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Chapter 18: The Fool's Hand
The fire crackled softly beneath the ash-gray sky. A strange tension rested in the air—thick like fog, heavy like secrets.
Eight remained. Two days left. And not one person slept.
Chester leaned against a crooked tree, arms folded as he flicked through his inventory in the system tab. His masked face reflected the eerie light of the floating interface.
Inventory:
Shadow Step (1 use)
Ghost of a Skill
Sword of the Lord of Chance (Mythical Weapon)
— Trait: Chaos Rolls – Every time the wielder is having odds , the sword has a chance to trigger a unique random effect
Dice of Providence (Mythic Object)
— Trait: Once per 3 days, roll to gain an effect—be it gift or gamble
His gaze hovered over the sword, and a crooked smile tugged beneath the mask.
> "All these tools… and they think I've been fumbling in the dark."
Veyla appeared behind him, arms crossed. Keen followed with his usual unreadable calm.
"Tomorrow?" she asked quietly.
Chester nodded, a smirk dancing on his lips. "Let's end the farce."
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Meanwhile, Marlo sat beside a new campfire. Five of them huddled together now—the last of the rival faction.
Vex – Destruction Pillar: Muscular, blunt, and full of fury.
Riven – Chaos Pillar: A quiet boy with eyes too calm and a smile too strange.
Lysa – Memory Pillar: Her eyes darted constantly, as though recalling too many things at once.
Torren – Soul Pillar: The self-proclaimed philosopher with the smirk of a predator.
Marlo – Veil Pillar: The supposed turncoat.
Vex slapped Marlo on the back. "Smart move. With you, we're ironclad."
"I just go where survival smells stronger," Marlo muttered.
Riven chuckled, spinning a miniature black vortex between his fingers. "You chose well."
But something strange lingered in his smile.
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Back at the original camp, Chester let out a low whistle. "Marlo's really committed to this little theater."
Keen exhaled. "You're sure about your countermeasures?"
"Of course," Chester said. "He thinks I'm a fool. Let him."
His voice dropped, just for Veyla and Keen.
> "I knew Marlo would jump. But I planted a deeper hook in that group days ago."
He leaned closer.
> "One of them thinks they're betraying me. They don't realize I already offered them something better."
Veyla narrowed her eyes. "Who?"
Chester just grinned. "That's the fun part. We'll find out tomorrow."
The fire crackled again, as if it too were laughing.
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