From Human to Skeleton: Revived with Infinite System Crystals

Chapter 250: The Decayed Throne

The large creature towering before Jade echoed through the vast, decaying halls of the castle, its voice a concoction of annoyance and excitement. "Yes, I have heard that name from the Vampire Lord… or should I say, Ex-Lord now, Erebos. A mighty plan for him, I suppose.

Though the day I get my revenge on Erebos and bite into his flesh will bring me great joy," it boasted. The creature's form, massive and imposing, seemed to absorb the scant moonlight filtering through the broken roof, casting eerie shadows on the crumbling, sand-eroded walls around them.

"Tell me, little food girl, do you know who Erebos is?" Its tone, dripping with a mocking curiosity, filled the cold, airless space between the stone and sand. The creature's eyes, now visible as two glowing orbs, fixed intently on Jade amidst the ruins of grandeur.

Caught off guard by the creature's sudden query after its brief, introspective moment, Jade scanned the shadowed corners of the once-majestic looking hall, where whispers of the past seemed to mingle with the dust in the air. With a moment's hesitation, highlighted by the uncertainty in her eyes, she shook her head slowly.

"I don't think…" Her voice faltered, trailing off as her fingers brushed over a small, hidden scar on her head. "I assume he is the one who gave me this,"

The creature leaned forward from its seat, a shadowy figure shrouded in mystery. "I can't see anything," it complained, its voice echoing slightly in the vast, decaying chamber. With a snap of its fingers, an act that seemed to bend the very fabric of the space between them, it appeared suddenly in front of Jade.

The abruptness of its movement and the accompanying unseen force momentarily locked her in place, her body tensing under the invisible weight.

As it stood before her, the creature's size diminished, its once towering form now a more manageable seven feet. Clad in a dark black robe accented with blue lines, it exuded an aura of both elegance and intimidation.

With a deliberate motion, it reached out, gently grasping Jade's chin to tilt her head up, compelling her to meet its gaze. The creature's eyes, a striking shade of pure blue, offered a stark contrast to the obscured features of its face, hidden beneath the folds of its robe. The material seemed to both conceal and hint at the unnatural form beneath.

"I see, so this Erebos isn't a friend of yours, I presume?" it inquired, its voice carrying a mix of curiosity and an underlying threat. Jade, still caught in the creature's grasp, could only wonder at the intentions behind its questioning.

"..No, not in the slightest. I plan to get my revenge on him if Ty doesn't first!" Jade declared, her voice resolute yet slightly muffled as the creature's firm grasp kept her face tilted towards its own. Despite the invisible pressure that held her in place, her spirit remained unbroken.

She continued, her tone a mix of defiance and determination. "But before that, I... no, we humans have to fight against your horde of monsters to even stay alive. But even if you kill me or eat me, I know they are strong enough to maintain themselves."

As she spoke, Jade's eyes began to burn a bright white, a stark contrast to the dimly lit surroundings of the decaying castle chamber. Her hand, previously immobilized by the unseen force, slowly started to move, inching with a will that seemed to defy the creature's control. This unexpected display caught the creature's attention, its gaze shifting from amusement to a flicker of intrigue.

"White burning eyes as well? Why aren't you just the popular one?" the creature remarked, its voice laced with a hint of amusement and surprise. The light from Jade's eyes reflected off the creature's own, casting fleeting shadows over the intricate blue lines of its robe and the sand-eroded walls that encased them.

"Tell me, did a certain 'Reaper' give you those eyes in exchange for something?" The creature's inquiry, laced with a knowing tone, pierced the heavy air of the chamber.

Jade, taken aback, responded with a mix of surprise and suspicion, "How do you know about that?!" Her voice echoed slightly against the stone walls, a testament to her shock.

The creature's response came with what could only be described as a smile, albeit one that carried the weight of countless years and battles. "When you have been backstabbed enough and had your back against the wall long enough... you tend to meet a lot of people." It paused, its gaze lingering on Jade.

"Though I've never fought with him, we weren't on the same side when the 12 were at war, long before your time."

"But what did you give up for him to bestow those to you?" The creature pressed, its curiosity undimmed.

Jade hesitated, caught in a moment of indecision. The creature's question hung in the air, thick with implications. Should she divulge such a secret, or was this an attempt to manipulate her?

Before she could organize her thoughts into a response, the creature spoke again, breaking the silence. "Listen, I've already decided not to eat you right now, so you don't have to be so tense," it stated, a grin revealing its sharp teeth.

With a snap of its fingers, the oppressive pressure that had immobilized Jade dissipated, and it removed its hand from her face, granting her a momentary reprieve.

With the pressure finally lifted, Jade gasped, drawing in a breath of fresh air that seemed all the more precious after her momentary confinement. The creature, now visibly irked by the need to repeat itself, tightened its grip ever so slightly. "Now, I won't ask again, though, what did you give up?" it pressed, its annoyance palpable in the cool air of the decayed chamber. Don't miss out on m-vl-em-pyr

Jade, seizing the moment to fill her lungs with the stale yet life-giving air, composed herself before answering. "I didn't really give anything up directly, but when Ty returns back to Earth, or I meet him in some fashion, he said he would instantly be summoned or something like that."

"Ah, I see. I believe he probably didn't tell you everything about it then," the creature mused, its tone laced with a mix of insight and foreboding.