The Tree Sentinel's combat power was slightly beyond Xia Yu's expectations, but the battle remained firmly within his control.
If he didn't have the strength and confidence to resolve unexpected problems, he wouldn't have been foolish enough to face the Tree Sentinel head-on.
After shattering a glintstone Arc with a single blow, the Tree Sentinel yanked hard on his warhorse's reins, and both rider and mount soared into the air, hurtling toward Xia Yu.
Even the surrounding air was torn apart by this brute force. On the Golden Halberd held high by the Tree Sentinel, a brilliant golden radiance condensed into a blinding light.
Golden Strike!
If this strike landed, the surrounding terrain would surely be altered, but Xia Yu, facing the attack, merely gave a disdainful smile and pointed his palm at the Tree Sentinel.
"Since you love the sky so much, don't bother coming down."
In the next moment, the Tree Sentinel, still in mid-air, was frozen in place, unable to fall or move.
As Xia Yu's palm tightened, the Tree Sentinel seemed to be kneaded and compressed by an invisible hand, while even the warhorse beneath him struggled in agony.
It was Telekinesis—Telekinesis of extremely high purity.
Creak...
The Tree Sentinel struggled fiercely against the invisible force. Although he didn't suffer much damage due to his physical toughness, the warhorse beneath him was not so lucky.
The armored warhorse's unprotected limbs were the first to be twisted, snapping instantly under the pressure of the Telekinesis. Sharp bone shards pierced through flesh as blood gushed out.
Xia Yu used his Telekinesis to forcefully tear off the warhorse's broken limbs and then violently stabbed them into its soft, unprotected abdomen. The sharp bone shards punctured the internal organs, ending any possibility of the horse's survival.
A wisp of pale gold, smoke-like Runes drifted from the horse's corpse and entered Xia Yu's body; these were the warhorse's Runes.
In this world, everything from gods to squirrels has Runes within them. Rather than calling them Runes, it would be more accurate to describe them as a mixture of life and soul.
"Only this much? Tsk, not even enough for a single upgrade."
Feeling the Runes gained from killing the warhorse, Xia Yu showed a look of disdain. For a partner that fought alongside the Tree Sentinel, it was surprisingly little.
"I hope your Runes aren't too few."
Looking at the Tree Sentinel still struggling in mid-air, Xia Yu raised his hand and then slammed it down. The Tree Sentinel's body shot upward before being hurled violently into the ground with a thunderous crash.
It was difficult to kill the Tree Sentinel with Telekinesis alone; ultimately, he had to rely on his own hard strength.
The Lone Wolves, who had been waiting below, roared and lunged to tear at him the moment the Tree Sentinel hit the ground. They did not fear death, for they had already died once.
Spirit bodies summoned by the spirit calling bell cannot die; their forms are merely dispersed, after which they return to their Spirit Ashes. After a short rest, they can be summoned again.
Roar!
From the center of the dust-filled crater came the Tree Sentinel's indignant roar, sending the wolves flying in all directions.
The giant halberd swept through the dust, and a gale swirled around as the battered Tree Sentinel stood up from the pit. Cracks had appeared on the Gilded Greatshield in his left hand.
He had just used the Gilded Greatshield to protect himself during the fall, avoiding most of the impact damage.
"Tsk tsk, that HP... as expected of a mini-boss."
Riding atop Torrent, Xia Yu marveled at the sight and waved his staff again. Azure Soul Arrows shot out. Compared to the glintstone Pebble of the elden ring world, the Soul Arrows from dark souls iii, which specialized in soul damage, were more effective.
Unable to dodge in time, the Tree Sentinel was hit again, howling in agony from the soul damage.
But in the next moment, the Tree Sentinel endured the soul-searing pain, discarded the Gilded Greatshield, and charged forward with his halberd held in both hands.
He intended to endure the pain to slay the enemy before him.
"Come at me!"
Xia Yu shouted, squeezed Torrent's flanks with his legs, and rode away into the distance.
He'd be an idiot to engage in close combat with the Tree Sentinel. The Tree Sentinel's horse was dead, but his was still alive. With such an advantage, how could he not use kiting tactics?
As long as he dragged it out, he could wear his enemy down without any effort.
"Argh!!!"
Left far behind, the Tree Sentinel seemed not to have expected his enemy to be so shameless, letting out a cry of indignation and pain.
But who was Xia Yu? A mere scream wouldn't shake his determination to kite his opponent.
In the ensuing battle, as long as he kept his distance from the Tree Sentinel, Xia Yu would fire off several glintstone Pebbles or Soul Arrows. Whenever the Tree Sentinel endured the pain to charge, he would use Torrent to pull away.
The Tree Sentinel fought with extreme frustration; rather, throughout the entire battle, he hadn't even touched the hem of Xia Yu's clothes.
Toward the end, the Tree Sentinel even roared and threw his Golden Halberd, but Torrent nimbly dodged it, and he was subsequently hit by a spell Xia Yu casually cast.
A moment later, the Tree Sentinel fell to the ground in frustration and took his last breath. He had never experienced such an absurd battle in his life.
It was only because he lost his horse that he ended up like this.
Therefore, no matter what kind of battle you go through, you must protect your horse.
"Whew~ that was truly a heart-pounding battle."
After absorbing the Tree Sentinel's Runes, Xia Yu cheered. This battle was so perilous; he had almost lost his life.
The Tree Sentinel's still-warm corpse: "..."
"Hmm, these Runes are enough for me to upgrade twice more. Although it's not much, every little bit adds up."
After temporarily storing his spoils in the Chat Group via a Red Envelope, Xia Yu mounted Torrent to find a nearby site of grace and have Melina level him up.
This region was called Limgrave, and it was the area ruled by Godrick the Lord of Gold. Godrick was the final boss of this region and the first Demigod Xia Yu would encounter on his path forward.
He was also the weakest of all the gods, but even the weakest was not someone the current Xia Yu could defeat.
"I still have to take it one step at a time."
Riding on horseback and feeling the gentle rain brush against his face, Xia Yu suddenly sighed.
The world of elden ring was not an apocalyptic one. Although significant problems had arisen, the rising and setting of the sun, and the changing weather had not disappeared, still following the celestial patterns.
After wandering for a while, Xia Yu found the nearest site of grace. These sites of grace emitted a faint golden light, making them relatively easy to find.
Sitting cross-legged by the site of grace, Xia Yu didn't even have to call for Melina before she materialized from the ethereal. Although the two weren't familiar enough to understand each other without words, they at least understood some simple gestures.
For instance, when Xia Yu reached out his hand, Melina knew he had come to her again for help in strengthening his body.
This was part of their agreement, and she didn't find it troublesome.
Taking Xia Yu's outstretched hand, Melina whispered an incantation, and Xia Yu took the opportunity to strengthen himself according to his needs. A moment later, the enhancement was complete.
"Hmm?"
Seeing that Xia Yu showed no sign of letting go, Melina let out a soft sound of confusion.
"Don't be in such a hurry to leave. After all, we're companions traveling together," Xia Yu said with a smile as he released her hand, looking into Melina's one eye.
"So far, I only know your name is Melina. We're practically acquaintances now; shouldn't we chat more?"
Pain, so much pain! (ㄒoㄒ)
My love is lost forever, and ruin is all I see.
My heart has long been like dead wood. Melina, why is this?
Those in this world either scrape by to survive or die heroically, but in the end, it's all pointless. I will eventually meet her again.
She waits gracefully at the end of the site of grace. My Queen, my love, my heart as rotten as scorched earth!
If the golden order heartlessly stripped away my greatest beauty, then destruction is its rightful end.
The Lands Between have long since returned to dust. Amidst those ruins, our throne stands grand and immortal.
I will snatch her back from the bloody maw of the death rune. No one can defy me, not even fate.
Melina, my love. Her passing took the Tarnished with her. The Lord of frenzied flame has descended.
The golden order heartlessly discarded me. Now, I shall repay it with pain. Melina is no longer here, leaving me to linger alone.
This chaos has only one solution... Melina, I will definitely find you. The vast Lands Between are my endless, boundless lamentation.
Love, how distant and fragile it is.
The Curse of Frenzy cannot be broken. It is ceaseless... pain... so much pain...