From Human to Skeleton: Revived with Infinite System Crystals
Chapter 183: Barb-wired Mask

Ty was jolted from his thoughts by a sharp slap on the back of his head. One of the guards scolded sternly, "Who gave you permission to halt?"

Startled, Ty's face registered bewilderment, a single tear tracing a path down his cheek. For a fleeting moment, he was lost in a flood of memories, each one brimming with a joy that vanished as swiftly as it appeared, plunging him back into the harshness of his current reality.

"Apologies, sir," Ty stammered, his voice a mix of confusion and sorrow. "I was momentarily lost in thought. It won't happen again." Before he could regain his composure, another shove on his shoulder came, the guard's voice harsh and dismissive, "Just shut up and keep moving, you monster."

As Ty stepped through the doors, emerging into the open, he was greeted by a breathtaking sight. The dual suns of this world, one a fiery orange and the other a deep blue, were on the cusp of setting. Their light merged in the sky, painting a stunning tapestry of purple hues that stretched across the horizon.

The beauty of the scene was so starkly at odds with his situation that Ty couldn't help but exclaim in awe.

As they approached the grand staircase, Ty couldn't help but marvel at the view, turning to the lead guard with a sly smirk. "Quite the sight, don't you think?" he remarked, gesturing towards the splendid panorama.

The stairs before them were an architectural marvel, each step meticulously crafted from white marble that gleamed under the dual suns' fading light. The polished surface reflected the merging colors of the sky, adding an ethereal quality to their descent.

The lead guard, his face obscured by his uniform, replied with a tone that was curt yet tinged with a hint of reluctant admiration. "I have no desire to engage in conversation with someone of the Demon clan, if it can be helped," he said.

After a brief pause, he sighed, a rare glimpse of vulnerability seeping through his stern demeanor. "But yes, I must concede. The end-of-day spectacle is indeed one of the few pleasures here. Sometimes, the cursed beauty of this place is what sustains me through the days."

The guard's voice held a note of surprise, laced with disdain. "I'm astonished that a creature like you, from your clan, could appreciate the refinement of such beauty."

Ty, challenging the perception, countered, "And what if I'm not actually a Demon? What if I've been misjudged since arriving here?"

His words were met with an immediate and stark reaction. The guard, swift and unyielding, pulled a gun from his side, the metallic glint of the weapon stark against the evening light. "Say one more word, and I won't think twice about upsetting some higher-ups. Don't try to manipulate me or anyone else with your fabrications," he warned with a steely edge in his voice.

Taken aback by this abrupt escalation, Ty's mind raced. It became clear that his path to proving himself lay in actions, not words. The realization settled heavily within him, a silent vow to demonstrate his true nature through deeds alone.

"Sorry, I'll remain silent," Ty responded, his voice a mixture of resignation and determination, as he slightly raised his hands in a gesture of compliance.

The guard, his expression obscured by his helmet, gave a slight nod in response. Together, they descended the final step of the majestic staircase, flanked by the other guards, each step echoing solemnly in the grandeur of their surroundings. They approached a booth stationed at the base of the stairs, where the lead guard issued a stern command, "Stay put here, or face execution."

Ty, masking his growing frustration with a veneer of nonchalance, replied, "Sure, sure," his voice laced with a hint of sarcasm.

The guard disappeared into the booth, leaving Ty under the watchful eyes of the others. After a few minutes, he reemerged holding a metal mask and a set of leg shackles. "Remain still as we equip these," he instructed, his tone suggesting a routine procedure. "It's mostly for show."

Taken aback by this new development, Ty asked bluntly, "A show for whom?" His question carried an underlying current of apprehension mixed with curiosity, the weight of the situation becoming increasingly palpable.

The guard paused, his tone becoming even more detached. "For everyone," he finally answered, and without further ado, he placed the metal mask over Ty's head. The mask clicked into place, its small metal rivets locking just inches from his skin. Ty winced as sharp points grazed his flesh, drawing faint lines of blood that trickled down his face, a stinging reminder of his vulnerable state.

Despite the discomfort, Ty remained stoically silent, his muscles tensing under the light pain. The guard proceeded to fasten the leg shackles, their cold metal clinking ominously.

"As you are paraded through the city to the trial arena, the people will be watching," he explained. "These restraints allow them to hurl their scorn without fear. Should you react in anger, those barbs will embed deeper into your skin, and the shackles will trip you, possibly ending your life on the spot."

He gave Ty a cold, hard look. "Not that you can wield your power in this state. Just endure the humiliation and save your defiance for the arena."

The guard's query hung in the air, "Does that make sense, Demon boy?"

Ty, attempting to lighten the mood, replied, "Demon Boy? That's new. You can call me Ty, if you prefer." His voice carried a hint of a smile, but it was lost on the guard, whose expression remained hidden behind his mask. "No," the guard curtly replied, pushing Ty from behind. "We need to start moving. The broadcast is scheduled to begin before the suns fully set."

As Ty walked along the white-painted road, he observed its gradual transition into concrete, reminiscent of Earth. The opulent castle aesthetics gave way to a more urban environment, the cityscape unfolding around him with all the familiar trappings of a small, bustling city. The transition was seamless yet stark, a blend of alien and familiar.

The distant sound of cheering grew louder as Ty stepped onto paved streets. Curiosity piqued, he turned to the guard, "Do you all have cars by chance?" The question was innocent, a small grasp at understanding this new world that was both alien and eerily similar to his own.

The guard remained silent, unresponsive to Ty's query. With an impatient shove to Ty's shoulder, he urged him to keep moving.

They navigated through a makeshift barrier marked by four orange cones, entering an area where the architecture gradually transformed.

The buildings, initially modest in size, began to loom larger and more imposing around them. Then, to Ty's astonishment, he saw it — a line of cars in the distance. While their designs were unfamiliar, with unique aesthetics unlike anything on Earth, their purpose was unmistakable. They were, indeed, cars.

A surge of excitement coursed through Ty, momentarily distracting him from the discomfort of the mask.