Rise Online: Return of the Legendary Player

Chapter 681 Sword of Dawn

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The tension in the air was almost tangible as Kaizen, the bandit leader and Captain Aric prepared for the imminent confrontation.

The silence on the dark road was broken only by the whisper of the wind in the nearby trees, as if nature itself was watching expectantly.

Kaizen held the Sword of Dawn with impressive calm, his expression serious. The blade of his sword shone brightly in the moonlight, emitting an aura of power that was undeniable. The bandit leader wielded a short sword with a serrated blade, while Captain Aric held a spear with a sharp, gleaming tip, accompanied by other soldiers in shining armor.

The bandit leader's sword blade flashed as he struck a fast and furious blow towards Kaizen. However, Kaizen was like water, flowing with grace and surprising agility between the various other men who began trying to attack him. He moved with ease, dodging the attacks with slight inclinations of his body. In turn, the bandit leader's blade passed inches from his chest, but didn't touch him.

Captain Aric quickly swung his spear. He took aim at Kaizen's flank, throwing the spear towards him with military precision. However, before the sharp point of the spear could reach its target, Kaizen raised a hand and the spear was frozen in the air by an invisible force.

The soldiers and bandits watched in amazement as Kaizen held the spear in the air using his psychic power. He looked directly at Captain Aric, his eyes conveying a clear message of warning.

"I'd rather this didn't continue. There are more important things than fighting each other tonight, but if you insist, I won't make it easy."

The bandit leader recovered from his initial frustrated attack and advanced again, this time with a series of quick, brutal blows, trying to cover Aric. He was skilled and experienced, but Kaizen was a force to be reckoned with. He leapt backwards, dodging each blow with elegant movements.

Kaizen finally saw an opening and counterattacked. He spun the Sword of Dawn in a swift and precise arc, slicing the bandit leader's sword in half. The serrated blade fell helplessly to the ground, and the bandit leader stepped back, clutching the hilt of the broken sword.

At that moment, Kaizen was already surrounded on all sides, but as the leader stopped, everyone stopped.

"You really are as skilled as they say," admitted the leader of the bandits with an expression of respect mixed with anger.

"But this isn't over." said Captain Aric, twirling his spear.

Kaizen rested the Sword of the Dawn on his shoulder, his relaxed posture contrasting with the tension in the air.

"By the way, before we go back to fighting, you two are my enemies, I know, but let me remind you that you're in danger too," said Kaizen. "A greater threat is approaching, something you can't ignore."

The bandit leader and Captain Aric exchanged uncertain glances and laughed.

"HUAHA! Are you talking about what happened in Mibothen? That wouldn't happen to us if the hero Kaizen is here with us, would it?" said Aric.

It was then that Kaizen cracked a smile and pointed with a subtle gesture over his shoulder in the direction where his carriage was parked. A soft, mysterious glow began to emanate from the direction of the carriage, growing in intensity as everyone turned to see what it was.

Alina, the sorceress loyal to Kaizen, stood in front of the carriage, dressed in a white dress that seemed to be made of moonlight. Her golden hair flowed like a cascade of gold, and her face displayed a powerful serenity. She raised her hands to her chest, her palms radiating magical energy.

A murmur of amazement went through the crowd of soldiers and bandits as they began to realize what was happening.

"What's that?"

"A mage?!"

"What's that girl doing? Is she using magic?"

Alina cast a penetrating glance at Kaizen, who replied with a nod. And then Alina unleashed a powerful spell, a flash of light so bright that it illuminated the faces of everyone present, dispelling the darkness of the forest that surrounded them. The magical glow revealed the battlefield, with soldiers and bandits frozen in the middle of their interrupted confrontation.

When all eyes turned to Kaizen, he smiled enigmatically and, in the blink of an eye, disappeared before their eyes. The leader of the bandits and Captain Aric exchanged perplexed looks as they tried to understand what had happened. However, before they could react, they were all hit by a spell so powerful that the resulting cloud of energy quickly became visible from afar, as did the deafening roar that accompanied it.

The blast of magic swept across the dark road, leaving only debris and silence in its wake. The soldiers and bandits, previously ready to fight to the death, were now all on the ground, dazed and unable to continue the fight.

Kaizen, the one who had warned of the imminent threat, reappeared in the air and, floating, he returned to where his carriage was, as well as Alina and the rest of the group.

"Our bets were futile." Andrew said, putting his hands in his pockets.

"Is that what you're worried about? She's very powerful." Said Jayaa, a little frightened by Alina's power.

"Humph. You let Kaizen get surrounded too easily? Why didn't you help them?" Alina questioned, crossing her arms.

"Well, it's Kaizen. We didn't think he'd need help dealing with just a few bandits and an ambush." Xisrith said, but he also had his hand on the hilt of her sword, ready to draw it.

"Alina did the right thing." Kaizen said, landing in front of them. "It would take me at least ten minutes to deal with all of them without expending too much energy. And we don't have time for that."

...

Edited by: DrHitsuji

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