered it for him... so why... why did you do it...?"

Caelen’s smile widened, his voice calm.

"Just for fun."

Blood pooled on the floor. Player 8 had stopped screaming—but his breathing was shaky, barely conscious.

Caelen turned slowly toward the center of the room.

His eyes began to glow deeper, darker.

The air grew heavier.

The temperature dropped.

His voice echoed like thunder.

"Now... onto the next round of Limb for Limb."

The room trembled.

"Round three."

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