Chapter no.13 Dark Souls

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Chapter no.13 The Black Knight

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Naruto lay flat on his back atop the stray demon's corpse, his mind swirling with the lingering adrenaline high. "What do you even do with a demon corpse?" he muttered, genuinely stumped as he sprawled across the massive, lifeless body. The stench was horrific—like rotting meat left out in the sun too long, mixed with sulfur and ash. It was the kind of smell that clung to your throat, making you gag every time you inhaled.His whole body was numb, and not just from exhaustion or shock—it was the painkillers he'd downed during the fight. His limbs felt distant, like they weren't his own, as if he were wrapped in suffocating cotton. The pain from his broken arm, cracked ribs, and internal injuries still simmered, dulled by the haze of medication.Naruto held up the empty Estus flask, tilting it hopefully. Not a drop.If only I knew how to refill this stupid thing, he thought, frustration bubbling. He'd rushed headlong into the battle without taking the time to figure out how the fire worked.Oscar would've known.The thought stung, but before he could dwell on it, a heavy thud echoed through the room. It reverberated like the universe was delivering a fresh problem straight to his lap."Oh, come on! Can't this world give me a break?" Naruto grumbled, his head lolling toward the source of the sound.A figure stepped into the dim light, and even in his half-dazed state, Naruto couldn't help but think, Whoa, that's badass.The intruder was clad in jet-black armor, its polished surface reflecting an otherworldly gleam. Twin, horn-like protrusions jutted from the helmet, and layered plates covered the figure head to toe, giving it an eerie, predatory silhouette. In its hand was a massive greatsword, nearly as long as Naruto was tall.Naruto forced his sluggish mind into gear. Focus! Focus now!The black knight moved, and then suddenly, it was right above him. The greatsword came down with terrifying speed.Pop!Naruto replaced himself with a log covered in explosive tags. The moment the knight's sword struck, the tags detonated in a blinding flash, the force obliterating what was left of the demon's corpse."Well, that's one way to get rid of it," Naruto muttered, staggering back. He gulped down a chakra pill, wincing at the bitter taste but feeling the energy surge through him.Smoke filled the room, and for a fleeting moment, Naruto allowed himself hope. But then the black knight emerged, walking through the flames as if they were nothing. His armor was barely scratched."You've gotta be kidding me," Naruto breathed, his stomach twisting."Hey! I'll give you some ramen if you let me go!" he tried, desperation bleeding into his voice.The knight didn't respond, simply raising his greatsword for another strike."Nope!" Naruto yelped, spinning on his heel and sprinting toward the ladder he'd seen earlier. His hands scrambled for the rungs, and he climbed as fast as his battered body would allow. Each frantic breath burned his throat.The top of the ladder led to a long, dim hallway. At one end was a jail cell, its bars twisted and broken. The other end seemed to lead back toward the place he'd started. Relief flickered in his chest. Thank whatever god is listening that I didn't wake up on this side.A metallic clanging snapped him out of his thoughts. Naruto glanced back. The knight was climbing the ladder, his movements slow but relentless."No, no, no!" Naruto kicked at the ladder with all the strength he could muster. With a deafening crash, the ladder gave way, sending the knight—and his looming sword—back down to the floor below. The clatter echoed through the hallway like a victory bell.Naruto wanted to laugh but didn't have the luxury. To one side, the path was blocked by rubble and debris. The other led to the cell, where something glowed faintly inside—bright and inviting.What's that?Naruto sprinted toward the cell, his breathing ragged. Inside, the glowing object sat on the floor. Without thinking, he snatched it up.He blinked, his mind struggling to process what he was holding.It's… a doll?Of all the things Naruto expected—swords, weapons, maybe even some weird magical ring—this wasn't it. The doll was strange, made of bronze that had turned green from age, its surface worn and weathered. No face, no features. Just a faceless hunk of metal in the shape of a doll.Does this thing do anything?He stared at it, half-expecting something magical to happen. Nothing. Well, it's glowing, so it's gotta be important, right?Thud.The sound made Naruto's heart skip a beat. No, no, not now. He turned, and there he was—the black knight, climbing back into the hallway. His presence filled the air, heavy and suffocating, as the doll vanished into Naruto's inventory. He barely had time to blink before he realized the knight was already upon him, his greatsword raised and aimed straight for his stomach.Shit!The air seemed to freeze as the massive blade closed in, inches from skewering him like a fish. Naruto could feel the cold bite of the sword's edge, the raw, murderous intent behind it.Pop!Naruto barely managed to use the Substitution Jutsu, swapping places with a piece of rubble just as the knight's sword sliced through where he'd been standing. Way of Focality kicked in, slowing everything for just a heartbeat—just enough for Naruto to see the knight's next move: a spinning backhand with enough force to take his head clean off.This substitution jutsu's gonna get me killed! Naruto thought, his pulse racing. He couldn't keep relying on it—not when it had such an exploitable weakness. He needed something faster.He summoned a shadow clone to deal with the black knight as he darted toward the ladder, sliding down as fast as he could. The smell of the demon's burning corpse hit him. The air was thick with the stench—charred flesh, sulfur, and that awful, greasy scent that clung to the back of his throat. Naruto tried to ignore it, focusing on his next move as he sprinted toward the other ladder.Climbing it, he felt a weird sense of nostalgia. This hallway... it felt familiar, almost comforting in its dreariness. But he didn't have time to dwell on that. Two kunai flew from his hand, striking down the hollows that came rushing at him without a second thought.By now, these weaklings were little more than obstacles in his path.I could just run, get out of here, Naruto thought.He had the chance, the opening. But as he glanced back at the black knight, something inside him snapped.No way am I letting you off that easy, you bastard.Naruto wasn't going to run.Why? Because that knight had destroyed the demon's corpse—his demon corpse—the one he'd fought tooth and nail to kill. And now, it was ruined, reduced to ash and scattered bones. Was this revenge out of pure pettiness? Maybe. But screw it. That was his kill, and now it was wrecked. He wasn't just gonna let that slide.How am I going to kill this guy? I'm practically on drugs, my left hand's useless...An idea hit Naruto—the same way he dealt with those annoying chunin back at the academy. He wasn't strong enough to take the knight head-on, but he didn't have to. No, he was going to prank this black knight. Just... lethal pranks this time.The clanking of metal footsteps echoed in the hallway. The knight was coming. Naruto glanced back, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth."Catch me if you can, you bastard."And then, he ran.