Chapter 5 – The Scarlet Chains
The cave stretched out before him, dark and silent. Raphael advanced cautiously, the rusty spear clutched tightly in his hands. Each step echoed like a funeral dirge. The air was heavy, almost suffocating, and the smell of ancient dust filled his nostrils.
He stopped dead in his tracks. Before him, the walls widened to form a huge chamber carved out of the stone. The walls were covered with strange inscriptions, deeply engraved, indecipherable to him. The symbols seemed to vibrate, as if they were breathing.
"Great... demonic graffiti. I hope there's no 'mandatory sacrifice' supplement with
that."
In the center of the room stood a stone altar. And on top of it lay a weapon. Raphael approached, his eyes wide. It was a pair of scarlet chains, ending in curved blades resembling hooks. They seemed to pulsate, as if they were alive.
He reached out his hand. As soon as he touched the metal, a searing pain exploded through his body. The chains wrapped around his arms, piercing his skin like hungry snakes. Raphael screamed, falling to his knees.
"Aaaaahhh! What the hell is this?! I wanted a weapon, not a demonic tattoo!"
The system appeared before him, relentless
:
{ [Item obtained: Scarlet Chains]
Type: Living weapon
Description: Scarlet chains bound to the wearer's blood. They obey the wearer's will and can extend to strike, grab, or pierce.
Power:
- Chains extend up to 10 meters.
- Ability to grab or lacerate enemies.
- Increased strength when in use.
Backlash:
- Each use inflicts unbearable pain, as if flesh were being torn away.
- The chains feed on the wearer's life energy.
- Risk of fatal exhaustion if used for too long.
Status: Bound weapon. Cannot be removed. }
Raphael looked up, the chains tight around his arms, blood trickling slightly where the metal had dug in.
"Great... now I'm a traveling circus. 'Come see Raphael, the man with chains that tear his skin off!'"
The pain intensified, but he gritted his teeth. His gaze hardened. If that's the price of survival... then I'll pay it.
He stood up, the chains vibrating as if waiting for an order. The altar behind him lit up briefly, then went dark. The inscriptions on the walls seemed to stir, as if reacting to his acquisition.
Raphael felt a chill run down his spine. Something... or someone... was watching him. Not the monster on the island, not the system. Another presence, invisible but oppressive.
He looked up into the darkness of the room.
"Who's there? Show yourself!"
Silence. Only the sound of the scarlet chains echoed, as if they were whispering.
The system reappeared, cold and mocking:
{Comment: Congratulations, challenger. You have obtained a powerful weapon... one that is slowly consuming you.
Observation: You are now bound. And you are not alone.}
Raphael clenched his fists, the chains rattling around him.
"You want to play? Fine. But I warn you... I'm not just a clown. When it comes to survival, I become worse than a demon.
He turned toward the exit of the room, ready to face whatever came. But deep down, he knew that the weapon was not just a tool. It was a curse. And that from now on... he would always be watched.