From Human to Skeleton: Revived with Infinite System Crystals

Chapter 26: Proper Understandings

Coming back to Ty.

Resting on a soft bed, Ty's bony form squirmed uncomfortably, ensnared in the tendrils of a dream where mundane reality and bizarre visions melded, giving rise to confusion. His jaw clacked as he mumbled, "No, no, just call in sick this time... too early," his words were barely more than a spectral whisper.

A robust, grumbling voice intruded his dreams, gently mocking him. "How are you feeling, buddy?" The voice carried a hint of joviality as it tugged him toward wakefulness.

With a slow creaking sound of the joints, Ty's skull rolled to the side, revealing a warmly lit room.

Taking a look around, he found himself in a cozy, somewhat cluttered room that was filled with an assortment of antique furniture and the rich, inviting aroma of brewing tea.

His eyes then landed on the sturdy figure, which he was able to recognize.

The figure was none other than Todd, and he was sitting on a wooden chair that seemed too small to host a goblin of his stature.

Ty couldn't help but marvel as to how it remained unbroken as the big fellow sat on it.

After recalling that he had suddenly passed out after this fight, he inquired, "What happened after I fell unconscious?"

"Well, first off," Todd was about to start when the door creaked open as Kaiko walked in, wearing nothing but a loose bra and some plaid panties, while it didn't reveal much, it also left little for one to imagine.

Ty couldn't help but blurt out, "No clothes?"

In response, she gave a slight chuckle and explained, "Why would I be bothered with wearing too much this early in the morning? Besides, Todd has seen even less." She gave Todd a sly glance, making him blush slightly as he accepted the hot tea which she offered.

"You're a bone man or skeleton man, so I don't think it's an issue regardless," she added before grabbing a wooden chair and pulling it next to Ty.

Kaiko detailed as she took a seat, "We were forced to move to hideouts for a bit, but thanks to your weird one-liner and taking down the Head Captain, we were able to escape before any more backup could arrive. Though Todd is still healing from some of his severe burns."

As she said that, she lifted Todd's shirt, revealing black marks that ran along his green-skinned back.

She then continued, "He will make a full recovery, and I'm glad you woke up after almost two days. If you had taken any longer, I might have assumed that you were just bones and had let Todd use you as a toothpick."

As Ty pondered for a moment, memories slowly flooded back to him, he then recalled that he was in a trance while having the fight.

He muttered, "Once the battle began, it was as if I was both myself and also not myself at the same time. I didn't want to kill him, even if that's how it ended. But thank you for your help and hospitality. You mentioned that I was out for two days, which means that I need to be on my way to find the Yami King and finish what I started so that I can get back home."

Slamming the tray down in urgency, Kaiko stated, "Not so fast. You mentioned Elithira's name before the Heat Boy decided to attack us, and no one has seen her for over a decade, right before everything went to hell. We have a lot of information to exchange before you head out anywhere. Besides, you're just a skeleton; what is time to you, anyway?"

This sudden turn of events prompted Todd to tighten his grip on the tea cup as he felt the tension in the air was growing heavier.

Kaiko was about to raise her voice but Ty gripped the sheets of the makeshift bed tightly before raising his own.

"I don't know about any of that or anything that's going on here. This isn't my world, and none of this is my problem. My only goal is to get back to my home!"

"But you said –" Kaiko tries to speak out before once again being cut off by Ty.

"The last week of my life has been nothing but a roller coaster of hell, and all I know is that I need to retrieve an item that is most likely locked away with whoever is currently in charge of this place."

Kaiko stared at him blankly for a moment before asking, "Where else could you be from, and what item are you talking about?"

"Listen, it's a long story, but the Demon King called it... uh, a Veil or something along those lines," Ty said as he tried to recall and continued, "But from my understanding, the item allows you to conceal yourself to near perfection. I need it to get back home without being detected."

With an understanding smile on her face, Kaiko responded, "Oh, I know what is the item that you're talking about. It's the same item that Yami King used to kill King Julius. He was in charge before. But your story, Ty, is making me more confused the more you share."

"So how about you tell me everything that's happened to you so I might be able to offer better help? I understand time is not on your side, but you should know that rushing might not be the best approach to solving anything," she suggested.

Taking a moment, Ty gazed up at the ceiling before giving a slight nod. "I guess I should start from the night I decided to work overtime."

Over the next two hours, Ty recounted everything that has happened to him, leaving Todd and Kaiko visibly shocked and even doubtful as Ty even talked about the Vampires, the Angelic Race, and even the Demon King.

Concluding his tale, Ty added, "That's about everything. Elithira wasn't even supposed to come here, but she insisted on at least checking in."

Kaiko couldn't help but, "So you live in a realm where the ruler is a Demon King, and other realms exist with different deity creatures that exist as 'Kings'?"

Ty gives a slight nod.

"Based on what I've seen, they're like farmers tending a giant plot of land on a grand scale. But I only spent a brief time with the Demon King and while he seemed to care, it's hard to pinpoint his true intentions. I hope to find out more once I complete my mission here."

Finally, Todd spoke up, asking, "So when you said you'd take me and my family somewhere safe, you meant with you to the Demon King's home world, is that it?"

Ty gave a light chuckle, "Yes, he kind of owes me for getting me killed, and he stated it's something like a final destination for strong warriors who lead a good life."

Kaiko intervened, "Calm down, Todd. You can daydream about leaving this place later. For now, we need to focus on how to get you close to the Yami King. He's bound to have the Relic item close to his personal stash, given how useful he finds it."

"Maybe if I understood what you all have going on, I might be able to help a bit and even get some idea of where this Relic might be." Ty suggested.

Taking a sip of tea, Kaiko explained, "I suppose, but to keep it quick I will have to get my shop set up soon."

"Roughly 15 years ago, Elithira and Sogetsu killed an evil tyrant and set up King Julius as the ruler, However, after Elithira left, everything quickly crumbled to pieces as the Yami King killed Julius during his yearly speech using the Relic item to make himself look like Sogetsu."

"The rest of the twelve years were the time when the Yami King infected the land and transformed anyone who defied him into lifeless zombies."

Ty perked up at her statement and recalled something, "Hmm, I killed some people who had pale blue skin and acted strangely at Sogetsu's home village."

"Elithira thought it would have been a good place to start, but it turned out Sogetsu's father was rather pissed off with her." Ty stated, dropping his legs to the ground, ready to get up fully.

"I don't blame him. She simply disappeared as suddenly as she had arrived, so it kinda makes sense as she was the one who had ingrained into Sogetsu the possibility of creating a better life. I guess it makes sense her stories from being from another land never really added up. But it's possible she was taken captive, and we need to rescue her regardless."

Ty perks up. "What about Sogetsu?"

Kaiko's face grew grim as she stated, "No one has seen him in over ten years. I had Todd take over the work at the prisons to hopefully catch a glimpse of him once if he ever happened to get transferred, but all of it was for nothing."

She then continued, "So we can only assume that he has been killed. But even if you didn't plan it, Mr. Skeleton boy, who is trying to go back to his home. You've killed not one, not even two, but three pieces of the Yami King and have begun a stir about his power, losing some vein."

"So we will be activating a beacon to rally the resistance together for one last push. This should hopefully give you a chance to confront the Yami King. We can save Elithira and get some closure. If we die in the process, so be it."

After taking a long pause she continued, "It was nice to see that flame bastard kick the bucket."

Moments later, laughter echoed from the ceiling, proclaiming, "Ha ha, both, you and me, girl."