From Human to Skeleton: Revived with Infinite System Crystals

The air around the King shifted, growing heavy and oppressive. The coin in his hand flared briefly, but he didn't use it. Instead, he moved faster than before, his strikes now laced with an energy that crackled and burned. Rui-Chai's composure wavered slightly as he deflected blow after blow, his movements slowing under the onslaught.

And then, with a sudden burst of force, the King landed a direct hit. Rui-Chai was thrown backward, slamming into the far wall with enough force to crack it. He fell to one knee, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth.

Ty leaned forward, his fists tightening. "Get up," he whispered, his voice hoarse.

Rui-Chai rose slowly, his breaths labored but steady. He wiped the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand, his eyes never leaving the King. "Is that all?" he asked, his voice quiet but firm.

Threxian's lips curled into a snarl. He raised his hand, gathering energy for a final blow.

"Enough."

The single word broke through the chamber like an unexpected thunderclap. Ty stepped forward, his gaze sharp as steel, and the focus shifted entirely to him. His presence was undeniable now, his determination almost tangible.

"You wanted a spectacle?" Ty said, his voice unwavering. "Let's make it one."

The King's head tilted slightly, his expression morphing into faint amusement. "Ah, the demon speaks. Finally. And what exactly do you intend to do?"

Ty didn't answer. He took another step forward, placing himself between the King and Rui-Chai. Energy coursed through his body, his shoulders squaring as he prepared for the inevitable.

The King's coin glinted in his palm, and the air around him shifted. The distortion grew, its oppressive force coiling tighter, warping the light and sound in the chamber. Ty clenched his fists and surged forward, his movements decisive and deliberate.

The first strike came swift and brutal, aimed at the King's chest. But the distortion field bent reality around him, absorbing the impact like a stone dropped into water. Ty pivoted, his second strike following through with raw power, but again the force was nullified, redirected harmlessly into the floor.

"Predictable," Threxian said, stepping forward with deliberate calm. His inward skill activated, and his movements blurred into a speed Ty could barely track. The counterattack came fast and unrelenting. A blow to Ty's ribs sent him reeling, followed by another strike that slammed him to the ground.

"Ty!" Rui-Chai called, his voice sharp. He was back on his feet, his blade already in hand. He moved swiftly to intercept the King's next blow, the concentrated energy of his weapon meeting the distortion with a deafening crack. For a moment, he held his ground, his strikes calculated and precise.

Together, Ty and Rui-Chai engaged, their movements a tenuous balance of raw force and meticulous strategy. Ty focused on creating openings, his attacks relentless and punishing, while Rui-Chai capitalized on those moments with razor-sharp precision. The King, however, was unyielding. His inward skill allowed him to anticipate every strike, his outward skill twisting their efforts into futility.

The ground beneath them fractured further, cracks spiderwebbing outward as the battle raged. The King's expression shifted, amusement fading into cold determination. "Do you truly believe this changes anything?" he said, his voice cutting through the chaos.

He sidestepped Rui-Chai's blade with inhuman grace, catching the hilt and twisting it away. A sharp kick sent Rui-Chai sprawling against the far wall. Ty seized the moment, his fists blazing with energy, but the King's counter came too fast. Ty was struck square in the chest, the force of the blow driving the air from his lungs as he crashed to the ground.

"It's over," the King said, his voice devoid of mockery now. He stood tall, the distortion field radiating outward, pressing heavily on the chamber.

Rui-Chai pushed himself upright, his body trembling but his resolve unbroken. "Not yet," he said, his voice steady despite the blood trickling from his lips.

The King's smirk returned, sharper now. "Defiance is admirable. Futile, but admirable." He raised his hand again, the coin flaring with renewed intensity. The distortion surged, enveloping the space with crushing force.

But from the corner of the room, Xuán Wěi moved, his hands glowing faintly as spectral wraiths began to coalesce around him. The faint hum of magic filled the air, barely audible over the chaos.

The King's attention snapped to the mage, his distortion rippling toward him. Rui-Chai hurled his blade, not at the King but at the ground between them. The explosion of energy disrupted the distortion long enough for Xuán Wěi to complete his spell.

The teleportation circle began to glow beneath the remaining Black Bulls. The King snarled, moving to intercept, but Rui-Chai blocked his path with a ferocious charge, his body radiating determination. "Go!" he shouted.

Ty staggered to his feet, his vision swimming. He barely registered Rui-Chai shoving him toward the circle as the light began to intensify. "What are you doing?" Ty demanded, his voice raw.

Rui-Chai's eyes met his, steady and resolute. "I'm trusting you," he said.

Ty tried to refuse. His body tensed, teeth grinding against the command, but it was no use. The exhaustion crushed him all at once. His knees buckled, and the world turned black. Your adventure continues at My Virtual Library Empire

Then, pain.

His back slammed into something hard, the air knocked from his lungs. Before he could react, his body bounced and crashed into water. The sudden chill snapped him halfway back into consciousness. Ty sank for a moment, the warm liquid swallowing him whole. He floated there, eyes closed, somewhere between drowning and breathing, and let the weight pull him further down.

Have I really not gotten any stronger?

The thought burned, bitter and sharp. Memories of the King's strikes, the distortion field, Rui-Chai's blade clashing in vain—all of it replayed, mocking him. He squeezed his eyes shut tighter.

I couldn't even handle this stupid shit. How the hell am I supposed to get back to Earth at this rate? Ty's teeth clenched as bubbles trickled from his mouth. Damnit! I have to win that stupid tournament… but now I've ruined my chances.

The voice in his head, smooth and venomous, chimed in like an old friend. Yes, Ty. Just as I told you. Weak. Helpless. Wouldn't it be better… The tone curled around his mind like smoke, smothering and insidious. Pass your body to me. I'll tear through them. Chaos. Havoc. It's what you're good for.

Ty shook his head as if the action would break it. He hated that voice, hated the temptation of it. It wasn't him. It wasn't his.

Then, just as the thought took root, a hand grabbed the back of his tattered shirt. Ty's body jolted, water spilling from his nose and mouth as he was yanked from the depths. His head broke the surface with a sputtering gasp before his back collided with tile. He coughed violently, water pouring from his throat in painful spurts. He rolled to his side, clutching his chest, his soaked clothes sticking to him like weights.

"I knew it. You do float like garbage," said a voice above him.

Ty's head jerked up, glaring through damp strands of hair. A Black Bull loomed over him, a wiry man with uneven stubble, a hooked nose, and perpetually squinting eyes. His clothes were half-unbuttoned, and his sleeves were rolled up, revealing tattooed forearms with serpents coiled around his wrists. This wasn't someone Ty had seen fight before.

"What the hell…?" Ty coughed, shoving himself up on trembling arms.

The man snorted, crouching beside him and slapping his palm roughly against Ty's back, sending him coughing again. "Relax. Breathe. You're not dead, though you look close enough. Don't thank me all at once."

Ty's glare deepened. "Who the hell are you?"

"Milo," the man said, grinning like it was obvious. "Master of finesse—which you clearly lack—and your gracious savior today. If you'd spent another minute down there, you'd be Black Bull soup. You're welcome."

"I didn't ask for your help," Ty shot back, though his voice lacked bite. His body still trembled, and the burning in his chest refused to fade.

"No, but you sure looked like you needed it," Milo said, rising to his feet. He shoved his hands into his pockets, his casual posture at odds with the tension in the room. "Don't get too comfy, though. I pulled you out because Rui ordered it. Doesn't mean I trust you."

-

Another chapter done, after awhile it gets harder and harder to keep going.