From Human to Skeleton: Revived with Infinite System Crystals

Before anyone could delve deeper into their discussion, a loud clang noise reverberated through the area. Ty turned his head and saw Herald wielding a hammer and tongs, striking them together. Glitters of golden sand fell with each bang.

"Okay, everyone, center stage around me like before," Herald announced authoritatively as he set down the hammer. "We are going to continue where we left off, but when I finish assigning your teams, you will head off to get equipped with your weapons, armor, or whatever it is you normally fight with. From there, you will have 12 hours to focus and plan before you wake up in the first Arena."

As he spoke, the man next to him set up the projector again.

"Before that, let me go ahead and explain how the first Arena will work," Herald continued, drawing the attention of everyone present. "As the King mentioned, this will be taking place on these great lands. All of the residents have been moved out for this event, and structures have been built and designed for this first arena."

He paused for emphasis before detailing the structure of the event. "It will be a massive 100-mile radius battlefield from one end to another that will shrink to 50 miles after the first 24 hours. The next 24 hours, it will shrink to 25 miles, and during the final 12 hours, it will shrink to a 6-mile radius. If we somehow get to the final hours, it will be a 1-mile radius."

Herald's explanation painted a clear and daunting picture of the Arena of Life. His voice took on a serious tone as he continued to outline the tactical challenges this structure would pose.

"The shrinking battlefield is designed to force engagements. You cannot simply hide and wait out the conflict; you will need to move, and move smartly. Strategic locations will change as the arena contracts. Initial positions will be randomly assigned, so you will need to quickly adapt to your surroundings."

He gestured towards the projector, which displayed a map of the arena with various terrain features and initial drop zones. "Each team will start with basic supplies, but there are caches placed throughout the battlefield that contain weapons, food, and medical kits. Controlling these caches can be essential to your survival."

Ty, Kern, John, and Gisorn paid close attention, each mentally noting the key points and adapting their previously discussed strategies to this new information.

Herald then shifted the focus from the arena's mechanics to the more immediate preparations. "In 12 hours, you'll enter the Arena. This means you have less than half a day to prepare mentally and physically. I suggest you spend this time wisely. Review the map, plan your initial movements, and most importantly, get to know your gear."

Herald resumed, addressing Squad 2 with a somber tone. "I hate to inform you that you have lost one of your 'teammates.' Not that you got to know him yet, but he succumbed to his wounds, and that leaves you a member short."

He paused, scanning the group before continuing. "I have decided to fill in his role with Rosana Fiona. She is also a fire user like the Demon, but she has a great nose and can be helpful as you push and try to maintain supplies and all that good stuff."

Ty nodded in acknowledgment. "Thank you. If that's the case, you also stated our requirement was to kill three people of the opposing side. How is that tracked actually? Not only that, where do we get a copy of the map and—"

Herald cut him off, raising a hand for emphasis. "Once I have finished forming the teams and all have your equipment—swords, guns, and supplies—ready, I will fill you in further on your task. Some of them are still being fleshed out by the game maker, but don't expect it to be easy, nobodies."

He concluded with a firm directive. "Now get out of here and go get your equipment established."

Ty nodded, concern in his voice. "Sure, by the way, how is Fernando doing? From what I saw, that katana to his stomach could not have been healthy."

Before Lord Herald could respond, Fernando emerged from the crowd of people, clutching his stomach where sparks of electricity flowed. "Don't worry about me, dumbass! This is nothing, and I will kick your ass later, not before I make you bow down to me!"

Ty grinned at Fernando's defiance. "If you say so, I will just kick your ass again later down the road, just don't use that wound as an excuse."
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"Just so you know, I didn't let him beat me," Ty declared confidently as he walked toward the door.

Before he could leave, Rosana, whom Ty initially mistook for someone else, called out, "Hey, we should plan on how we want things to go right?"

Turning to look at her, Ty was slightly surprised. "Oh, you're the Rosana chick? I honestly didn't even know females were allowed in this Arena, but I suppose it makes sense," he commented, his gaze drifting to her attire.

"Also, why does your uniform have a hood?" Ty asked, taking in her features—she was on the shorter side, perhaps around 5'1", with deep red eyes and a flow of red hair cascading beneath her shoulders.

Rosana lifted her hood, revealing a pair of fox-like ears. "It's kind of a requirement for our attire, but it's also to hide my ears," she explained, watching Ty's reaction closely.

Ty's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait, you're a furry??" he blurted out, momentarily taken aback.

"A-Aw what?" Rosana responded, clearly confused by his reaction.

Ty coughed, catching himself as he realized his outburst had drawn everyone's attention. "Please disregard that," he quickly said, trying to recover from his faux pas. "I just haven't ever seen anyone with fox ears that didn't do it as a way to look different. But that's pretty cool. Is that where the sense of smell comes from?"

As the conversation drew to a close, Kern and Gisorn exited the room. Meanwhile, two guards approached. "John, Rosana, and Demon, please get over here so we can take you all to where your equipment is being held currently,"