From Human to Skeleton: Revived with Infinite System Crystals

Chapter 163: A hopeful King

Several hours into the intense battle, the strain of the relentless fighting began to show. Nana, her forehead beaded with sweat, fought alongside the younger soldiers who were supporting each other with admirable courage and teamwork.

Amidst the chaos, she pondered a strategic question. "I wonder why they only spawn in this direct path, though.

Wouldn't it be more beneficial to them if they just spawned in the capital?" she mused aloud, her mind analyzing the tactics of their mysterious enemy even as she fought.

As she raised her wand toward the oncoming wave of mindless creatures, each one a mirror image of the others, Nana's focus was razor-sharp.

The creatures, brandishing sharp blades, dove towards her in a frenzied assault. With precise movements, she directed her wand, unleashing a torrent of water bullets.

The projectiles shot forth with lethal accuracy, piercing the skin of the creatures. The sixth bullet hit its mark, and one of the creatures collapsed with a resounding thud, its body and blood beginning to evaporate as it hit the ground.

Tyrod, demonstrating his combat prowess and alertness, slid behind Nana and delivered a crushing punch to a creature that had attempted to sneak up on her. His intervention was timely, showcasing not just his strength but also his tactical awareness.

Responding to Nana's earlier query, he said, "The higher-ups think it's because of where the oldest creature, the Dragoon, was sealed away at. While there's no concrete evidence, there are three creatures in total sealed since the dawn of existence, and they all contribute to these monsters that spawn.

But when one somehow finds a way to get close to releasing itself, it can summon monsters closer to where it had its final stand before being sealed."

As he shared this insight, Tyrod grabbed the creature he had just incapacitated by its head. His hand, surrounded by a white glow and armor, delivered high-voltage electricity through the creature. The energy surged, efficiently neutralizing the monster.

Tyrod's explanation about the theory behind the monster attacks and the ancient creatures provided a broader context for the conflict, suggesting that the cave they were heading towards might hold crucial answers. His anticipation about uncovering these mysteries was evident in his voice.

Nana, still processing this new information, looked at Tyrod with a mix of curiosity and confusion. "And who are you exactly? Can't say I've seen you around before," she asked, genuinely intrigued.

Tyrod's response revealed his ambition and drive. "Oh, I'm a high-ranking member in the first house. I am aiming to become the next head of the house, but for that, I need to get stronger. This is one of the best chances I will get to test my abilities and push my limits," he said, his fist clenched and his eyes gleaming with a mixture of hope and determination.

As the battle raged on, Ty leapt into action, his blade spinning over his shoulder with deadly precision. He intercepted a creature that had overwhelmed one of the younger fighters, demonstrating not just his skill but also his willingness to support his comrades.

"Hey, it's okay to ask for help if you need it, you know!" Ty called out to the young fighter, a note of encouragement in his voice.

The boy, wielding a gleaming steel blade, was stubborn in his response, even as he gasped for breath and blood trailed down his face. "Nonsense! You got your weapon the same day as I did, there is no reason you should be needing to save me," he insisted, his pride evident despite his obvious exhaustion and injury.

Ty, resting the Kata blade over his skeletal shoulder, replied with a blank expression, "And who are you again? I'm sorry if I forgot, but there were a lot of people on the day of the cathedral incident, you know?"

The boy, determined to assert his strength, responded, "I was there with the other four when we tried to fight that monster Erebos! I can't ever hope to cross into that power barrier if I need someone to help me in a fight this small."

Ty, with a boney finger resting under his skull chin, contemplated for a moment before speaking. "I suppose that does make sense," he admitted, his flaming green eyes reflecting a wisdom beyond his skeletal frame. "But you're no good mortally wounded or dead. Even losing a hand or arm before reaching your full potential is a waste. How old are you anyways?"

The boy, his eyes alight with a fiery determination, responded with a hint of pride in his voice. "I'm 16 as of a couple of weeks ago, and a bit behind most fighters, so I need to do what I can to catch up!"

Ty, displaying a rare gesture of affection, gently slapped him on the head. His voice carried a mix of sternness and care. "Stop judging yourself based on where others are. So what if they are ahead of you for now? Run your own race, kid, and work on your craft. Everyone is different, especially in this world.

Focus on what you can control and grow from there."

The boy's curiosity was evident in his voice. "Besides, what ability did you get from the cathedral on that day, Ty? You were pretty brave, if anything else."

Ty listened intently as the boy continued, "My sword seems to house two properties, though I'm not really sure yet how to use either at will. One seems to be based on wind manipulation, and the other is a more straightforward skill of being able to slice anything in half once some unknown prerequisite has been met."

Ty, a bit astonished, rubbed the top of his skeletal head. "That is a handy ability if I ever heard of one," he mused, his voice tinged with a mix of admiration and intrigue.

Moments later, the tranquility of their conversation was shattered. The boy's eyes widened in horror as he noticed a creature approaching from behind Ty. The beast, with its lifeless claws and skinless red flesh, lunged towards Ty. The boy's voice was a mixture of fear and urgency as he screamed, "Watch out!"

Caught off guard, Ty could only muster a late reaction. "Oh, no!" he exclaimed, placing his skeletal hands above him in a mock gesture of defense. "Help!" he called out, his voice tinged with a hint of playfulness, unbeknownst to the boy.

In that critical moment, the boy's eyes shimmered with a hint of gold, a striking change from their usual appearance. With a swift and decisive motion, he slid between Ty and the creature, his sword cutting through the air with a deep stream of wind emanating from his mouth.

He slashed the creature in half effortlessly, a new emotion painting over his face – a blend of determination and newfound confidence.

Ty, observing the scene unfold, nodded in understanding. "I see, that makes a bit more sense," he remarked, his tone analytical. "You just seem to need to have the right emotional state to slash anything, or at least for now it does. Did you like my acting skills?" Ty asked, his skeletal laugh echoing in the space.

The boy, still processing the recent events, looked at Ty with a mix of shock and confusion. "Huh, I suppose that might make sense, but why does it have to be so extra like that?" he questioned, trying to make sense of his newfound ability.

Ty, a bit puzzled by the boy's line of questioning, responded, "I don't think I understand what you mean?"

The boy elaborated, his voice tinged with frustration. "Like, an ability to slash anything but only in the right emotional state? That just seems so convoluted, don't you think?"

Ty pondered for a moment before replying. "Hmm, no. Emotions are what make us who we are and what separate us from monsters like this and even the creatures that have long since been sealed away," he explained, emphasizing the importance of emotions in defining their humanity.

Shifting focus to their immediate task, the boy continued, "But anyways, let's keep pushing forward. Todd's team is coming up behind us, and he can handle any stragglers that form. We need to make good time to get to the Cave's entrance and set up a defensive camp."

Ty listened attentively as the boy introduced himself. "Oh, my name is Pegasus Verman of House 5, though I'm trying to get strong enough to move to House 1," the boy said with a mix of determination and aspiration in his voice.

Ty, intrigued, asked, "Why would you want to do something like that? Not that I know too much about the house structures."

Pegasus's response carried the weight of his ambitions. "I want to be king one day and provide a better future, but only those from the 1st and 2nd houses have ever gone on to be kings," he explained, revealing his lofty goal and the societal hurdles he faced.

Ty nodded, understanding the boy's drive. "That's a noble goal, Pegasus. It's good to have aspirations that push you forward. Just remember, the path to such a goal is never easy, but it's the challenging journey that shapes a true leader," Ty imparted some of his wisdom, his skeletal laugh softening the seriousness of his words.