From Human to Skeleton: Revived with Infinite System Crystals

Chapter 388 Portal Away

Ty's voice carried a mix of caution and curiosity. "I see. Let's not wait for battle to test this. How about now?"

As he closed the distance to John, his words took on a sharper edge. "I don't fully trust what you're hiding, but that can wait." He extended his hand, an invitation veiled in suspicion. John met it with a firm handshake, his eyes unreadable. "Not my problem," he replied coolly.

A moment later, a surreal sensation invaded Ty's mind, like a bubble of noise expanding in the silence. It was an odd, tingling itch, impossible to ignore. A digital prompt flickered into existence within his mental landscape: "Please give access to memories. 5-second window."

Ty raised an eyebrow. "This 5-second window—it only includes the immediate past, right?"

John nodded, his face betraying nothing. "As I mentioned, it only lasts as long as my energy holds."

Curious, Ty pressed on, "And how can you tell when you're running out of energy?"

With a casual shrug, John said, "It's a feeling—you know, like a bottle when it starts to empty. It gets lighter, almost imperceptibly, until all weight is gone."

Ty nodded, a hint of understanding flickering in his eyes. "I suppose that does make sense then."

He stepped back, giving space as the others approached, each taking their turn to shake John's hand. As they did, a sudden surge flooded Ty's mind—a sharp, searing pain that seemed to ricochet inside his skull. Simultaneously, everyone else buckled to the ground, their faces contorted in agony.

"Ahhh, what the hell is this?!" Ty shouted, his voice cutting through the confusion.

Amidst the chaos, John clapped his hands together and gracefully lowered himself to a seated position, eyes closing as if to shut out the world.

"That's what it feels like," John explained, his voice steady despite the apparent discomfort around him. "Right now, I'm the stopgap, holding them linked. Each mind echoes to the next."

Ty's thoughts raced, skepticism threading through his internal monologue. This has to be the most convoluted, nonsensical skill ever. He's definitely hiding something...

He seems annoyed, Ty thought, observing the subtle tension in Gears' posture as the groups began to move slowly toward the entrance they had come from.

In the hush that followed, Ty stood with the others, his mind racing as he strategized. He absorbed every detail, preparing for what lay ahead.

"The sooner this is finished, the better," the guard announced, urging them forward.

Gisorn leaned closer to Ty, his voice low. "These guards are also responsible for the king and other noble personnel. Having to spend their time protecting us, I imagine they aren't too pleased."

Ty nodded in agreement, seeing the logic in Gisorn's explanation. "Well, I guess that does make sense from that perspective."

As they walked through the exit, a strange blue glow illuminated the pathway, guiding them until the guards led them to a room dominated by a massive pillar of stones. The pillar emitted a black light, with grey outlines stretching across the room, creating an eerie atmosphere.

"Go ahead and walk through this, and you're no longer my problem," one guard said dismissively.

Kern's eyes widened with recognition. "This is one of those portal things I've heard about at the academy, isn't it? Does it really hurt? I heard it can leave a stinging feeling after coming out the other side."

The guards exchanged a brief, knowing glance before one replied with a smirk, "No, why would it hurt? That's just a silly rumor."

Kern rubbed the top of his head, seemingly reassured. "Ah, that makes sense." With a mischievous grin, he walked backward into the portal, throwing a playful salute over his shoulder. "See you losers on the other side!"

Rosana, who had been silent until now, suddenly perked up, her voice tinged with both excitement and apprehension. "A portal?! What does it do?!"

Kern put a hand over his face and stated "Oh, come on, I know even a beast tribe has heard of these from studies."

Rosana shuffled her feet and stated "Well, I never had much studies, I only ever learned from Pops."