From Human to Skeleton: Revived with Infinite System Crystals

Ya-Mi shared a smile with Rusuf, remarking, "Of course, he wasn't as bad as I was expecting."

Rusuf, with Ty observing, replied, "Yeah, he seems pretty tame compared to other prisoners, I'm sure."

"Yeah, it's nice he didn't try to attack me or anything. They sure do get testy sometimes. But I won't keep you. Try to stop by for dinner sometime, okay?"

"Sounds good. Come on, let's go, Demon. My shoulder is still sore, by the way," Rusuf said, indicating it was time to leave.

Ty nodded and gave Ya-Mi a wave as she returned it with a slight smile, then leaned back in her chair, stretching and reaching for another cigarette.

As Ty and Rusuf headed out the door, Ty inquired, "So, do you have any idea how this 50 on 50 event is supposed to go? Like, are they just going to put us in the middle of an open field and tell us to go crazy?"

Rusuf shrugged, still massaging his shoulder a bit, and responded, "I'm not really sure. The Arena stage will be fully shown in the last 24 hours, though I'm not sure how it will play out. Given the timeframe, I imagine it will be expansive and hard to finish in 15 or 20 minutes."

"Hmm, I guess that makes sense. Any advice you have for me?" Ty queried as they approached a gravel road. At its end loomed a black-boxed building with barred windows, surrounded by a line of houses leading toward the front door.

Rusuf offered his advice with a hint of caution, "Don't trust anyone cares about you or your well-being, I suppose. Other than that, it's hard to say. I've never partook in the event."

As they tread along the gravel, Ty, puzzled, asked, "Why not? Don't you have this vision of a great and just world? Isn't that what the Arena is about? Getting a wish that is nigh impossible?"

Rusuf's response carried a weight of moral conviction, "Yes, but I don't want to murder countless people for a vision like that. It's possible one day my strength alone might be able to conquer this world and renew it."

"I see, just how many people have you killed exactly though?" Ty inquired, a trace of curiosity in his tone.

Rusuf, gazing upward toward the sky, estimated, "I don't know, anywhere between 200 or 300 people, perhaps."

Ty, puzzled, shook his head slightly. "Huh? I thought you just said about not wanting to murder people."

"Well, those were people trying to hurt others and whatnot, not a sport put on for the entertainment of others," Rusuf clarified, drawing a distinction between his actions and the nature of the Arena.

"Ever since I could use my skill, I've been fighting. Given my sight limitations, my other reflexes are just that more heightened, but that's for another time," Rusuf elaborated, hinting at deeper layers to his abilities and past.

As they approached the front of the gated door, Ty nodded, absorbing Rusuf's explanations. "I see, also now that I think about it, what is your skill anyways? You teleported those bandits away but also moved really fast."

"But then I saw you healing yourself once I got control of my body back, which I promise to explain when I have enough time,"

Rusuf smiled slightly and said, "I will let you piece together how my ability works. It's really not too complex once you understand the core concept; the rest is easy."

Ty, a bit annoyed, stated, "Well just tell me then," as they entered the prison complex, the walls lined with grey concrete.

Ty noted, "Huh, why is it so dark in here?" as he stepped forward, his foot landing in a wet liquid. Meanwhile, Rusuf walked over to a control panel on the wall.

Rusuf stated, "Yeah, it is weird for the lights to just go out like that. I can fix that real quick though."

Pulling a lever, a loud click sounded as the lights overhead cranked on, illuminating the entire area with a broad light. Ty instantly saw the face of a dead guard, a weird-shaped golden ball lodged in his head.

Ty covered his nose as the stench of death hung in the air.

Ty never got used to the disgusting scent of death. "Wouldn't mind losing this sense in situations like this," he slightly murmured to himself. "What the hell happened here?"

Rusuf leaned over to inspect the body. "This might be the work of one of the Rebel leaders, or even a high-ranking Raid Master."

"That sounds a bit familiar. What exactly is a raid master?" Ty inquired, his brow furrowed in confusion.

"They are a bit like the rebels, except they are just hunting rare items, in particular, one of the seven great treasures," Rusuf explained, his voice low and steady. "I've seen damages like this before, and it's closely in line with someone I know. I just don't understand why he attacked this man, but I will in a few moments."

Rusuf placed his hand on the dead body, glossing over the small golden ball lodged in his head. Ty watched as the floor lit up around them, orbs beginning to fly around both of them as Rusuf observed quietly before a burst of red energy exploded.

"I see, so it was Fierened. Oh? Maybe he survived?" Ty heard Rusuf mutter under his breath.

"What the hell is going on?" Ty asked, confused as the energy faded.

Rusuf looked over at Ty and said, "Oh, sorry, I couldn't sense you with all the energy flying around. The person who killed this guard and a few others is named Fierened."

Ty, a bit confused, asked, "Fierand? Fear-rend? Is that how you pronounce it?"

"It's Fierened, but sure, that's how some people pronounce it."

Enjoy new tales from empire

"I see. How exactly did he kill these guards? I imagine the guards weren't pushovers, right?"

"They were good people, but nowhere near fight-worthy," Rusuf replied, his gaze distant as he considered the fallen men. "Besides the warden, though he doesn't seem to be here. Please follow me; I need to see if he is still alive."

Ty, still confused, merely stated, "Who exactly?"