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Chapter 156 Through a Hawk's Eye
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A golden aura erupted at Firelink Shrine as Naruto and Oscar reappeared in a shimmer of fading light, their bodies pulled through space by the magic of the Homeward Bone. The moment they landed near the bonfire, Naruto collapsed onto the stone floor with a grunt, his arm thrown over his eyes. His entire body ached from the fight, every muscle twitching with leftover adrenaline.
The memories of his shadow clones came flooding back, hundreds of voices compressed into a split second of recollection. The last desperate moments where they threw themselves at Stormrend's lightning pillar to buy him time to escape.
"You guys really pulled through," Naruto muttered, a small smile tugging at his lips.
The warmth of the bonfire bathed his face, soothing his shaking nerves. He pulled Oscar close.
The crystal lizard chirped strongly as Naruto collapsed onto the grass.
"Just a quick nap," Naruto whispered. "Five minutes…"
They slept for who knows how long.
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Naruto stirred beside the Firelink Shrine bonfire, the familiar crackle of flame meeting his ears before his eyes opened. He did not move at first. Just lay there, back against the cold stone floor, his arm resting loosely behind his head, and his eyes tracing the gentle, golden flicker above.
There was a kind of peace here that no other place could mimic. Even though the ground beneath him was rock and moss, and the scent of ash never truly faded, the bonfire had a way of wrapping around him like a blanket. A magic that was not loud or showy, but deeply personal. Soothing. Eternal. The kind of rest that bypassed muscle and mind and went straight to the soul.
He let out a breath, long and even, before glancing at Oscar curled up nearby, the lizard's faint glow pulsing with each steady breath. Naruto reached over, scratched the top of his partner's head, and whispered, "Alright. Break's over."
Without another word, he rose, dusted the back of his cloak, and began the descent once more into the cold, drowned depths of New Londo.
But then he stopped.
His feet froze on the stone path, and his eyes locked onto something that had not been there before or rather, something that was no longer there.
The tower or what remained of it.
Where once stood the old stone passage connecting the New Londo Ruins to the Valley of Drakes now lay a broken monument of ruin. Massive chunks of rubble jutted out from the earth like jagged ribs, the surrounding rock face scorched black. A long, charred trail snaked up the wall, a signature of a violent discharge of lightning.
Naruto stepped toward the edge, crouched low, and ran a hand over a seared stone slab.
"This tower was a fair distance from where I fought Stormrend…" he murmured aloud, voice barely above the whispering wind. His mind went to what Stormrend might have done to the valley.
He stood slowly and turned, trying not to think about it too much.
At last, he reached the familiar ledge beside Rickert's cell.
Naruto leaned over and called, "You asleep?"
Rickert looked up from his cluttered bench, his eyes bloodshot and tired.
"I'll take that as a no."
Oscar poked his head down beside Naruto's, blinking innocently.
Rickert gave them both a slow, unimpressed look, then sighed and gestured. "Well? What happened?"
Naruto recounted the events in the valley, summarizing most but pausing on the key moments, especially the storm, the drake, and the sheer scale of destruction.
When he finished, Rickert leaned back, arms crossed, and said flatly, "Wrong."
Naruto blinked. "...What?"
"A group of drakes," Rickert said, matter of factly, "is called a thunder. Not a pack. Not a flock. A thunder."
Oscar chirped.
Naruto gave him a look. "Does that really matter right now?"
"Not at all. I just wanted to annoy you."
Naruto stared.
Oscar stared harder.
"On a serious note, you handled the situation with the drake poorly."
Naruto blinked, brows raised. "Really? I mean, I killed it."
"You survived," Rickert corrected. "There is a difference."
Naruto let out a soft hum, not offended but genuinely curious. "So is there a proper way to deal with drakes? I still need their scales to reinforce my drake sword."
Rickert gave him a look that was part smug, part teacherly, and entirely too pleased to have the floor.
"Simple," he said as he began to sketch something. "You snipe its reverse scale and cripple its flight before it ever sees you coming. Then you kill it before it can cry out and summon the thunder."
Naruto blinked. "Reverse scale?"
"Hrm? Oh, right, you would not know." Rickert began sketching quickly. "There... right here." He tapped the drawing. "The underside of a drake's wing. There is a tendon that connects to the flight muscle. Pierce that, and it is grounded."
"And the reverse scale?"
Rickert's smirk grew. "That is the real trick. Drakes and dragons, though they would never admit it, have a vulnerability on their underbelly. One scale, curved opposite to the others. In ancient times, they called it the reverse scale and that was the weakest point of a dragon's body. In this case, strike it with a projectile, preferably metal, and if you are lucky, and the timing is right…"
"You redirect their lightning," Naruto guessed, eyes widening.
"Lightning follows the path of least resistance, yes?"
"Yeah."
"So if a drake has a metal object buried in its underside when it exhales its lightning attack, guess what happens?"
The realization hit Naruto like a hammer. "It fries itself."
"Exactly." Rickert snapped his fingers. "They become their own executioner. One blast and poof, smoking crater, crispy wings, and a fresh dragon scale just waiting to be harvested."
"Are you sure about this information?"
Rickert did not even look up. "Yes. You wanna know how many agonizingly stupid exams I had to take just on this topic back in Vinheim? Dragons have a natural resistance to magic, so every mage gets drilled on how to kill them the hard way. The Archer's Guide to Killing Dragons was thicker than my torso and more painful to memorize."
Naruto snorted, unable to hold back a chuckle.
Rickert raised an eyebrow. "What's so funny?"
"Just..." Naruto shook his head. "I never expected to learn archery. It was not even on my radar."
Rickert gave him a lopsided look as Naruto continued, sharing the tale of how the people of the Wave had come to call him the Archer of Providence.
"Huh," Rickert said, rubbing his stubbled chin. "Sounds like they saw something in you before you did. Not the worst prophecy to fulfill. Even if it is accidental."
Naruto lifted his left hand, flexing the fingers slowly. "Yeah. Shame I cannot even use a proper bow. One hand kinda ruins that dream."
Rickert raised an eyebrow. "Says who?"
Naruto blinked. "I mean… what, I shoot with my feet? My teeth?"
Rickert gave him a flat look. "Don't be stupid. In Vinheim, we had models designed for one handed archers. Just because you are missing a limb does not mean you are out of the game."
Naruto's expression sobered, and he glanced down at his cursed right arm. "Yeah, Andre's been helping me build a prosthetic. But it made me wonder, why bother, when heal miracles and estus exist? I mean, should not those be everywhere by now?"
Rickert let out a humorless chuckle and leaned back against the mossy stone. "Because miracles and estus, kid, are just another kind of power. And power is hoarded like gold. The church owns it. If you are not a noble, a cleric, or someone they like, you do not get squat. No healing. No blessings. Just prayers and pity."
He tapped his temple. "That's why blacksmiths and mages learned to adapt. That is what humans do best. We get denied heaven, so we build our own path to it."
Naruto smiled at that... wide, real, and full of a stubborn warmth. "I like that."
Oscar chirped in agreement.
"Well," Naruto said, standing and stretching his good arm, "I'm excited to see what you and Andre come up with."
Rickert smirked. "Don't get too excited. It will probably be ugly."
"Just like you," Naruto fired back with a grin.
"Flattery will get you nowhere."
"Good. I wasn't trying."
Oscar chirped again.
Rickert sighed. "...And now the lizard's joining in. Perfect."
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Naruto stepped into the familiar warmth of the Undead Parish forge, the comforting clang of hammer against steel replaced for once by a different sound... a deep, satisfied gulp. Andre sat on his bench, a half-empty tankard of beer in one hand, his beard flecked with foam.
"If you're drinking, that means you're either done with your work… or just slacking off."
Andre snorted, then jerked his head toward the side table.
There, beside the glowing forge, stood a small wooden mannequin... scaled to match Oscar's frame exactly. Polished and gleaming under the firelight, it was adorned with a full set of custom-built armor.
Oscar's head immediately perked up from Naruto's shoulder. With a delighted chirp, he leapt down and scampered to Andre, nuzzling against the smith's calloused hand.
"Careful, lad," Andre chuckled, lifting the little lizard gently onto the bench. "Don't scratch the finish before you've even worn it."
The armor was... magnificent.
The chanfron resembled the helm of a noble knight. Rounded but strong, with thin ridges etched along the brow and a narrow opening for visibility, though Oscar likely would not need it for long. Naruto had plans: an earth jutsu, one that would turn the little lizard into a walking radar. Layer by layer, the rest of the armor matched its brilliance. The crinet protected his neck with overlapping plates. Flanchards guarded his sides. Beneath it all was a layer of gambeson which was cut and stitched from scraps of the Elite Knight armor Naruto had scavenged in the Darkroot Garden.
"Here, let me show you how to strap him in," Andre said, his usual booming voice gentling to something almost fatherly.
Naruto nodded and crouched beside him. Together, they worked, fastening straps, adjusting buckles, making sure Oscar's movement was not restricted. The armor clicked softly with every touch, each piece sitting flush against his crystalline body.
"How's it feel, buddy?" Naruto asked as the final buckle locked into place.
Oscar took a cautious step. Then another. He paused, tail flicking... and bolted.
The tiny knight zipped across the forge like a streak of silver, his armor clinking musically with each bound. He darted between tool racks, leapt over a half-finished pauldron, and landed on Andre's anvil with a triumphant chirp.
"I thought he'd be slower," Andre muttered, eyebrows raised.
"He's using chakra to compensate for the weight. Makes it feel like cloth," Naruto said proudly. "Rickert and I figured out how to channel chakra through metal without disrupting Oscar's soul."
Andre let out a low whistle. "Not bad. Guess you two eggheads pulled it off."
Naruto chuckled and reached into his inventory pouch. He tossed a small green bottle toward the blacksmith, who caught it one-handed.
"What's this?"
"Sake. Swiped it from Tazuna's private stash before I came back here."
Andre popped the cork and took a deep inhale. "Smells like… old fruit and fire."
He took a long sip. Then a second.
"…Is this made from rice?"
"I think so?"
Andre nodded approvingly. "Good. Next time, just bring me the rice. I'll make something better."
Naruto smirked. "Want the recipe too?"
"Where's the fun in that?" Andre snorted, taking another pull.
"Y'know, that reminds me," Naruto said, resting his chin on his palm. "Rickert was the same way. Gave him a gun and the man refused any info. Just sat there figuring it out like it was a puzzle made for him."
Andre chuckled, taking another slow swig and set it down gently on the edge of the anvil, letting the glass catch the glow of the forge.
"That's just how Lordran affects you, kid," the blacksmith said, his voice low and thoughtful. "You either give in to what it wants you to become… or you fight back. Create something new, even in a place that hates change."
He leaned back on his bench, gaze turning toward the distant wall of the forge.
"This land's stagnant. Everything here lingers... souls, regrets, half-finished dreams. You stop moving? You rot. You keep moving? You might just stay human."
Naruto did not answer right away. He sat still beside Oscar, watching the flickering firelight dance along the workshop walls. In his mind, he saw Rickert alone in that flooded cage, surrounded by the weight of old knowledge and unspoken sorrow. And Andre... sitting here, hammering out weapons for warriors doomed to fall.
A part of him ached at the thought. When I go back to Konoha… I want them to come with me. Both of them. They deserve better than this dying world.
He did not say it aloud.
Andre turned and placed a large hand on Naruto's head, ruffling his hair like a grandfather might a favored grandson. "What're you thinkin' so hard about, eh?"
Naruto smiled faintly. "Nothing. Just… plans. For the future."
"And those plans are?"
"For now?" Naruto shrugged. "Just get stronger. Learn archery. I need to hunt more drakes if I want their scales to reinforce the drake sword."
"You know archery?" Andre asked.
"Not really. Rickert gave me some basics. I figured I'd throw a few hundred shadow clones at it till it sticks."
Andre grunted. "Ask the knight from Catarina."
Naruto blinked. "Onion Senpai?"
"Sir Siegmeyer, yeah."
Naruto tilted his head. "Why him? I mean, I like the guy, but…"
"Rickert's a scholar," Andre explained. "Knows theory, not application. But Siegmeyer? He's fought. Trained in the field. Lordran archery's not like the kind you're used to..."
"Fine. Guess I'll go check if he's still blocking Sen's Fortress."
Andre gave him a look.
"What?" Naruto said, frowning. "It's not like he's doing anything important."
Andre did not reply.
He just stared with a quiet, heavy look.
Naruto's smile slowly faded. "...What?"
"Tell me, Naruto," Andre said, voice unusually sharp, "what's your current level?"
Naruto blinked. "Uh. Thirty four. Why?"
Andre took a deep breath, almost disappointed. "Siegmeyer is level ninety five."
The silence that followed was like a punch to the gut. Naruto's thoughts blanked. "What?"
"Indeed," Andre said. "And remember... he does not have full access to your system. No Pygmy's blessing. No fast leveling. No convenient skill scaling. Every point of his strength? Earned. Through pain. Through failure. Through persistence."
Naruto opened his mouth, but no words came out.
"Sometimes, Naruto," Andre continued, standing to his full height, "you get so caught up in what you can do, you forget how hard it is for others. You saw him hesitating and assumed weakness. But maybe he's cautious because he knows exactly what's at stake."
Naruto lowered his eyes. The shame hit deep and fast.
"I just…" he whispered. "I didn't mean to think badly of him. I just didn't understand why he was just sitting there…"
"And that's fine," Andre said, softer now. "It's fine to wonder. To be frustrated. But what's not fine, Naruto… is forgetting to look deeper."
He knelt beside the boy, voice steady and warm.
"Judging a man by his worst moment? That's easy. But seeing someone's struggles and still choosing to believe in their worth? That's a knight's heart. And that's what I thought you had."
Naruto swallowed, his throat tight. "I'm sorry, old man," he murmured, eyes glistening.
Andre ruffled his hair again, pulling him into a quick, firm hug. "You're still learning. That's nothing to be ashamed of. Just remember... humility sharpens a warrior faster than any blade."
Naruto nodded, hugging him back.
Oscar, sitting quietly by the forge, gave a chirp of support.
Andre chuckled and stood again. "Now, go find the onion knight. Ask about archery. And while you're at it, maybe ask about patience."
Naruto wiped his face, grinning sheepishly. "Yes, old man."
Andre slumped back onto his bench and reached for the bottle. "And I'm going to drink myself into a coma. So if I die, it's your fault."
"Noted," Naruto said as he scooped up Oscar, heading for the upper levels of the parish.
The forge's fire crackled behind them. The anvil stood still. But in Naruto's chest, something glowed brighter than before. A little heavier. A little wiser. And with every step forward, he carried that fire with him.
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Naruto let Oscar scurry ahead, the tiny armored lizard clinking and clanking as he darted forward with pride in every step. The sound echoed faintly in the open stone path that led to the fortress, where predictably Siegmeyer sat in his usual spot.
Naruto slowed his pace, eyes softening. He still wished the onion knight would be more active, but now he had come to understand that it was not his place to decide how another man lived. Especially not one who had helped him more than once when it counted.
Siegmeyer might get lost in his thoughts, but he was a giant among men, a knight of immense strength with the humility of a monk and the kindness of a father.
As Oscar clanked to a halt in front of him, the older knight turned.
"Oh hoh? What have we here?"
Oscar, sensing the attention, puffed out his chest and rose onto his hind legs, his little armor plates gleaming in the sunlight. With theatrical flair, he plopped back down and struck a noble pose.
Siegmeyer clapped, delighted. "Marvelous! Most impressive! Truly, your companion is becoming a knight in his own right!"
Naruto scratched the back of his head, smiling. "Really?"
The older knight straightened, placing his hands on the curve of his belly with grave dignity. "A knight is never truly complete without a partner in battle, my friend. For some, that partner is a sword. For others, a brother in arms. And for many..." His voice turned thoughtful, almost nostalgic. "...it is a beast who fights beside them. Loyal. Fearless. Bound by trust."
Oscar's gleaming eyes flicked up toward Naruto, and in that moment, something passed between them. A silent acknowledgement. A recognition that what Siegmeyer said was not just poetry, it was truth.
They were more than ninja and summon. More than a warrior and his pet. They were knights. Partners.
Naruto stepped closer. "Did you have a partner, Sir Siegmeyer?"
"Ah, yes. Indeed I did," the knight said with a proud chuckle. "Quite the sturdy fellow, that one."
"Let me guess... a warhorse?"
Siegmeyer paused, then shook his head. "No, no. An Iron Boar."
Naruto's face went blank. "A... what?"
The onion knight nodded solemnly. "A magnificent creature. Broad shouldered. Steel hide. A temper like a thunderstorm. We rode together through the Swamps of Catarina and the foothills of Balder. Many fell before his charge."
A shadow crept into his voice. "But alas... he did not rise again. Even as Undead, there are some things you cannot bring back."
Naruto's stomach twisted.
His gaze slid toward Oscar, who blinked slowly, still gleaming in his new armor.
"That's not happening," Naruto said quietly, his hand finding Oscar's back. "You're gonna live a long, badass life, partner. I promise."
A new sense of resolve hardened in his chest.
"Sir Siegmeyer," Naruto said, squaring his shoulders. "Would you teach me archery?"
The older knight tilted his head. "Archery?"
"I plan to hunt drakes. Need more dragon scales. But Rickert only taught me theory. I need someone who knows the fight."
"Hmmm..." Siegmeyer tapped the side of his helmet thoughtfully. "And what, may I ask, have you been taught about archery?"
"Mostly theory so far. How to string a bow, fire an arrow, a few basics," Naruto said. "But I was told there's something... different about the way archery works in Lordran."
The Catarina knight raised a hand, pointing into the vast ruins beyond. "Do you see that mushroom, far off near the broken cathedral wall?"
Naruto squinted. "What mushroom?"
Siegmeyer turned slightly and nodded as if confirming something only he could see. "Ahh. Then it is as I thought. You do not have it yet. Nor were you taught about this?"
"Have what?" Naruto asked, a little suspicious.
"Hawk Eyes."
Naruto blinked. "Wait. Are we talking about like... a doujutsu? Like Sasuke's Sharingan or Hinata's Byakugan? Because if I'm about to get bird vision eyes, I need to know if they glow."
Siegmeyer gave a confused chuckle. "I have no idea what you are referring to, my young friend. But know this... the Hawk Eye Technique is essential for any archer seeking to hunt monsters from a distance. Especially those that soar the skies."
Oscar chirped, tail flicking with intrigue.
"Can you tell me more about this Hawkeye Technique?" Naruto asked.
"Ah. With pleasure!" Siegmeyer boomed, ever eager to share knowledge. "Historically, this technique descends from one of Lord Gwyn's four most revered knights... Sir Hawkeye Gough. A gentle giant, a master of the greatbow, and a dragon slayer without peer."
Naruto hummed to himself, remembering Artorias's ring he now wore. Now he stood before another echo of the Four Great Knights. Coincidence? Or a path he was unknowingly walking, a path that would lead him to inherit something from the Four Great Knights of Gwyn?
Siegmeyer continued. "After the War of the Ancients, when the Everlasting Dragons had fallen, their lesser kin remained. Drakes, wyverns, wyrms, all manner of sky bound beasts. Gough, seeing the devastation they wrought, passed his knowledge to men and women brave enough to oppose them."
He raised a gauntleted hand in emphasis. "Among those teachings, the Hawkeye Technique stood paramount."
"And you know it?" Naruto asked.
"But of course." Siegmeyer thumped his chest with pride. "I hunted many lesser dragons in my youth."
He stepped forward, voice lowering into a reverent tone. "The technique is simple in principle, but demands great discipline. You must dilate your pupils, letting in every drop of light, then at just the right instant, constrict them sharply, narrowing your focus to a single point. The world will fade. The target will remain."
"So... it's a glorified squint?"
"No, no, my boy. It is clarity. Precision. The difference between a desperate shot and a deliberate strike."
Naruto closed his eyes and drew in a slow, steady breath. He reached inward, channeling chakra through the intricate pathways of his network. The Way of Focality had already sharpened his understanding of perception, of how to tune each sense like a musician adjusting the strings of a harp. The Hawkeyes Technique clicked into place like a long forgotten instinct. His pupils expanded. The light around him bent slightly, as if the air itself acknowledged his focus. Then, he constricted them. A sudden sharpness pierced his vision. A sting. Then a clarity.
Far beyond, nestled in a crack on the cathedral wall, a small mushroom cap swayed gently in the breeze.
Naruto pulled a kunai.
With a flick of his wrist, it sailed through the air like a flash of silver.
A moment later: Thunk.
The mushroom trembled. Impaled.
"Did you see that, Sir Siegmeyer?"
"Marvelous. Astounding. You have taken your first step into the ranks of Lordran's true hunters."
Naruto wiped a tear from the corner of his eye. His vision still ached slightly. "First step? There's more?"
"Ah yes. The initial focus is only the foundation. To truly master Hawkeye Gough's legacy, you must strengthen your eyes further. For that, you will need an eye tonic."
He rummaged through his satchel, pulling out a weathered parchment covered in strange script.
Naruto frowned at the alien text. But the next moment, the letters shimmered, reorganizing themselves into kanji. Huh. Thanks, System.
Oscar chirped beside him, vibrating with energy.
Naruto smiled and withdrew the bow Rickert had crafted for him, a beast of a weapon, the stone beneath him cracking slightly beneath its weight.
"Alright," Naruto said, his voice firm. "Let's begin the first real lesson."
And so, before the looming gates of Sen's Fortress, with the wind tugging at his cloak and the bow heavy in his hand, Naruto began to embody the mantle whispered by those he had once saved. The Archer of Providence.
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Author's Note: Th th th that's all folks!
Wait, what do you mean you want me to answer some questions? Sigh. Alright, alright, let's do this.
1 — Naruto's Archery: Yeah, this was bound to happen sooner or later. I didn't give him the title Archer of Providence just to let it sit there like a cool nickname. No, it means something, and this chapter begins the payoff. We're going to follow that thread all the way through.
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What is Hawkeyes?
Good question.
Just like Way of Focality, which is my novelization of the lock-on camera feature in Dark Souls (basically heightened spatial awareness triggered in a fight or flight adrenaline state), Hawkeyes is the novelization of the bow's zoom-in mechanic.
Imagine you're using a bow in Dark Souls. You go into first-person mode. Zooms in. Clean shot. That's what Hawkeyes is.
But in-universe? It's more like a trained sensory technique passed down from the legendary archer Hawkeye Gough, one of Lord Gwyn's four knights. I expanded it further with a tonic to enhance Naruto's eyes—not just for plot reasons, but as a worldbuilding element that fits Lordran's weird, ancient fantasy ecosystem.
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So what does Hawkeyes actually give Naruto?
Glad you asked.
Here's what Naruto can now do thanks to Hawkeyes, based on scientific traits of hawks and other raptors:
A) Hyper zoomed Vision – Hawks can see eight times farther than humans. Naruto's vision can now detect coin sized objects from up to 3.2 kilometers (2 miles) away.
B) Enhanced Motion Detection – He can track fast moving targets with pinpoint precision, even a kunai mid flight.
C) UV and Infrared Sensitivity – Some raptors can see UV light. Naruto's version allows him to see heat signatures and chakra trails like thermal vision.
D) 360 Degree Tactical Mapping – While not literal 360 degree vision, Naruto's spatial awareness sharpens so much it feels like he can see attacks from his blind spot.
E) Distance Calculation – Naruto can now calculate wind direction, arc, and impact trajectory near instantly when using projectile weapons.
F) Sniper's Focus State – He can temporarily mute all distractions when activating Hawkeyes, entering a cold blooded, calm shooting stance.
So... it basically is a dojutsu.
And let me know what you guys thought of this chapter, the Hawkeyes, and Oscar's armour.
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2 — Siegmeyer's Level:
I know some of you were probably shocked to hear that Onion Bro is level 95, but no, this isn't just me spitting out a number for flavor. This is legit. Siegmeyer's level is 95 according to the official Dark Souls game data.
And just to drive it home, here are his full stats, datamined straight from the game code:
[ Name: Siegmeyer of Catarina ]
Class: Knight
Level: 95
Vitality: 28
Attunement: 8
Endurance: 26
Strength: 44
Dexterity: 31
Intelligence: 8
Faith: 9
Luck: ? (unused stat in DS1)
Resistance: 26
Humanity: 4 (can be both human or hollow depending on progression)
Equipment and Appearance:
Rings: Blue Tearstone Ring
Weapons: Zweihander +15, Pierce Shield +15
Armor: Catarina Set +5
So yeah, he's not just a lovable goof in round armor. The man is built like a tank, swings a house sized sword, and has some of the highest stats among NPCs. It reframes his story in a very different light, doesn't it? He isn't stuck because he's weak. He's stuck because he feels lost. And maybe... just maybe, that makes him the most human character in Lordran.
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Anyway. Now that the Lordran detour is over...Next chapter: back to The Wave Arc. And trust me: something big is about to happen.
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[ Personal Note: First off, thanks a ton to all of you for sticking with this story. Seriously, you guys are awesome. Now, if you're interested in supporting me on P@treon, let me just say that over there, I post these massive 5k-word chapters. But heads up, if you're jumping to P@treon, you'll need to start from Chapter 76, since that's where this chapter lines up with the content there.
To everyone here just reading along, please don't forget to leave a comment! Honestly, your comments make my day, and they let me know you're as invested in this story as I am. So yeah, thanks again, and I hope you have an amazing rest of your day!