From Human to Skeleton: Revived with Infinite System Crystals

Chapter 223: Chained Down

Todd and Pegasus reappeared quite unexpectedly, materializing five feet above ground before gravity asserted its unforgiving rule, sending them crashing down onto a surface as white and unyielding as the light that had whisked them away. Todd, wincing, managed a pained "Ouch, that kind of hurt. What now?" as he rubbed his side, trying to assess their new, stark surroundings.

Pegasus, for his part, was struggling just to gather himself. The battles had drained nearly every reserve of strength he had, leaving him so exhausted that he couldn't help but collapse to one knee. It was in this moment of vulnerability that Nana appeared, as if out of thin air, her presence a sudden balm to their wearied spirits.

Without hesitation, she threw her arms around Pegasus in a tight hug, a physical manifestation of relief and affection. Then, turning to Todd, she placed a comforting hand on his chest, grounding and reassuring.

"I'm so glad you both are okay," Nana exclaimed, her voice a mixture of relief and admiration. "I was worried for a moment watching you both, but good job on finding out how to overcome the challenge." Her words, filled with genuine concern and pride,

As Todd massaged his head, he remarked with a mix of confusion and concern, "Yeah, though it was definitely odd." His words trailed off as he took in their surroundings, a growing realization of their situation dawning on him. "Wait, where are we?" he questioned aloud, his eyes scanning the area.

The sight that greeted him was grim: King Griswald was sitting in a corner, his regal attire marred by bloodstains, a stark testament to some recent, violent event. Around them, familiar faces were notably absent, and the lady in the red dress, a figure of intrigue and elegance, was found injured, her form wrapped and huddled in the corner with just one hand visible.

Pegasus, deeply affected by the sight, especially that of the lady in the red dress, felt a surge of urgency. Ignoring his own exhaustion, he attempted to dash across the room towards her, driven by a need for answers, his concern for her well-being overriding his own. As he ran, the lady's face remained obscured, buried in her lap, a posture of defeat or despair.

However, before Pegasus could reach her, the room transformed in an instant. The walls flickered to life, resembling screens, a blend of technology and magic that seemed alien yet ominously familiar. Chains, as if summoned by the room itself, shot out from the ground with startling speed. They wrapped around Pegasus, halting his rescue attempt with an unyielding grip.

Similarly, chains bound everyone else in place, an indiscriminate force that left no one free. This sudden confinement added a layer of shock and helplessness to the already tense atmosphere, a clear indication that their trials were far from over.

Nana's confusion quickly turned into alarm as she witnessed the bewildering scene unfold before her eyes. "What the hell is going on?" she exclaimed, her voice laced with panic and disbelief. Attempting to lift her arms in a reflexive gesture of defense, she was met with an unexpected resistance; her energy seemed to be draining away, sapped by the very chains that bound her.

King Griswald, too, found himself ensnared by the room's mysterious mechanisms. His voice, filled with both anger and confusion, echoed Nana's sentiments. "What the hell is this?!" he demanded, straining against his restraints.

To Nana's growing horror, she watched as the king began to dematerialize and restructure right before their eyes, his form blurring and then sharpening in a cycle of disintegration and reformation. His curses filled the air, a stark indicator of his own shock and lack of understanding.

As Nana observed this chaos, her mind raced to piece together the situation. The sight of King Griswald's transformation sparked a question in her, a puzzle amidst the madness. "Is this his ability?" she pondered silently, her thoughts a whirlwind of speculation and concern. Yet, something didn't add up.

"But where is his weapon?" This realization struck her with the force of revelation; throughout their ordeal, she hadn't once seen him engage in combat or even draw a weapon. This anomaly stood out starkly against the backdrop of their current predicament,

Nana's internal musing was abruptly halted by the tightening grip of the chains, which seemed to lock her firmly in place, eliminating any remaining hope of movement. Just as the sense of helplessness began to deepen, a voice crackled to life from the wall that had transformed into a screen, drawing the attention of everyone present.

Gisorn, previously unseen, now made his presence known. He stood up from his chair, a solitary figure against the backdrop of the screen, and began clapping slowly, his gesture one of mock congratulations. "Congratulations to you all who were able to clear the challenges presented to you," he announced, his voice carrying a tone of amusement and perhaps a hint of respect.

"You all are the first to ever manage to have this cave emerge and get past any of the creatures."

He paused for a moment, allowing his words to sink in among the captive audience. Then, with a slight smirk, he added, "Though I threw a bone to the Minotaur, showing off where his heart was because I didn't want to watch you fight for weeks."

His admission, delivered with casual frankness, shed light on the ordeal they had faced. It was a revelation that the heart of the Minotaur, the key to their victory, had been a deliberate hint from Gisorn himself—a bone thrown in the midst of their desperate battle, not out of mercy, but out of a desire to move the game along.

Gisorn's monologue continued, revealing more of his perspective and the grim realities of the situation they faced. "Besides that, some of you did whatever you had to do to survive. But survive you did," he said, his gaze lingering momentarily on King Griswald, implying a deeper story yet untold.