Rise Online: Return of the Legendary Player

Kaizen had arranged that he would meet Andrew at a specific place in the center of the Tretidian Capital, and when he finished the potion with Alina, he realized that he was already a little late. Therefore, he needed to run immediately to find his friend.

Without wasting any time, he quickly put away the empty bottle of the potion to use later and said goodbye to Alina.

"Alina, thanks again for your help. I need to run now to find a friend now. See you again later!" said Kaizen, expressing gratitude and determination in his words.

Alina nodded understandingly. "Take care and good luck, Kaizen. I'll be here when you get back. Don't forget to share your findings with me."

With a parting smile, Kaizen hurriedly headed for the meeting place.

As always, the streets of the capital were very busy, especially since it was the main commercial center of the entire nation and the heart of the kingdom. Its streets were paved with weathered cobblestones, and buildings stood tall all around, displaying the imposing and immemorial architecture. Stone buildings, with ogival windows and pointed roofs, formed a picturesque backdrop.

As he ran through the narrow streets, Kaizen passed merchants offering their wares on wooden stalls. The aroma of spices, fresh bread and grilled meat hung in the air, mingling with the bustle of passers-by. The vibrant colors of the residents' clothes contrasted with the earthy tones of the old buildings.

Finally, Kaizen spotted the meeting place in the distance. It was, as usual, a small cozy tavern, with stone walls and a wooden sign hanging above the door with the name "Bard's Alley". Rustic wooden tables and weathered chairs occupied the space where many players gathered to enjoy a break from their daily activities.

Upon entering the establishment, Kaizen was greeted by a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The sound of lively conversations and the gentle playing of music by a lute player in the corner of the establishment created a pleasant soundtrack for the patrons.

Kaizen spotted Andrew sitting at a table near the window, immersed in his thoughts. He recognized him easily because Andrew was not very different from real life. Andrew's avatar was a tall man with brown hair that was slightly wavy at the ends and short. He wore a thickly woven tunic with gold embroidered details and a flowing cape, making him look noble. His expression was serious and focused, like that of someone who had already spent several minutes waiting.

When Kaizen approached, Andrew raised his eyes and smiled when he saw him. His brown eyes sparkled with the excitement of someone who had important information to share. He stood up to greet Kaizen, revealing a sword attached to his belt and a backpack full of scrolls.

"Andrew, sorry I'm late! I had some complications, but I'm here now." said Kaizen, catching his breath.

Andrew looked at Kaizen and relaxed a little.

"You had me worried. Is everything okay? What happened?" asked Andrew, curious.

Kaizen took a deep breath, recovering from the exertion of the run. "Let's just say some important things happened and I've been pretty busy with a mission."

Andrew nodded to the waiter and ordered two mugs of mead. While they waited, he looked at Kaizen and inquired:

"So, what was your mission about?"

Kaizen was not very good at lying and trusted Andrew, but he could not even tell him about the experience boost potion, because if it leaked out, many would want to buy it, not to mention all the attention Kaizen would receive for being the first non-evolved to travel to another world. Therefore, he needed to think of a lie quickly.

Kaizen looked at the two of them to check that no one was looking, then leaned forward and replied:

"I got a customer today who asked me to restore an epic-ranked axe, so I'm getting a lot more work than usual."

Andrew arched his eyebrows, surprised. "Epic?"

Without hesitation, Kaizen nodded twice, relieved that his lie was well received.

"But then you are a blacksmith? I was theorizing that you were an archer or even a swordsman by the skills you demonstrated."

Just then, the mead arrived at the table, and both friends picked up their mugs, enjoying the comforting aroma before continuing the conversation.

"Yes, I am a blacksmith and I have a store downtown." Kaizen replied, smiling proudly. "Anyway, we've talked enough about me. You dress well and have a good sword from what I could see. What are you?"

Andrew gave a satisfied smile. He then took a sip of mead before answering Kaizen's question.

"Well, my friend, I have trained for years to master the use of the sword and hone my combat skills. I have fought in various battles and adventures over time. The sword you see in my belt is my loyal companion and an extension of myself."

Kaizen looked at Andrew with a mocking smile. "Oh! Are you the kind of player who gets into character?"

Inevitably, Andrew blushed with embarrassment and choked on the mead he was drinking. "Cof... Cof... I n-no! Of course not... I just made a joke."

Kaizen nodded, crossed his arms or continued the act. "Yes, yes. I too have seen many things over the years. Each battle, each challenge, has shaped me and helped me grow as a warrior. But now I'm focused on unraveling the secrets that surround this virtual world."

Andrew couldn't help but laugh hysterically at his friend's terrible performance. However, suddenly someone approached their table, looking at Kaizen and inquired:

"Klaus?"

The Psyker looked to the right, turning his attention away from Andrew, and raised his eyebrows when he saw that the one who approached was Jayaa, his former co-worker and also Emma's brother.

"Jayaa?"

...

Edited by: DrHitsuji

If you want to see original illustrations of Rise Online characters, consider helping me on pa treon: Pa /NandoFalske

More character images in:

https://discord.gg/bpqq9u4gS8

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