From Human to Skeleton: Revived with Infinite System Crystals

The Infernal Footsoldier's flames grew brighter as it lunged toward the Blueblood Guard. The Pawn seemed to hesitate for a moment, then Aldric's voice rang out from the other side of the board, stern and commanding. "Blueblood Guard, brace yourself. You know what you must do." There was a hint of strain in his voice, something Ty hadn't heard before.

The Blueblood Guard glowed with a faint sapphire hue, almost like a final stand, but the Infernal Footsoldier's attack was too swift and too fierce. It plunged its daggers into the chest of Aldric's Pawn, and in a burst of flame and blue energy, the Pawn shattered into shards of sapphire light. The Life Coin embedded within it seemed to disintegrate, sending a wave of energy rippling back to Aldric.

Aldric let out a strangled gasp, his face momentarily contorted in pain as he clutched his chest. The pain of losing a Life Coin was clearly overwhelming, and it took a few seconds before he regained his composure. His eyes shot up, locking onto Ty, filled with both fury and grudging respect.

Ty watched as Aldric struggled for breath, his confidence still unwavering despite the obvious pain. He tried to analyze the board, looking for any sign of what Aldric might do next. His Pawn stood victorious, flames flickering from its blades, but Ty knew it wasn't over. He could feel the tension, the anticipation of Aldric's counter.

"You're getting bolder, Demon Overlord," Aldric finally managed to say, his voice shaky but defiant. "But don't think for a second that I'll let that slide." He clenched his fist, regaining control, and then nodded at his own side of the board.

"Platinum Cavalier, L3 to G5!" Aldric commanded, his voice sharp, cutting through the tension like a blade. The Knight—a Platinum Cavalier—moved into action, its spectral steed rearing up, flames igniting at its hooves before it dashed in its characteristic L-shape across the board. Ty's eyes followed the movement as the Knight leapt forward, placing itself in an offensive position, its lance gleaming dangerously.

"So, he's baiting me again," Ty muttered to himself, his eyes narrowing as he studied Aldric's move. The Knight now threatened one of his Bishops, and he could almost feel Aldric's calculated intent. Aldric wanted to see if Ty was willing to risk another aggressive move, to push his pieces further into the danger zone. It was a deliberate provocation, and Ty knew it.

Phillis' voice echoed in his mind, flat and devoid of emotion. "Opponent has positioned his Knight to target your Bishop. You have 70 seconds to make your move."

Ty exhaled, forcing himself to stay calm. He had to focus—the clock was ticking, and he couldn't afford to overthink every detail. His instincts told him to defend, to hold back, but he knew that wouldn't get him anywhere in this fight. He needed to act, to be bold, just like Aldric.

"Rook, advance to F5," Ty decided, choosing to bolster his front lines. The Obsidian Sentinel rumbled to life, its massive stone-like form shifting as it moved forward, taking a stance behind his Pawn. It radiated a protective aura, the infernal glyphs across its body glowing with power.

Aldric watched, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Interesting," he muttered, almost as if he was talking to himself. He seemed to consider Ty's positioning for a moment before nodding to himself. "Alright then, let's see how you handle this. Sapphire Enchantress, move to H4."

The Queen—Aldric's Sapphire Enchantress—glided across the board, her sapphire robes shimmering with each step. She took her place in a commanding position, her eyes glowing faintly as she turned her gaze toward Ty's side of the board. Ty could feel the pressure mounting; Aldric was systematically positioning his pieces to trap him.

"He's tightening the noose," Ty thought, his heart pounding. He had to find a way to counter Aldric's strategy, but it was clear that Aldric was always a few steps ahead, each of his moves carefully calculated to force Ty into a corner.

"You have 60 seconds remaining," Phillis reminded him, her tone indifferent.

Ty's eyes darted across the board, evaluating his options. He still had Life Coins, but he wasn't sure if now was the time to use them. He knew that each coin represented not only power but risk. He had already seen what happened when Aldric lost a coin—the pain had been evident, almost debilitating. If he used a Life Coin and lost, he'd experience the same agony.

"Bishop, advance diagonally to D3," Ty commanded. The Pyromancer Warlord stepped forward, its maces blazing with fire as it took a defensive position, watching Aldric's Knight carefully. The board was beginning to feel like a battlefield in every sense—each piece a soldier, each move a tactical decision that could lead to victory or doom.

Aldric smiled, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "Not bad, Ty. Not bad at all. But you're still thinking too small." He placed a Life Coin into his Platinum Cavalier, the Knight glowing with a brilliant platinum light as it seemed to gain new strength. The steed's hooves ignited once more, and it moved in an aggressive L-shape, positioning itself to threaten both Ty's Bishop and his Pawn.

Ty's Pawn stood victorious, flickering with demonic fire, its twin daggers still hot from the clash. Aldric's eyes were sharp as he took in the loss, his pain palpable, but his expression remained collected. Ty knew it wasn't over yet—far from it.

"You're getting bolder, Demon Overlord," Aldric finally said, though his words were strained with the aftershocks of pain. "But let me remind you, boldness without calculation is nothing but recklessness."
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Ty said nothing, his eyes darting across the board as he analyzed Aldric's next move. The Platinum Cavalier moved aggressively, leaping into an L-shape, its spectral steed blazing across the board, positioning itself to threaten both Ty's Bishop and his Pawn. Ty could almost feel the calculated intent behind the move. Aldric was testing him, forcing him to make a decision—fight or fall back.

"Opponent has positioned his Knight to target your Bishop. You have 70 seconds to make your move," Phillis's mechanical voice cut through Ty's thoughts, cold and indifferent.

Ty clenched his jaw, his heartbeat pounding in his ears. He had to stay calm. His first instinct was to play defensively, but that wouldn't win this game. He needed to think ahead, anticipate Aldric's next play. Ty quickly considered his options: he could defend his Bishop, retreat, or make a bold play of his own.

No more holding back.

Ty's eyes locked onto his Rook, the Obsidian Sentinel, standing tall at the back row. Its massive stone body was like a fortress, ready to reinforce the front line.

"Rook, advance to F5," he commanded, his voice steady. The Obsidian Sentinel rumbled to life, each step reverberating through the board. The infernal glyphs on its body glowed as it moved into position, taking a stance behind Ty's victorious Pawn. Its presence radiated protection, the molten cracks in its stone skin pulsing with power.

Aldric watched, his eyes narrowing slightly, his lips pressing into a thin line. "Interesting," he mused, almost as if he were talking to himself. He studied Ty's positioning for a moment, nodding subtly. "Alright then, let's see how you handle this." He turned his attention to his Queen—the Sapphire Enchantress.

"Sapphire Enchantress, move to H4," Aldric called.

The Queen moved gracefully across the board, her sapphire robes flowing with an ethereal shimmer. She glided into position, her eyes glowing faintly, her staff held aloft. Ty could feel the pressure mounting as Aldric systematically positioned his pieces, each move tightening the noose around him.

"He's forcing me into a corner," Ty thought, his eyes scanning the board. Aldric was always a few steps ahead, his movements orchestrated to push Ty into a defensive stance. Phillis's voice broke his focus, indifferent as always, "You have 60 seconds remaining."

Ty exhaled, his mind racing. The Bishop was under threat, but he could see the potential for an attack. He wasn't out of moves—not yet.

"Bishop, advance diagonally to D3," Ty commanded, his eyes blazing with determination. The Pyromancer Warlord stepped forward, its maces crackling with flames. It moved into a defensive position, watching Aldric's Knight carefully. The battlefield was heating up—each piece feeling like a soldier, and every move was a life-or-death decision.

Across the board, Aldric's smile widened, his eyes glinting with something dangerous. "Not bad, Ty. Not bad at all. But you're still thinking too small." He reached for one of his Life Coins, holding it between his fingers for a moment before placing it into the Platinum Cavalier. The Knight glowed with brilliant platinum light, its spectral steed rearing up, flames igniting at its hooves once more.