From Human to Skeleton: Revived with Infinite System Crystals

Chapter 628 Count Down

Waddle sighed, leaning back, his eyes focused somewhere far away. "Yeah, you and me both, man. I've lost a few close people since coming here. It's been tough. Other than one person, I don't have much reason to go back to Earth—maybe just some closure, and a rematch against Erebos."

Ty's brow furrowed in surprise, his gaze snapping to Waddle. "Wait, you haven't seen him again since he took your soul?"

Waddle shook his head. "Nope. Haven't heard anyone even mention his name since I got here."@@@@

"Then why did you assume I'd know who he was when we first met?" Ty asked, genuinely curious.

Waddle chuckled, though it was humorless. "Just the way you talked, I suppose. You had that look—someone who's been through hell, same as me."

Before Ty could respond, the truck came to a sudden, jarring halt. Both men instinctively fell silent, their senses heightened. The air grew thick with anticipation as the murmurs from the other contestants hushed. Ty felt his pulse quicken, his eyes glancing toward the back of the truck.

After a beat, Waddle turned his head, giving Ty a nod. "Well, I guess I'll trust that, one day, you'll tell me your story. We can exchange everything in private."

Ty managed a small smile. "Sounds fair," he replied, his mind still buzzing with questions and uncertainty.

"First row, huh?" Alexander muttered, giving Ty a sidelong glance. "Try not to embarrass us."

Ty rolled his eyes but said nothing, instead observing the rest of the contestants as they found their spots. The names illuminated in different colors, blinking off once each person stood where they belonged. The precision of the arrangement was impressive—everyone was exactly one arm's length away from the next, each standing in their own marked circle like chess pieces lined up for an opening move.

Continue your saga on My Virtual Library Empire

Rosana, positioned towards the end of the row, caught Ty's eye and gave him a thumbs-up. He nodded back, though he could still feel the unease hanging around him. All these people, fighters he had both fought against and fought beside, now stood with nothing but their own thoughts to keep them company.

A heavy silence settled over the room, punctuated only by the occasional shuffle of feet. Ty found himself looking around, observing the various expressions. Some seemed determined, others nervous. A few—like Alexander—wore nothing but the cold mask of confidence.

Ty breathed deeply, trying to push away his thoughts of Earth and focus on the present moment. Whatever came next, he had to be ready.

Meanwhile, across the kingdom, Xuán Wĕi leaned back in his seat, his eyes flicking between the various members of the Black Bulls gathered around the round table. There was an air of seriousness among them, a gravity that made the usual banter and laughter absent.

"I would like to think this is the best chance we'll ever get to take down the King and prove the worth of our fight against the kingdom," Xuán Wĕi said, his fingers drumming lightly against the table. His eyes flickered up, sharp and intense.