Chapter no.14 Dark Souls

Chapter no.14 The Crestfallen Warrior

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Alexander kicked the undead toward the well-shaped hole near Firelink Shrine, watching as it slumped over the moss-covered walls, finally dead. The familiar sensation of the soul being absorbed into his body washed over him, like a cold breeze he’d felt countless times. Then, one of those rare moments occurred—a piece of humanity floated up from the corpse.

“Must be my lucky day,” he thought, though the sarcasm was thick. It didn’t really matter. Humanity while incredibly valuable wasn’t going to change anything for him.

Yesterday had been a blur—one moment, the Crestfallen Warrior was cutting down undead, the next, they were swarming in numbers he hadn’t anticipated, all drawn to Naruto’s soul drop. It was a feeling he hadn’t experienced in a long time—being alive and afraid—like in his earlier days of adventure through this cursed land. Killing them wasn’t even the hard part. Cleaning up afterward, though? That was something else entirely. It’s easy to forget that even the weakest undead can catch you off guard. But not him. Not anymore. That’s how he survived while so many others… fell.

“Why do I even bother cleaning up?” Alexander wondered to himself.

He didn’t want to owe Naruto anything. He knew that connections in this world, relationships of any kind, were nothing but traps waiting to turn into tragedies. So, he sent Naruto off to explore the temple while he cleaned up the mess. It was better that way. He could get this done, and they could both move on.

The Crestfallen Warrior scanned the area. No more undead in sight. Finally, a moment of quiet.

And then he felt it—the unmistakable sensation of the Way of White’s baptism. He knew it all too well. He’d witnessed it more times than he could count during his travels with her.

Her. His partner. The love of his life.

Alexander closed his eyes, trying to block out the memory, but it was no use. He could still hear her screams as she used the Homeward Miracle on him, sending him to safety while she… she was swarmed by ghosts. That was the day he lost her. The day his world shattered. She didn’t even have a name, not one that mattered here, but she had given him purpose. She gave him a reason to keep going, to not go hollow.

But now? That purpose was gone. Time had become meaningless. Everything felt empty without her. He blamed the Way of White for it. Of course, he did. Why wouldn’t he? They were nothing more than a cult of self-righteous snakes, demanding souls from the undead as their “duty.” Their covenant was built on greed, masked behind a veil of holy purpose.

The Way of White. The Crestfallen Warrior sneered, thinking how perfectly the name fit their greed for souls. The color white—pure, clean, but underneath, they were just as filthy as anyone else.

But why would they let Naruto join? That was the part that didn’t make sense. The Way of White didn’t just let anyone in. You either had to complete some impossibly hard task or have connections in high places.

And then it hit him.

Naruto’s armor. The elite set from Astora. Astora, where the Way of White was practically a state religion. Of course, they’d let him in the moment he showed even the slightest interest. No questions asked.

“Why didn’t I think of that sooner?” Alexander cursed under his breath and rushed toward the temple ruins, his thoughts racing. He wasn’t about to let Naruto get exploited by that damned covenant. No, this wasn’t about Naruto. It had nothing to do with him. He just didn’t want the Way of White sinking their claws into an otherworldly invader.

Yeah, that’s what he told himself. It had nothing to do with Naruto.

But deep down, he knew he was lying to himself.

Alexander arrived just in time, seeing Naruto in the middle of what looked like a miracle being granted to him. Through prayer and internalizing faith, with the help of the gods’ blessings, miracles could be manifested. These weren’t just empty words; they were the embodiment of belief. If your faith was strong enough, you could invoke the acts of gods themselves.

Damn it.

Without thinking, Alexander rushed forward, grabbing Naruto’s hand. The boy yelped in surprise, “Oi!” but Alexander didn’t stop. He dragged Naruto up the stairs, not caring if Petrus noticed—or if he cared. The so-called holy man didn’t even bother to stop them.

“What are you doing?” Naruto asked, confused, as Alexander gripped his shoulder.

“Did you join the covenant?” Alexander asked, his voice harsher than intended.

“Yeah, why wouldn’t I? My master was a warrior of the Way of White,” Naruto explained, as if that made everything okay. Alexander clenched his jaw, trying to keep his frustration in check. Of course, Naruto would trust blindly. That’s how it starts—trust, faith, and then the exploitation follows.

Alexander took a deep breath. He had to make sure Naruto didn’t get sucked back into that damn covenant.

“Based on what?” Alexander challenged. He needed to gauge how much Naruto actually understood.

“Because he was a knight of Astora,” Naruto repeated, like that explained everything. Alexander sighed deeply. The kid didn’t get it.

“Not all knights of Astora are part of the Way of White. It depends on the household they’re from,” Alexander explained. “Your master could’ve very likely been from the Covenant of the Warrior of Sunlight.”

Naruto blinked in surprise. “There are more covenants?”

Alexander pinched the bridge of his nose, fighting the urge to scream. “Why do I have to deal with a child?” he muttered to himself. Naruto had no idea what he was stepping into, no idea what these covenants were capable of.

“Hey, at least I got a miracle,” Naruto said, sounding way too optimistic for Alexander’s liking. He frowned.

“Show me,” Alexander said, needing to confirm something.

Naruto started reciting the prayer, bringing his fists near his waist before stomping his foot into the ground… and nothing happened. Not even a spark.

He frowned and tried again, but the result was the same—nothing.

“Don’t bother,” Alexander muttered. “You need a talisman to perform miracles.”

That’s how these covenants worked—power, miracles, even the ability to use them… it all required payment. They hooked you in with promises of strength, but in the end, they just wanted your souls.

“You mean that raggedy cloth?” Naruto asked, scrunching his face in confusion.

“Yes,” Alexander replied, watching as Naruto huffed and shouted down the stairs.

“Oi, Petrus! Give me a talisman!”

Even though Petrus didn’t bother coming up, his voice echoed from below. “That would be 1000 souls.”

Naruto nodded. “Seems reasonable.”

Alexander grabbed Naruto’s arm before he could move. “No, it’s not,” he growled.

Naruto blinked, confused. “Well, I got the Force miracle for 4000 souls.”

Alexander clenched his teeth. “You got scammed.”

Naruto’s eyes widened in shock as he tried to process what Alexander had just said.

“Remember,” Alexander told him, his voice low, “souls are the most important thing in this world. People like him will do everything in their power to take yours.”

Alexander pointed up.

“There’s a tunnel that leads back to Firelink Shrine. Go,” he ordered, leaving no room for argument.

Before Naruto could protest, Alexander added, “I’ll deal with this scammer.”

Naruto hesitated but eventually nodded and made his way toward the tunnel. Alexander watched him disappear before turning his attention back to Petrus.

Alexander descended the stairs, the weight of his anger growing with each step. When he reached Petrus, the man didn’t even look concerned.

“Where is the boy?” Petrus asked casually.

“Checking out the upper portion,” Alexander replied, not bothering to hide the venom in his voice. He raised his hand, forming souls into an orb. “I’d like to buy a simple talisman.”

Petrus’s eyes narrowed. “Oh, then are you part of the covenant?”

Alexander almost laughed. “No. I don’t believe in the power of the gods.”

Petrus’s face twisted in shock, like he’d just been slapped. “I can have your tongue removed for that blasphemy,” he threatened.

Alexander smirked, letting the disdain drip from his words. “Well, if the gods can give their powers to a disgusting sinner like you—a fallen cleric—I don’t think they’ll mind my blasphemous words.”

Petrus’s face darkened as he pulled out his mace and swung it down with fury. Alexander was ready. His shield met the mace with a metallic clang, the force reverberating through his arm. In one swift motion, Alexander’s sword sliced through the air, stopping just short of Petrus’s earlobe.

Alexander smiled, a slow, dangerous smile. “I just want the talisman, cleric. No problems. Or do you want to fight until one of us is put down for good? The bonfire is close. We could keep this going as long as it takes.”

Petrus’s grip on his mace tightened, but he knew the truth. Fighting was pointless. They’d both just reform at the bonfire, stuck in an endless battle until one of them went hollow.

With a sigh, Petrus lowered his weapon and tossed Alexander a simple talisman, taking the souls Alexander offered in return.

As Alexander turned to leave, Petrus spoke again. “How did you know I was a fallen cleric?”

Alexander paused, glancing back. “I didn’t,” he said coldly. “I guessed, based on how all the undead who listened to you went missing. Thanks for confirming it.”

“I have my companions,” Petrus grunted defensively.

“Yeah, I’m sure they’ll be thrilled to support you when I tell them the truth.”

Petrus’s expression shifted, fear flashing across his face. He didn’t want his secret exposed.

“Don’t worry,” Alexander said, turning away again. “I’m good at keeping secrets.”

Petrus relaxed slightly, but Alexander wasn’t done.

“As long as you do one thing for me.”

Petrus hesitated. “And what’s that?”

Alexander didn’t turn around, but his voice left no room for argument. “Stay the hell away from Naruto.”

Without waiting for a response, Alexander made his way back to the bonfire, the talisman clutched tightly in his hand.

Naruto walked, step after step, up the old stone stairs, each one creaking under his weight. The sound echoed in the empty silence around him, and he couldn’t help but sigh. People are the same, even in this world, he thought bitterly, comparing this strange place to Konoha. He had hoped this world would be different. Maybe, just maybe, there’d be more kind people here compared to his village. But that was just a foolish, childish wish.

I need to be smarter about this, Naruto thought, reminding himself to stay sharp. “Dattebayo,” he muttered under his breath, like it would somehow reinforce the thought.

Petrus… he was nothing but a scammer. The experience reminded Naruto of gambling—the way you’re given a big prize to hook you, and then they slowly reel you in, making you want more and more. That’s what the covenants were like, too. Stupid gambling. Stupid covenant.

Naruto stopped in his tracks, looking around. On one side, there was a strange, empty space between two large stone doors. It confused him. On the other side was a flight of stairs leading up to a broken-down room. Something about the place tugged at him, urging him to explore. Cautious but curious, he walked toward it. Reaching the top, he spotted the corpse of a hollow, a faint soul orb hovering above it. He instinctively absorbed the souls.

As he stood there, a thought nagged at him. Alexander, that emo crestfallen warrior, had said that souls were the most important thing in this world. So why didn’t he take Naruto’s souls when he had the chance?

Naruto frowned, unable to shake the question. But he kept moving, turning toward the strange double-door hole. Maybe that’s where the tunnel was? It seemed like the only logical choice.

He stepped into the stone opening, wrinkling his nose at the musty smell that hit him immediately. The place reeked of algae, old metal, and stagnant water. The stone floor was slick with algae, and little puddles of water sat in cracks and crevices, reflecting the faint light. Rust lingered in the air from old, decaying metal.

As he walked further in, Naruto felt a slight breeze. Weird. If there’s wind, there must be an exit somewhere. He jumped into the room, glancing around. Ahead, there was a tunnel, though shorter than he expected. Maybe this was the right path.

Naruto landed in what seemed like the back area of the temple, surrounded by pillars and crumbling walls. He paused, scanning the area. Did I take a wrong turn or something?

Then his eyes landed on something that made him smile.

A treasure chest.

The gray chest had a rounded top, reinforced with metal bindings and a weathered latch. “No way,” Naruto whispered, his heart racing as he ran toward it. Excitement bubbled up inside him. He knelt down and popped open the latch, the lid creaking as it opened.

Inside were bones. Weird bones on ceramic plates, covered in strange symbols. Naruto didn’t understand what they were, but he could feel something from them. Some kind of divine power, similar to what he’d felt from the Way of White covenant.

“Homeward Bone,” he muttered, noting the name that popped up.

Just as he was about to leave, something caught his eye—more treasure chests. Finally, my day is getting better.

He practically ran to the next chest, eager to see what treasures it held. Inside, he found a morning star—a heavy weapon with a solid wooden handle and a metal spiked ball at the end.





It felt powerful in his hands, like it could smash through armor with ease. Next to it was a talisman, similar to the one Petrus had. Naruto picked it up, examining it closely as he can now use Miracles.



“Yatta!” he cheered, feeling like he was on a winning streak. But then he opened the next chest.

“What the heck is that?” he blurted out, staring at the strange red, cracked eyeballs inside. They looked like something out of a nightmare. Without hesitation, he threw them into his inventory.



“Cracked Red Eye Orb,” he muttered, noting the name as he scanned the area again for any missed chests. His eyes lit up when he spotted another one hidden behind a square stone pillar.

“Jackpot,” he said, rushing toward it. But just before he opened it, something caught his attention off to the side.

A strange cemetery stretched out along the cliffside. The stone slabs were irregular, each one jutting out of the ground at odd angles. It didn’t look like any normal graveyard Naruto had ever seen. The whole place felt eerie, like it was a forgotten place. Above the cemetery, stairs led further up, disappearing into the fog.

Weird place, he thought, shaking off the unease.

Returning to the chest, Naruto opened it and found a round, metallic object inside. It looked like a medallion with a smooth, reflective center that resembled polished silver. The edges were framed with an ornate, worn design, and a rusty chain wrapped around it tightly.



Weird, Naruto thought, sensing that same divine power from the Way of White. He wondered aloud, “Wait… are these chests, like, secret treasures of the Way of White covenant?”

A smirk spread across his face as he tossed the medallion into his inventory. The name “Lloyd’s Talisman” popped up which just confirmed his suspicion.

“Haha, you scam me for 4000 souls, and I take all your weird treasures. I think that’s fair… Dattebayo.”

His grin widened as he stood up, feeling like he’d just pulled off the ultimate heist.

Naruto ran down the side of the cliff, the wind rushing past him as he headed toward the creepy cemetery. The graves were everywhere, jagged stones sticking out at odd angles like broken teeth. As he slowed down, his eyes caught sight of a weird shield lying next to a couple of bones. It looked old, like something you’d see in a history book, but still sturdy enough to be useful. He reached down to pick it up when suddenly—

Clack. Clack.

A force hit him, and he heard a sound that sent a chill down his spine—bones rattling against each other. The shield moved up on its own, and Naruto found himself staring into the hollow sockets of a skeleton. Its eye sockets were empty, its jaw slightly ajar as if it were permanently grinning at him. Its bones were worn and yellowed with age, yet there it was, standing right in front of him.

“You have beautiful bones, dattebayo.”

Naruto’s voice was shaky, and he realized with horror that those were the only words that had come out of his mouth. Terrified, he stood frozen for a split second. His body was tense, and the only thing his mind could focus on was how afraid he was. Suddenly, Way of Focality kicked in, and he saw another skeleton lunging toward him from the side while the one in front of him raised its rusty scimitar.

Naruto leaped back, barely avoiding the attack, and quickly equipped the talisman. Desperate, he began reciting what Petrus had told him to say.

“O light of Allfather Lloyd, lend me your strength. Let the divine power flow through me and form a shield of faith. By the grace of the gods, let my foes be cast away, and their arrows be turned aside. In the name of the Way of White, may this sacred force protect and propel me forward, unwavering in my charge.”

And… nothing.

“Fuck you, Petrus!” Naruto yelled in frustration as the skeleton’s scimitars swung dangerously close. He flickered away just in time, reappearing behind them before summoning a fireball in his hand.

He hurled it at the two skeletons, and the fire exploded on impact, sending sparks and embers flying everywhere. The blast should’ve turned them to ash, but instead, they walked out of the fire like demons straight out of hell, their bones glowing from the heat but still fully intact.

“Of course,” Naruto muttered, fear creeping back into his mind. He knew he couldn’t stay and fight them off.

Doing the only logical thing, he spun around and bolted. As he ran, his eyes scanned for any escape route. That’s when he spotted a large orb of souls floating just ahead. Jackpot! He sprinted toward it, reaching out to absorb it, but just as his hand touched it, a skeleton popped out of the grave as if the soul orb had been bait.

“Are you serious?!” Naruto grabbed the skeleton by its bony shoulders and shoved it back into the grave. “Stay dead!” he shouted, his heart racing as he used Shunshin to create some distance between himself and the growing crowd of skeletons.

He didn’t get far before two more skeletons started forming behind him. If he didn’t act fast, he’d be sandwiched between them and the ones he’d just dodged. There was no way he could take them all head-on.

Naruto kept running forward, searching for a way out. More graves lined the path, and up ahead, there was a weird stairway leading down.

Nope. Bad idea, Naruto thought. The cemetery was clearly a deathtrap. He needed to get out, but with skeletons closing in from all directions, his options were running out fast.

His heart almost stopped when he saw it.

There, standing in front of him, was a skeleton so massive it made the others look like toys. Its femur alone was bigger than Naruto, and it held an enormous blade in its bony hands, towering over the rest of the graveyard. Every step it took sent tremors through the ground, and the sound of its bones creaking was like distant thunder.

But something else caught Naruto’s attention—a glowing light behind the giant skeleton. A weapon, sticking out of a corpse.

Naruto had never seen anything like it before. The blade was enormous, long and broad, with a sharp edge that gleamed in the dim light. It was driven into the corpse’s chest, the handle sticking out at an angle, almost daring him to take it.



He rushed forward, fingers closing around the handle, but the moment he grabbed it, it felt like he was trying to lift a mountain.

Why the hell is this so heavy?

Before Naruto could even lift it properly, a shadow fell over him, and he looked up just in time to see the giant skeleton bringing its massive blade down like a guillotine.

Oh, no—

Naruto barely managed to perform the substitution jutsu, the massive blade crashing into the ground where he had stood just seconds before. The shockwave rattled through the earth, sending shudders through Naruto’s body. His mind raced, trying to figure out his next move, but the answer came in the form of more skeletons rising from the graves, surrounding him.

“Shadow Clone Jutsu!” Naruto shouted, summoning his clones as they rushed at the skeletons head-on.

But it wasn’t enough. Skeletons were crawling out of the ground faster than his clones could fight them off.

Oh, no…

Naruto’s heart sank. Despair hit him hard, like a punch in the gut. He was trapped. There were too many of them, and they were closing in from every direction. His clones popped one by one, disappearing into clouds of smoke, each burst sending another wave of dread through him.

Is this what it feels like to fight my own clones? He thought, disbelief mixing with the fear.

There was no time to think. Naruto reached into his pouch and pulled out a smoke bomb, throwing it to the ground. The smoke billowed around him, and with barely a moment to spare, he transformed into a corpse, lying motionless among the dead.

Please don’t be smart, please don’t be smart, Naruto thought, trying to keep his breathing steady as the ground shook beneath him.

The giant skeleton stopped right over him, its massive feet planted in the ground, its towering form casting a shadow over Naruto’s still body. The vibrations traveled through the earth, shaking him to the core. Each memory from his fallen clones flashed through his mind—these skeletons weren’t mindless. They knew where to strike, going for the joints, the neck, even the eye slit in his helmet.

Why the hell are these skeletons so skilled?

Naruto felt the fear rising in his chest, but he stayed as still as possible, ready to substitute at a moment’s notice.

The giant skeleton lingered for what felt like an eternity, but finally, it moved back. Its massive form retreated into the darkness, and the other skeletons either dug themselves back into the ground or collapsed into piles of inanimate bones.

Naruto let out a shaky breath.

Thank Kami… They weren’t smart. They couldn’t tell the difference between a real corpse and a fake one.

“This world is terrifying,” he whispered to himself, his body still trembling from the close call.

Without wasting another second, Naruto threw down a few more smoke bombs, covering his escape as he bolted for the staircase. His legs moved on autopilot, carrying him up to safety, away from the horrors below.

Naruto bolted up the stairs, every step echoing in the empty, ruined hall around him. Water pooled at the bottom of the massive space, broken pillars scattered all over. He could hear the flapping of wings—the damn crow that brought him here—and instinctively, he used Shunshin to hide in the corner, glancing up just in time to see the bird staring down at him. It let out a caw before taking off into the sky.

“Fuck you, you damn crow,” he muttered under his breath, glaring at it.

As he scanned the hall, his eyes landed on this weird statue of a woman sitting on a throne of branches, holding a baby. He stared at it for a moment, something about it unsettling, but he shook the feeling off. Then, it hit him where he was.



Naruto rushed out of the hall, the warmth of the bonfire pulling him in as he practically collapsed onto the ground near it.

“I lived!” he yelled, the relief washing over him in waves.

Alexander’s voice came from his usual spot. “Looks like you went through a lot.”

Naruto just closed his eyes, too tired to deal with him. The urge to strangle the crestfallen warrior was strong, but he was too drained to even move. “Thanks, you damn bastard. You almost got me killed by those damn skeletons.”

“You went down,” Alexander said, his voice laced with judgment.

Naruto shot him the middle finger. “Yes, I almost died, but hey, I did get a lot of cool stuff,” he said, trying to find some kind of silver lining.

He pulled the giant sword out of his inventory. It felt heavy in his hands, even with chakra enhancement.

“Zweihander. This is an amazing greatsword,” Alexander said, looking at it with something close to awe.

“Yeah, thanks, but it’s useless. I can barely lift it,” Naruto replied.

“Then just increase your strength,” Alexander replied like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Naruto gave him a deadpan look. “What?”

“You already have the Pygmy’s system. Just use it.”

Naruto blinked, not fully understanding. “Wait, you mean everyone doesn’t have this?” he pointed at the system screen, confused.

Alexander shook his head. “No. That system was created during the Age of Ancients by the Pygmy. Legend has it that it was a way to incorporate otherworldly invaders into this world. But because of the numerous benefits, the gods feared it. Only parts of it remain, and humanity can still use a fraction of its potential.”

“Wait, so you can use the system?” Naruto asked, starting to understand.

“Parts of it. Mostly the ability to absorb souls and a smaller version of the inventory. But you get the full product,” he said, sounding almost jealous but hiding it.

Naruto puffed out his chest, feeling a little proud. This system was way cooler than he thought. He glanced at the screen again.

“Okay, but how do I increase my stats?” Naruto asked, fiddling with the interface.

“Figure it out yourself,” Alexander grumbled, clearly done with his questions.

Naruto sighed, scrolling through the system until he found it—his stats displayed with arrows on either side of the numbers. He stared at it for a moment, unsure of what to do. This was his chance to get stronger, but he didn’t want to mess it up.

“What should I upgrade?” Naruto asked, glancing at Alexander again, hoping for some advice.

“Think of what you want to do in combat,” Alexander said, his voice calm but distant.

Naruto thought about it for a second. “Pick up the Zweihander?”

Yeah, that was it. If Naruto could wield this beast of a weapon, the Zweihander, that would be a good start. But how many points did he need to bump up? He scrolled through every single stat, trying to figure it out. His eyes landed on faith.

“Hey, thanks for saving me from the scammer,” he said, glancing at Alexander.

“You believe me?” Alexander asked, sounding almost surprised.

“Yeah, I used the miracle on those skeletons. Didn’t work,” Naruto muttered, thinking back to how close he was to getting sliced in half.

“Try increasing your faith,” Alexander recommended.

Naruto raised an eyebrow. “Huh, I thought that was part of the scam?”

“Yes, the covenant might be a scam, but the miracles are legit. You just need faith.” Alexander’s voice was reluctant, like even he didn’t like admitting it. Naruto nodded, feeling a bit more convinced now. Strength and faith—he needed to increase both. But still, how much?

Naruto looked at the Zweihander, pulling up multiple tabs from the system.

[ Item Name: Zweihander ]

[ Weapon Type: Ultra Greatsword ]

[ Attack Type: Regular ]

[ Description: One of the gigantic straight greatswords. As the name suggests, the Zweihander is held with two hands, but its wielder must still be inhumanly strong. It is this great weight that sends foes flying when hit solidly. ]

- [ Strength Requirement: 24 ]

- [ Dexterity Requirement: 10 ]

- [ Physical Attack: 130 ]

- [ Critical Hit: 100 ]

- [ Physical Damage Reduction: 70% ]

- [ Magic Damage Reduction: 10% ]

- [ Fire Damage Reduction: 50% ]

- [ Lightning Damage Reduction: 50% ]

- [ Stability: 44 ]

- [ Durability: 200 / 200 ]

- [ Weight: 10.0 ]

Maybe there was more to this.

He tried it with the miracle tab—if fireball had its own slot, maybe the miracle would too. He flipped through the tabs and, yep, there it was.

[ Miracle Name: Force ]

[ Slots: 1 ]

[ Uses: 21 ]

[ Magic Type: Miracle ]

[ Description:

This common miracle amongst cleric knights creates a shockwave. It inflicts no damage but propels foes back and defends against arrows. Cleric knights use this miracle when charging into enemy mobs. ]

[ Required Parameters: Faith – 12 ]

Naruto frowned when he saw that the Force miracle wouldn’t hurt enemies. Lame. At least now he had some actual numbers to work with.

He switched back to the stat screen, but quickly realized something frustrating: he didn’t have enough souls to meet all the requirements in one go.

Naruto groaned, feeling the weight of it all.

“What’s wrong?” Alexander asked.

“I don’t have enough souls to wield the Zweihander and use Force. Even if I ignore the miracle, I still can’t use the sword,” Naruto muttered, frustration building.

“Why not use two hands?”

“What?” Naruto asked, blinking at him.

“I’ve come to notice that the strength increase from souls only applies to one hand. Why not just wield the Zweihander with two hands?” Alexander explained.

Naruto felt a wave of relief. “Thanks,” he said, finally seeing a way forward.

He started increasing his stats, carefully placing the points where he needed them. First, strength. He felt a surge of power, like a deep warmth flowing through his muscles, making them stronger. Next was dexterity. It wasn’t just about being fast; Naruto could feel the control in his movements becoming sharper, more precise. Then, he increased faith. It was… strange. Not physical, but something inside him—like his belief in himself was becoming more solid, more real.

[ Name: Naruto Uzumaki ]

- [ Covenant: Way of White ]

- [ Level: 1 → 10 ]

- [ Souls: 333 ]

[ Attributes: ]

- [ Strength: 12 → 16 ]

- [ Dexterity: 9 → 10 ]

- [ Faith: 8 → 12 ]

[ Souls Spent: 6667 ]

With that done, Naruto grabbed the Zweihander with both hands, gripping it tight. For the first time, it didn’t feel like a boulder in his grip. He swung it, and without any chakra enhancement, he could actually move it. The weight, the power—it was real. He could feel the difference.

He swung the sword again, watching it slice through the air with ease. Was this what real strength felt like? And then another thought hit him: Was the system why he was smarter now?

When he picked the pyromancy class, his intelligence stat had increased. Was that why he felt more in control, more aware?

Well, that makes sense, Naruto thought, scratching his head. It was kind of sad to think that he was dumber before. But honestly? Who cares. I’m smart now.

With a grin, he declared, “Let’s go mess up Petrus.”

Maybe he said that a little too happily because Alexander’s tone immediately turned serious.

“No,” Alexander said firmly. His voice cut through the air, leaving no room for jokes.

“Fine,” Naruto muttered, pouting a bit. But deep down, he knew he wasn’t done with that scammer. Petrus was still getting pranked, one way or another.

“Why don’t you use that humanity?” Alexander said, pointing toward the corpse slumped over the well.

Naruto walked over, recognizing the strange, dark mass. He had absorbed the same thing before—humanity, right? He crouched down and absorbed it, just like he did with souls. The feeling was different this time. Not as cold, not as detached. More like he was filling up with something warm, something alive.

Okay, so some of these soul orbs and humanity bits don’t fully get absorbed into me, Naruto thought, quickly glancing at his inventory. Yup, there they were, just sitting there.

Good for me. He walked back to Alexander, curious now about what this stuff could really do.

“Humanity’s a valuable resource,” Alexander said, his voice as emotionless as ever. “In combat, you can heal yourself with it.”

“Wait, like those Estus flasks?” Naruto asked, his interest piqued.

“Yes,” Alexander replied simply.

Naruto looked down at his own Estus flasks, remembering how he’d seen his master doing some weird ritual with them. “Can you, like, show me how to refill them?”

Alexander shrugged, not one for long explanations. “Just place them near a bonfire. They’ll refill on their own.”

“But my master was doing this whole ritual thing. What’s that about?” Naruto asked, hoping for something deeper.

Again, a shrug. “Who knows.”

Naruto sighed, deciding not to push it. He placed his five Estus flasks in front of the bonfire. The flames flickered, almost like they were drawn to the flasks. He could already see them starting to refill.

“You can also reverse your hollowing and become human again by offering a humanity to the flames,” Alexander said.

That caught Naruto’s attention.

After Alexander explained the process, Naruto took a deep breath and kneeled in front of the fire. Holding up the humanity in his hand, it looked like a small, black flame, almost eerie in how it flickered. Slowly, it started to transform into tiny orbs of white light, drifting toward him. They began to hit his hollowed skin, and with each touch, he felt something change.

He could feel it—the sensation of flesh and blood. His heart started beating again, strong and steady in his chest. It was surreal. Naruto hadn’t realized how much he missed that feeling until it came back. The warmth, the life—it surged through him like a flood, filling every part of him. He glanced down at his arms, noticing the increase in muscle. Hell yeah, that’s awesome.

Naruto sat down, staring into the flames, watching them turn liquid as they filled the flasks. It was almost mesmerizing. The warmth, the quiet crackling of the fire—it felt peaceful.

Suddenly, Alexander placed five more flasks next to his.

“These are yours,” Alexander said, already moving back to his spot.

“What?” Naruto blinked, caught off guard. “Why are you giving these to me?”

“I don’t plan on going anywhere. They’re useless to me. You can have them,” Alexander said, settling back down like nothing had happened.

Naruto raised an eyebrow, feeling both grateful and confused. “You know, you’re a very strange bastard.”

Alexander just hummed in response.

“One second, you’re the biggest emo ever, and the next, you’re the kindest asshole ever. Why?”

Alexander stayed silent, his expression unreadable as usual. He didn’t owe Naruto an answer, but Naruto wanted one.

Then it hit him. “Why protect my giant soul drop?”

Alexander’s face shifted ever so slightly, surprised that Naruto figured it out.

“There were battle marks where my soul drop was. I pieced it together,” Naruto said, leaning back against the wall. “So, why did you do it?”

Alexander didn’t bother answering. Silence stretched between them, thick and heavy, only broken by the crackling of the bonfire. Naruto watched the last of his Estus flasks fill up, the bright orange liquid reflecting the flames.

Finally, Naruto packed them into his inventory, his mind still buzzing with questions. Then, he pulled something out and placed it in front of the Crestfallen Warrior.

“What’s that?” Alexander asked, eyeing the small cup.

“These are the food of the gods—cup ramen,” Naruto said, puffing out his chest with pride. “Think of it as my thank you for everything.”

Alexander nodded, accepting the gesture without a word.

“Well, I’m sure the jonin back in my world should’ve arrived by now. Bye,” Naruto said with a grin before jumping off the cliff.

Dattebyo!

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Alexander stared at the cup ramen for so long that the sky had shifted from its usual pale blue to the deep black of night. Nightfall—something that only happened on special days in this cursed land. Feeling the cold wind biting against his skin, he closed his eyes and pulled out the talisman he still held onto. He’d meant to give it to Naruto, but the boy had found his own in those hidden chests. Probably Petrus’s stash. The thought brought a bitter smile to Alexander’s face, imagining the look on that snake’s face when he realized all his precious treasures were gone.

He placed the talisman on the cup of ramen, snorting at the absurdity of it all. The food of the gods, Naruto had called it. He opened the cup; the steam was long gone, and it was cold now. Still, when Alexander took a bite, the taste surprised him. Spicy, tangy, just the right amount of salt. The noodles slid down effortlessly, like something crafted with care, unlike anything he’d tasted in this bleak world.

You would’ve loved this.

Alexander looked up at the stars, feeling the weight of her absence more than ever. She would’ve loved this. She was always like that. Brave, kind, outgoing. Always trying new things, pushing boundaries in ways he never could. And now, here he was, eating something he never would’ve thought to try if it weren’t for Naruto.

His lips trembled as he felt the familiar ache rise in his chest. It was time. He’d held it in for so long, but the words were finally here, pressing against his soul. Her name… or at least, what she called herself. She didn’t have a name, not really. They were too busy surviving, too busy fighting to care about names. But she always insisted on calling herself “Alex,” a name she made by taking the first four letters of his.

That’s why he abandoned his own name after she died. He didn’t deserve to carry it. He wanted to bury it with her, to pretend that the man he used to be had died beside her that day. It was easier to be the coward, the crestfallen warrior, to let his old self fade into the abyss where it belonged.

The tears came before he could stop them, spilling down into the cold cup of noodles. “Alex… I’m sorry.”

Gods, there was so much he wanted to apologize for. So many things left unsaid, so many promises he’d broken. But most of all, he wanted to say—

“I miss you.”

The words hung in the air like a confession. The one thing he’d never let himself admit until now. And for a brief, fragile moment, he felt something close to peace.

But it didn’t last.

Suddenly, Alexander was thrown to the ground, the ramen cup spilling over as he scrambled to his feet, sword in hand. He looked up to see the bastard who had attacked him.

Petrus.

“Where are my treasures, crestfallen warrior?” Petrus’s voice dripped with venom, like he was trying to summon some authority he didn’t deserve.

Alexander tightened his grip on the sword, the blade heavy but familiar in his hands. “Thrown off the cliff,” he said flatly, bracing himself. He knew what was coming.

“This one doesn’t seem like a crestfallen warrior,” another voice said from the shadows.




Alexander’s eyes darted toward the figure lurking there, but he couldn’t make out their face. It didn’t matter. They were with Petrus. That was enough to tell him they were trouble.

He clicked his tongue, feeling the tension build in his chest as he took a deep breath. This time, he wasn’t going to fall back into the role of the broken, defeated man. No, not this time.

This wasn’t the crestfallen warrior standing there anymore.



This was Alexander, the warrior of the Fivefinger Delta.

And he wasn’t backing down.