From Human to Skeleton: Revived with Infinite System Crystals

"More than you think," Osalf said, stepping closer. "The King doesn't just want to win. He wants to make an example out of you. That's why he gave you three days. Not because he's afraid, but because he's setting the stage. And you're the star of his little performance."

Ty's chest burned with frustration, his hands itching to swing at something—anything. "You think I don't know that? You think I'm just going to roll over and let him win?"

"I don't know what you'll do," Osalf admitted, his tone softening slightly. "But I know what happens if you don't decide soon. That's what scares me."

The two stood in tense silence for a moment, the distant sound of the night's breeze their only companion. Finally, Osalf sighed and turned back toward the hideout.

"Get some rest," he said over his shoulder. "If the King's coming, we'll need you at your best. Whether you like it or not."

Left alone again, Ty exhaled slowly. He looked up at the stars one more time before heading back inside.

The room was dim, JJ still sprawled across the bed, her arm now dangling off the edge. He sat at the foot of the bed, his thoughts swirling like a storm. Her soft breathing filled the space, a gentle reminder that, for all his frustration, he wasn't entirely alone in this fight.

As he leaned back, closing his eyes, a distant memory surfaced. The King's voice echoed in his mind, cold and calculating. "You will break, boy. It's only a matter of time."

Ty's eyes snapped open. "Not today," he muttered to himself, determination hardening his features. He rose from the makeshift bed, careful not to disturb the quiet around him. The faint murmurs of conversation filtered through the thin walls, drawing him toward the central chamber of the hideout.

Inside, the remaining Black Bulls were gathered. Osalf stood at the head of the table, his hands resting on the edges of a worn map spread across its surface. He gestured sharply as he spoke, his tone sharp with urgency. Around him, Xuán Wěi, the black liquid portal user known as Tressa, and a wiry man named Ronnick—whose spider-like constructs scuttled across the table—listened intently.

"You're up," Osalf said as Ty entered. His gaze lingered on Ty for a moment before he continued. "We need to move quickly. The King's given us three days, and you can bet he's not wasting any of it."

"We're not exactly twiddling our thumbs either," Tressa said, her fingers idly spinning a small black orb that oozed like ink. "But it's not enough to run. We'll have to take risks if we're going to flip this."

"What's the plan?" Ty asked, crossing his arms as he joined them.

Osalf's expression grew grave. "It's about your skeleton body," he said. "When you arrived in this world, your original body—the skeletal form—appeared too. We kept it safeguarded, thinking it was just some ominous artifact. Then Erebos came, cryptically declaring it essential. We trusted him, guarded it as he demanded. And then… it was stolen."

Ty's brows furrowed. "You think it's connected to me? Why?"

Tressa chimed in, her tone sharp. "Because you're not just some random outsider. Erebos said your body—the skeleton—is the key to bringing Vishu back. And then you show up, looking exactly like Vishu's image in our records. That's not coincidence."

"And now it's gone?" Ty asked, his voice edged with frustration.

Ronnick's mechanical spiders clicked in agitation as he spoke. "Robbed. A raid hit our vaults a month before you appeared. Whatever faction took it knew what they were looking for."

"Which means the King might already have it," Osalf said, his tone dark. "That's why we need to intercept his movements. The skeleton, the coin… they're all part of the same puzzle. If we don't act, he'll consolidate power in ways we can't counter."

"The coin," Ty repeated. "What do you know about it?"

Osalf's hands tightened on the table's edge. "It's been in every rebellion's history. A catalyst. It changes hands, appears before rulers go on rampages or collapse entirely. If we get it, we can use it to tip the scales in our favor. But no one knows exactly what it does."

"Erebos seemed to know," Tressa added. "He always spoke in riddles, but he called the coin 'the crownbreaker.'"

"You have a plan," Ty said, his tone more assertive.

Osalf nodded. "We're hitting one of the King's supply routes. Reports say they're transporting something heavily guarded. If it's the coin, we'll take it. If not, we'll regroup and find another lead."

Xuán Wěi's wraiths flickered at his sides. "And if it's a trap?"

"Then we fight our way out," Osalf said simply.

The room fell silent as the weight of his words settled over them. Finally, Ty straightened. "Fine. I'll go."

"Not alone you won't," Tressa said, her black orb dissipating as she leaned forward. "We'll need a team, and fast."

Hours later, Ty found himself at the edge of the hideout's territory, the dense forest beyond shrouded in mist. The Black Bulls moved with practiced efficiency, their steps soundless as they navigated the uneven terrain. Ronnick's mechanical spiders scouted ahead, their red eyes glowing faintly in the gloom.

Tressa walked beside Ty, her black liquid forming and dissipating in her palm as if responding to her thoughts. "You're quiet," she said, breaking the silence.

"Just thinking," Ty replied. "Trying to piece all this together. This world, the King, that damn coin… none of it makes sense."

"You're not wrong," she said. "But sense doesn't matter right now. Survival does." She glanced at him, her expression softening slightly. "You've got a lot on your shoulders. Don't carry it alone."

Ty didn't respond, his gaze fixed ahead. The sound of Ronnick's spiders clicking against the rocks faded as they moved deeper into the forest.

Suddenly, one of the spiders froze, its red eyes blinking in rapid succession. Ronnick stopped, his hand raised. "Something's wrong," he said.

The group halted, tension rippling through them. Xuán Wěi's wraiths materialized around him, their translucent forms swirling with anticipation.

"What is it?" Ty asked, his voice low.

Ronnick crouched beside the frozen spider, his hands moving deftly over its mechanisms. "There's something up ahead. Heavy movement. Too heavy for a patrol."

A trap?" Tressa asked, her black liquid pooling at her feet.

"Maybe," Ronnick said. "Or worse."

Before anyone could respond, a low growl echoed through the forest. The mist parted, revealing a hulking figure clad in dark armor, its eyes glowing with an unnatural light. Behind it, more figures emerged, their weapons glinting ominously.

A sharp gasp broke the tension as JJ stumbled into the scene, her face pale but her posture ready for action. "How did they find us?" she asked, her voice tinged with both disbelief and anger. Her gaze locked onto the three figures advancing through the mist, each wearing armor emblazoned with the kingdom's insignia in striking red, green, and gold.

Osalf stepped forward, his sharp eyes narrowing. "That doesn't matter now," he said. "We can't let them trap us here. Full retreat!" His voice rang with authority, leaving no room for argument. "Tressa, Xuán Wěi, get a portal going. Move the equipment and everyone else out immediately."

Xuán Wěi nodded, his spectral wraiths swirling around him as he summoned their strength. Tressa's liquid coiled into dense, swirling orbs as she muttered incantations, her dark energy pooling to create the beginnings of a shimmering gateway.

Ty's fists tightened as he stepped toward Osalf, his rage barely contained. "I'm not running. Not after everything that's happened." His voice was low but brimming with determination.

Osalf turned sharply, his expression hard. "You're not fighting either." With a swift motion, he raised a hand and a controlled blast of force pushed Ty back a few steps. "They still think you're a captive. If you assist us now, we lose every advantage we have. This is my fight. Go."

Ty's jaw clenched as the creature's mocking voice echoed in his mind. Pathetic. You should end this farce and kill them all.

He shook his head, forcing the voice into silence. Begrudgingly, he stepped back toward the others, watching as Tressa's portal expanded enough to begin moving crates and equipment. Xuán Wěi's wraiths floated through the space, carrying delicate instruments and supplies as the group hurried to evacuate.

The hulking figure in dark armor paused, letting the three individuals behind him step forward. Their armor shone brighter now, each unique in design but unified by the kingdom's colors. The first, a wiry man with wild red hair and a sadistic grin, wore jagged crimson armor.