From Human to Skeleton: Revived with Infinite System Crystals

Chapter 508: A World Meeting

The Director in his black suit and tie stepped up to the wooden podium, his movements deliberate and confident. The room was filled with the subtle rustle of people adjusting in their seats, the kind of quiet anticipation that comes before something significant.

Jade’s eyes scanned the space—high ceilings, tall windows letting in soft light, and large flags from various nations lining the walls, each symbolizing the power and unity of the world’s leading nations gathered here. The floor beneath them was a polished marble, cool underfoot, reflecting the serious mood of the gathering.

He placed his hands firmly on the podium, pausing for just a moment before speaking. "As the Secretary-General mentioned," his voice carried effortlessly across the room, "we’re here to begin a crucial new chapter for humanity. But it’s not just about progress—it’s about survival. We face threats from three different fronts, and those threats are active, here and now."

There was a murmur of agreement from some in the room, others simply remained silent, their attention locked on the Director.

He pulled a small remote from beneath the podium and clicked a button. Behind him, a holographic field flickered to life, first blank, then shifting as he pressed the button again. Jade’s breath caught as a familiar face appeared—Masabi. His sharp features were as intimidating as ever, and beside him stood a figure with scales, someone she didn’t recognize, but who looked just as dangerous.

"This is the first threat to humanity," the Director said, his voice steady and unwavering. "They call themselves Angelics. They are the ones responsible for the curse that locks humanity out of its true potential—out of the abilities and energy that should be ours."

He let that sink in for a moment, the holographic figures behind him casting an eerie light over the room. "As I mentioned in our initial meeting," he continued, "please turn around and see Tyree and Oscar." The gathered crowd turned to look at the two men, their presence suddenly charged with an importance that hadn’t been there before.

Jade’s gaze followed as the room’s attention shifted toward the center door where they had entered earlier. The anticipation was palpable as the Director spoke again, his voice commanding the room.

"These two here have been part of our program for many years now and have saved countless lives in the process. Tyree, please showcase a demonstration of what we can do now that we’ve severed our tie with the crystal."

Tyree stepped forward, his expression calm and focused. He gave a respectful bow to the assembled leaders before raising his hand above his head. His dark skin provided a striking contrast to the flames that began to pour from the pores of his palm. Slowly, a small pocket of flame ignited in his hand, and as he focused, the flames coalesced into a glowing ball of orange fire.

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Jade watched as Tyree closed his eyes, concentrating deeply. Suddenly, long, vine-like whips of flame extended from the ball, snaking through the air with controlled precision. The fiery tendrils danced around the room, their movement graceful yet powerful, before retracting back into the central flame, which Tyree then extinguished with a simple motion.

As Tyree stepped back, Oscar took his place. He unsheathed his sword with a smooth, practiced motion, the blade gleaming in the ambient light. With a swift step forward, he executed a precise diagonal slice, his body moving in perfect synchronization with the blade.

The strike was followed by a burst of flames that erupted from the edge of the sword, cutting through the air before dissipating just as quickly. Oscar then performed a series of timed strikes—first a downward slash, followed by a spinning horizontal cut—each movement fluid and exact, each one accompanied by a brief flash of fire that danced along the blade before vanishing.

With the demonstration complete, both Tyree and Oscar returned to their positions, standing tall. They gave a slight bow to the audience, the room now filled with a hushed awe at what they had just witnessed.

The Director, standing confidently at the podium, scanned the room. "Before we move on, do we have any questions?" he asked, his voice inviting yet firm.

A hand went up immediately. It was from Prime Minister Sarah Johnson of the United Kingdom. "Well, what is the goal after the threat has passed? Are we just going to have a bunch of freaks with superpowers causing havoc?"

The Director nodded, acknowledging the concern. "Thank you, Prime Minister Johnson, that’s a great question. This ties directly into our plan for the eight divisions. These divisions will each have a specific purpose, ranging from combating the rising Kaiju threats to medical support, guard duty, and police control.

These forces will train with local police departments to ensure integration into everyday society. While it’s hard to predict every scenario, with the right planning, we can mitigate the risks and maintain order."

Another hand shot up—this time, it was President Akash Verma of India. "Director, we all agree that this initiative is necessary, especially with the recent devastation. The last attack was only four weeks ago, and we could face another one at any moment. However, these eight divisions—what kind of sizes are you anticipating? My country, Southeast Asia, is vast and populous.

How do we manage such a large-scale transformation if so many people begin to gain powers?"

The Director remained composed, his expression as unreadable as ever. "Thank you, President Verma, another excellent question.

In terms of managing our own countries, we will be utilizing instant transformation technology developed by Ashaiki C., who is currently my second in command." He clapped his hands, and as he did, Ashaiki materialized to his right, her long pink hair cascading down her side, catching the light.

"As for the details of this technology," he continued, "we’ll discuss its implementation in a subsequent meeting. This technology allows those who have severed their bond with the crystal to channel minimal energy reserves through it, facilitating control and management. We will ensure that each country, including those with large populations, is equipped to handle these changes effectively."

Finally, Chancellor Annalena Baerbock of Germany raised her hand. "Director, considering the unpredictability of these transformations and the various threats we face, how do you plan to maintain international cooperation, especially if some nations may experience more significant challenges than others?"

The Director looked directly at her, his tone measured. "Chancellor Baerbock, maintaining international cooperation is indeed crucial. The UNDF is not just about defense; it’s about ensuring a coordinated global response. Each division will work closely with international counterparts to share resources, intelligence, and strategies.

This cooperative approach will help balance the varying challenges that different nations may face, ensuring no country is left to handle these threats alone."