Rise Online: Return of the Legendary Player



For most people it's hard to tell when you're on the right track. Is a person on the right track when they have money? When you have love? When you have both? When you're doing something you enjoy? And when you feel something else is missing?

When Klaus got into the app car and sat in the back seat, he was still immersed in his thoughts. For some reason, the exchange of words with Riley had stirred him up somehow, unearthing feelings and questions that he thought he had overcome. Why was he still thinking so much about Emma?

As the car moved through the streets of Los Angels, Klaus watched the landscape passing by the window, lost in deep thought. He remembered the moments he had spent with Emma, their laughter echoing in the apartment, their late-night conversations and, above all, how they had met. It had all been so intense, so meaningful, but also complicated.

Finally, the car stopped in front of the hotel and Klaus went to reception, greeted the attendant and went up to his room.

The silence of the hotel room was comforting, allowing him a moment of introspection, but also a lonely one. It seemed that he could still hear the shouts of the crowd.

He threw himself on the bed and stared at the ceiling, thinking about everything that was happening. Klaus felt he should think more deeply about the feeling of confusion on his face, but when he turned his head to the right, he saw the NeuroGear that used to belong to his brother.

The NeuroGear was placed on the bedside table, and Klaus picked it up to put it on. The device still hurt Klaus's forehead a bit and he had bought a more modern one for that reason, but for some reason he always used the older one.

[Connecting to the world server. Stand by...]

[Checking for RISE ONLINE game updates...]

[No updates found.]

[Do you want to connect to RISE ONLINE? YES/NO]

When Kaizen opened his eyes, he was just outside the Twilight Woods, where he had killed more than two dozen Forest Spreaders.

He has some time, but he's not getting sick of archery just yet. What he needs at the moment is to distract himself for a moment, so he decides to return to the city.

Soon, he was back in the bustling capital of Tretidian, the center of commerce for the entire kingdom. People walked the streets, chatting, buying and selling items, and often stopping to admire each other's equipment and clothes. The city was full of bright colors and, although it had recently been attacked, the unique architecture still stood out, especially the two colossal pillars that emerged from the mountain in the center of the city, making it seem as if a part of the city was always at night, because the shadow of this monument was giant.

Without missing a beat, Kaizen headed for the Raven Feather store. The sound of virtual wind chimes rang out as he entered, announcing his entrance to Og'tharoz.

"Hello, Kaizen!" greeted Og'tharoz enthusiastically. "You're finally back!"

Kaizen returned the smile and took a look at the shelves, filled with a variety of weapons and equipment. "Hey, OG! How are sales?"

"Better than imagined. Your latest contract with the Royal Guard seems to have given the store a good reputation and the stores that have recently opened on the street have given it more visibility too."

"That's good to hear... Maybe I should start giving you a salary for serving people." Kaizen said jokingly.

"Eh? Is it serious? I-" Og'tharoz was about to say, but suddenly the bell over the store door rang again.

Kaizen turned back and saw someone familiar, someone he hadn't seen for some time. It was Xisrith, the descendragon he had recently helped on a quasi-diplomatic mission to get protection for her people in the kingdom of Vrikhodour.

"Xisrith! It's good to see you, but what are you doing here?" greeted Kaizen, a little confused.

"I knew it was you! I saw you on TV!" Xisrith said, pointing at Kaizen.

At that moment, Kaizen's eyes widened. "So you saw me?"

"Of course I saw you! Imagine my reaction when I was watching TV in a bar with my boyfriend and suddenly saw your face. I spent some time trying to remember where I knew you from and didn't even imagine for most of the time that it could be from here!"

Kaizen laughed, moved closer and slipped an arm behind her back. "You've got me, but you need to be less obvious. There's an NPC here." He whispered and then turned to Og'tharoz and said: "OG, can you give us some time alone?"

Og'tharoz, who had one arm resting on the counter looking confused, nodded and flew to the second.

'What strange language were they speaking?' Og'tharoz thought.

After the demon left, the two began to walk around the store together to talk.

"So, you've also been invited to the Special Program." Xisrith said.

"Yes, I was. You too?"

Xisrith nodded. "But I didn't even accept the invitation for the selection process. I'm already in college, and although I was tempted to accept, I'm in an important semester. I couldn't just abandon everything for one possibility."

"You're right..."

"But, man~, now I'm so sorry. Being on a campus where there are so many different kinds of sports and people sounds really cool."

"Um... Come to think of it, it's like being at an elite school. There are a few people looking for trouble, but overall it's pretty cool."

"So, it's like a college, but the duration is shorter and entry is only allowed for geniuses." Said Xisrith, teasing Kaizen. "I'm joking, but you really looked spectacular yesterday. I didn't know you could use a bow so well."

"If someone said that to me at the same time last year, I'd say that person was going mad! Puahahat!" Kaizen said, laughing. 

...

Edited by: DrHitsuji

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

More character images in:

https://discord.gg/bpqq9u4gS8

Like it? Add to library!

Don't forget to vote with Powerstone to support the book if you like it...