From Human to Skeleton: Revived with Infinite System Crystals

Gripping the sheets with a newfound intensity, the slow, methodical beeping of the machine next to her filled the room as Jade's voice, laden with apprehension, broke the silence. "Did they die?" she asked, the fear of losing her comrades casting a shadow over her relief at being alive.

The Director, in a gesture betraying his own discomfort with the topic, adjusted his tie, loosening it slightly as he prepared to deliver the news. "It's a bit hard to say for Waddell," he began, his voice carrying the weight of the uncertainty and concern that the situation warranted. "He's still in a coma, much like you were, but he's practically on life support right now."

The news of Waddell's condition painted a stark picture of the battles' tolls, leaving Jade and likely others within their circle clinging to hope for his recovery. The Director's careful choice of words suggested a delicate balance between hope and the harsh realities faced by those embroiled in their fight.

As for Tyree, the Director offered a glimmer of resilience amidst the somber news. "Tyree has recovered and managed to get back on his feet.

He has been assisting on double-time missions in the downtown New York areas." This testament to Tyree's recovery and his quick return to duty underscored the relentless spirit of their group, highlighting the determination and duty that drove them to confront dangers, even in the wake of personal peril.

Embracing a glimmer of optimism, Jade responded, "I see, well, the least we can do is try to provide a safe world for Waddell to wake up to!"

The Director offered a slight smile, his demeanor softening. "That's a decent outlook, I suppose," he acknowledged, appreciating her perspective amidst the prevailing uncertainty.

Driven by curiosity and a desire to understand more about their adversaries, Jade pressed on. "So, how long have these creatures actually been surfacing on Earth, and where are they actually coming from? Are they like those monsters from anime that surface based on human emotion?"

The Director pondered her question, tapping a finger under his chin in deep thought. "Hmm," he mused, "there was this one anime my nephew was sort of obsessed with.

Well, a few actually, but I would say this situation is a blend of the monsters in the Spirit World anime from the 90s," he snapped his fingers, a light of recognition in his eyes, "yes, it was called 'Yu Yu Hakusho', and this other show where normal humans use swords to slay demons."

Resolute in her optimism, Jade expressed, "I see, well the least we can do is to try and provide a safe world for Waddell to wake up to."

The Director, allowing a slight smile to break through his otherwise stern demeanor, acknowledged, "That's a decent outlook, I suppose." Jade, ever curious, pressed on with her questions about the mysterious creatures plaguing their world.

"So how long have these creatures actually been surfacing on Earth, and where are they actually coming from? Are they like those monsters from anime that surface based on human emotion?"

The Director pondered deeply, his finger resting thoughtfully under his chin. "Hmm, there was this one anime my nephew was sort of obsessed with. Well, a few, actually.

But I would say this situation is a blend of the monsters from the Spirit World anime from the '90s," he snapped his fingers as the name came to him, "yes, it was called 'Yu Yu Hakusho,' and this show where normal humans use swords to slay demons."

Continuing, he drew parallels based on his recollections, "Though just running off memory, that seems to be the closest parallel I can think of. The biggest issue over the last 100 years or so has been trying to find out how they get here, and with the advancements in technology, we have slowly been bridging that gap."

Jade, a bit confused, sought clarification, "Only 100 years? I thought Ash mentioned that this organization has been around longer?"

Shaking his head slightly, the Director corrected the misunderstanding, "No, that is a bit of a misconception on her part. Before the first sighting of these monsters, only a select few were ever blessed with having their true potentials 'unlocked,' and that was simply to keep things at bay."

"But if you ever become privy to the same documents locked away from the president, you will find that in times of great war, people of our kind were used in secrecy to tip the scales of wars," the Director revealed, his words heavy with the gravity of untold histories.

Jade, visibly taken aback by the revelation, couldn't hide her astonishment. "How would this stuff never leak to the public?" she asked, her voice a mix of curiosity and disbelief.

The Director, already turning to leave, paused and looked over his shoulder with a sly smirk. "When you control the media and you are the strongest entity in the world, it's easy to spin things however you want," he explained, his statement hinting at the vast reach and influence of their organization.

Suddenly, the room's tension snapped as the Director, with an unforeseen agility, pivoted on his heel to face away from Jade, creating a distance of twenty feet between them in mere moments.

His suit, a testament to his imposing presence, seemed to strain against his movements, the fabric stretching tightly across his back as he prepared for what came next. Then, with a grace that belied the deadly intent of his action, he launched a crescent-shaped knife directly at Jade.

In that instant, time seemed to slow for Jade. Her eyes, wide with a mix of alarm and disbelief, tracked the knife as it cut through the air towards her. Every fiber of her being screamed in anticipation of the impending threat. Her muscles, from the ones tightly wound in her abdomen to those coiled in her legs, braced themselves.

It was as though her entire body had gone rigid, a statue poised for survival, ready to react to the knife's imminent arrival. The cold gleam of the blade as it spun through the air was the only thing that pierced her focused gaze, a stark reminder of the fine line between life and death in her world.

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