From Human to Skeleton: Revived with Infinite System Crystals

Chapter 117: Mysteries at Dusk

Regi, her annoyance clear, confronted Mattison with a pointed question, her tone sharp. "Why do you have this monster stepping foot on family grounds? If I didn't know any better, this would look like you summoning a monster to attack the noble house!"

Her accusation hung in the air, a clear indication of the tension and suspicion that Ty's presence had aroused.

Mattison, maintaining his composure, addressed her concerns calmly. "Okay, calm down, Regi. We're here to visit Lady Nanako in the medical housing right now, Lady Amaris' apparent daughter," he explained, trying to diffuse the situation and clarify their purpose.

Regi, caught off guard by this revelation, quickly shifted from accusatory to confused. "Then why are you showing up at the front door of the nobles' estate, that's a mile in the other direction?!" she asked, her voice a mix of shock and curiosity.

Realizing the error, Mattison admitted with a hint of annoyance, "That's on me. I didn't properly give our skeleton friend here the right directions." He then offered a slight bow, a gesture of apology and respect, acknowledging his mistake in the situation.

Regi's demeanor softened noticeably as Mattison offered his respectful gesture. "Ge-General, you don't need to bow to me, I'm nothing but a security guard," she said, a hint of flush coloring her cheeks, clearly unaccustomed to such deference from someone of Mattison's rank.

Mattison, however, insisted on his courteous approach. "That may be so, but this is my ordeal, so please let me make it up to you in the future with some drinks," he proposed, showing his appreciation for her role and understanding.

Regi's face lit up at the invitation, a warm glow of acceptance and relief washing over her. "Sure, I wouldn't mind some drinks after dealing with these nobles all day. Not that I don't mind, it's just sometimes they live outside of reality, that's all," she quickly added, catching herself to avoid any disrespect.

Mattison, understanding the delicate balance she had to maintain, reassured her, "It's okay, I understand. Just make sure to watch your tongue around others. Not everyone is as understanding as myself, as you know."

Acknowledging the need to proceed with their original mission, Mattison then addressed her, "If you don't mind, we are off. You can report back to your post."

Regi responded with a slight nod and a respectful bow, stepping back gracefully. Then, as if merging with the elements around her, a breeze of wind swept in, and she disappeared, stepping into the wind with an agility and finesse leaving a surprised look on Ty.

Ty, observing Regi's swift departure, commented with a mix of admiration and curiosity, "She sure is a quick one, isn't she?" He casually relaxed his bony hands on his hips, still processing the speed and skill with which she had vanished.

Mattison, in a more serious tone, advised, "Yeah, you need to be more careful. People have a hard enough time dealing with foreigners, and seeing a monster foreigner is already drawing enough attention. Just be glad someone more aggressive didn't come out. Let's get going to the medical housing."

Ty, sensing the wisdom in Mattison's words, chose not to argue, even though he felt somewhat unjustly implicated in the situation. He simply nodded, understanding the need for discretion and caution in this unfamiliar environment.

Together, they walked for about ten minutes down a gravel walk path, eventually arriving at a bustling town.

The streets were lively, lined with merchants and vendors, each stall adding to the vibrant tapestry of daily life.

However, their arrival didn't go unnoticed. As they moved through the town, everyone seemed to stop and gawk at them, particularly at Ty. Their expressions ranged from confusion to outright anger, especially directed towards him.

Amidst the stares and whispers, Ty reflected on his situation. "I suppose these are the looks I was expecting to get from people at the Demon King's Castle," he thought to himself. The reaction of the townspeople underscored the stark contrast between his appearance and the norms of this world.

Mattison, aware of the attention they were attracting, made a practical decision. "We're gonna get some drinks beforehand. Once the sun goes down, it can be hard to get a hold of some good beer. So, come in with me so no one causes any issues with you," he suggested, looking out for Ty's well-being in the midst of the curious and sometimes hostile stares.

Ty, understanding the logic behind Mattison's plan, silently nodded and followed him. They approached a quaint establishment, its entrance marked by a wooden door that was smooth to the touch. Above it, a glowing sign simply read "Vendor."

As they entered, an elderly woman behind the counter greeted them. "Nice to see you again, Matty boy. Sure has been a while," she said, a warm familiarity in her voice.

Mattison responded with a slight smirk, "That it has, Grandma Iris."

He swiftly picked up two cases of white bottles filled with a crystalline blue liquid and placed them on the counter. After handing her some coins, he told her, "You can keep the change, and tell Grandpa not to be working too hard anymore."

As they turned to leave, Grandma Iris caught sight of Ty. Her reaction was one of shock; she paused to clean her glasses, as if to ensure what she was seeing was real. Ty walked out, aware of her gaze on him, leaving her in a state of mild disbelief, questioning if she had just seen a monster.

Ty, intrigued by the interaction at the vendor's shop, couldn't help but comment as they walked away. "I wasn't expecting you to meet your grandparents at a local shop," he said, a hint of curiosity in his voice.

Mattison quickly clarified, "Oh, they aren't. We just call the elderly as such as a sign of respect." His explanation offered a glimpse into the cultural norms of this world, where respect for the elderly was woven into the fabric of social interactions.

As they navigated through the bustling market streets, the sights and sounds of the town enveloped them. They eventually arrived at a building marked by a prominent Star Symbol, laced with the number 3. The building, modest yet elegant, was the size of a medium-sized house.

Stopping in front of it, Mattison gestured towards the entrance. "This is where she's staying. Lady Amaris is probably inside, still watching over her. You can just go in and greet yourself, and she will see to you shortly."

Ty hesitated for a moment, his concern evident. "You sure it's fine if I walk in by myself? They won't get scared and start blowing holes in the wall?" he asked, half-joking yet genuinely concerned about causing a disturbance due to his skeletal appearance.

Mattison reassured him, "No, Nanako has told them about your appearance, so it won't be too shocking." His words were meant to put Ty at ease, indicating that his unique appearance had been preemptively explained to avoid any undue alarm.

Mattison's casual shrug suggested a mix of uncertainty and nonchalance about Nanako's intentions. "Or maybe she just wanted to vent about her thoughts," he mused. Just as he was about to walk away, he snapped his fingers, remembering something important. "I almost forgot, I need you to hold on to something."

He pulled out a small rectangular metal device, its surface adorned with blue lines converging into a circle on the back. Handing it over, he placed it in Ty's skeletal hand. "This is how we will be communicating for a while," Mattison explained.

Ty examined the device, noting its resemblance to a phone, yet with a distinct difference in its power source. He could feel the grooves under his fingers and the device's subtle warmth, indicating its active state.

"You should see a message pop up in a bit. The green guy has one also, so you should be able to get a call from him too. Nanako will be getting one from Lady Amaris when she sees fit. But until tomorrow, I have some drinking to catch up on, and I need to send Zaraki a message to check on his status," Mattison continued, outlining the communication plan and his immediate intentions.

With a brief stance, Mattison leaped off, swiftly disappearing into the distance. A flock of crows overtook him, and he seemed to vanish into thin air, a display of yet another extraordinary aspect of this world.

Left alone with the device, Ty pondered, "I wonder why I haven't seen anyone else with one of these before? Maybe it's a royal thing?"

As Ty shook his skeletal head, he let go of his lingering questions, deciding to focus on the task at hand.

With a sense of purpose, he placed his hands on the door, gently pushing it open. The interior that greeted him was reminiscent of a hospital, with its pristine white floors and an air of clinical cleanliness.

At the center stood a small desk, its warm wood color a pleasant contrast against the sterile environment. Behind the desk sat a short lady, who appeared to be half-asleep, likely succumbing to the monotony of a slow day.

As Ty approached, the lady's drowsy demeanor quickly transformed into alertness. "Hello sir, what can I do for you to-to-today!?" she exclaimed, her voice spiking as she caught sight of Ty's unique appearance.

Ty, accustomed to such reactions by now, placed a hand over his face in a gesture that suggested both resignation and a touch of humor. "Sure, Mattison just wanted to leave before the night kicked off," he explained, his tone light, trying to ease the surprise and tension his presence had caused.