Rise Online: Return of the Legendary Player

Chapter 716 Doubts and Reencounters (Part 1)

"What? It can't be me, I'm weak. Kaizen is the one who should go." Bloody Lily said, a little nervous and shy.

Kaizen smiled. "You're the most suitable for the role, because as well as being calm, you also know how to be discreet. You're also strong, very strong, and don't think we haven't noticed, because you're always holding your own."

Silence hung over the meeting place for a moment before Bloody Lily finally gave in to the determined gaze of her companions. She swallowed, her face showing a mixture of nervousness and determination.

"All right." she said in a firm voice, despite the slight tremor in her hands. "I'll do whatever it takes to protect Midgard and try to bring Klank back."

Looks of approval flashed across the faces of the players around the table.

Cephal nodded, his respect evident. "Don't worry, Muspelheim isn't as bad as it looks, you'll just have to learn to deal with the intense heat and avoid the fire giants, otherwise you'll be dead."

Kaizen placed a comforting hand on Bloody Lily's shoulder. "You won't be alone on this journey. Fryft, an evolved one, will guide you."

Eraskan raised an eyebrow, his analytical mind already working out the details. "We'll need a detailed plan to attract the demons and ensure that the crack is vulnerable at the right time. Does anyone here have any specific ideas?"

Taznaar, whose previously suspicious expression had now turned into pure concentration, raised a finger. "I can lead a group to attract the demons. I have a skill that can help us get their attention. They must like fire because they live in hell, don't they?"

Korgrak nodded, supporting Taznaar. "And I can help fortify some other place in the city, to try and hold one of them off. Besides, I want to make sure that the rest of the demon army is kept at bay while you carry out the mission, so it must be a very distant point."

The red-haired woman smiled, touched by how proactive everyone was. "Very well, I'll get ready and be right back to hear the rest of the plan." Bloody Lily said and moved away from the table, at the same time everyone began discussing their ideas for the part of the plan that involved moving a large number of people and scattering them around the city, to serve as decoys.

After moving away from the table where the plan was being meticulously drawn up, Bloody Lily walked towards his private tent. The night was calm, with only the whisper of the wind, the crackle of torches and the buzz of the large army nearby filling the air. Her heart was pounding in her chest as she thought of her companions' words of encouragement. She knew that she was about to embark on a dangerous mission that was crucial to the safety of all human players, i.e. the largest player base in Rise Online, and the weight of this responsibility weighed heavily on her shoulders.

Upon entering the hut, Bloody Lily lit a small oil lamp, illuminating the space with a soft, golden light. She sat down on a worn leather chair and rested her face in her hands for a moment, letting the gravity of the situation settle in her mind.

Going to another world was madness... The intense heat of Muspelheim, the land of demons, was only part of her worries. The idea of facing hellish creatures she had never faced before and making her way safely through enemy territory made her nervous. However, the determination she felt burning in her chest was undeniable. She knew she had to do this, for Klank and for everyone.

As she thought, her mind wandered to Fryft, the evolved one who would guide her on this dangerous journey. She wondered why Fryft and Zylok had changed their minds as quickly as Kaizen had said. Were they really afraid of having to face other Evolved or entire Guilds of Evolved? Was Kaizen hiding some extra condition?

Bloody Lily hoped that this partnership with Fryft would prove strong enough to overcome any obstacles in Muspelheim, but how can a partnership that starts with mistrust work?

With a sigh, Bloody Lily stood up and began to prepare her belongings for the journey. She adjusted the belts of her armor and placed her crimson sword on the table to check the degree of wear on it.

At the same time, outside the tent, Kaizen noticed on Bloody Lily's face, just before she left the meeting area, that she looked a little different than usual, probably nervous or in doubt. For this reason, even in the middle of the meeting, Kaizen raised a finger and said to the others as they discussed the plan:

"I'll... be right back."

Kaizen didn't wait for anyone's approval and walked off.

"Hey, wait up." Eraskan tried to call him back, to understand why he was leaving the meeting, but Kaizen ignored him. "Damn... he's the one who came up with the main idea and now he's going to leave so suddenly."

"Let love work, trust Kaizen." Jayaa said as he leaned awkwardly on his chair, holding his lute.

"What? Love? What do you mean?" Eraskan asked, confused.

At that moment, everyone looked at each other and started laughing. Apparently, Eraskan was the only one who didn't notice the different looks exchanged by Kaizen and Bloody Lily.

"So young and so foolish..." muttered Taznaar, with a smile at the corner of his mouth.

As Kaizen left the meeting area, he looked around for Bloody Lily and saw her about to enter a large tent, which was being guarded by Araxie, the Crimson Soldiers' Tank.

Kaizen then started walking towards the tent, but halfway there, among many players calling his name to get some of his attention, Kaizen saw a situation. To his right, there was a tall man in barbaric clothing, with gray hair, a curved sword in its sheath and a crossbow on his back. Immediately, Kaizen recognized him. It was Leohorn, one of Taznaar's subordinates with whom he had had problems in the past.

To make matters worse, Leohorn seemed to be about to get into trouble, because he was desperately trying to get into Ravastine Spelloyal's stall only to be stopped by Davster Herond and other royal guards from the Kingdom of Tretidian.

"Hey, I just want to talk to her, apologize and stuff!" Leohorn said.

However, Davster Herond was an impassive man, even more so now that he had become Captain of the Royal Guard. "Miss Ravastine does not wish to speak to you, please do not insist."

"But I..."

"Is there a problem here?" Kaizen asked, appearing on the scene behind Leohorn's back with a tone of voice so serious that it caused Leohorn to shiver.

Kaizen's gaze caused Leohorn to take a step back, clearly surprised by the player's intervention.

"Davster is right," said Kaizen calmly, addressing Leohorn. "If Ravastine doesn't want to talk to you, you'd better respect her decision. Insisting will only cause more problems for you and for all of us. Besides, she probably doesn't have fond memories of your face." Kaizen crossed his arms over his chest, keeping a firm gaze on Leohorn. "But if there's a problem here, I'm willing to help solve it."

Leohorn looked about to protest, but Kaizen's serious expression and Davster's imposing presence made it clear that he wouldn't stand a chance against them. With a grumble of displeasure, Leohorn turned and walked away, and looked at Kaizen with anger and frustration, but bowed his head in defeat and walked away from the tent, mumbling something unintelligible as he went.

Davster Herond, the Captain of the Royal Guard, gave Kaizen a grateful nod. "These adventurers are getting more and more abused. I couldn't protect Ravastine when I was removed from the guard, but I won't make the same mistake now."

Kaizen nodded and looked back in the direction of the Bloody Lily stall, only it was a surprise to him that Ravastine and the Royal Guard were here, so he wanted to go in and talk to Ravastine as well.

Impressively, Davster noticed Kaizen's second thoughts, so he opened the curtain of the tent and said:

"If you want to come in for a bit, I bet Ravastine would love to talk to you for a moment."

Kaizen offered a closed smile in thanks and entered the tent, stooping slightly so as not to bump his head.

Inside the tent, the atmosphere was cozy, lit by candles and decorated with colorful rugs that covered the floor. Ravastine Spelloyal was sitting on an elegant sofa, her ebony-dark hair shining in the candlelight. Her gaze was fixed on something she held in her hands, something that looked like a piece of jewelry.

As he entered, Kaizen bowed briefly, showing respect for his presence. "Ravastine," he said with a gentle smile.

She raised her eyes to meet Kaizen's gaze, and a glow lit up her face at the same time. "Kaizen!" She shouted with excitement, stood up and ran to hug him.

Kaizen opened her arms and took in her broad shoulders. "How are you, princess?"

"Very well, thanks to you." She said, still squeezing him intensely. Ravastine could be cold at times, but she couldn't hide how grateful she was for Kaizen.