The tall leather boots wrapped around slender legs and feet. As she walked, a glimpse of pure white skirt swayed beneath the wide cloak.

A broad hat shaded her face, revealing only soft, sweet, candy-like lips and a delicate, exquisite nose, with a few strands of hair clustered beside her pretty cheeks.

She parted the cloak with both hands and knelt down beside Brandon Jenkins.

Lifting the hood of the cloak, a cascade of rose-gold hair tumbled down. Her left eye was tightly shut, as if sealed by strange runes, while her right eye radiated a golden, blessed light.

After settling in, Melina spoke to Brandon Jenkins in a sweet voice:

"Hello, traveler through the mist. My name is Melina."

"I would like to make a deal with you."

When Melina actually appeared before Brandon Jenkins, it was hard for Brandon Jenkins to describe exactly what he was feeling.

Was it excitement and joy? Panic? The emotion of a long-awaited reunion? 氵泗邻⒎二倭丝VII』〇I〫事 or was it affection?

Maybe it was all of those.

But more than anything, it was a wave of sadness that surged in his heart.

Melina, my second witch, in the end, I still couldn't protect you.

You asked me in front of the giant cauldron if I was ready. At the time, I thought I was...

Even if I could embrace the Frenzied Flame, how could I trample on your resolve, deny the meaning of your life?

Even when I used the Pure Gold Needle to suppress the Frenzied Flame, you never came back.

My witch was burned to death by fire. No matter what I chose, my witch was burned to death by fire.

Seeing Melina standing alive before him, Brandon Jenkins wanted to say something, but couldn't open his mouth.

Brandon Jenkins just looked at Melina sadly, saying nothing.

Melina silently met Brandon Jenkins's gaze, but as time passed, she gradually couldn't hold it anymore.

‘?’

‘Why isn't this person saying anything, just staring at me?’

‘Did I make my entrance the wrong way?’

The blessed light flickered slightly, leaving only Melina standing awkwardly in the wind.

------------

Chapter 15: Dewdrop Holy Grail Bottle, Level Up

In the end, it was Melina who spoke first.

"Um, may I ask what's wrong?"

Melina asked cautiously.

"Sorry, I lost my composure. Seeing you reminded me of an old friend, and I just froze up."

Brandon Jenkins suppressed the uncontrollable emotions in his heart and made up a lie to brush it off.

Melina nodded. Although it was a bit strange, it seemed reasonable enough.

"Oh, I see. You must have been very close."

"Yes, she was my witch. We traveled together and overcame many hardships. I thought those days could go on, but she sacrificed herself for me."

Melina didn't realize that Brandon Jenkins was actually talking about her, and simply thought it was a story about Brandon Jenkins and a witch he once traveled with.

"I'm sorry to hear such a story. But if you're still pursuing the Elden Ring, then you have no choice but to keep moving forward, right?"

Brandon Jenkins nodded.

"What do you mean?"

Seeing that Brandon Jenkins seemed to have calmed down, Melina breathed a sigh of relief and began to explain her purpose.

"As I said earlier, I want to make a deal with you."

"I mean no offense, but right now, you don't have a witch by your side..."

Melina kept watching Brandon Jenkins's expression. Seeing that he wasn't angry at her mentioning his lack of a witch, she continued:

"I can take on the witch's duties and turn runes into your strength."

"As long as you still seek the Elden Ring, this will surely help you."

"In return, I hope you can help me and take me to the foot of the Erdtree."

"What do you think?"

Brandon Jenkins had no reason to refuse, but still pretended to think about it, only agreeing after a while.

"Although I don't know who you are, it seems there's no harm in this for me."

"So you're agreeing?"

"Yes. My name is Brandon Jenkins. Please take care of me from now on, my witch."

A faint smile curved at the corners of Melina's lips.

"Then it's settled. When you need to turn runes into strength, just call for me at a site of grace."

Looking at Melina's smile, Brandon Jenkins's heart pounded fiercely.

In his previous life, Melina was teased for being wooden, always wearing a serious, unsmiling face. Now, her smile was as beautiful as a melting glacier.

Seeing this stunning contrast, Brandon Jenkins truly felt he could die without regrets.

"Can I turn runes into strength now?"

Melina nodded, then 越已迩疚⑦（六）韭I伞覇榴 reached out her hand to Brandon Jenkins.

"Just for a moment, let me touch you."

Seeing Melina's fair hand covered in burn scars, Brandon Jenkins felt a pang of heartache.

But Melina thought Brandon Jenkins was bothered by the scars on her hand. Her fingers trembled a little, and she began to withdraw her hand, suddenly lacking confidence.

"Sorry, it's ugly, isn't it? Next time I'll wear gloves."

But Brandon Jenkins suddenly reached out and held Melina's retreating hand. Melina froze like a startled fawn.

Huh? Why did this person so naturally just grab my hand? Is this how a normal person reacts to seeing scars?