From Human to Skeleton: Revived with Infinite System Crystals

"Wh-what... what is your name?" Jade huffed, forcing herself to stay conscious despite the searing pain coursing through her body.

The boy with the flute hung loosely in his hand, stood atop the rubble, looking down at her with a mixture of contempt and pity.

"You humans are downright pathetic to the end," he sneered. "I love and respect my master so much, but I just don't understand his infatuation with you pathetic creatures. Even after finding a way to use your magic and break through the weak limitations of being just human—what does it all amount to if you can never accomplish anything?"

He raised his hand slowly, his index finger pointing directly at Jade. A small, ominous beam of black energy began to coil around his finger, darkening the air around it. Without hesitation, he fired, and the beam shot out, puncturing Jade's shoulder with a searing pain that made her cry out.

"You are not worthy of my name," he said coldly as Jade writhed in pain. "I've secured the person I came for—Kieran. And now, after I kill you, I will kill the rest of the people here and leave this world to fall into ruin."

Jade's vision blurred, but she refused to let herself slip into unconsciousness. The boy raised his finger again, the same dark energy swirling around it as he aimed directly at her heart this time. "Now die!" he declared with finality.

But just as he prepared to release the fatal shot, a loud crack echoed through the air

A sharp crack split the air as a bullet slammed into the side of the boy's head. He barely flinched, an annoyed expression fixed on his face. "When are they going to learn it doesn't do anything to me?" he muttered, almost bored.

Just then, Oscar and Vincent darted from his left and right, moving with blinding speed, their intentions clear. Vincent's eyes burned with determination as he shouted, "Black Claw Galaxy!"

In an instant, Vincent's Black Claw materialized in front of him, a swirling vortex of dark energy that shattered into a dozen sharp particles, each one pulsing with lethal power. The particles shot forward, aimed directly at the boy, who regarded them with a flicker of interest. "Could that be a relic?" he mused, his lips curling into a half-smile.

Simultaneously, Oscar charged from the other side, his muscles coiled with raw power. "Get the hell away from Jade!" he roared, his fist clenched tight as he aimed for the boy's head, every ounce of his fury focused into that single punch.

As they closed in, the boy reacted with a speed that seemed almost unnatural. With a casual flick of his wrist, he brought his flute up, its polished surface gleaming in the dim light. The flute seemed to hum with energy as it intercepted the Black Claw particles, catching them mid-air.

With a deft twist, he deflected the dark shards into the sky, where they dispersed harmlessly, raining down like harmless sparks.

Vincent's eyes widened in shock as his attack was nullified so effortlessly. "What the hell—"

Before Vincent could react, the boy shifted his focus to Oscar, who was now mere inches away. The boy's free hand crackled with dark energy, a concentrated beam of power swirling around his fingers. With a cold, calculated precision, he unleashed the beam directly at Oscar.

The blast hit Oscar square in the chest, piercing through his body like a hot knife through butter. The force of the impact sent Oscar flying backward, his momentum snapping as the blast pushed him further away from Jade. He landed hard on the ground, skidding across the rubble, his chest smoldering from the attack.
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Jade struggled against the pain, pushing herself up as the rod in her side and the weight of the rubble held her down. The boy with the flute glanced around, searching for the Angelic girl, a look of confusion crossing his face.

"Where is the Angelic girl?" he muttered. His eyes finally locked onto Kieran in the distance. She stood rigid, sweat pouring down her face, her expression tense and strained. Foam formed at the corners of her mouth, and her eyes flickered with a mixture of fury and desperation.

Tch he grumbled. "She must be close to breaking free. As expected from an Angelic, but she's on the brink. She won't be able to do much."

Kieran, far off but not forgotten, fought a battle within herself. The control the boy had over her was suffocating, like chains wrapped tightly around her mind. She could feel his influence seeping into her thoughts, trying to snuff out her will. Her body obeyed his commands, moving against her own desires, but deep inside, a spark of resistance burned.

No, Kieran's inner voice screamed. I won't be his puppet. I won't let him win.

Her hands trembled as she gripped her weapon, the knuckles white with the effort of resisting his control. Every step she took toward Jade was a battle, every movement a war within her own mind. The boy's voice echoed in her thoughts, commanding her to obey, to strike down her friends.

But Kieran fought back with every ounce of her strength, her teeth grinding together as she pushed against the overwhelming pressure.

I am Angelic. I am more than this.

For a moment, her vision blurred, the edges of her consciousness dimming as the boy's control tightened. She could feel her own power surging, but it was twisted, darkened by his influence. The foam at the corners of her mouth grew thicker, her breathing ragged as she struggled for control.

But then, something snapped inside her. A surge of pure, untainted power burst from deep within, shaking off the boy's hold just enough for her to regain a semblance of control. She forced her body to stop, her feet digging into the ground as she anchored herself.

"Get... out... of... my... head!" Kieran roared, her voice strained but filled with defiance.