Naruto sighed, bored out of his mind in the empty classroom. Everyone else had already left, their senseis having taken them away. A few had given him strange looks, but he didn't know how to feel about that. He used to do anything to get their attention. But now? Now that he finally had it, he didn't even need it anymore.
"Precept the Ninth: A knight's deeds are done not for praise, but in faith."
He muttered it under his breath, as though it could explain why he'd stopped caring. But honestly, he still didn't get it.
Faith in what, exactly?
Naruto stared at the reflection in his shiny gauntlet, his hand outstretched in front of him.
Was it because of the old man? Because Hiruzen had revealed all those lies that everyone seemed to know but him? Did that make him stop caring about people who'd lied to him for so long? Maybe. Maybe he was just disillusioned now.
He sighed, trying to shake the thoughts away, but they stuck like glue.
Then there were his two new teammates. He didn't know how to feel about them.
Sakura Haruno… his crush? He blinked, realizing how ridiculous that sounded now. Why did he even like her?
She wasn't the prettiest, definitely not the kindest, and she'd always been so rude to him. Every time he'd asked her out, she'd hit him. Why did he put up with that? What did he even see in her? He glanced at her, noticing how she flinched when their eyes met.
He looked away. Whatever.
As long as she didn't treat him like before, they'd be fine.
And then there was Sasuke Uchiha.
Naruto had always seen him as his rival, even after everything that had happened to him. Why was that? He couldn't figure it out. Maybe it was because Sasuke felt like someone he had more in common with than anyone else.
No, that wasn't it.
He still saw Sasuke as his rival because he represented something Naruto couldn't overcome before—the old Naruto couldn't beat him. If he could overcome Sasuke, then he'd know he'd truly gotten stronger.
He stared at his hand, lost in thought. Iruka-sensei was right. He had gotten smarter. Dattebayo.
Was it because of everything he'd been through in that other world? Or was it something else? Naruto summoned his system window, his eyes drifting over the stat numbers. Were these numbers the reason for all of this? Did they have something to do with how different he felt? The thought nagged at him, but he shook it off as he glanced at the clock.
Naruto stood up, causing Sasuke and Sakura to glance in his direction.
"Naruto, where are you going? Sensei could arrive any minute," Sakura said, raising an eyebrow. Sasuke just grunted his usual Hn.
"Gotta take a massive dump," Naruto said without hesitation, watching the disgust on Sakura's face. She didn't say anything, though. He guessed he'd earned a little more respect these days.
Should've beaten Kiba sooner if I knew I'd get this kind of respect, Naruto thought, smirking to himself as he walked out the door.
He made his way to the bathroom, making sure it was empty before locking himself inside a stall.
He pulled out the Darksign, feeling the familiar weight of it in his hand.
"Take your sweet time, I know I am… Dattebayo," he whispered to himself.
And just like that, a bright light flooded the stall.
Naruto blinked against the brightness, trying to adjust as the warmth of the bonfire washed over him. The familiar crackling flames brought a sense of comfort, grounding him in this strange world. He looked around, taking in his surroundings, when—
"Welcome back."
Naruto nearly jumped out of his skin, spinning around to find the Crestfallen Warrior standing there, just staring at him with that dead expression.
"Don't do that! You scared me!" Naruto muttered, clutching his chest. His heart was still pounding.
The warrior didn't even react, just pointed toward the side.
Naruto's eyes followed his gesture, and that's when he saw it—a giant glob of souls hovering there, and… an apparition of himself.
He'd seen his clones plenty of times before, but this? This was different. It was creepier, like staring into a ghost of himself. Naruto didn't even like ghosts.
"What… What is this?" he asked, unease creeping into his voice.
"Soul drop," Alexander said flatly.
Naruto turned back to him, waiting for more of an explanation. The warrior just shrugged.
"You die, you drop that."
Naruto gave him a deadpan look. Seriously? That's all he's got?
Seeing the warrior wasn't going to elaborate any further, Naruto reached out and grabbed the soul drop, and the moment he touched it, he absorbed all 11,000 souls.
Suddenly, he felt… full. It was a strange sensation, like something inside him had just grown stronger, but he couldn't put his finger on how or why. Then he remembered something Oscar had told him before—souls could be used to strengthen oneself.
"Hey, how do you use souls to get stronger?"
The warrior paused, as if contemplating whether to tell him or not. Naruto started tapping his foot impatiently, waiting for an answer.
"I'll tell you if you do something for me," Alexander said after a long moment.
Naruto groaned. Of course, there was a catch.
"Fine. What do I need to do?"
A minute later, Naruto found himself walking up a set of old, ruined stone stairs, the grass brushing against his legs as he moved. The ruins stretched out before him—an old, decayed place filled with overgrown greenery and a lifeless tree. The walls were crumbling, archways half-collapsed, and the air felt thick with age and abandonment.
The temple ruins loomed ahead, their stone surfaces worn and covered in moss. Under the massive branches of a gigantic tree that seemed to grow straight out of the mountain itself lay what remained of the dome of the temple. The structure was barely recognizable, but it was impressive in its own right. Near the dome, he spotted the gigantic crow—the same one that had brought him here.
Naruto hummed to himself, trying to make sense of it all. Alexander had sent him to talk to some guy in the temple ruins. Why? The warrior hadn't said. He just wanted Naruto to go and talk. Simple enough, he guessed.
As he continued up the stairs, his eyes wandered to a second path leading to another part of the temple. Unlike the decayed ruins of the first area, this section had a roof and a building that still stood, despite being covered in moss.
"This is where I need to go, right?"
He glanced at a third path and made a quick decision. Summoning a clone, he sent it off to check out that one. No point leaving any stone unturned, right?
Focusing back on the task at hand, Naruto continued climbing the stairs, his boots thudding softly against the old stone.
At the top of the stairs, Naruto stopped in his tracks. Ahead was a platform, with giant pots lined near the back. But what really caught his eye was the man standing to the left, near the wall.
He's bigger than Choji.
Naruto took a few cautious steps forward, getting a better look. The man was stocky and heavily armored, looking like he could crush a boulder without breaking a sweat. His armor was made of layered, metallic plates, and he held a spiked mace in one hand. His shield bore a colorful, intricate design. But what nearly made Naruto laugh was the man's ridiculous blonde bowl-cut hairstyle and his huge nose.
The man seemed unaware of Naruto's presence at first, too busy reciting something that sounded like a prayer. So, Naruto did what any sensible person would do—he sat on the stairs and waited for him to finish. Alexander had sent him here, but the longer Naruto waited, the more it felt like some weird prank.
"Hello there. I believe we are not acquainted? I am Petrus of Thorolund. Forgive me for being cautious, but I must ask that you maintain a respectful distance," the man said, his deep voice breaking the silence.
Naruto blinked, caught off guard. "Uh… right. Sure," he muttered, scratching the back of his head.
"Do you have business with us?" Petrus continued, his tone calm but tinged with caution.
"Well… I don't actually know," Naruto admitted. "Alexander sent me here. I thought you might have something for him?"
Petrus stood there, staring at Naruto—not at his face, but something else. His eyes lingered on Naruto's armor, narrowing slightly.
The silence dragged on, and Naruto felt unease creeping in. "I could go back and ask him what he needs from you," Naruto offered quickly, realizing that Petrus might not trust him or thought he was wasting his time.
Petrus's gaze shifted to Naruto's armor. "That armor… belongs to the knights of Astora," he said slowly. "You are quite young to be an elite knight."
Naruto stiffened. "No, no, it's not mine. It belonged to my master, Oscar. I'm just his squire. I wear it because… he passed away."
The weight of Naruto's words hung in the air. He wasn't sure why he felt the need to explain himself, but something about the way Petrus looked at him made him want to justify why he had Oscar's armor.
Petrus's lips curled into a small grin, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly. It wasn't unkind, but there was something calculating behind it, as though he was weighing Naruto's words.
Without warning, Petrus reached into his pouch.
"Here," he said, tossing something gently to Naruto, who caught it out of reflex.
Naruto blinked, looking down at the coin in his hand, unsure of its value or significance. He started to raise his hand to give it back. "Uh, thanks, but—"
Petrus shook his head. "No, go ahead. It's for you."
Naruto stared at the coin. It felt solid in his hand, its dull surface catching the light faintly. He rubbed his thumb over the worn markings. "What's it for?"
Petrus smiled faintly, a softer expression than before. "It's a small funeral gift, something given to warriors of the Way of White. A tradition. We offer these as a sign of peace and to ensure the soul finds its way to the Flame."
"Thanks, but what do you mean by 'warriors of the Way of White'?" Naruto asked, still trying to wrap his head around the explanation.
"Well, your master was an elite knight of Astora, so he must have been a warrior of the Way of White," Petrus explained, his tone calm and assured, as if this was something Naruto should have known all along.
Naruto opened his mouth to respond, but no words came out at first. He didn't want to admit how little he knew about Oscar's traditions. Instead, he asked, "Can you tell me more?"
"Can you tell me more?"
Petrus's face lit up with a broad smile, the kind that made it clear he was more than happy to share. It was almost like he'd been waiting for Naruto to ask.
"Is this your way of honoring your fallen master?" Petrus asked, his voice softening as if they were discussing something sacred.
Naruto hesitated. "Yeah. I mean, he taught me a lot, but I don't really know what it means to be a knight. I only know some of the precepts Oscar explained to me before he... before he died."
Petrus stood there, looking at Naruto in a way that felt... strange. Like he was sizing him up, not just physically, but on a deeper level. It felt like he was trying to figure out who Naruto really was beneath the armor and the bravado. It made Naruto uncomfortable, but he stood his ground.
"The Way of White," Petrus began, "is a path of devotion. It is the way of the gods, of miracles, and of faith. To honor your master, you must first understand the power of miracles and the covenant you make with the gods."
Miracles? That piqued Naruto's interest.
"Miracles, huh?" Naruto asked, feeling a spark of curiosity. "Like... Pyromancy?"
Petrus snorted, shaking his head. "Not quite. Miracles are gifts from the gods, born from faith and devotion. But their power is determined by your commitment and your belief."
Naruto sat up straighter, suddenly more invested in the whole conversation. "Okay, so... how do I start?"
Petrus smiled, a genuine warmth to his expression now. "To begin, you must form a Covenant with the Gods. It is a sacred promise, a bond that grants you access to the power of miracles."
"Right," Naruto muttered, trying to follow. "And what do I have to do?"
Petrus gestured for Naruto to come closer. "You will need to accept the light of All-Father Lloyd, the patron deity of Thorolund, and in doing so, you will be granted the power to call upon miracles."
"Okay, show me one," Naruto challenged, half-expecting him to blow him away with something cool.
Petrus huffed softly, stepping back as he prepared something. He pulled out a simple, weathered cloak. It didn't look like much, just an old piece of cloth, but then, all of a sudden, it lit up with a brilliant white light. The air around him seemed to vibrate, and as he crossed his arms and stomped the ground, a shockwave blasted out in all directions, shattering nearby clay pots. Naruto could feel the force in his bones.
"Whoa!" Naruto gasped. "You're gonna teach me that?!"
Petrus nodded, his expression serious. "Yes, but only if you are willing to make the Covenant."
"Wait, you're gonna teach me that?!" Naruto practically shouted, his excitement surging. He could barely contain himself. A new attack, a cool new technique—and he'd get to honor Oscar too. This was perfect.
Petrus nodded but then added, "Of course, but first, you must establish a Covenant with the Gods."
Naruto blinked, the excitement fading just a little. "Oh, right... that," he muttered, trying to focus on the idea of learning the miracle and not get caught up in the whole covenant thing. Whatever that meant.
"What do I have to do?" Naruto asked, not really caring about the details. He just wanted that miracle.
Petrus raised his hand, and a glowing ring of white light formed around him. It was kind of mesmerizing, honestly.
"To establish the Covenant of the Way of White, you must first accept the light of All-Father Lloyd, uncle of Lord Gwyn, patron deity of Thorolund, and undergo your first baptism."
Yeah, okay, all that talk about gods and deities went right over Naruto's head. He just nodded like he understood. "Sure," he said, keeping his focus on that miracle. That's all that mattered. What could go wrong, right?
"Then let us begin," Petrus said, holding out the white ring and starting his chant.
"By the grace of All-Father Lloyd and in the light of Lord Gwyn, we gather to welcome a new soul into the sacred Way of White. Today, we renounce the darkness of the Abyss and pledge ourselves to the Flame that sustains the Age of Fire. The Dark Sign, accursed by the gods, will never lay claim to this soul, for they now walk in the divine path of light."
As he spoke, Naruto felt a warmth wrap around him, like he was being covered in a blanket of light. It was soft and comforting. He didn't understand most of what Petrus was saying, but for the first time in a while, he felt... at peace. After everything that had happened lately, he needed this. More than he realized.
"Do you renounce the Abyss, the servants of darkness, and the curse of the Dark Sign that plagues the Undead?" Petrus asked, his voice ringing with authority.
Naruto barely thought about it. "I renounce them," he said automatically.
Then Petrus asked, "Do you pledge to uphold the teachings of the Way of White, to serve the gods, and to maintain the bonfires that stave off the darkness and preserve the Age of Fire?"
Again, Naruto's words came out without hesitation. "I pledge my soul and my will," he said, not really sure what that even meant.
Suddenly, the white ring in Petrus's hand shattered and started swirling around Naruto like a spiral of light.
It was kind of beautiful in a strange, magical way.
Almost like something out of a dream.
"By the will of All-Father Lloyd and the light of the Flame, I baptize you into the Way of White, in the name of the gods of Fire, the Seers of the Flame, and the great Lord Gwyn. May your soul burn bright, and your faith remain unbroken."
Naruto's hands came together on their own, like he wasn't even in control of his body anymore.
"Awaken, faithful servant of the Way of White. In times of darkness, may you serve the bonfires, and in times of despair, may you carry humanity to the flames. You are now reborn, not of darkness, but of light. Praise be to the gods, for you are their vessel."
Naruto blinked, trying to make sense of it all. He felt... peaceful. Safe, even. It was strange, but after everything that had happened lately, that feeling was exactly what he needed. He still didn't understand what Petrus was going on about—the "Age of Fire" or "maintaining bonfires" or any of that—but who cared? He was here for the miracles. That's all that mattered.
Petrus turned to him with that grand, serious tone still in his voice. "Now, let me share my miracles. Only, their ultimate effectiveness will be determined by your efforts and your faith."
"Okay," Naruto said, grinning. "Let's go with that weird white shockwave jutsu!"
Petrus paused and gave Naruto a kind of knowing smile. "That is the Force Miracle, yes," he said, holding out his hand. "But first, I must explain something. Normally, a squire spends many long days, killing a few undead foes at a time, under the protection of their master, to earn this miracle, as well as affording better equipment."
Naruto frowned, trying to process what Petrus was saying.
"You, however, already possess the armor and an enchanted weapon of a knight of Astora, albeit broken," Petrus continued, his eyes glancing at Naruto's gear. "It is because of this that I am making an exception for you. Usually, a squire would need their master's word before learning such a powerful miracle."
Oh. That was... kind of cool, Naruto guessed. But then Petrus dropped the bombshell.
"4,000 souls."
Wait. What?
Naruto blinked, his smile dropping like a stone.
"Wait, I have to buy them?!"
----------------------------------------
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. 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 as Naruto was handed a scroll containing his first miracle. The person explaining it spoke simply but with reverence: miracles were the power of faith given form, drawn from devotion and prayer to the gods. They weren't just stories or rituals—they were belief made real, divine power channeled by conviction.
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 demanded.
"Did you join the covenant?" Alexander asked, his voice harsh.
"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. Without it, you're just pushing chakra—or whatever your version of it is—into thin air. The talisman acts as a conduit, channeling divine power through your faith and focus. Without that connection, it's impossible to manifest a miracle."
Naruto frowned. "So, it's like... a middleman?"
Alexander gave a dry chuckle. "If you want to call it that."
Naruto nodded. "Oi, Petrus! Give me a talisman!"
Even though Petrus didn't bother coming up, his voice echoed from below. "That would be 1,000 souls."
"Seems reasonable."
Alexander grabbed Naruto's arm before he could move. "No, it's not," he growled.
Naruto blinked, confused. "But I got the Force miracle for 4,000 souls. Isn't that a good deal?"
Alexander's expression darkened as he clenched his teeth. "You got scammed."
"Scammed? But I thought—"
Alexander cut him off, his tone sharp but measured. "Listen carefully. Souls are the most important thing in this world. People like him—clerics, sorcerers, anyone offering power—they'll do anything to take yours. That Force miracle? It's bait."
"But I can't even use it without a talisman!"
"Exactly," Alexander said, his voice dropping lower, almost conspiratorial. "That's how these covenants work—power, miracles, even the ability to use them… it all requires payment. They hook you in with promises of strength, but in the end, they just want your souls. The talisman is just one piece of the transaction. No faith, no talisman, no miracles. Simple as that."
Naruto frowned, staring at the ground. "So, it's all a trap? Even the talisman wouldn't help unless I had enough faith…"
Alexander nodded. "Exactly. They set you up to fail so you keep paying, keep handing over your souls, chasing power you might never be able to use. That's the game. And in this world, your souls are your life. Lose enough of them to scams like this, and you might as well throw yourself off the nearest cliff."
Naruto tightened his fists, the weight of Alexander's words sinking in. He muttered under his breath, "I'm not letting anyone take advantage of me again."
Alexander gave him a hard look, then placed a heavy hand on Naruto's shoulder. "Good. Learn from this. Here, trust is rare, and survival depends on keeping your wits sharp. Souls are power. Don't give them away lightly."
The Crestfallen Warrior 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.
Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.
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?"
"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?"
"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.
"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."
----------------------------------------
Naruto walked, step after step, up the old stone stairs, the sound of his footsteps 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 my 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 is? 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 is 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.
Naruto stared at the strange object in his hand, its name hovering in his vision.
"Homeward Bone," he muttered, the words rolling off his tongue. "Wait… if the name pops up, then there should be more information, right?"
Curiosity piqued, Naruto scrolled through the system menu, quickly navigating to his inventory. Sure enough, by clicking on the item, a small description appeared.
[ Item: Homeward Bone ]
[ Description: Bone fragment reduced to white ash. Return to last bonfire used for resting. Bonfires are fueled by bones of the Undead. In rare cases, the strong urge of their previous owner to seek bonfires enchants their bones with a homeward instinct. ]
Naruto blinked, leaning closer as if that would help make the explanation any less creepy. "Wait, so this is made of… bones? Bonfires are fueled by bones?!"
The thought made his stomach churn. He grimaced, holding the item like it might bite him. "How do you even use this thing?" he asked out loud. "Do I snort the ashes? Or eat it? Eugh, gross…"
He quickly shook off the thought, deciding to deal with it later. Just as he was about to leave, something shiny caught his eye in the corner of the room—a treasure chest. His mood instantly brightened. "Finally, my day's getting better!" he cheered, practically sprinting toward it.
He dropped to his knees in front of the chest, yanked it open, and grinned as he pulled out the first item. It was heavy, with a solid wooden handle and a spiked metal ball at the end.
[ Item: Morning Star ]
[ Description: Hammer with a sharp spike on its pommel. One of the more barbaric cleric weapons. Uniquely, this hammer inflicts thrust damage and causes bleeding. ]
Naruto swung the weapon experimentally, feeling the weight and power behind each movement. "Now this is a weapon!" he said, impressed.
He placed it into his inventory and moved on to the next chest. Inside was a small talisman, similar to the one he'd seen Petrus carrying.
[ Item: Talisman ]
[ Description: Medium for casting miracles of the Gods. Standard talisman issued to common believers. Equip talisman to cast miracles. Attune miracles from a scroll at a bonfire. Most miracles have a limited number of uses. ]
Naruto's face lit up. "Yatta! I can finally use miracles!" He gave a little victory fist-pump before carefully storing the talisman away. But when he opened the next chest, his enthusiasm faltered.
"What the heck is this?" Naruto muttered, pulling out a handful of small, red, cracked orbs from his inventory. They were shaped like eyeballs, their jagged surfaces resembling dried, fractured glass. Dark, vein-like patterns crawled across their surface, pulsating faintly as if alive. A sinister, oppressive energy radiated from them, cold and sharp, sending a shiver down his spine. They felt wrong—like they belonged in the kind of nightmare that left you waking up drenched in sweat.
[ Item: Cracked Red Eye Orb ]
[ Description: A fragment of the forbidden knowledge granted by Darkstalker Kaathe, this relic grants its wielder access to the abyssal realms, twisted dimensions of endless shadow where only the strongest prevail. With this artifact, the bearer becomes the sovereign of the arena, binding all within until their opponent has been vanquished. Lesser imitations of this power exist, such as the Cracked Red Eye Orb, which offers fleeting glimpses of this abyssal dominion, a pale echo of the Darkwraiths' true mastery. ]
Naruto read the description once, then twice, trying to make sense of it. "What the hell does that mean?" he asked, his voice tinged with frustration. When no answer came, he threw the creepy objects into his inventory with a shiver. "If I ever need them, I guess I'll figure it out then."
Scanning the room for more loot, his eyes lit up as he spotted another chest hidden behind a stone pillar. "Jackpot!" he exclaimed, rushing over. But just as he reached for it, something else caught his attention.
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.
[ Item: Lloyd's Talisman ]
[ Description: Talisman utilized by Allfather Lloyd's cleric knights to hunt down the Undead. Blocks Estus recovery within a limited area. In the outside world, the Undead are accursed creatures, and Lloyd's cleric knights are widely praised for their Undead hunts. This blessed talisman blocks Undead recovery, allowing the knights to fight with impunity. ]
Naruto froze, rereading the description several times. His mind pieced it together, his expression darkening. "This… this whole stash is a hunting kit. These aren't treasures—this is a weapon stockpile for hunting Undead… like me."
Anger bubbled in his chest as the realization sank in. "So that's what this is about," he muttered through clenched teeth. "Petrus and his buddies are just waiting to stab me in the back, huh? Get me to join their stupid 'Way of White,' use me to do their dirty work, and then what? Toss me out like garbage when they're done?"
He kicked the chest hard, his boot slamming into the wood with a loud crack. The chest tumbled backward, rolling down a steep incline until it disappeared over the edge of a cliff.
"Yeah, that's what I think of your holy mission, Petrus!" Naruto spat, his anger flaring. "Whatever. I've got to thank Alexander for saving me back there."
He turned to leave, shoving the talismans and orbs further into his inventory. But the weight of his anger didn't lift. In the back of his mind, a question lingered: Just how many more people in this world would see me as a tool—or worse, as prey?
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.
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 the fireball at the two skeletons, and the explosion tore them apart, scattering their bones across the ground in a fiery blast. Naruto let out a breath, taking a second to catch his bearings. But then he froze. A faint, chilling sound reached his ears—the rattling of bones. He looked up just in time to see the scattered pieces pulling back together, snapping into place as the skeletons reformed before his eyes. It was like they couldn't be killed.
Doing the only logical thing, Naruto activated his Shunshin no Jutsu, vanishing in a blur of speed. As he reappeared further down the path, his eyes darted around, scanning for any possible escape or advantage. That's when he spotted it—a large, glowing orb of souls floating just ahead. "Jackpot!" he muttered, his body flickering again as he Shunshined toward it. His hand reached out, just about to absorb the orb when, with a sudden burst of movement, a skeleton erupted from the nearby grave, the soul orb clearly bait for the unwary.
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.
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.
Equipping the Morning Star, Naruto braced himself, gripping the heavy weapon with both hands.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Naruto yelled, summoning a squadron of clones that immediately rushed into the chaos, ready to take on the tide of monsters pouring from the dark earth.
A skeleton charged toward him, its blade glinting as it swung down.
Naruto shifted, his stance tightening, and launched a powerful diagonal strike from his top right to his lower left. The Morning Star crashed through the skeleton, shattering its brittle bones into splinters with a single swing. The sheer force of the attack caused Naruto to stumble forward a few steps, but he quickly regained his footing, already pivoting toward the next enemy.
"Clones! Cover the sides!" Naruto barked as more skeletons crawled out of the ground, some wielding rusty weapons, others baring claws and teeth. His clones mirrored his movements, Morning Stars swinging in tandem. Each crushing blow sent bones scattering, but the skeletons just kept coming.
Naruto noticed a massive skeleton, towering above the others, its empty eye sockets glowing with a faint red light. "Giant skeleton! On me!" he shouted, weaving chakra through his legs and vanishing in a blur of speed. Using Shunshin no Jutsu, he appeared at the creature's flank, his clones flanking the other side.
"Now!"
Naruto lunged forward, chakra surging through his body as he swung the Morning Star in a slow, powerful arc. The spiked head collided with the giant skeleton's ribcage, the impact reverberating through his arms. Cracks formed along the monster's bones, but it wasn't enough to bring it down. The creature roared, its massive blade sweeping toward him.
Due to Way of Focality, Naruto sidestepped at the last second. The blade missed him by inches, gouging into the ground. Naruto slammed an explosive seal onto the skeleton's spine, flipping back as the seal detonated with a deafening boom. Bone shards flew in every direction, and the giant skeleton crumbled into a heap.
His clones worked furiously alongside him, smashing through the smaller skeletons. One clone grabbed a skeleton by the skull and hurled it into a group of others before spinning around to deliver a crushing blow with its Morning Star. Another clone leaped high, aiming for a skeleton archer perched on a ledge. It used the Morning Star's heavy head like a hammer, obliterating the archer in a single strike.
"Too slow!" Naruto growled as he ducked beneath a rusted sword, his Morning Star coming up in a brutal counterattack that shattered the attacking skeleton's jaw before reducing it to dust. The weight of the weapon drained his stamina with every swing, but the destruction it unleashed was worth it.
Poof!
Memories from the clones flooded Naruto's mind. A skeleton raised its shield to block a blow from the Morning Star, while another sliced a scimitar cleanly across a clone's neck.
More and more clones popped, each dispelling with the same story—these skeletons couldn't be stopped. He'd smash one into a pile of bones, only to watch it reform moments later, its grinning skull mocking him.
Naruto's heart pounded as he realized the truth. This graveyard wasn't just a battlefield; it was a trap. The tempting souls, the alluring weapons lying around—those were the bait. The skeletons rising from their graves? They were the spring-loaded jaws, snapping shut.
He gritted his teeth. "This is a losing fight," he muttered under his breath. He wasn't a coward, but even he knew when it was time to retreat.
"Smoke bomb!" Naruto shouted, his voice cutting through the clattering of bones. Every remaining clone hurled their smoke bombs at the ground, the explosions releasing a dense cloud of black and gray. For good measure, the clones dispelled themselves, adding bursts of chakra smoke to the chaos, thickening the shroud around the graveyard.
Naruto didn't waste a second. As the clones vanished, he summoned a dozen more. "Make some noise!" he commanded. They didn't hesitate, yelling, clashing weapons, and charging in all directions to confuse the enemy.
Meanwhile, Naruto turned and bolted, his legs pumping hard as he sprinted up the hill, away from the endless tide of skeletons. He could still hear the rattling of bones and the eerie grinding noise of skulls snapping into place behind him, but the smokescreen and the noise of his clones bought him enough time to escape.
He didn't dare look back. For now, survival was the only victory.
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.
"Shut up, you damn crow."
As he scanned the hall, his eyes landed on a 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."
"Then just increase your strength," Alexander replied like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"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."
"So you can use the system?"
"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 strength?" 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."
Naruto thought about it for a second. "Pick up the Zweihander?"
Yeah, that was it. If he could wield this beast of a weapon, 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 the Faith stat.
"Hey, thanks for saving me from the scammer," he said, glancing at Alexander.
"You believe me?" Alexander asked, sounding almost surprised.
"Yeah, I found some treasure chests down there, and I learned that the Way of White hunts Undead. They probably would've used me, then killed me, if it wasn't for you."
Naruto listed all the items that he had found.
Alexander snorted, his voice dripping with disdain. "As expected of scum."
Naruto nodded in agreement. "Yeah, and their so-called miracles? They don't even work."
"Try increasing your faith."
Naruto raised an eyebrow, giving him a look. "Wait… wasn't this a scam?"
"Yes, the people of the Way of White are scum, 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 ]
Maybe there was more to this.
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?"
"That'll help?"
"I've come to notice that the strength increase from souls only applies to one hand. So you can double your strength by two-handing," Alexander explained.
Naruto started increasing his stats, carefully placing the points where he needed them. First, strength.
[ Strength: 12 → 16 ]
He felt a surge of power, like a deep warmth flowing through his muscles, making them stronger.
Next was dexterity.
[ Dexterity: 9 → 10 ]
Naruto frowned, flexing his fingers and rolling his shoulders, waiting for some kind of noticeable difference. Compared to the surge of power he felt with strength, this one was... underwhelming.
Then, he increased faith.
[ Faith: 8 → 12 ]
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 ]
Naruto hefted the Zweihander again, feeling the weight settle naturally in his grip. For the first time, it didn't feel like he was swinging a boulder tied to a stick. No chakra enhancement, no fancy tricks—just raw, physical strength.
He swung the massive blade again, watching it cut effortlessly through the air, its sheer power making his arms buzz with excitement.
Was this what real strength felt like? He tightened his grip, thinking back to all the grinding he'd done in Lordran, every hollow he'd defeated, every soul he'd collected. Then another thought hit him: Was the system why I felt smarter now?
When he chose the pyromancy class, his intelligence stat had increased. Was that why I feel more in control, more aware of my surroundings and myself? It was a strange thought—almost sad, really.
"So I was dumber before..." Naruto scratched the back of his head, frowning. "Eh, who cares. I'm smart now."
Feeling pumped, he equipped the talisman that Petrus had given him and pointed it forward. "Alright, time to test out this Force miracle!" He concentrated, willing the divine power to activate... and nothing happened. Not even a flicker of energy.
"Gah! What the hell is this?" Naruto yelled, throwing the talisman onto the ground in frustration. His grip tightened on the Zweihander again. "Alright, that's it. I'm gonna mess up that damn scammer! I want my souls back!"
"No," came Alexander's firm voice, cutting through the air like a blade. His tone brooked no argument.
"But—"
"Did you attune the miracle?"
Naruto froze mid-sentence, his annoyance immediately replaced with confusion. "Attune? Uh… oh. Oh, yeah, I think I remember something about that from the miracle description." He scratched his head. "Wait, how do I do that?"
"Simple. You sit down, take out the scroll that Petrus gave you, and read it."
"That's it? You just read it?"
"Yes," Alexander replied dryly. "If you meet the requirements for the miracle, it will attune to you. If you don't meet them, nothing happens. Easy enough for even you to understand."
Naruto pulled out the Force miracle scroll, staring at it skeptically. "What's attunement, anyway?"
Alexander sighed, clearly trying to maintain his patience. "Attunement is the process of linking a spell to one of your core attributes—like your strength, intelligence, or faith. A spell draws power from the corresponding attribute, and the stronger that attribute is, the more effective the spell will be."
Naruto frowned thoughtfully, muttering to himself, Okay, so that's what my spell slots are for…
As he unraveled the scroll, something caught Naruto's eye. "Hey, I already have Fireball attuned! What attribute does that use?"
"Do I look like a pyromancer to you?"
"You could've just said no," Naruto muttered.
"No."
Naruto shot him a deadpan glare, resisting the urge to throttle the smug warrior. Instead, he focused on the scroll, sitting cross-legged as he began to read its words aloud.
"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."
As the words left his lips, Naruto felt something inside him shift. A warmth blossomed in his chest, spreading through his body like sunlight piercing through a storm. Suddenly, an image flickered in his mind—a vision of an old, bearded man clad in shining armor. The man raised his hands, unleashing a massive shockwave that tore through a gargantuan, gnarled tree, reducing it to splinters in an instant. The sheer power of the vision left Naruto breathless.
When the vision faded, Naruto blinked, his hands trembling slightly. He knew how to do it now—how to perform the Force miracle. The knowledge wasn't just in his head; it was in his body, his very being. He stood, gripping the talisman tightly in his hand.
"Alexander," he said, his voice steady, "you wanna see me blast something with this Force miracle?"
"You might want to turn yourself human first."
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
"Because you look ugly."
"Seriously?"
"Yes. Seriously," Alexander replied without missing a beat.
Naruto sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Fine. How do I turn human?"
"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.
[ Inventory ]
[ Humanities × 3 ]
[ Small Soul of Undead Soldier ]
Good for me. He walked back to Alexander, curious now about what this stuff could really do.
"Humanity's a valuable resource," Alexander said. "In combat, you can heal yourself with it."
"Wait, like those Estus flasks?"
"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?"
"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 knelt 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 self-absorbed loser 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.
"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.
----------------------------------------
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 rare, 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 his sword, its weight pressing into his palms like an old companion. He braced himself, his voice cold and flat. "Thrown off the cliff."
A voice slithered out from the shadows, smooth and mocking. "Thrown off the cliff, eh? Oh, dear, what a tragic story."
From the gloom, a wiry, bald man with a sharp, angular face stepped into view. His smug expression cut like a knife, and the long spear in his hand gleamed faintly in the dim light. Patches. Always the opportunist.
"You don't sound like a crestfallen warrior, though," Patches said, his grin widening. "No, no, you sound like someone with a bit of fight left. Bit of a surprise, if I'm being honest." He tilted his head, feigning curiosity. "Tell me, my friend, did the boy scream on his way down? Or was it just one of those long, quiet falls?" He chuckled. "Heh, heh, heh… Not that it matters, really."
Alexander's expression didn't change.
Patches tapped the shaft of his spear against the ground. "So? Did he, hmm, perhaps… drop anything valuable before you gave him the ol' toss? No? Shame, that. Always such a waste."
"Don't bother," Alexander interrupted, his voice hard as steel. "The boy's long gone. Back to his world."
The words hung in the air like a blade, and both Patches and Petrus froze, the weight of the statement sinking in. Their expressions darkened, realization dawning as they noticed the faint green glow of a soul drop near the cliff's edge. The hue was unmistakable—proof that Alexander wasn't bluffing.
"That's… impossible," Petrus stammered, his grip tightening on his mace.
Alexander's lips curled into a humorless smirk. "The funny thing about that boy? He used the Pygmy's Window to take a peek at your little stash, Petrus. Cracked Red Eye Orbs, Lloyd's Talismans…" His gaze flicked to the cleric. "Need I go on?"
Petrus's face twisted in fury, and Patches's grin faltered slightly as he turned to his supposed ally. "Well, well, well," he said, his voice lilting. "Greedy, aren't we, my holy friend?"
Before Petrus could respond, Alexander lunged, his blade flashing toward Patches's throat.
With astonishing agility, Patches flipped backward, the attack missing by inches. His acrobatics carried him to a high perch on a stone arch, where he balanced effortlessly, his spear at the ready.
"You know, we could've been great friends, you and I," Patches said, his grin sharpening into something cruel. "But now? You've made things personal, haven't you?"
Alexander raised his shield, his stance unyielding. "Remember his name," he said, his voice low and resolute. "It's the name of the Chosen Undead."
Patches chuckled darkly, his grin spreading wide as he leapt high into the air. His spear spun like a javelin in his hands, glinting with cruel intent, before he hurled it down with all his might.
Alexander raised his shield, bracing for the impact. The spear struck with a deafening clang, the force reverberating down his arm like a shockwave. Gritting his teeth, Alexander held firm, refusing to give ground.
Before he could recover, Petrus surged forward, his mace arcing toward Alexander's exposed side. The warrior reacted instinctively, pivoting to block the strike in one fluid motion. Steel met steel with a resounding crash.
The air grew thick with tension, the flickering bonfire casting jagged shadows across the stone walls. Alexander could feel the malice radiating from his enemies, their hunger for dominance, for control.
But something was different this time.
This wasn't the Alexander they'd expected. Not the broken, hollowed man who once wallowed in despair.
No, not this time.
He stepped forward, his sword raised, the blade glinting in the firelight. His stance was firm, unyielding, every muscle coiled with purpose.
This wasn't the Crestfallen Warrior standing before them anymore.
This was Alexander, the warrior of the Fivefinger Delta.
And he wasn't backing down.