From Human to Skeleton: Revived with Infinite System Crystals

Chapter 605 Dreams, Back to Back

Xaivuz winced but didn't resist. "Come now, there is no proof behind such a claim," he replied, his tone even, though Ty could hear a note of exhaustion. "That's simply fearmongering."

Before Xaivuz could say more, Valore's hand swung, delivering a powerful backhand strike across Xaivuz's face. The force of the blow knocked him to the ground, and Ty watched as blood sprayed across the grass, bright red against the green. Xaivuz groaned, his hands pressing against the ground to steady himself.

Valore sneered, towering over Xaivuz. "You know the laws just like everyone else," he spat, his voice dripping with disdain. "If you weren't so close to these borders, a creature like that wouldn't have appeared and harmed our citizens."

Ty looked towards the injured women, wondering why none of them stepped in to help, but they kept their heads low, avoiding the scene before them. Xaivuz remained on the ground, his fingers digging into the dirt, his voice barely a whisper. "I apologize," he said. "I was only searching for a flower. My son is ill... I needed it to make the medicine."

Valore scoffed, waving his hand dismissively. "You will pay for the harm done to these women and for her death," he said, gesturing to the lifeless body beside Xaivuz. "Your recklessness caused this. You'll spend thirty nights in the dungeon, and you'll be punished. After that, you'll be given the flowers you need."

Xaivuz looked up, his eyes rimmed with red, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. "But by then," he began, his voice cracking, "my son will be dead. He can't survive that long without the medicine."

Valore's gaze was unyielding, his lips curling into a cruel smile. "People die every day. Get used to it."

Xaiuz shouted, gripping his chest in agony. His legs buckled beneath him, and he collapsed to one knee. "I will stop this," he rasped, looking up. His eyes locked onto Ty's. "You provide my son with the help he needs."

Before Ty could react, he felt a hand rest gently on his shoulder. A voice whispered, calm and firm, "It's best if you don't watch this part."

Ty turned, glancing over his shoulder. He caught sight of an old man, transparent, barely visible, like a mirage. It was almost as if he was seeing someone both familiar and unfamiliar, the memory teetering on the edge of recognition. Ty's confusion turned into realization. "You're the face I keep seeing when the sun consumes worlds," he murmured, his voice strained. "It's been so long since I last saw you. I have to know... are you—"

A thunderous bang cut him off. Ty's head snapped back to the scene just in time to see a bullet tear into Xaiuz's face. His body jerked backward, crumpling to the ground. Blood pooled beneath him as a few injured guards walked up, spitting at the lifeless form. One of them muttered, "Thank goodness." A young man, his hands still smoking from firing the gun, stepped forward. His face was twisted with contempt.

"Glad we put that demon down," he sneered, his gaze flicking over Xaiuz's body. "I think it's time we push for a mass extinction of these creatures."

The old man's hand squeezed Ty's shoulder once more, and, in the next heartbeat, everything shifted. The desolate chaos faded into an overwhelming, stark whiteness. Ty blinked, disoriented, standing in a large, pristine room devoid of features or shadows.

He spun around, frantic. "What—what the hell was all of that? It looked familiar, but twisted, like some nightmare version of things I've seen before." He glared at the old man, demanding answers. "Where have you been? Why now?"

The old man sighed, his gaze distant, as if peering across the vast expanse of time. "It takes an enormous amount of energy to regain my consciousness. I'm surprised to see you still alive."