From Human to Skeleton: Revived with Infinite System Crystals

Chapter 535 Kill Mission

"And the ones we can't?" Kern asked, still holding his Scimitar's the ready.@@@@

Waddle glanced at him. "We improvise."

Rosana leaned forward, her expression unreadable. "Why help us, Waddle? What's in this for you?"

Waddle met her gaze, and for a moment, something flickered in his eyes—something Ty recognized but couldn't quite place. "I've got my own reasons," Waddle said quietly. "Let's just say I've got people waiting for me. And I plan on getting back to them."

Rosana's eyes narrowed, but she didn't push further. Ty, however, caught the strange weight in Waddle's words. He had mentioned before that he was trying to get back to where he belonged, but he'd never been specific. Now, Ty wondered if Waddle's story was more complicated than just surviving the Arena.

Ty nodded, breaking the tension. "We'll split into two teams. Waddle, you take your squad and handle the eastern flank. We'll move along the western side and look for a weakness in their defenses."

Waddle stood, his eyes sharp and focused. "You've got it. Just make sure you keep your end of the deal."

Ty met his gaze, remembering the trust they'd built on that boat, fragile but real. "I will."

Into the Night

The night deepened as the two teams parted ways, moving through the dense forest with cautious steps. Ty, Kern, and Rosana moved west, keeping to the shadows, their footsteps silent against the underbrush. Waddle and his squad disappeared into the darkness, heading east, their movements barely audible as they melted into the trees.

"We're putting a lot of faith in him," Kern muttered as they navigated a narrow path between two ridges. The sound of distant skirmishes echoed through the trees, but for now, they remained out of sight.

"We don't have much choice," Ty replied, his eyes scanning the darkness ahead. "If Waddle knows the layout of the enemy's defenses, we need him."

Rosana stayed silent, her expression focused but distant. Ty knew she was thinking the same thing he was—Waddle's offer was convenient, maybe too convenient. But they had to play the hand they were dealt.

The Countdown

It didn't take long for the fight to end. The enemy lay defeated, their bodies scattered among the trees. Ty wiped the sweat from his brow, his breath coming in heavy bursts as the adrenaline faded.

"That was close," Kern muttered, wiping his Scimitclean on the grass.

Ty nodded, but his mind was already elsewhere. The time was ticking down, and they were running out of options. They needed to find the King—and soon.

As they regrouped and prepared to move forward, a sharp notification echoed through the forest, cutting through the silence.

"Orange Team: 24 survivors. Purple Team: 30 survivors. King and Pawn King are still alive."

The numbers hung in the air, a grim reminder of how much time had passed. Ty felt the weight of the countdown pressing down on him, and the darkness inside him stirred once more.

New missions starting soon.

Moments later a drone flew done in front of Ty as he sat up cracking the side of his neck.

New Kill mission: Alexander

Ty and the rest of the group heard the mission notification, prompting Rosana to approach with a confident smile. She placed a hand on Ty's shoulder and said, "Isn't that the strong guy?"

"Eh, I'm sure we'll manage," she added with a grin, placing both hands on her hips. "After all, we've got the strongest group around."

Ty chuckled softly, running a hand over his face. As he did, a familiar voice echoed inside his mind, dark and insistent: You know everyone will die eventually. Once you surrender that body to me, the sooner things will get better.

He shook his head to clear the intrusive thought just as Kern approached, both of his scimitars strapped across his back. "Well, let's get ready for some recon. By the way, who exactly was that Waddle guy again? Seemed cool, but... he kinda reminded me of you. The way you both talk. I don't know... hard to put my finger on it."