From Human to Skeleton: Revived with Infinite System Crystals

Chapter 568 Resting Phase

Rosana opened her mouth to protest, but closed it just as quickly. She couldn't deny that much was true.

Ty reached the large stone doors of the kingdom grounds and, with a grunt, pushed them open. The heavy doors creaked as they swung wide, revealing the grand hall beyond. The air inside was thick with the scent of smoke and burnt flesh. The first thing that caught Ty's eye was the figure seated casually on a throne-like chair at the far end of the room.

Fernando.

His legs were kicked up on the arm of the throne, his usual smug grin plastered across his face. In one hand, he held a severed head, its face charred beyond recognition from the telltale marks of electricity. Around him, bodies in orange attire were strewn across the floor, lifeless and still.

Ty's gaze dropped briefly to the bandages still wrapped around Fernando's midsection, the lingering signs of his earlier fight with Herian. Though mostly healed, the wound was still visible—a reminder of just how dangerous the tournament had already become.

"Some more than others," Ty muttered, finishing his earlier thought as his eyes locked with Fernando's.

Ty's gaze dropped briefly to the bandages still wrapped around Fernando's midsection, a reminder of the brutal damage still fresh on his body. Fernando caught the look, smirking as he brushed a hand over the bandages like it was nothing.

"Still healing," Fernando said with a casual shrug, his voice lazy. "But good enough to deal with them." He nudged a body with his boot, one of the fallen wearing an orange uniform. The room reeked of burnt flesh, the aftermath of his handiwork.

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"What happened here?" Ty asked, his voice even but cold.

Ja-Law's expression shifted for the first time, his calm demeanor cracking. His heart sank, but he kept his voice steady. "Are you saying Kern and Gisorn have... died?"

Rosana hesitated, her eyes lowering as the memory of that fight came flooding back. "I don't know for sure. Ty made them forfeit after they couldn't speak. They were escorted away since we're allowed to do that, but they were in bad shape. I don't think..."

Ja-Law nodded slowly, the weight of her words sinking in. "I see," he said, his voice quieter now. He glanced at John, still slumped in pain. "And John doesn't seem to be in much better shape. Come on, I'll get you all some rest. There's still some time before any major changes take effect."

Ty gave a nod of appreciation, hoisting John up again as they followed Ja-Law down a narrow hallway. The makeshift throne room faded behind them as they moved deeper into the structure. Six rooms lined the hallway, three on each side. The place felt like a mock-up castle, scaled down but still carrying the weight of old stone and metal.

Ja-Law opened one of the doors, motioning for Ty to bring John inside. Ty carefully laid him on the bed, watching as John winced, but finally relaxed once he was lying down.

"So," Ja-Law began, leaning against the doorway, "did your team get a mission?"

Rosana's mouth opened to answer, but Ty cut in smoothly, his voice steady and calm, "Yeah, we were instructed to kill the puppet user. He was ordered to take out Kern." His words left no room for hesitation, the weight of them hanging in the air as he kept his eyes on Ja-Law.

Ja-Law nodded, satisfied, leaning casually against the doorframe. "That's good, at least. We were assigned to find the traitor."

Ty's brow lifted slightly, curiosity piqued. "A traitor?"

"Yeah," Ja-Law shrugged, glancing at the room's low ceiling. "No clue where to start though. No one's acting out of line, so it's hard to say. Besides, the penalty's just a day without food if I don't find them. My team might complain, but whatever." He waved a hand dismissively, tone light, almost careless. "Not the end of the world."