Stranded Graveyard.
Drip.
Drip.
The crisp sound of falling water pulled him back from unconsciousness.
"Ugh… no matter how many times it happens, I just can't get used to it…"
He rubbed his slightly numb head and slowly pushed himself up from the ground.
The sensation of death—he hadn't experienced it in quite some time. The last time he died… was the last time.
To suddenly go through it again felt strangely unfamiliar.
Through the haze, however, he heard a gentle voice.
"At last. This one will surely seek the Elden Ring as well."
"Even if it defies the Golden Order…"
He didn't need to think about it.
Melina had come to see him.
Though this time, she hadn't brought Torrent.
Speaking of which, Torrent was the name of his spectral steed.
The companion who had stayed with him longer than anyone else.
Even if one combined the time he had spent with Ranni and Melina, it still wouldn't surpass the countless journeys shared with Torrent.
They had crossed mountains and seas together.
Traversed lands crowded with enemies.
But more often than not—
They had fallen off cliffs together and been reborn.
As he reminisced about galloping freely through the world with Torrent, the floating chat window beside him began shaking violently.
The group had exploded.
Fujiwara Chika: "@Trying to Save My Wife Tarnished Mr. Tarnished, are you okay? Are you hurt?"
Forever Seventeen: "Don't think too hard, Chika. No human survives a fall from that height. Give up. It's over."
Northern Northern Northern: "Agree.jpg"
Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor: "Ah, what a pity."
Hu Tao couldn't help but feel regret.
A potential client lost.
She wondered whether the Tarnished's soul would rest peacefully and follow the natural flow of things.
Fujiwara Chika: "Lady Yukari, don't say that! Mr. Tarnished is really strong! He defeated that strange monster in just a few hits!"
As she typed, Fujiwara Chika recalled the earlier battle. Instead of fear, she had felt exhilaration.
But no one in the group had expected what came next.
The newcomer had leapt off a cliff.
Voluntarily.
What kind of move was that?
Even Aizen and Otto Apocalypse couldn't deduce his motive.
There were only three possibilities.
One: he was insane.
Two: he didn't want to live anymore.
But from his earlier conversation, neither seemed true.
Which left the third possibility—
Yet what benefit could there possibly be in jumping off a cliff?
And how was he still alive?
Their curiosity about this Tarnished deepened.
Trying to Save My Wife Tarnished: "I'm fine. Thank you for your concern."
Fujiwara Chika: "Mr. Tarnished, you're alive! That's such a relief! What happened? Why did you suddenly jump? And why did the livestream cut out?"
Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor: "Oh? You're alive? In that case, would you like to learn about our services? I can offer a discount. @Trying to Save My Wife Tarnished"
Trying to Save My Wife Tarnished: "Thank you, but no."
Otto Apocalypse: "My friend, you truly gave us quite a scare."
Trying to Save My Wife Tarnished: "Apologies for worrying everyone. I jumped only to take a shortcut. As for why the livestream disconnected, I'm not sure."
Forever Seventeen: "You survived a fall from that height. Are you truly human?"
Trying to Save My Wife Tarnished: "From a biological standpoint, I am indeed human. Please do not question that, Lady Yukari."
He clicked his tongue after sending the message.
"Tch. I really want to toss that woman into the Forge of the Giants as kindling…"
What was wrong with being Tarnished?
Did being Tarnished mean he wasn't human?
Yes, he no longer aged.
Yes, he could not truly die.
But his humanity—
That was non-negotiable.
That was the line.
Annoyed, he closed the chat window entirely.
Following the faint guiding light, he pushed open the heavy door of the ancient grave.
Riding the lift upward, he left the Stranded Graveyard and emerged into Limgrave.
"Ah… the air here really is the best."
The lush greenery stretched before him. He drew in a deep breath, his mood lifting instantly.
Compared to the damp grave and ruined chapel, this place felt alive.
At the same time, he began mapping out his next steps.
A new cycle had begun.
First priority—
Visit his wives.
Without hesitation, he summoned Torrent and set off.
First stop: the Church of Elleh.
Though he longed to reunite with them immediately, the distance from the Stranded Graveyard to Stormgate was no small stretch.
Along the way were a few minor enemies.
And one major obstacle.
"Hey there, Teacher Tree Sentinel. Mind if I skip class?"
He waved cheerfully at the golden-armored figure patrolling on horseback in the distance.
The Tree Sentinel.
Clad head to toe in golden armor.
Mounted upon a warhorse in gilded barding.
Wielding a greatshield bearing the Erdtree's emblem and a massive halberd.
An early-game instructor.
A gatekeeper.
Slightly less prestigious than the Fell Omen, perhaps—but still a proper teacher.
"Well… guess that's a no."
The moment the Tree Sentinel charged directly at him, he knew class attendance was mandatory.
This time, he didn't flee.
Instead, he switched from his staff to a stone hammer inlaid with fragments of gold.
Legend claimed it was the very hammer Marika had used to shatter the Elden Ring. The golden shards embedded within were fragments of scattered runes.
He might be a sorcerer—
But melee was a required course.
Boom.
The hammer struck the warhorse's leg cleanly.
The golden steed staggered, entering a brief stun.
Without hesitation, he swung upward, smashing the Tree Sentinel from the saddle.
The knight froze in a critical stagger.
He leapt high into the air.
The hammer glowed with brilliant golden light, blazing like a falling star as it came crashing down.
"Boom—!"
The impact thundered across the field.
Golden cracks spread through the earth—fractures of rune energy—before shattering apart.
The Tree Sentinel dissolved into golden fragments and faded to ash.
He glanced at the fading remains.
"…Only three hits."
Truthfully, he hadn't dared use sorcery.
Because that shield—
Could reflect magic.
Yes.
Reflect magic.
But in hindsight, the Tree Sentinel had been one of his earliest teachers.
Only slightly beneath the Fell Omen in difficulty.
It had sent him back to a Site of Grace countless times.
Nearly a hundred deaths before he finally defeated it in his first cycle.
He had felt immense pride then.
Even a little arrogant.
Which was promptly crushed when the Fell Omen personally instructed him in humility.
And now?
Three swings.
Gone.
The mighty Tree Sentinel?
Nothing special.