Rise Online: Return of the Legendary Player

"Why should we trust you?" Valthorn, the leader of that gathering garrison, asked the outsider.

"Because I can choose to spare you when I go to kill your lord." Kaizen declared, looking serious.

"Bastard!!!" One of the elves pulled his sword out of its sheath and swung it in Kaizen's direction. "Don't talk about the lord with your filthy mouth!!!"

However, just like the moment before, the elf suddenly stopped centimetres away from touching Kaizen.

"I swear that if any more of you try to attack me, the brains of all of you will explode in your skulls and drip out of your ears."

The dark elves' eyes sparked with anger at Kaizen's declaration, but no one else acted. On the contrary, the other dark elves backed away, fearful of death. It was clear that Kaizen was powerful, very powerful. The atmosphere in the tavern became tense, as if the slightest movement could trigger an explosion.

"You dare threaten the Lord in his own domain? You're meddling in matters that don't concern you, outsider!" Volthorn cursed, his hand clenched around the hilt of the sword that rested next to the large chair he sat in.

Kaizen remained impassive. He placed one hand on the mug on the counter. "I'm not threatening anyone, I've just been honest. That's why I want to take part in this game. The choice is yours."

The dark elves exchanged hostile glances, but the mysterious energy that had prevented them from touching Kaizen still hung in the air, thwarting any attempt at direct action against him. Valthorn, although sceptical, realised that the outsider possessed an unusual ability and decided to accept the proposal, even if it meant keeping his men alive.

"All right, stranger. If you wish to take part, so be it. But it's not fair that we're all offering you something and you're offering nothing but threats," warned Valthorn and looked at the dwarf sitting next to him.

The Talfor dwarf, who had been watching in silence until then, snorted before giving in to Valthorn's threatening gaze and agreeing. "If it's a fair game you want, you need to offer something, traveller."

Kaizen contemplated the request of the dwarf and the leader of the gathering garrison for a moment. A subtle smile played on his lips before he rose from his chair, revealing an even more imposing presence. With a simple movement, he made a magnificent sword materialise in the air, adorned with sinister runes and a blade as black as midnight.

The sword exuded an aura of perverse darkness, enveloping the tavern in a heavy air.

The dark elves' eyes narrowed, and the dwarf Talfor swallowed, feeling the weight of the power contained in that weapon.

Valthorn, even in the face of his scepticism, couldn't help but be immediately fascinated.

"This is the Night Sword," Kaizen announced, placing it on the table. "A weapon that carries the soul of a demon and an evil spirit. It is capable of granting dark powers to those who wield it, but make no mistake, it is also a force that consumes the soul and can consume the wielder."

The tension in the tavern increased, drawing full attention to the sword in question.

"I'm willing to place this weapon as a wager. It will belong to one of you if you win the game I propose."

Valthorn stared at the Night Sword, feeling drawn to the power emanating from it.

"Is that enough for you?" Kaizen asked, observing the expressions of the dark elves and the dwarf.

Talfor scratched his beard, pondering the offer. As an old blacksmith, he could tell just by looking at how powerful this sword was, he had never seen anything like it. Finally, he agreed with a reluctant nod, for if he could get his hands on it, even Valthorn wouldn't stand a chance against it, while some elves muttered among themselves

"All right, stranger. We accept your offer," declared Valthorn, straightening up in his chair. "But what kind of game do you propose?"

Kaizen smiled, pleased with the acceptance. "It won't be a simple game of dice like you proposed for the respectable dwarf. I propose something more challenging, a test of skill and cunning. Something that will separate the weak from the strong."

Valthorn frowned, but nodded, curious. "Go on..."

Kaizen looked around the tavern before moving closer to the table. He took out a pack of cards from his inventory and began to shuffle them skilfully. "It will be a card game, but not just any card game. A challenge of bluffing and strategy. The winner will get the Night Sword as a prize and all the supplies. There's no tie, just three rounds to decide.

If we each tie with a round won, we'll have a fourth round to declare the winner, but I doubt we'll get that far."

The dark elves and dwarves looked at each other. The tension-filled air was now turning to anticipation.

"Very well, but, young man, explain the game. What's the point?" asked Talfor.

Kaizen smiled, pleased to have caught the attention of everyone in the tavern. "The game I'm proposing is called... Triad, let's call it that. It's a card game that requires cunning, strategy and, above all, the ability to read others. Each player receives a hand of cards and the aim is to form trines of cards of the same suit or value.

To do this, you can each choose an opponent to swap a card you don't want from your hand with a random card from their hand, so you can form the trades. However, trades cannot be declared openly; you have to bluff and deceive your opponents to hide your true intentions."

Talfor scratched his grey beard, showing his curiosity mixed with a touch of suspicion. The dark elves, although still frowning, agreed, understanding Kaizen's proposed game

The outsider dealt the cards with the skill of an experienced player, while the players tried to think of strategies to win the game.