Rise Online: Return of the Legendary Player

The group quickly crossed the gate of the third circle, and the intense white light completely obscured their vision for a moment.

The brightness was almost blinding, making them shield their eyes with their hands.

When they were finally able to open their eyes again, they found themselves in a completely different place.

The Fourth Circle of Hell, Greed, was an astonishing sight. Unlike the desolate cold they had experienced in the previous Circle, they were now surrounded by a scene of extreme opulence. Endless plains of gold, jewels and glittering treasures stretched out before them. Mountains of treasure chests and golden coins glittered, spreading their almost hypnotic light.

"This... this is surreal!" muttered Jayaa, putting his foot down and seeing that his feet easily sank into the floor made up of an endless amount of gold coins. His eyes were wide as he observed the vastness of the treasures around him.

Og'tharoz, always with his serious countenance, analyzed his surroundings with caution. "Be careful of the terrain and remember the purpose of this place. It's the Circle of Greed, it's sure to tempt us with all sorts of things," he said, his deep voice echoing. "Don't be fooled by riches. That's a trap for greedy souls."

Kaizen looked at his companions, making sure they had all heard what Og'tharoz had said. "We are here to cross over, not to get lost in these temptations. We've wasted enough time with the other circles, we have to pick up the pace a bit. Stay together and don't touch anything we shouldn't have trouble with."

As they advanced between the mountains of gold, the spirits of the damned souls around them slowly became more visible. They were pale, spectral figures with eyes empty of hope, reaching out with skeletal hands to grab the riches that surrounded them.

Each time one of these spirits took a treasure in their hands, the treasure would disappear and reappear somewhere else and this created an eternal cycle of frustration and unsatisfied desire.

Xisrith, ever observant, noticed the torment on the faces of the souls around her. "This is terrible," she whispered, squeezing Bloody Lily's arm. "They're trapped in an endless cycle. In fact, this is hell, there's no doubting that."

"That's why we can't stay here," replied Lily, her voice firm. "In order not to become like them, we need to move on."

Crossing that field of treasures was a test of will. Each step felt heavy, as if the ground was impregnated with an energy that was trying to pull them down, but this weight was actually the glitter of gold and jewels that was almost hypnotic, a constant invitation to stray from the path.

[Take 100,000 gold coins?]

The system window was above the bags of gold coins, stimulating the visual urge.

Bloody Lily, with his keen perception, led the group cautiously. "Stay focused on the golden door in the distance," she said, pointing to the horizon where a majestic door stood, glowing with a golden light. "That's our goal."

The surrounding spirits began to murmur, their voices blending into a chorus of lamentations and unsatisfied desires.

"Riches... Gold... Jewels..." were the words that were repeated incessantly, like a mantra of greed.

Kaizen felt a shiver run down his spine. If he had had to pass this place a few months ago, he certainly wouldn't have been able to. His greed for money to help his family would surely overcome him.

"They're trying to distract us," he said, advising himself more than the others. "Don't let their voices enter your minds."

As they advanced, the mental resistance became more intense. Each of them fought the urge to give in to the riches around them.

Jayaa, especially, seemed to be fighting an internal battle. His eyes, normally full of curiosity and enthusiasm, were a little lost.

"I... I can feel it," said Jayaa, her voice trembling slightly. "This temptation... it's like a weight on my mind."

Og'tharoz placed a firm hand on Jayaa's shoulder. "Bard, you're stronger than that," he said. "Remember what is at stake. We can't afford to fail now."

With these words of encouragement, the group continued forward. Each step brought them closer to the golden door, and each step was a victory over the surrounding temptation. They were almost there, the great golden door now only a few meters away. This door was identical to the one Cerberus protected, just as big, and it didn't take long for them to reach it.

However, just as Kaizen was about to touch the door, a figure emerged from under a mountain of gold. It was an unimposing but terrifying presence, a hunchbacked man with a cadaverous face, short and not at all athletic.

"Wait, wait, wait! Who do you think you are to cross my domain without desiring my riches?" The figure's voice rang out, a deep echo that reverberated through the air.

Andrew drew his sword. "And who do YOU think you are to tempt us with something so frivolous?" Explore more at m,v l'e-NovelFire

Kaizen's eyelids flicked to the middle ground of his eyes and he thought:

'Sometimes Andrew really knows how to keep up the holy knight persona.

"O-ora...!" The short mysterious man was shocked by the question. "I-I am Adamanthi, the holder of all the riches of hell and steward of the countless treasures of the Surtr God!" After stuttering a little, he said proudly.

"I've never heard of it!" retorted Andrew.

"That's because I'm just an accountant! I didn't used to stay here, in fact, there was a demon here!" explained Adamanthi, but then shook his head. "It doesn't matter now! You won't get through here so easily!"

Og'tharoz then placed a hand on Andrew's chest and stepped in front of him, facing Adamanthi who immediately recognized him.

"You are...! You're Og'tharoz, but how...?!" Adamanthi incredulously questioned and was about to continue, but Og'tharoz grabbed him by the neck and lifted him up.

"Hello, Adamanthi. Did you think you'd never see me again?" asked Og'tharoz.