The Cursed Extra: Bloodline of Sacrifice - Chapter 47

Chapter 47: Elven Prince

Caspian’s steps faltered as a hand gripped his shoulder with surprising force.

Before he could react, he was shoved forward.

Stumbling slightly, he turned swiftly to face his aggressor, his muscles tense and ready for a fight.

An elf boy stood before him, his slender frame brimming with a restrained energy that hinted at both youth and power.

His long, shimmering pink hair glowing faintly and his emerald-green eyes were sharp.

“Who are you?” the elf demanded, his voice cold.

Caspian straightened his back, dusting off his shoulder casually.

“A person.” caspian answered.

The elf’s eyes narrowed, his gaze raking over Caspian like he was dissecting him.

“You don’t belong here. You’re a human—and a child at that.” Zareth said.

“And you’re… what, a grown-up?” Caspian shot back with a raised brow, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “What are you, eleven? Twelve?”

The elf’s expression hardened as he took a deliberate step forward.

“I am not a child. I am forty-three.”

Caspian tilted his head, scrutinizing the boy in front of him.

“Forty-three? Seriously?” He crossed his arms, letting a smirk tug at his lips. “You don’t look a day over middle school.”

The elf’s jaw tightened, clearly unimpressed by the comment.

“Elves age differently,” he said curtly. “For us, forty-three is barely adolescence. You wouldn’t understand.”

“Right,” Caspian drawled. “Because I’m just some clueless human.” He paused for a beat, his gaze steady.

“Look, I didn’t come here to pick a fight. I just… ended up here. You, on the other hand, look like you’ve been camping out for a while.Care to explain?” Caspian asked.

The elf’s posture stiffened, and his piercing green eyes darkened.

“That’s none of your concern. Leave.”

Caspian sighed, feigning exasperation. “Can’t do that.”

“And why not?” the elf asked, his tone sharp.

“Because,” Caspian said, meeting the elf’s gaze head-on, “I’m trying to figure out why I’m here. And something tells me you might know the answer.”

The elf’s lips pressed into a thin line, his suspicion evident. “I don’t owe you any explanations, human.”

Caspian let out a low chuckle, his frustration hidden behind a mask of casual indifference.

Internally, however, his mind raced.

He needed answers, and it was clear this elf prince wasn’t going to give them up easily.

‘Should I just beat it out of him?’ Caspian thought darkly.

{Don’t even think about it,} Bloodmoon’s voice echoed in his mind.

‘Why not?’ Caspian shot back silently.

{Because making enemies of people like him is a mistake you can’t afford. Use your head.}

‘But he will die in few days,’

{&£6£;7£636;£;_-66}

‘Sorry,’

Caspian’s lips twitched in a faint smirk as an idea formed in his mind.

“Fine,” he said, stepping back and raising his hands as if in surrender. “If you don’t want to talk, that’s your choice. But how about this—we settle it with a game.”

The elf blinked, clearly caught off guard. “A game?”

“Yeah,” Caspian said, his tone calm and unhurried. He gestured toward the computer.

“There’s a setup right there. Let’s play. If I win, you answer my questions. If you win… I’ll leave. No arguments, no interruptions. Deal?”

The elf’s expression didn’t change, but Caspian could see the faintest flicker of interest in his eyes.

“Why would I waste my time on something so trivial?” Zareth said.

Caspian shrugged, keeping his tone light.

“Because it’s easier than fighting me. And if you’re as good as you think you are, it should be an easy win, right?” Caspian asked.

The elf’s lips twitched, almost forming a smirk, but he quickly masked it. “You’re confident for a human.”

“I’m good at what I do,” Caspian replied evenly.

The elf studied him for a long moment, the silence stretching between them.

Finally, he nodded. “Fine. But there’s only one computer. How do you propose we both play?”

“Oh wait,” elf said.

Then he started Muttering something under his breath in a language Caspian didn’t understand, the elf tapped a ring on his finger.

A faint glow filled the air, and moments later, a second computer materialized beside the first.

Caspian watched the scene unfold.

‘Good use of Void space huh..,’

“That’ll do,” Caspian said simply.

The elf gestured toward the newly appeared setup. “Let’s get this over with.”

Caspian nodded, taking a seat in front of the computer.

As he settled in, he cast a sideways glance at the elf.

His mind was already at work.

“So,” Caspian said casually, as the elf configured the game settings. “Do you play a lot?”

Zareth didn’t look up. “Often enough.”

“Right. Makes sense,” Caspian said, his tone light. “Stuck down here all alone. What else is there to do?”

Zareth’s fingers paused for a split second before resuming their swift movement. “Focus on the game, human. You’re going to need it.”

Caspian smirked faintly. “We’ll see.”

As the game loaded, he leaned back slightly, his sharp crimson eyes flickering with calculated intent.

He had a plan.

And by the end of this game, he was going to know exactly what this elf prince was hiding.

The game loaded with a bright, cartoonish splash screen, the kind Caspian would’ve expected to see on a tablet or phone rather than a PC.

The title blinked in bold letters: RUNNER QUEST DX.

As the countdown timer ticked, the characters on the screen—a blocky figure wielding a staff and a colorful dragon—prepared to sprint down an endless track.

Caspian leaned back, his lips twitching in faint disbelief.

“Who plays this type of game on a PC?” he muttered under his breath. His eyes shifted to Zareth, who was already hyper-focused, his fingers hovering over the keyboard with intensity that bordered on obsession.

The game started, and Zareth’s character darted down the track, dodging obstacles, collecting coins, and leaping over pitfalls with precise movements.

Caspian’s character stumbled right out of the gate, slamming into the first barrier and losing a life.

‘This is absurd,’ Caspian thought.

He glanced at Zareth, who was completely immersed, his green eyes glued to the screen, his pink hair shifting slightly as he leaned forward.

“After all, he is a kid,” Caspian murmured, shaking his head as he refocused on the game.

As they played, Caspian decided to break the silence.

“So,” he began, keeping his tone casual, “you’re pretty good at this.”

Zareth didn’t reply, his attention locked on the screen.

Caspian didn’t let the silence deter him. “You must have a lot of time to practice. Living down here and all.”

Still no response. Caspian sighed inwardly but pressed on. “You’re a prince, right?”

This time, Zareth’s hand hesitated for a split second before continuing. “What of it?” he asked without looking away from the screen.

Caspian shrugged. “Nothing, just curious. You don’t exactly scream ‘royalty’—hiding out in a secret chamber, playing endless runner games.”

Zareth’s jaw tightened, but he remained silent.

Caspian smirked faintly. “I heard rumors, though. Something about the old faction. Weren’t you kidnapped by them?”

The effect was immediatte.

Zareth’s character stumbled in the game, crashing into an obstacle.

But instead of restarting, Zareth shoved the PC aside, his green eyes blazing with fury as he shot to his feet.

“Enough!” he snapped, his voice shaking with a mix of anger and something deeper—hurt.

Caspian stood slowly, raising his hands in a placating gesture. “Whoa, relax. I didn’t mean to hit a nerve.”

“Who told you that?” he demanded, his voice sharp and trembling with anger.

Caspian raised his hands in mock surrender, his expression calm but alert.

“Relax, it’s just something I heard on news today. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

Zareth’s fists clenched, his entire frame tense.

“You and they don’t know anything,” he said, his voice low and trembling. “And you’d do well to keep your questions to yourself.”

Caspian watched him carefully, noting the way his hands shook and his breathing quickened.

Whatever he’d touched on, it was clearly a raw nerve.

“Fair enough,” Caspian said after a pause, his tone softer. “I didn’t mean to pry. I just… I get the feeling you don’t really hate being here. Away from everything.”

Zareth’s eyes narrowed. “What are you implying?”

Caspian shrugged. “Nothing. Just seems like you’ve got your reasons for hiding out here. Reasons that probably don’t involve being kidnapped.”

Zareth stiffened, his expression hardening. “Think whatever you want,” he said coldly. “Just stay out of my business.”

Caspian nodded, leaning back in his chair. “Alright, I’ll drop it. For now.”

The tension hung heavy between them, Zareth’s posture rigid as he stared at Caspian.

Then, without another word, he turned and strode toward the far side of the chamber, leaving the PCs and the unfinished game behind.

Caspian watched him go, his mind racing.

He hadn’t gotten the answers he was looking for, but he’d learned one thing: Zareth was running from something, and whatever it was, it cut deep.