Rise Online: Return of the Legendary Player

Chapter 768 The outcome of the war that lasted one night

As Dathan spoke, Dodir, Araxie, Eraskan and the others remained attentive, watching the scene. 

Dathan, feeling the others' gaze on him, walked slowly towards Bloody Lily, sword still in hand. "Now, Lily, what do you have to say? Surrender and accept your fate."

Bleeding Lily, taking a deep breath to control the pain, gave Dathan a penetrating look. "You know what's funny, shadow idiot? To me it looks like you're just talking nonsense, because Dathan is the laziest and most womanizing sub-captain a guild could have."

Dathan laughed again, ignoring her words. With a quick gesture, he pointed his sword in Bloody Lily's direction and said: 

"None of that matters, because you die today."

However, before Dathan could move forward, Bloody Lily disappeared from his sight with unusual speed. In the blink of an eye, she appeared at Dathan's rear, her scarlet hair dancing in the air as she executed an agile and precise movement. The volcanic stone floor seemed to tremble beneath her feet, and before Dathan could react, a swift kick was landed against his back. The impact sent Dathan flying forward, letting out a surprised grunt. 

"What happened to all that confidence, shadows?" she teased, keeping her eyes fixed on her opponents.

Obviously, the other enemies didn't stand still and quickly moved in to attack Bloody Lily, who began to move with a speed they weren't used to. The shadows of Muspelheim, as these creatures were known, copied everything from the voices and memories the victim had of their most loved ones to their physical characteristics, such as strength, speed and so on, all based on the impression the victim had of these people. In other words, if the victim thought that such a person was weak, even if they weren't, the shadow would copy what their target thought, not an exact copy.

Eraskan watched the intense exchange between Bloody Lily and the others with a keen eye. He frowned, noticing something peculiar about Bloody Lily's hand. His trained eyes detected a subtle gleam coming from a small object on his ring finger.

"What's that?" muttered Eraskan to himself, his eyes fixed on the glittering ring. 

Meanwhile, the deadly dance between Bloody Lily and the shadows continued. The player, despite being wounded, showed surprising agility, avoiding the blows of Dathan, Dodir and Araxie with grace. Her body moved as freely as an animal's, dodging her opponent's attacks with a dexterity that left everyone stunned.

Dathan, irritated by the turn of events, made a desperate lunge, abandoning the formation. He was fast, so fast that most of the monsters from the first seven circles of hell wouldn't stand a chance against him, except that Bloody Lily was at a higher level using the Ring of Redemption. 

Without any mercy, Bloody Lily swung his red sword and ripped off Dathan's head, which immediately faded into a black liquid on the ground.

Dodir, trying to regain control of the situation, advanced with his black sword in hand. However, before he could even raise his arms to attack, Bloody Lily spun around quickly, elegantly dodging the attack and shredding the shadow with a clean blow. Black liquid gushed through the air as the shadow faded away.

Araxie, in despair at her imminent defeat, tried as well. However, the player, now in tune with the power of her ring, dispelled Tank's shadow with a flick of her sword. 

The player, aware of the short time she had, advanced with impressive speed, eliminating each shadow one by one. Her movements were fluid, almost dancing between her opponents, while her red sword glittered.

When the last enemy was finally defeated, the battlefield was transformed into a silent, desolate scene. Bloody Lily stood in the center, his breathing labored but controlled. His attention was now entirely on the small object on his ring finger, the Ring of Redemption.

The glow that had once emanated from it gradually began to diminish, leaving only traces of its former intensity. 

At that moment, a voice echoed in the silence, coming from a distant shadow. "Bloody Lily, you are truly a force to be reckoned with."

Surprised, Lily turned in the direction of the voice, and in the place where the puddle of black liquid that Dathan's shadow had been transformed, a dark and imposing figure appeared. Maelstrom stood before her again, dressed in his well-tailored suit. His red eyes were fixed on Bloody Lily's, giving off a certain aura of tenderness or admiration.

"You proved your bravery and skill in this last challenge. And it seems that the power of the Ring of Redemption has suited you well. With this year, you're probably on the same level as that man you admire so much, so why don't you take it?"

"What?" Bloody Lily asked, confused. "I thought it was already mine." 

"No, of course not. We just lent it to you so that, let's say, it would be more fun for Surtr to watch."

"Watch? Is he watching all this?"

"Of course he is, after all, entertainment isn't really Muspelheim's forte, even more so for the god who's going to start the end of the world. So, if you want, you can keep that ring and all the other treasures in the room where you found this item, what do you think?"

"I..."

"However, there is one condition, of course. If you choose the treasures, you won't be able to take Mibothen's souls, but rest assured, no one will know about your decision." explained Maelstrom, but he looked at him as if he were reading Bloody Lily's thoughts, aware that she would accept. "Make up a story of failure when you get back or..."

"No, I want the souls of the people of Mibothen. Nothing more than that. So take this ring." She took off the Ring of Redemption and threw it at the demon's feet, as if the item that had made her so much stronger was nothing more than garbage. 

The way she looked was that of someone completely determined.