Rise Online: Return of the Legendary Player

The profound analysis of the Shaman of the Forest of the Forgotten was unforgettable for all the members of Kaizen's group. He was an NPC, but he seemed to know them deeply, as if he could literally read their souls, not their avatars, but their real souls and what they actually feared and desired. So this was a thought-provoking experience for everyone.

After he had finished speaking, the old halfling bowed his head and with his hands still behind him started walking towards the door of the hut again.

"Hey, old man, thanks for the advice, but we came here for something else." Kaizen said, seeing that the Shaman was leaving. "We want the Marks to get to the City of Tears."

"I know," said the halfling. "Ask your friends to look at your forearms." And he continued walking towards the door.

The others quickly pulled up their sleeves or removed the forearm protection from their armor and then noticed a small magic circle, with several runes on its edge and a smaller circle in the center. This magic circle glowed crimson, like the embers of a bonfire, and everyone received an additional title for it.

[You have earned the title 'Marked by the Magi.]

[You have gained +10 Points in the Magic Resistance Attribute].

"So this is that Mark?" Jayaa asked, looking at the magic circle.

Kaizen, confused, approached Jayaa and ran his finger gently over the circle. There was no doubt, it was a mark like the one he had, only he still had a doubt.

"Easy there, old man. You made the Mark on them without even touching and when it was my turn you threw that viscous liquid and..." complained Kaizen.

"Viscous liquid?" Alina questioned.

Xisrith, for his part, held back his laughter, putting a hand to his mouth, while Andrew and Jayaa weren't so quick to disguise their dirty minds.

"Kaizen, did you let that Shaman put a viscous liquid on you? HAHAHAHA!"

"Don't tell me it was inside that dark hut!"

Kaizen laughed sarcastically at his friends' jokes, and before he could try to clear up the misunderstanding, the Shaman turned back and said:

"That time, months ago, I was very inexperienced in this sort of thing."

Impressively, as he said this, the Shaman's face gradually turned red, as if he was embarrassed, which made it impossible for Xisrith to continue holding back his laughter and even Og'tharoz laughed with everyone, while poor Alina was confused, after all she had a total of zero malice in her mind.

The laughter echoed in the small clearing as Kaizen tried to regain his composure, rubbing the back of his neck with an embarrassed expression. Shaman, on the other hand, continued on his way to the door of the hut. Before entering, he turned once more to the group, the wrinkle on his forehead smoothing out as he flashed a closed smile.

"The Marks you now carry on your forearms are a link to the magical power of the Forest of the Forgotten. Use them wisely in the City of Tears and don't get caught by the authorities. After what happened to Adohorn and Kaizen, it's more monitored than ever up there and they often do identity checks. Be smarter than them."

With these solemn words, the Shaman disappeared into the darkness of the hut and closed the door, leaving the group in a momentary silence. Kaizen looked at his companions, and a smile began to form on their lips. He knew that the journey was about to reach a new level, and the momentary banter only strengthened the group's spirit.

"Well, it looks like we're ready to go." Kaizen suggested, and the group agreed, gathering in a small circle.

As they walked away from the hut, they observed the magic circles on his forearms. Alina, always curious, raised her hand and studied her mark more closely. The runes seemed to pulse gently, emitting an almost imperceptible glow.

"It's fascinating. I've never seen such complex magic before." Alina murmured, enchanted.

Xisrith, with his characteristic wit, intervened: "Well, it seems we're now part of a magical elite. Who knew that a viscous liquid could give us such power?"

Andrew laughed and tapped Kaizen lightly on the shoulder. "It looks like you've been through a more... interesting ritual than the rest of us."

Kaizen rolled his eyes, but couldn't hide his smile. The group was more united than ever. So they decided it was time to use their Marks to reach the City of Tears. With one last glance in the direction of the Shaman's hut, Kaizen raised his forearm and concentrated on the energy contained in the Mark.

"The City of Tears awaits us..." Kaizen proclaimed.

A warm sensation ran through his body, and the rune began to glow brightly. With a firm gesture, he touched the mark, and was pulled back as if a black hole had appeared in the middle of his chest. As they crossed this threshold, a feeling of vertigo enveloped them and the surrounding landscape distorted before solidifying again. When they opened their eyes, they found themselves in an empty street in the City of Tears.

The contrast with the Forest of the Forgotten was felt instantly. Majestic buildings rose towards the sky, which was dark as rock, and it seemed to be night. Bright lights shone in all directions, while a distant melody indicated the presence of street performers, creating a vibrant and lively atmosphere, although an incessant amount of drops fell from the sky, a weak but continuous rain.

Kaizen looked around, seeing the reaction of the others. "Welcome to the City of Tears, my friends."

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