From Human to Skeleton: Revived with Infinite System Crystals

As the cold hand of their fallen comrade hung in the air, two nurses quickly carted him off. The team watched in silence, the weight of the moment settling heavily upon them.

"Well, shit," John muttered, breaking the quiet. "Didn't expect us to be down a member before the arena of life even starts…"

Kern nodded solemnly. "This definitely makes things harder."

Ty shook his head, trying to rally the group's spirits. "Well, I'm sure they'll fill someone in for him, but before we delve into that, we should try to at least form a plan. We have to kill three people, but I feel like it will be a bit more complex than that."

"I think in terms of a plan, me and Kern should front line, and John and Gisorn can play support," Ty suggested, laying out a basic strategy.

Gisorn tilted his head, his facial expression unchanging, but there was a slight annoyance in his voice. "You mean that you feel Kern is stronger than me? Also, who died and made you the 'leader'?"

Kern coughed, interjecting before the tension could escalate. "Well, I didn't see you do anything of value when that asshole attacked. Personally, I agree with Ty's assertion."

Ty took a deep breath, trying to maintain calm. He understood the stress everyone was under, but now wasn't the time for internal disputes. "Look, Gisorn, it's not about who is stronger. We need to play to our strengths. Kern's endurance and my fire manipulation are suited for the frontline. Your precision and John's abilities are crucial for support and recon."

John, who had been quietly observing the interaction, nodded in agreement. "The demon's right. It's about making the most of what we have. My mind reading can give us early warnings and help in avoiding traps, while Gisorn's sharpshooting can cover us from a distance."

Gisorn's expression softened slightly, the edges of his annoyance cooling as he considered the strategy. "Fine. But we need to be adaptable. If something goes wrong, we can't just stick to a plan that isn't working."

"Exactly," Ty added quickly, eager to keep the peace. "Adaptability is key. We'll start with this formation, but everyone needs to be ready to switch roles if needed. And Gisorn, your role is critical. Having you in a position to take shots could make the difference between life and death for us all."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Kern, looking to ease the tension, changed the subject. "What about the task? Who are we targeting first? We know this arena; it's going to be filled with all sorts. Some might be easier to take out early on."

John nodded, taking the opportunity to share his knowledge. "Yeah, we'll determine that once we get an idea of the arena, but if I recall correctly, it was mentioned it's taking place in the countryside," Ty noted, echoing John's understanding that they would be moving out folks who live in the area.

"But given Lord Herald called us the assassin squad, it might be a bit more complicated. We just have to be prepared, but I imagine the space will be large given the 96-hour timeline. Wait, do any of you have a good understanding of the Arena of Life overall? Like, how do these usually play out?"

"I never got to do enough research. How many are there normally?" Ty asked, turning to his teammates for any insights they might have.

Kern and Gisorn looked at each other, both shrugging. "It's really always different, but some last longer than others," Kern said, indicating the variability in the event's structure.

John spoke up, eager to contribute. "I have actually been a fan of it for a long time," he began,

"and I can tell you that each Arena of Life is uniquely designed. They tailor it specifically to challenge the contestants in various ways, testing not only physical prowess but strategic thinking as well."

Gisorn nodded, adding, "Yeah, and the environment plays a huge part. If it's in the countryside like we think, expect wide-open spaces but also dense areas like forests or abandoned buildings that can be used for ambushes or hideouts."

Ty leaned forward, intrigued. "So, versatility in combat and movement will be crucial. We'll need to adapt quickly to whatever terrain we find ourselves in. John, since you've watched these before, what kind of tactics have winners used in similar settings?"

John thought for a moment, then replied, "Most successful teams manage to control key areas early on. They secure resources and good defensive positions. For us, controlling high ground and having clear lines of sight will be essential, especially for Gisorn's sniping."

Kern, rubbing his chin, mused, "We might also consider guerrilla tactics. Hit-and-run, using the terrain to our advantage. With the Demons fire and my wind, we could create confusion and cover to move around unseen."

"That's a solid plan," Ty agreed, turning to Gisorn. "Make sure your shots count because every miss will draw attention to your position."

Gisorn smirked slightly, "Don't worry about me, I'll make them count. But what about supplies? We need to think about food, water, and first aid. Staying alive in a long-haul game means more than just fighting well."

"You're right," Ty said. "John, can you use your abilities to scout for supplies without being seen? Maybe set up waypoints near supply drops?"

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John nodded, "Yes, that's possible. I'll need to be careful, though. My abilities make noise, and if I'm spotted, it could compromise our locations."

The group then turned their attention to contingency plans. "What if one of us gets caught or injured?" Ty asked. "We need a system to regroup or rescue without compromising the entire team."

Kern spoke up and stated, "While we are on a team I won't be risking my life for yours, it's your responsibility to keep yourself alive by all means, I won't short-sell myself or throw as I want to get this done, but I won't kill myself for any of you."